The yellow light flashed on my dashboard(仪表盘), showing the words: Maintenance Required. “I don’t have time for this,” I thought as I sped along the freeway. “I’ve got two jobs, and a family to take care of, dogs to feed and exercise to get in. When can I squeeze in a four-hour window without the use of my car?”
In fact, for days I drove with the light flashing. I felt exhausted, juggling(尽量兼顾)a new job that had me driving all over the city, eating in my car and carrying piles of files with me. I was drowning in my “to-do” and this “Maintenance Required” was putting me over the top.
The light now had my full attention. It was obvious that I was going to have to change my entire day. As a contract therapist(治疗师), I was only paid for the patients I saw, so canceling my appointments was going to cost me a lot, but so would ignoring the light. As I reached for my cell phone to call the office, it rang from the depth of my pocket. My patient called to cancel his appointment.
Therefore, I made it to the dealer’s in time to drop off my car. I had four hours to kill. I thought about waiting at the dealer’s, but that seemed like punishment. My car needed maintenance and so did my soul. I found out that the dealer offered a bus ride that could drop me at a mall. Although I had no love for shopping, I knew that the beach was about a mile from the mall. I had my sneakers, my iPod and my phone, so I set off on my adventure.
I discovered that everything, including waiting and distance, seemed shorter and closer when I mentally used the word “only”. It would only be four hours and I would have my car again.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右;
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
I plugged in my iPod and began to enjoy relaxing music from my yoga class.
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My phone rang.
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1. 活动的理由及目的；
2. 学生的具体做法；
3. 发出倡议。
注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；
2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Dear fellow students,
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The Student Union
As a sacred thing
The dragon is a popular object of drawings and there
The Nine Dragons Painting is a scroll (画卷) of a dimension of 46.3 cm×1496.4 cm
4 . We had two adorable cats named Boo and Scout. Scout ate anything we gave and
Though Boo had his daily outdoor
To deal with the door problem, I bought a cat bell with a button. I tried to
Fortunately, the two cats
| A．missed | B．risked | C．enjoyed | D．avoided |
| A．careless | B．selective | C．experienced | D．normal |
| A．seemed | B．continued | C．pretended | D．desired |
| A．dilemmas | B．assignments | C．adventures | D．holidays |
| A．removed | B．separated | C．protected | D．forbidden |
| A．softness | B．beauty | C．pressure | D．value |
| A．after | B．if | C．though | D．until |
| A．teach | B．force | C．elect | D．bear |
| A．proposal | B．plan | C．theory | D．skill |
| A．Undoubtedly | B．Generally | C．Unexpectedly | D．Fortunately |
| A．sigh | B．whisper | C．scream | D．ring |
| A．pursuits | B．schedules | C．efforts | D．requirements |
| A．break up | B．wait for | C．knock at | D．call on |
| A．analyzed | B．solved | C．found | D．accepted |
| A．began | B．agreed | C．failed | D．happened |
5 . Mental flexibility is the ability to dynamically change one’s course of thought or action, based on the requirements of a situation.
Here are three ideas that can help you.
Challenge your beliefs. If you have a certain way of doing things, it can be helpful to reflect on it and ask yourself, “
Start making small changes to your daily routine. For instance, if you generally watch TV before you go to bed, try reading a book instead. Or, if you normally take the bus to work, try cycling instead.
Try new experiences regularly. Make it a point to regularly try new experiences.
| A．There are a lot of benefits of flexibility |
| B．Why do I keep doing things in that way |
| C．How can I always maintain a positive attitude |
| D．There is more than one way of doing things for them |
| E．Doing things differently can help you practise the skill of adapting |
| F．Flexible people are highly adaptable and can adjust quickly to new situations |
| G．For instance, you can try out a new restaurant or cuisine at least once a month |
6 . Talking to an adult about feelings can be an uncomfortable experience for children and adolescents. While a mental health professional can provide a confidential(私密的)space, the first few interactions can still bring them a sense of uneasiness. But what if they could share how they honestly feel without interacting directly with another human? With this in mind, a recent study from the University of Cambridge tested a robot’s effectiveness in determining children’s well-being.
The study involved 28 children between the ages of 8 and 13 and their parents or guardians completing a well-being questionnaire focused on the young individuals. Then a human-like robot asked the young participants open-ended questions about happy and sad memories over the last week and had them respond to prompts(提示)around pictures. The parents or guardians and research team members observed the interaction from a separate room.
Children with mental well-being issues were likelier to divulge the extent of these problems while talking to the robot. Researchers also found they felt more negative than stated in the initial questionnaire. On the other hand, children without previously stated mental well-being concerns presented an even more positive image to the robot.
Actually, the idea that children would share more with a robot than parents or mental health professionals is easy to understand. “Not all children have a secure attachment style, meaning they feel safe and connected to their caregivers,” says Dr. Katherine Grill, a behavioral scientist. “Children without secure attachments often find comfort in companions like imaginary friends, In this instance, a robot may serve as a viable option for children to open up about their well-being. Even in cases where children have secure attachment styles, a robot may provide them with a non-judgmental relationship where they’ re willing to share their feelings.”
“While this study demonstrates the benefit of robots, it doesn’t remove the need for human interaction in the mental health field. Technology-enabled services mean digital support and even enhanced care, but they don’t replace work with a human being,” says Dr. Aaron Haddock, associate professor of Clark University. “After all, the relationship between clients and providers is a key driver of positive treatment outcomes.”
1. What were the children arranged to do in the study?| A．Share secrets with the other children. |
| B．Finish a questionnaire about their parents. |
| C．Interact with a human-like robot alone. |
| D．Draw pictures about their happy memories. |
| A．Reveal. | B．Assess. | C．Control. | D．Ignore. |
| A．Explain the results of the study. | B．Draw conclusions from the study. |
| C．Make evaluations about kids’ well-being. | D．Analyze the issues with health care. |
| A．Generally unconcerned. | B．Particularly disapproving. |
| C．Totally positive. | D．Relatively objective. |
7 . Sneakers have always been popular beyond their use in sports. It’s because the shoes are comfortable, and people wear them just about anywhere, at least until they start to look worn out. Now a company is making sneakers that will never look worn out.
The sports shoes are the brainchild of noted sneaker fan Jimmy Fallon and the streetwear brand, MSCHF. These Gobstomper skating sneakers are designed to reveal layers(层)of color as you wear them. The more you wear the sneakers, the more colorful and unique the shoes become.
According to the Independent, the shoes were named after the Gobstopper candy which reveals different layers of color the longer you lick(舔)it. The sneakers, which are made for skating, start out with a plain gray. As the shoes wear down, the layers of blue, yellow and red are revealed in patterns determined by the wear and tear.
“Something we say a lot is that we make a special pair of sneakers for people to wear,” says Daniel Greenberg, the co-founder and chief revenue officer of MSCHF. “We want you to beat it up, scuff(磨损)it and destroy it. And that actually makes it better. If you keep it clean, it’s still fine, but it’s just going to be gray.”
So if you’re the type of person who loves things that change color, these are the sneakers for you. But this footwear isn’t cheap, according to the company website. On the other hand, these are shoes that you can wear for a long time because scuffing only adds to the shoes’ appeal.
The making of the Gobstomper footwear takes a special kind of mind to take a negative characteristic—the tendency for sneakers to get scuffed—and turn it into something colorful and unique for people to enjoy. It is also a general reminder that even if something has become worn down, it doesn’t mean it’s useless or even ugly. There is beauty in the breakdown.
1. Why are the sneakers named after the Gobstopper candy?| A．They belong to the same company. | B．They have similar design principles. |
| C．They look colorful in the beginning. | D．They are both Jimmy Fallon’s favorites. |
| A．Keep them gray. | B．Keep them clean. |
| C．Wear them down. | D．Wear them carefully. |
| A．Reasons for the popularity of the sneakers. |
| B．Unavoidable disadvantages of the sneakers. |
| C．Doubts about the beauty of the sneakers. |
| D．Creative thinking behind the sneakers. |
| A．New Sneakers Are the Last Shoes You Need to Buy |
| B．New Sneakers Get Well-Known for Their Ugly Beauty |
| C．New Sneakers Are More Comfortable than Old Ones |
| D．New Sneakers Become Colorful after Being Scuffed |
8 . Diane Yane always had a close relationship with her grandfather, so when he died in her twenties, the loss hit her hard. Shortly after that, Yane left her job to work with seniors. “I was hired as an activities director at a senior living center, and I took to it like a fish to water,” she recalls. “I started developing relationships with the seniors there. It was like having 200 new grandparents.”
Yane has been interacting with seniors ever since, from working at a care center to providing in-home care for private clients. Now, two decades later, she has opened a social club for adults who are 55 and older-Elder Pep Day Club & Spa(水疗中心), “I wanted to create a space for seniors interested in meeting other people, staying active and taking classes,” Yane says.
Members come in for different activities, including chair yoga, Spanish classes, indoor bowling, card and board games, creative writing, and more, and spa treatments or just to hang out. Later this year, Yane plans to open the second half of the space as a private spa.
In her years of professional experience with older adults, Yane has seen the extraordinary benefits of social interaction and human touch. According to a study by the American College of Health Care Administrators, touch is the most important of our senses, yet it is often overlooked. “Skin is the body’s largest organ and sends positive and negative signals to the brain. Touch deprivation, also known as touch starvation, leads to a range of emotional and physical problems,” it adds.
“I know how important it is for seniors to feel cared for-getting their hair and nails done and receiving massage therapy(按摩疗法),” Yane says, “but what’s really close to my heart is a private room with a walk-in bathtub. At assisted living facilities, many seniors only have access to a shower, where they sit on a bench and their caregiver sprays them with water. There’s not a lot of dignity or joy in that. I want to give seniors back the luxury of submerging(使浸没)their bodies in a warm bath.”
1. What can we learn about Diane Yane from the first paragraph?| A．She wanted to be free like fish. | B．She liked working with seniors. |
| C．She was bad at caring for people. | D．She followed her grandfather’s footsteps. |
| A．Avoid any social interaction. | B．Get free medical treatment. |
| C．Enjoy some leisure activities. | D．Study with young members. |
| A．To prove the importance of social interaction. |
| B．To show the necessity of social clubs for seniors. |
| C．To tell the working principle of the human body. |
| D．To offer scientific support for Yane’s private spa. |
| A．Walking into a private bathtub. | B．Taking an assisted shower. |
| C．Spraying water for pleasure. | D．Receiving massage therapy. |
9 . Four Best College Farms
The Cal Poly Farm
The farm of California Polytechnic State University is a nine-acre production unit. Produce grown on the farm is sold in local farmers’ markets, a campus farm market or many restaurants. Any produce not sold is donated to a local food bank. Research is conducted on the farm. There are classes scheduled directly on the farm acreage. This provides students with real-world situations in the areas of organic farming, sustainability and gardening practices.
The Dartmouth Organic Farm
The farm at Dartmouth College is just north of the campus and has two acres of production. The farm grows flowers, herbs and vegetables that are all certified organic. It has been in operation for over four years and is entirely student-operated. There is a farm advisor. Field research is performed on the farm. It also offers leisure activities along the river nearby. Professors often hold other classes there when the weather is suitable.
The Merry Lea Sustainable Farm
The farm at Goshen College provides students with an understanding of sustainable agriculture. The farm is almost ten acres with several fields located near woodlands or wetlands. The farm produces vegetables, herbs, tree fruits, berries, tree nuts, mushrooms, poultry(家禽)and pigs. In addition to college programs, the campus farm offers kindergarten through 12th grade programs.
The Outback
The Outback of Western Washington University is a five-acre farm providing a wide range of opportunities for students. There are personal and collaborative events and projects related to organic gardening, sustainable land use and habitat restoration. There are classes held there as well as workshops and lectures. Students are provided with volunteer opportunities as well as paid employment on the farm. There is a garden available at no cost to students and staff on campus.
1. Which can receive the produce from The Cal Poly Farm for free?| A．Many restaurants. | B．A local food bank. |
| C．A campus farm market. | D．Local farmers’ markets. |
| A．Goshen College. | B．Dartmouth College. |
| C．Western Washington University. | D．California Polytechnic State University. |
| A．Recreational activities along the river nearby. |
| B．Gardens for college staff to use at some costs. |
| C．Paid job opportunities for campus students. |
| D．Cooking practices for kindergarten students. |
1.时间和地点；
2.逃生技能；
3.活动效果。
注意
1.词数100左右
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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