1 . Behavioral scientists have found that good listening is one of the most important things we can do to improve our relationships.
In addition to actively attending to a speaker’s words, good listeners also use questions and body language that indicate their understanding and their desire to understand. This might feel awkward at first, and what’s most effective might depend on your relationship with the speaker.
These might seem like small changes, but together they make a big difference. And when people feel heard, they report more satisfaction, trust, and connection in their relationships.
| A．Finally, don’t be afraid of silence. |
| B．So, what can we do to become better listeners? |
| C．It’s possible to know what truly excellent listening looks like. |
| D．But with time and practice, you can internalize these basic behaviors |
| E．There’s no universally agreed-upon definition of high-quality listening. |
| F．Researchers have found that smiling and nodding at set intervals doesn’t quite work. |
| G．So try to stay present and if you lose focus, don’t be shy about asking the speaker to repeat what you missed. |
2 . A new study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health finds air pollution may negatively impact standardized test scores. Using data from the North Carolina Education Research Data Center, the researchers tracked 2.8 million public school students in North Carolina from 2001 to 2018 and measured their exposure to PM2.5 found in polluted air. While previous research has shown negative effects on academic performance, it has relied on relatively small or less representative samples. “The biggest strength of this study is that we tracked every student in North Carolina in those years, for the whole time period that they were in the public schools,” said Emma Zang, coauthor of the study.
The study also finds that test scores of ethnic minorities and girls are disproportionately (不成比例地) impacted by PM2.5 levels. “Females and ethnic minorities face sexism and racism,” said Zang. “There are a lot of policies that are not friendly towards them. So, when they’re exposed to the same level of air pollution, they don’t have the resources to lessen the negative influences.” More privileged populations, however, might have more resources that allow them to live in a better environment, such as in houses with air purifiers.
“The level of PM2.5 pollution in the US is relatively low, but students living in areas below the current air quality standard of annual PM2.5 concentration are still negatively impacted by air pollution when it comes to their test scores,” said Zang. “We should aim to strengthen the annual PM2.5 standard to better protect our children.”
Air pollution is known to contribute to disease and death, and it also negatively affects students’ academic performance even at low levels of pollution. The subsequent studies, the researchers said, would involve looking at whether the findings hold true in different areas, and also the reasons behind the ethnic and sexual differences.
1. What’s the greatest advantage of the study?| A．Tracking each student for 18 years. | B．Collecting more comprehensive data. |
| C．Measuring students’ PM2.5 exposure precisely. | D．Building links between air pollution and test scores. |
| A．benefit from current policies on PM2.5 pollution |
| B．have the lowest test scores due to their identities |
| C．lack resources to reduce the impact of air pollution |
| D．suffer from educational inequalities owing to their background |
| A．Offering a suggestion. | B．Raising a doubt. |
| C．Making a comparison. | D．Giving a prediction. |
| A．Applicability of the findings to other regions. | B．Ways to address racial and sexual differences. |
| C．Long-term impacts of air pollution on children. | D．Establishment of PM2.5 standard fit for children. |
3 . Whether you’re hiking through Yellowstone or camping in the Ozarks, choosing the best backpacking stove (炉子) to take with you can make a big difference. Read on for some of our top picks.
Soto Windmaster 4FlexBackpackers love its convenient built-in igniter (点火器), powerful heat output, and four-pronged (四管的) pot stabilizer, which provides a more stable platform for cooking than three-pronged stoves.
Buy it now at REISolo Stove Titan
The Solo Titan burns twigs, pine cones, leaves, and any other biofuels you may find out in nature, offering a safe and natural alternative to burning gas. The Titan is considered mid-size, ideal for cooking for several people.
Buy it now at SoloStoveFire Maple Star X2 Cooking System
Based on hundreds of reviews, hikers say they’re impressed by this gas-powered stove’s easy setup. The Star X2 also features Heat Exchange Technology, which the company says provides superior wind-resistance in different weather environments, helping to reduce overall boil time.
Buy it now on AmazonSoto Amicus
Weighing just 2.9 ounces, the Soto Amicus is well known for its light weight and attractive appearance. Multiple Amazon reviewers praise this backpacking stove’s easy setup and four integrated pot stabilizers, which create a stable base for cooking in the wilderness.
Buy it now on Amazon or REI1. Which stove suits you best if you want a quick meal?
| A．Soto Amicus. | B．Solo Stove Titan. |
| C．Soto Windmaster 4Flex. | D．Fire Maple Star X2 Cooking System. |
| A．Easy setup. | B．Wind resistance. |
| C．Relative stability. | D．Attractive appearance. |
| A．An adventure travel report. | B．An outdoor travel guide. |
| C．An advertisement for facilities. | D．A cookbook for easy meals. |
4 . Wildfires are common nowadays. Lightning, campfires, power lines or other sources may lead to big wildfires.
Still, wildfires have always been a part of some forest ecosystems.
Fires can prevent trees from overcrowding each other, which allows smaller plants and animals that need sunlight to grow below. Plus, wildfires burn up a lot of leaf litter, pine needles and other dead matter on the ground. This clears out junk that may stop new plants from growing and releases nutrition back into the soil.
There are also species that have evolved (进化) to depend on regular wildfires. Banksia trees in Australia, for instance, only release their seeds in the heat of a wildfire.
| A．The leaf litter can fuel more dangerous wildfires. |
| B．These trees need fires if they are to produce more trees. |
| C．They might cause more fires that could threaten wildlife. |
| D．As a result, fire experts start fires in certain places regularly. |
| E．They mainly destroy natural areas, such as forests and grasslands. |
| F．And regular burns can be vital for keeping those ecosystems healthy. |
| G．Importantly, it also prevents the buildup of dead matter that catches fire easily. |
5 . The Canadian town of Churchill is well-known for its arctic (北极的) wilderness. This town of extremes is home to about 900 year-round residents. However, 500, 000 tourists, more or less, flood here throughout the year.
In this setting, there’s a special find in a simple shipping container just outside the town. It’s a new project called Rocket Greens, led by the Churchill Northern Studies Centre(CNSC). Rocket Greens has successfully demonstrated the possibility of planting fresh, leafy produce regardless of seasons or weather conditions.
Erin Greene, a Churchill resident since 2015, became one of the first subscribers to Rocket Greens’s CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. “When I first moved here, it was very hard to get good-quality fruits and vegetables. We would never get fresh herbs and never see things like Swiss chard or kale,” recalls Greene, who says she now maintains a healthier diet and has become more self-sufficient as a result of the program.
In addition to Rocket Greens, CNSC has set up a seeding project for community garden support. This involves planting seedlings during the late fall and early spring that have been distributed to local community members free of charge in summer. Due to the short growing season and the challenging agricultural conditions, this seeding project offers a head start. “Community members can receive plants at no charge. It’s an educational tool to learn how to seed a field properly and how to grow your own food in your own home,” explains Dylan McCart, director of CNSC. This year’s seeding program will include a variety of crops such as peas, corn and peppers to make up for the traditional vegetables that are typically planted during Churchill summers.
“Considering the challenges of operating in a remote location like Churchill, we were one of the first ones to be able to do it, so it’s great that we were able to have that vision at that time. And it’s still successful today,” McCart says.
1. Why are so many people attracted to Churchill?| A．They want to live in the wilds. | B．They like to enjoy the unique scenery. |
| C．They can taste fresh produce from the locals. | D．They wish to become members of Rocket Greens. |
| A．To advertise the lifestyles of locals. | B．To show the diversity of local food. |
| C．To prove the difficulty of living there. | D．To illustrate the effects of the program. |
| A．It adds fuel to the fire. | B．It teaches a man to fish. |
| C．It pulls a rabbit out of the hat. | D．It kills the goose that lays the golden egg. |
| A．Curious. | B．Relieved. | C．Astonished. | D．Proud. |
6 . “When we think of curiosity, we often think of the need for immediate answers,” said Abby Hsiung, Ph. D. , a postdoctoral researcher at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and lead author of a new research paper. “But we found that when people were more curious, they were actually more pleased to wait.”
“When we watch TV shows or football games, we’re watching that information develop over time, uncertain about how it’s all going to end,” said Hsiung. “I wanted to know if higher curiosity would push people to seek, or to avoid getting an immediate ‘spoiler’ (剧透).”
Hsiung drew inspiration from short cooking videos that are popular on social media. “These videos caught my attention because even though they’re so short, they manage to develop a description and suspense (悬念), so that you’re attracted and curious about how the pizza will all come together.” So Hsiung got out her digital paintbrush and made a lot of 30-second animated line drawing videos that, like the cooking videos, eventually ended up as something highly recognizable, like a hamburger or a dog.
More than 2,000 adults from across the U. S. then watched 25 of these short line drawing videos online. Participants in Hsiung’s study were asked along the way how curious they were, how they felt, and to guess what the drawing would become. Viewers also had a spoiler button to skip ahead to see the final drawing. Hsiung and her team were surprised to find that when people were curious, they refused to hit the spoiler button and kept watching the drawings unfold. It was when people were less curious that they tended to go for an instant answer.
The study also found that curiosity increased at different stages of watching these videos. “We saw higher curiosity during moments when it seemed like the drawing could turn into anything and also when participants were starting to really home in on a single answer,” said co-author Jia-Hou Poh, Ph. D. , a postdoctoral researcher at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences.
1. What is the popular belief concerning curiosity?| A．It fuels the urge for answers. | B．It leads to endless patience. |
| C．It stresses the need to wait. | D．It brings the pleasure of waiting. |
| A．The evolution the TV shows displayed. | B．The fantasy the short cooking videos shared. |
| C．The way the short cooking videos developed. | D．The popularity the short cooking videos achieved. |
| A．Make drawings to take a shortcut. | B．Answer some questions while watching. |
| C．Press the spoiler button to finish the task. | D．Hunt for an answer as quickly as possible. |
| A．The influence of patience on curiosity | B．Curiosity delays eagerness for the answer |
| C．Curiosity arises from the patience of waiting | D．The way to hold back the urge for an answer |
7 . Nearly a million bats are killed each year in the United States by crashing into working wind turbines (涡轮机), pushing the Department of Energy (DOE) to take some measures.
As the United States seeks to expand wind energy to reduce carbon emissions and minimize climate impacts, land-based wind turbines are emerging as a threat to several bat species. In 2022, wind power generated about 10 percent of U. S. energy and accounted for half of the electricity from renewables. DOE projects U. S. wind capacity to nearly triple by 2050, adding 260 gigawatts. Some of the increase will come from offshore wind farms, which are less harmful to bats. “The 880, 000 bats killed every year in the United States is a shockingly large number, ” said Winifred Frick, a chief scientist at Bat Conservation International.
The death count suggests many bat species could become endangered in the next few years. The value of bats goes beyond benefits that farmers get from pest control. They have a positive impact on pollinating (授粉) plants and increasing agricultural production. They could also help scientists understand aging and death better because bats have relatively longer life.
But the scientific community currently has no idea why wind turbines attract bats or how to keep bats away from the turbines whose blades reach 200 feet. DOE has given scientists millions of dollars, aiming to address the knowledge gap.
The fund is going to scientists who will test untried methods of bat protection. The goal, Frick said, is to “find solutions that can maximize energy production while minimizing the number of bats killed.”
Frick’s team has received $ 2. 5 million to test whether the bright lights fixed on turbines to warn aircraft pilots are attracting bats. If that is the case, wind farms can put up aircraft detection systems that will turn on flashing warning lights only when an airplane is nearby and reduce bat deaths. DOE’s funding will allow researchers at the nonprofit research institute to run tests in a wider range.
1. What can be inferred from the figures in paragraph 2?| A．Wind power is a top priority for DOE. |
| B．Wind turbines are becoming attractive to bats. |
| C．Land-based wind farms are more friendly to bats. |
| D．Bats are indirect victims of environmental awareness. |
| A．They provide insights into life science. | B．They are the primary killers of insects. |
| C．They are used for studies on energy generation. | D．They have a decisive effect on crop production. |
| A．Difference. | B．Conflict. | C．Ignorance. | D．Imbalance. |
| A．Supporting the setup of bright lights on turbines. |
| B．Promoting wide-ranging research on bat conservation. |
| C．Exploring ways to make energy production bat-friendly. |
| D．Seeking methods for improving wind energy production. |
8 . Imagine a world where anyone can learn how to do anything in multiple languages in ordinary and extraordinary ways. That’s the world we want to create. We’re looking for a few talented, cooperative, delightful employees to join our cause. Are you in?
Fast Facts●wikiHow is the only company in the Comscore top 150 that has under 30 employees.
●wikiHow helps 100 million people every month, in 19 languages. We have ambitions to push our mission much further.
●wikiHow is completely remote-friendly. We have people working from far and near, but we love having a comfortable office to work in when we can.
●wikiHow is considered to be one of the Internet’s most influential websites.
Open Position.●Staff Writer
If you’re applying for the Staff Writer position, please send a brief introductory email with the subject line “Staff Writer — City you live in — Topic area (Lifestyle/Tech/Both)” to writing@wikihow. com. The email should include your resume (简历), a short cover letter, one writing sample(if you have an example of published work intended for a broad audience, please share that), and a brief (4-5 sentences) sample introduction to one topic you are expert in. Please use this as an opportunity to show us your unique voice and style.
One Thing to Keep in MindWe’re already profitable, financially stable, and we all love working here, so we aren’t in a rush to sell out. For 15 years, we’ve committed to our step-by-step teaching model, and we continue to refine our content to create the best how-to experience. We’ve helped millions of people solve problems, learn new skills, strengthen relationships, pick up healthy habits or try out a new hobby.
1. What quality is required for applicants?| A．Being willing to team up. | B．Speaking several languages. |
| C．Having work experience. | D．Achieving financial independence. |
| A．A finished article. | B．A published book. |
| C．An introduction video. | D．A recommendation letter. |
| A．A sales company. | B．A social app. |
| C．A language school. | D．An education website. |
9 . Traditional feedback (反馈), which often involves criticizing past actions and performance, can sometimes be discouraging. However, there’s a powerful alternative that has been gaining popularity — feedforward. Feedforward is about sharing constructive and forward-looking comments to help individuals and groups move forward together, building a positive path to collective progress.
Constructive feedback has long been a cornerstone of personal development. It helps individuals identify their weaknesses and areas for improvement, but it can sometimes feel like a constant spotlight on one’s shortcomings. Feedforward, on the other hand, shifts the focus from past missteps to future possibilities. It is a tool that fosters (培养) a culture of growth, emphasizing what can be done to enhance one’s performance and contribute to the overall betterment of a group or organization.
Instead of focusing on past mistakes or weaknesses, feedforward encourages people to recognize their strengths and potential, highlighting the possibilities of what they can achieve. This approach not only boosts confidence but also motivates individuals to struggle for excellence. In a world where negativity can often overshadow positivity, the power of feedforward lies in its ability to uplift and inspire people.
When applied in group settings, feedforward becomes a powerful tool for building unity and cooperation. Teams and organizations that welcome feedforward form an environment where team members feel valued and supported. By focusing on future improvement, teams can collectively work towards their goals, fostering innovation, and achieving better results.
Feedforward can also be valuable in building personal relationships. It can be used in families, friendships, and romantic partnerships to encourage personal growth and strengthen bonds. Feedforward instead of being judgemental increases confidence. By offering constructive and forward-looking comments, you can support your loved ones in their pursuit of happiness and self-improvement.
To successfully implement feedforward, it is essential to foster open and honest communication. It’s about providing advice that is specific, practical, and, most importantly, constructive. The emphasis should always be on helping individuals identify their potential and offering suggestions for growth.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?| A．By analyzing a scene. | B．By stating a phenomenon. |
| C．By providing an example. | D．By making a comparison. |
| A．Developing optimism. | B．Enhancing interaction. |
| C．Focusing on potential. | D．Learning from experience. |
| A．Ask for. | B．Pick up. | C．Carry out. | D．Reflect on. |
| A．Giving Effective Feedback | B．The Power of Feedforward |
| C．Feedback and Feedforward | D．Looking Forward, Not Backward |
10 . Tours & Admission ｜Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Explore the former estate (庄园) of F. A. Seiberling, co-founder of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
Guided Manor House TourExperience the Manor House through the eyes of a trained tour guide and learn more about what life was like at the estate when the Seiberling family lived here. This tour lasts about 75 minutes.
Non-member Adult 18 +: $21 Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $10Children 2 & under: Free Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Nooks & Crannies Tour
Take this tour to learn more about the domestic staff who worked and lived at the estate. This tour lasts about 90 minutes. It includes several flights of stairs and narrow passageways and is not recommended for guests who are unable to stand or walk for long distances.
Non-member Adult 18+: $ 30 Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $ 15Children 2 & under: Free Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
Gardens, Gate Lodge & Corbin Conservatory
Enjoy Stan Hywet's historic gardens and grounds at your own pace on this self-guided grounds tour. Purchase the ticket upon arrival.
Non-member Adult 18+: $ 15 Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $7Children 2 & under: Free Stan Hywet Members: Free
Guided Garden Tour
The Guided Garden Tour takes guests around the estate and focuses on how the Seiberlings worked closely with their landscape architect on the overall design of the property. This tour is offered at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, May through September.
Non-member Adult 18+: $ 21 Non-member Youth（ages 3-17）: $ 10Children 2 & under: Free Stan Hywet Members: 50% off the non-member price
1. How much should a non-member married couple pay to explore the Manor House?
| A．$ 10. | B．$ 20. | C．$ 21. | D．$ 42. |
| A．It runs seasonally. | B．It is physically demanding. |
| C．It offers a trained tour guide. | D．It is only targeted at members. |
| A．Guided Garden Tour. | B．Nooks & Crannies Tour. |
| C．Guided Manor House Tour. | D．Gardens, Gate Lodge & Corbin Conservatory. |
