1 . Aptitude Tests Recommendations
Aptitude tests are helpful to job seekers of all ages. While career quizzes explore your values and work style, aptitude tests provide a more objective evaluation of your skills, helping you select a career you’re most likely to succeed in. Below are some of the best aptitude tests out there.
Clifton Strengths
The Clifton Strengths program was created based on research around leadership. The research in question pointed to common strengths among successful leaders, like strategic thinking, adaptability and communication. To complete the test, you must answer around 150 questions, each within 20 seconds. Allen Cheung, a tech blogger, notes that CliftonStrengths is more valuable than your average career test because it includes “tricky questions which aren’t as easily gamed”.
Red Bull Wingfinder
Developed and tested out by psychology experts, the Red Bull Wingfinder assesses your thinking under pressure. Questions include image sorting, logic puzzles and leadership-related questions. Once you complete the test, you’ll receive a nine-page report and career coaching tailored to your results.
SEI Development Report
The SEI Development Report is an extensive EQ aptitude test that has timed right-and-wrong answers that assess eight fundamentals, including emotional literacy, emotional management and empathy. At the end, you’ll receive a 20-page report with recommended courses on workplace EQ development.
CareerOneStop
While it only takes a few minutes to complete, the CareerOneStop Skills Assessment will help you rank both your technical and soft skills. The career suggestions at the end can be sorted by relevance, annual wages, and job outlook, coupled with with professional coaching or consultation improve your skills.
1. What do aptitude tests mainly assess for job seekers?A.Their work ethics. | B.Their career interest. |
C.Their preferred work style. | D.Their professional competence. |
A.It evaluates leadership skills. | B.It is developed by experts. |
C.It includes challenging questions. | D.It offers a comprehensive report. |
A.Clift on Strengths | B.Red Bull Wingfinder |
C.SEI Development Report | D.CareerOneStop |
2 . International Day of Education
24 January
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed (宣布) 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and 763 million adults are illiterate (文盲的). Their right to education is being violated (侵犯) and it is unacceptable. It’s time to transform education.
International Day of Clean Energy
26 January
The International Day of Clean Energy on 26 January was declared by the General Assembly as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition (过渡) to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet. 26 January is also the founding date of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions.
World Health Day
7 April
It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
The theme for World Health Day 2024 is “My health, my right”, which was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions.
World Environment Day
5 June
World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth. People from more than 150 countries participate in this United Nations international day, which celebrates environmental action and the power of governments, businesses and individuals to create a more sustainable world. The event has been led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) since its start in 1973.
1. On what day is the event about world energy marked?A.24 January. | B.26 January. | C.7 April. | D.5 June. |
A.International Day of Education. |
B.International Day of Clean Energy. |
C.World Health Day. |
D.World Environment Day. |
A.They have a common goal. | B.They have a long history. |
C.They’re international events. | D.They benefit world environment. |
3 . Accents in English
Accents are fascinating and usually come with kinds of information.
Thanks to the development of technology, various handy accesses are available for people to share and pick up accents. English actor and accent coach Sarah Valentine is an expert in teaching the tones which can change the English language.
Valentine has been working in TV since the 1990s. She appears to have found success coaching other actors to speak in a variety of dialects.
“
Everyone has an accent. A dialect coach like Valentine can help one learn to speak differently, for an acting job or for fun.
A.In fact, all accents are worthy of pride |
B.One’s birthplace can affect his accent |
C.However, not all accents are worth learning |
D.While much work with actors is done in one-on-one coaching |
E.They can signal one’s living places, education and personality |
F.On TikTok, she gives examples of simple phrases repeated in over 20 accents |
G.A region’s location has a direct influence on the development of a local language |
4 . Powerful Benefits of Journaling
When looking for a way to better manage stress and feel your best, consider adding journaling to.
Practice journaling as therapy (治疗)
By making journaling a regular practice, you create a space for self-reflection that can lead to personal growth and psychological treatment.
Release and process feelings
Help recognize sources of stress
Think of it as a safe space to express how you feel, leading to a significant decrease in stress levels. Sometimes the first step in building the life you want starts with simple awareness. Journaling gives you a chance to recognize what stresses you out in the first place.
Promote mindfulness
Journaling brings your focus to the present. Just like in mindful meditation (冥想), journaling gives you an outlet to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment. Think of this as an act of self-love, to accept yourself in the present moment just as you are.
A.This practice goes beyond just recording daily events |
B.Even just five minutes can help gain some comprehension |
C.Sometimes people find it challenging to express their emotions. |
D.This mindfulness aspect provides a crucial tool in reducing stress. |
E.Once you notice bad situations, you can remove that source of stress. |
F.This can enhance decision-making skills and promote an approach to life’s difficulties. |
G.To begin your therapeutic journaling journey, the most important aspect is to get started |
5 . Pickleball, which combines elements of badminton, Ping-Pang, and tennis, has two characteristics that make it a good choice for older adults. It’s slower than other racket (球拍) sports, and it’s easier to learn.
With a play area about a quarter the size of a tennis court and a plastic ball that doesn’t bounce as high or as fast as a tennis ball, you don’t have to run as much or as quickly. The bats are lighter and shorter than tennis rackets, making them easier to swing and control. There are fewer rules than tennis.
Plus, pickleball is more social than many types of exercise and it’s fun. In one study, participants rated pickleball 150 percent higher for enjoyment than walking. “People are finding it’s not boring,” says Cedric Bryant, PhD, chief science officer at the American Council on Exercise, who has played pickleball for more than 20 years. “It’s not something they’re doing just because they should, but because they enjoy it and want to do it.”
Pickleball is an effective workout, and like walking, you can adjust the intensity to your preferences. A friendly doubles match can qualify as proper exercise. A competitive singles match is likely to be tighter.
And pickleball offers plenty of health pluses. After six weeks of playing an hour of pickleball three times a week, older adults improved their cardiorespiratory (心肺的) fitness and blood pressure, according to a study published in 2018 in the International Journal of Research in Exercise Physiology. Another study found that the activity may keep you mentally sharp. “You’re making a lot of quick decisions while engaged in a physical task,” says study author David Bolton, PhD, assistant professor at Utah State University in Logan. “It is effectively training cognitive (认知的) ability.”
But it is not without risks of getting injured. Don’t just hit the court and go right into having a game. A warm-up is the best defense against injury, so take at least 5 minutes to prepare your body.
1. What is one of the reasons for the popularity of pickleball among older adults?A.Its slow pace. | B.Its great intensity. |
C.Its complex rules. | D.Its cheap equipment. |
A.It is demanding. | B.It is enjoyable. |
C.It is beneficial. | D.It is practical. |
A.Making quick decisions. |
B.Training cognitive ability. |
C.Brain activity during physical exercise. |
D.The proper frequency to play pickleball. |
A.Pre-workout preparations. | B.The rules of this exercise. |
C.Comments on this game. | D.Disadvantages of pickleball. |
6 . The 2017 Noble Prize for Physics was given for the confirmation of a prediction made 101 years earlier. In 1916 Albert Einstein, whose theories of special and general relativity revolutionized scientists’ understanding of the universe, predicted that, in certain circumstances, the fabric of the universe itself should swing and bend.
The cause is gravitational waves In 2015 gravitational waves were directly observed for the first time. LIGO, an American observatory based in Washington State in that country’s northwest, and Louisiana in the southeast, detected waves produced by a pair of crashing black holes, each about 30 times the mass of the sun. That produced ripples (波纹) in space-time with a frequency of about 150 Hz, or cycles per second, and a wavelength of around 2, 000km.
This detection marked the beginning of the era of gravitational wave astronomy, which uses gravity to examine the universe in the same way that conventional astronomy uses electromagnetic radiation, from visible light to radio waves and gamma rays. On June 29th four projects led by researchers in America, Australia, China and Europe claimed to have pushed forward the state of that emerging art. They announced the detection of new, extremely low frequency gravitational waves which could offer insights into some of the hardest-to-study bits of the universe.
Gravitational wave detectors are interferometers (干涉仪). They work by dividing a ray of light into two,and sending each half down one of a pair of long,straight arms. At the end of the arms,the light waves are reflected back towards the source, where they are recombined. If that journey is uninterrupted, the returning rays will cancel each other out when they are put back together. If they do not, then that suggests some disturbance has disturbed them on their journey.
1. Why was Einstein mentioned in Paragraph 1?A.To make a prediction. | B.To make a comparison. |
C.To offer more background. | D.To honor this great scientist. |
A.Expected. | B.Surprising. | C.Accidental. | D.Groundbreaking. |
A.How they work. | B.What they can do. |
C.Whether they are accurate. | D.Why they are used. |
A.Ripples in Space-Time. | B.Theories to Be Confirmed. |
C.Predictions about the Universe. | D.Ways of Observing the Universe. |
7 . The British accent of Cary Gran has finally been revealed after a fellow actor tracked down a secretly tape recording of the Bristol-born big screen superstar.
Jason Isaacs, who plays Cary Grant in a coming ITV biopic (传记片), said that although setting his mind on figuring out the actor’s real accent, he had become upset by the absence of interviews with Cary Grant.
The star, whose death aged 82 in 1986 brought to an end one of the 20th century’s greatest screen careers, rarely spoke in public and would always adopt a mid-American accent for the cameras
Isaacs, 60, said this week that after some “detective work”, he found out about an interview Cary Grant gave to a student from the University of Iowa months before his death. The student’s classmate secretly recorded the interview in which Cary Grant spoke about his hatred (厌恶) of being approached by fans. The secret recording reveals Cary Grant’s true accent.
At the launch of the ITV drama Archie-after Cary Grant’s birth name Archibald Leach — Isaacs said that when he landed the role, “the first thing I did was look for interviews of Cary Grant.” Isaacs added; “He didn’t want to be seen and he didn’t want to be known. There was nothing at all. Only the films. And that’s not what he spoke like. His accent changed a lot in the films.
Isaacs said of listening to the tape: “I felt like I’d finally made a real connection with him and that’s the voice you hear on screen in Archie. It’s more English than he is in the movies. People think they remember Cary Grant’s voice but what they remember is Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot.”
The ITV biopic focuses on Grant’s troubled family relationships. Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter, said her father had rarely spoken about his childhood. “Sadly I think there was so much shame wrapped up in it,” Jennifer Grant said.
1. Why did Jason Isaacs attempt to get a recording of Cary Grant?A.To recreate his accent for real. |
B.To show sincere respect to him. |
C.To get the role of Cary Grant easily. |
D.To make the film more profitable. |
A.He acted as a detective. |
B.He worked in a university. |
C.He hated being recorded secretly. |
D.He disliked having his life disturbed. |
A.Cary Grant. | B.Tony Curtis. | C.Jason Isaacs. | D.Jennifer Grant. |
A.Generous. | B.Ambitious. | C.Determined. | D.Knowledgeable. |
8 . Vietnam Quality Tour
Price | £4,240 per person |
Price includes | ·Return flights from the UK, current taxes ·Domestic transportation ·16 nights’ four star accommodation ·16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners ·Touring with guides and entrance fees as detailed in schedule ·Exclusive free pre-tour extension including hotel night with breakfast and dinner and a half-day cooking class. |
Departures | May 2024 to June 2026 |
This tour is the perfect introduction to Vietnam, with cultural activities and plenty of opportunities to interact with the locals. Learn more about the history of Saigon, and explore Hue for a glimpse(一睹) of the grand past of this ancient country. Hoi An will impress you with its stone streets and scenic riverside setting, while the capital city Hanoi features timeless streets full of local life, wonderful colonial(殖民的) architecture and a splendid history. The tour finishes as it started, with a showstopper—Halong Bay, where you’ll take an overnight journey by sea out onto the calm waters and wind your way through the breathtaking karst(喀斯特) scenery.
When booking this tour with The Times Travel Offers, you will get a high-quality free pre-tour extension, which includes an extra hotel night with breakfast and dinner, as well as a half-day cooking class which is of great value-make sure to quote TIMES-ON when booking.
1. When can you sign up for this tour?A.In April 2024. | B.In August 2025. | C.In July 2026. | D.In August 2026 |
A.Its stone streets. | B.Its unique scenery. | C.Its splendid history | D.Its colonial architecture. |
A.A travel plan. | B.A travel journal | C.An attraction profile. | D.A travel advertisement |
9 . Earthquake prediction has long been a challenge for scientists around the globe since the geological phenomenon can occur at any time and any location with little or no warning. The chance of a powerful earthquake can only be determined through long-term forecasts in a general area or region on Earth.
Throughout history, no individual or group has yet successfully predicted a major earthquake: including its date and time, location and magnitude. These are the three elements essential to make an earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). While small earthquakes occur all the time, high-intensity earthquakes are rare but is something to watch out.
Now, a new study led by researchers from Pennsylvania State University found a potential solution to the dilemma of earthquake forecast: ancient underthrust rocks. Rocks buried deep in ancient subduction (俯冲) zones — where tectonic( 地壳的) plates bump with each other — could help scientists make better predictions of how these zones behave during the years between major earthquakes.
According to the USGS, we are still uncertain how we can make such a feat and are not expecting to perfectly predict major earthquakes any time in the foreseeable future.
Although some people in the past said they could predict earthquakes, the U.S. Government agency asserts these are all failed predictions. Their predictions are neither grounded on scientific fact nor passed through the scientific method.
Since authorities in the field of geology and other related areas acknowledged that earthquake prediction is still far from being completed, scientists continue to further understand this mystery. Unlike weather forecasts of hurricanes and other storms, earthquakes have no concrete parameters (参数) that would indicate that they would occur in the coming hours, days, weeks or months.
Regardless, the Penn State researchers have made progress in the dilemma by understanding the underthrust rocks in ancient subduction zones. Determining this area could help scientists better predict the behavior of these zones during periods between major earthquakes. Evidence of their findings was based on clues from rock formations in Alaska and Japan.
1. What is the hard nut as to earthquake prediction?A.Earthquakes often occur in unexpected areas. | B.No scientists can tell how earthquakes happen. |
C.The geological structure is too complicated. | D.It is hard to predict earthquakes accurately. |
A.Take actions. | B.Achieve success. |
C.Adopt measures. | D.Face challenges. |
A.Because they can be tracked through the specific data. |
B.Because they usually happen in some particular places. |
C.Because they can be confirmed by the practical experience. |
D.Because they often take place during hot summer time. |
A.Ancient underthrust rocks help in earthquake prediction |
B.Earthquake prediction remains a problem to work out |
C.Underthrust rocks indicate coming violent earthquakes |
D.Scientists can successfully predict destructive earthquakes |
10 . The recent spread of “fake news” may make it seem like misinformation is a relatively modern invention. But falsehoods (假话) and wild claims have been part of human culture for about as long as it’s existed. This is because misinformation originates with, and is spread by, fellow humans.
When you’ve ever had to communicate an important, but complex, issue to a general audience, you may have a sea of the most reliable data, the most elegant PowerPoint slides and the full backing of every famous expert in the relevant field. And yet, you can still be less persuasive than someone whose entire argument is: “A guy I met down the pub told me something different.”
In a perfectly sensible, logical world, someone who is loosely connected with a certain field or industry wouldn’t have the same influence as actual data, or the leading experts in the field. But humans aren’t perfectly sensible, logical creatures and neither is the world we live in.
The ability to think rationally and analytically is a relatively recent addition to our mental abilities (in the evolutionary sense). And it costs our brains a lot of energy and effort, The more established, fundamental systems in our brain, which shape memory and learning, are heavily reliant on emotion. The more emotionally stimulating something is, the easier it is to remember. That’s why we can spend months revising the material for a crucial school exam, but struggle to remember any of it once we’ve passed. Meanwhile, the embarrassing tine we slipped and landed on our backside in the school canteen. that memory will last until our dying day.
The most determined sceptics (无神论者) will often say, “Facts don’t care about your feelings,” which is correct. But feelings don’t necessarily care about facts either. And ultimately, feelings have more of a say in what we think and do. And that’s why your mate down the pub can seem more believable than a pile of published research.
1. What contributes to the spread of “fake news”?A.People factor. | B.Human culture. |
C.Modern invention. | D.Information accuracy. |
A.They prefer making sensible analyses. | B.They ae more likely to be emotional. |
C.They have more trust in authority. | D.They overestimate themselves. |
A.By listing figures. | B.By giving examples. |
C.By explaining a concept. | D.By citing experts’ words. |
A.To reveal secrets. | B.To share emotions. |
C.To criticize a decision. | D.To describe a phenomenon. |