1 . Imagine two applicants are in a job interview: one expresses a great passion for the work, while the other points to family encouragement to pursue that field. Which applicant has a better chance of succeeding? Conventional wisdom suggests it would be the one who has a strong personal passion.
Passion is not a universally powerful basis of achievement, but the culture a person grew up in matters a lot. That means universities and companies that frequently rely on passion in candidates are pretermitting talented students and employees.
It seems that passion is a much stronger predictor of achievement in certain societies than others. “This leads to a blind spot among interviewers and is unfair to people from diverse backgrounds,” said Xingyu Li, the lead author of a new study. As a person coming from a collectivist (集体主义的) society, he knows exactly how people feel when they are rejected just because they are seemingly not as passionate as others. This research is novel for its using big data to compare a wider range of culturally diverse societies.
The researchers collected the data including scores from 1.2 million high school students across 59 countries. They found those who felt passionate about science, reading, or other subjects were more likely to be given better scores. This is quite true in individualist societies such as the United States and Australia, compared with collectivist countries such as China, Thailand, and Colombia, where the students felt that having family support for their interest was important.
Individualist countries regard the self as the source of motivation. For example, in the United States, doing well because of what others expect might seem to be evidence of a lack of potential. In collectivist societies, the self is inter-dependent, part of a web of relations, roles, and responsibilities. For instance, in the movie The Grandmaster, the legendary martial arts teacher Ip Man never said that he had a personal passion for kung fu. Rather, his drive to attain mastery came from the desire to live up to what his belt symbolized to his teacher and society.
The findings open up the possibility of designing educational interventions that don’t rely only on the western idea of cultivating (培育) passion. That helps better unlock the potential of our students and workforce.
1. Who is more likely to succeed in a job interview according to most employers?| A．Those who have a web of relations. | B．Those who are familiar with the company. |
| C．Those who gain much family encouragement. | D．Those who have great enthusiasm for the position. |
| A．Neglecting. | B．Harvesting. | C．Exploring. | D．Defending. |
| A．To clarify the link between students’ passion and academic performance. |
| B．To encourage people to learn the cultures of different countries. |
| C．To win people from different cultural contexts more chances of admission |
| D．To show the importance of big data in culture-related studies at particular. |
| A．An American. | B．A Colombian. | C．An Australian. | D．A Canadian. |
| A．The model of motivation varies from culture to culture. |
| B．The negative effects of societal expectations on individuals. |
| C．The role of self-realization matters in a person’s success and well-being. |
| D．The typical personality types in individualist countries and collectivist ones. |
| A．participation | B．ambition | C．affection | D．alternative |
1) 欢迎他来中国，钦佩他的勇气；
2) 安慰他的焦虑并提出建议 (生活和学习上) ；
3) 对他的祝愿和期待。
注意: 1. 词数不少于120；
2, 可适当加入细节，使内容充实，行文连贯。
Dear Chris,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. 学生参与体育运动的情况；
2. 体育运动的重要性；
3. 提出倡议。
注意: 1. 词数不少于120； 2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5 . Remote controls are one of the most common symbols of our modern technologies. In fact, remote controls are an invention born in the 1800s. Famous inventor Nikola Tesla created one of the world’s first wireless remote controls, which he exhibited in public at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1898.
Tesla called his system a “teleautomaton”, which could be used to control a mechanical device. For his demonstration, Tesla employed a minitype boat, which had a metal air wire that could receive exactly one radio frequency. He showed how his remote-controlled boat worked and whole process attracted many people. However, financially, Tesla’s remote-controlled boat was a failure. His intended client, the U.S. Navy, thought the technology was too easily damaged during use. But the concept of remote control caught on and quickly spread to many other types of equipment.
In the 1930s and 1940s, a new consumer electronics, such as garage door openers and model airplanes, arrived with remote controls. In the mid-1950s, Zenith engineer Eugene Polley designed his Flashmatic TV remote control, which used directional flashes of light to control the television. In 1956, Polley’s colleague, Robert Adler, created the Space Command control, which employed high-frequency, ultrasonic (超声的) sounds instead of light. This style of remote control increased the price of a new TV by a third, but that didn’t stop people from buying in mass quantities. Remote controls kept evolving, too. Ultrasonic sound remote controls were the standard for TVs until the 1980s, when remote controls began using the infrared (红外线) light signals that are very common today.
These days, you can find remote control capability built into a huge array of products such as toy cars and helicopters, video game consoles (控制台), ceiling fans, etc. There’s a good chance you can find a version that’s controlled by remote control. You can even buy a remote-controlled toilet.
Remote controls have allowed humans to perform many tasks that would be difficult, if not impossible. And although remote controls have a long history, they are anything but over. As we continue to introduce technology to every aspect of our lives, it’s very likely that we’ll need remote controls to keep things under control.
1. What made the U.S. Navy think poorly of Tesla’s remote-controlled boat?| A．Its high cost. |
| B．Its unsatisfactory quality. |
| C．Its damage to people’s health. |
| D．Its inaccuracy in sending signals. |
| A．Directional flashes of light. | B．Infrared light signals. |
| C．Various metal air wires. | D．High-frequency, ultrasonic sounds. |
| A．To advertise some modern inventions. |
| B．To prove the rapid evolution of kids’ toy. |
| C．To show the wide application of remote controls. |
| D．To show the principle of some high-tech products. |
| A．Human are too dependent on technology. |
| B．Remote controls are necessary in our life |
| C．Humans are trying to keep everything under control. |
| D．Remote controls will probably fade away in the future. |
| A．The history of remote controls. |
| B．The developments of our modern technologies. |
| C．The achievements of some great inventors. |
| D．The popularity of remote controls in our daily life. |
6 . Godfrey Hounsfield’s early life did not suggest that he would accomplish much at all. He was not a particularly good student in the teachers’ eyes—he neither observed the school disciplines nor worked hard enough at school lessons. His teachers described him as “thick”.
He joined the army during the Second World War, but he wasn’t much of a soldier. However, he was a wizard with electrical machinery—he would use the newly invented radar to help pilots better find their way home on dark, cloudy nights.
After the war, Hounsfield followed his commander’s advice and got a degree in engineering He practiced his trade at EMI, a company with a focus on electronics and electrical engineering.
Hounsfield’s natural talent for engineering made him lead the team building the most advanced mainframe computer available in Britain. But by the 1960’s, EMI wanted out of the competitive computer market and the brilliant engineer wasn’t sure what to do in the future in the company. Therefore, the company gave Hounsfield a long holiday.
During the holiday, Hounsfield met a physician who complained about the poor quality of X-ray of the brain, which looked like fog. This got Hounsfield to make a move into the new field.
Hounsfield returned to EMI and talked about the idea with his boss. Then he used a new way to appoach the problem of imaging what was inside the skull. By working backward and using the fastest computers, he could work on the mystery of each brain layer. But there was a problem: EMI wasn’t involved in the medical market then. The company allowed Hounsfield to work on his product, but provided no funding.
Luckily his boss, Bill Ingham, saw the value of Hounsfield’s proposal and struggled to ask EMI to keep the project run. Finally, Hounsfield built a safe and effictive human scanner.
Hounsfield’s innovation transformed medicine. He shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1979 and was knighted by the queen in 1981. He continued his invention career until his final days in 2004, when he died at 84.
1. What can we say about Houndfield’s early school life?| A．He worked really hard. | B．He didn’t manage to graduate. |
| C．He was popular with his teachers. | D．He didn’t behave himself. |
| A．Stayed away from. | B．Became tired of. | C．Came up with. | D．Was gifted in. |
| A．To relieve Hounsfield’s anxiety over stressful work. |
| B．To make Hounsfield think about his future career. |
| C．To allow Hounsfield to reflect on his mistakes. |
| D．To remind Hounsfield to learn from others. |
| A．Having no one on his side. | B．Experiencing too many failures. |
| C．Being short of financial support. | D．Being misunderstood by his boss. |
| A．To remember a great inventor. | B．To reveal the decline of a company. |
| C．To introduce the application of X-rays. | D．To show the improvements brought by technology. |
7 . While most parts of the country are blanketed in snow, here in San Diego you can take advantage of the warm sunshine and dive into the high life at a resort (度假胜地) pool. Many resorts offer pool day passes for families. You can enjoy the delicious lunch at the poolside.
Lows Coronado ResortHere you can relax at the poolside and take a dip. You’ll find heated pools and daily family-friendly poolside entertainment and activities. Enjoy a handmade cocktail (鸡尾酒) from your chair or in a cabin. Also on tap: free Wi-Fi and self-parking for up to 3 hours.
Hours: 10: 00 am~10: 00 pmAdmission: $25/adult; $10/child; free for kids under 3
4000 Coronado Bay Road
Monarch Beach Resort
Enjoy yourself in a pool at the paradise-like Monarch Beach Resort. Ocean views and sunny skies make an unbeatable background for a swim in two oceanfront heated pools. The day pass also includes access to the Athletic Club.
Hours: 9: 00 am-7: 00 pmAdmission: $50/adult; $28/child; free for kids under 3
1Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point
The Lafayette Hotel
The iconic swimming pool at the Lafayette Hotel has been attracting attention since it was designed in 1946. Go for a swim in this heated pool and enjoyed excellent services, which even appeal to Hollywood stars. They often relax at the poolside in this place.
Hours: 10: 00 am~7: 00 pmAdmission: $10/adult; $10/child; free for kids under 3
2223E1 Cajon Blvd
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Get away from your troubles and feel a world away in the pools while appreciating the Spanish-style architecture of the inn. There are two pools: one for individual adult and one for families, as well as a hot bub, poolside food , drink services, and a fitness center.
Hours: 6: 30 am~10: 00 pmAdmission: $25/ adult; $10/ child; free for kids under 3
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
1. What’s the advantage of resorts in San Diego over others in the country in winter?
| A．Delicious food there | B．White and thick snow |
| C．Available pool day passes | D．Fine weather and enjoyable life |
| A．Self-parking for 3 hours | B．Doing poolside activities. |
| C．Taking a dip comfortably. | D．Enjoying a handmade cocktail. |
| A．50 dollars | B．78 dollars | C．100 dollars | D．128 dollars |
| A．People being fond of seeing Hollywood movies. | B．People wanting to receive star treatment. |
| C．People hoping to get more attention. | D．People loving ancient architecture. |
| A．2223 El Cajon Blvd | B．4000 Coronado Bay Road. |
| C．17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive. | D．1 Monarch Beach Resort, Sana Point. |
8 . At 65 years old, Warburton experienced great changes in her life. She
Soon after making her
Warburton has been a (an)
Although Warburton’s business
And as a gatekeeper of her own small universe of literary wonders, Warburton says she plans to stay around
| A．increased | B．gained | C．balanced | D．lost |
| A．strict | B．excited | C．confused | D．considerate |
| A．recovery | B．study | C．sales | D．regret |
| A．tested | B．shaded | C．wiped | D．caught |
| A．temporarily | B．instantly | C．slightly | D．randomly |
| A．feared | B．desired | C．pretended | D．agreed |
| A．invitation | B．fortune | C．decision | D．heritage |
| A．replied | B．saved | C．discussed | D．started |
| A．enthusiastic | B．famous | C．careful | D．courageous |
| A．style | B．problem | C．hobby | D．job |
| A．familiar | B．crowded | C．bored | D．content |
| A．replacements | B．treasures | C．sources | D．professions |
| A．depression | B．pleasure | C．trade | D．joke |
| A．monitored | B．touched | C．woken up | D．taken away |
| A．correct | B．embarrass | C．benefit | D．disappoint |
| A．opportunity | B．comfort | C．reference | D．experience |
| A．pass | B．return | C．acquire | D．explain |
| A．achieved | B．improved | C．suffered | D．expanded |
| A．put away | B．set aside | C．thrown away | D．picked up |
| A．as soon as | B．now that | C．as long as | D．even if |
| A．whatever | B．whoever | C．however | D．whenever |
—________ of stealing by his good friend.
| A．Accused | B．Being accused | C．Accusing | D．To accuse |
