1 . Uplifting words

When you see your friends or loved ones feeling down or being met with some setbacks at school or work, you might want to offer them a pep talk. A pep talk is usually a brief, intense and emotional talk designed to influence or encourage an audience.     1     Just saying what you think the other person wants to hear might not be enough. It requires an understanding of what your audience needs — whether it is simply cheering them up or motivating them to change.

The column offers the following steps towards an effective pep talk.

● Step one is to listen.

Don’t jump right in and insist: “you will be fine.” Show your friend that you understand how they feel and empathize.    2    

● Express care and support.

Show your friend that you believe in them.    3     Talk about their strengths based on your knowledge about them. Saying things like: “You are a very resilient person.” “You are outgoing and friendly.” “You bounce back well.” Avoid general sentences like “You can overcome your fears.” or “Time heals.”

● Talk about hope.

You can’t guarantee success.    4     But you can remind the person that he or she has been through a tough time before and gotten through it.

● Be there.

Make sure they know that you will be there for them, follow up with them after the pep talk.

●     5    

Don’t argue if the person disagrees with what you are saying or tells you: “You don’t understand; this time is different.” Tell them: “I’m Sorry, you are having such a hard time.” Then back off.

A．Know when to stop.

B．Be sincere and specific.

C．Carefully choose your words.

D．But giving a good pep talk isn’t easy.

E．Some problems might be out of anyone’s control.

F．Tell them they have what it takes to get through this hard time.

G．Repeat the person’s concerns so he or she feels that they have been heard.

2 . 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.

2. What is a unique feature of Clifton Strengths?

A．It evaluates leadership skills.	B．It is developed by experts.
C．It includes challenging questions.	D．It offers a comprehensive report.

3. Which test suits a job seeker who prefers categorized suggestions and career coaching?

A．Clift on Strengths	B．Red Bull Wingfinder
C．SEI Development Report	D．CareerOneStop

3 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给的段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文.

Benched?

Anxious, Devin sat in the back seat of the car. “I have so much energy!” he said. “Do I really have to sit and watch?”

“It’s just for one more game.” Devin’s father said as he drove into the parking lot by the outdoor basketball court. “It’s better to stay on the safe side.”

Devin sighed. “It’s been a week since I got injured,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt at all.”

But it did hurt when he was in last week’s game. He twisted to avoid a defender and ended up spraining his ankle. “The doctor said 10 days,” his father reminded him. “No jumping. You can ease back into basketball next week.”

Devin ran his fingers over the logo on his basketball uniform. He was ready for the game, but he knew he’d be spending it on the bench. The summer season was short — just eight games —and he’d already missed one.

“I just want to help my team win,” he said as he got out of the car. “I can’t do that if I’m not on the court.”

Devin loved hearing the thump (沉闷的撞击声), thump, thump of basketballs and the feeling of excitement before every game. Hip-hop music from the loudspeaker made him feel like dancing. The energy in the air would make it even harder for him not to participate.

Before the game, Coach reminded the players to make smart passes and play tough defense. Without Devin’s leadership and skill, his team would need a huge effort.

By halftime, Coach praised the players for their hard work. With Devin unable to play, the team had only one extra player, so no one was getting much rest.

The game was fierce. The score stood at 47 to 49 with three minutes left in the game. Devin sat down and rubbed his hands together. “I’m a loser here on the bench. I can do nothing to help.” he thought.

Coach called a timeout(比赛暂停) and gathered the players to give some advice.

注意：
1. 续写词数为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答.

Suddenly, Coach turned to Devin. “Do you have anything to add?”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The game was over and his team had a two-point victory!

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4 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

Two giant pandas are scheduled to depart for Madrid Zoo in Spain on Monday.

According to the agreement on international conservation cooperation and research of giant pandas     1     (sign) by China and Spain in 2007, the panda couple, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, will begin     2     10-year stay in Spain.

Jin Xi, a male, was born on Sept 1,2020, with “Xi”     3     (mean) happiness. Zhu Yu, a female, was born on Oct 25, 2020,     4     was the Double Ninth Festival that year. Her name     5     (reflect) seasonal and natural elements, showing the profound cultural heritage of China.

Preparations are underway by China and Spain     6     an active and orderly manner to ensure the safe and healthy     7     (arrive) of the pandas and their smooth adaptation to the new environment. Among European countries, Spain has achieved the most fruitful results in the international cooperative breeding of giant pandas, and six panda cubs (幼仔)    8     (raise) successfully by China and Spain together over the past 17 years.     9     is called“panda fever”has driven cultural exchanges between the two countries, further solidifying the friendship between their people.

It is believed that with the continuation of the China-Spain giant panda cooperation research project, the two countries will further enhance protection for endangered species,     10     (positive) contributing to biodiversity conservation.

5 . I would say I totally did it.

I could sound a(n) _________ to cause people to pay attention to the children with neurological (神经系统的) diseases. I could put my _________ as a dancer to perform on stage across the country in order to raise money for these children.

I have tried a lot, and also _________ a lot.

On the other day I went to _________ money we collected to those extremely sick children. They all _________ me happily and looked at me as if I had been their long-lost family member, and one of them _________ held my hand, expressing his wish that I would come more often.

Therefore, I have made it my life _________ to help fight neurological diseases, and to inspire more young donors to participate in for _________ lives through arts.

I spend many weekends speaking at medical conferences to provide visibility (可见性) for the _________ ill children, so do my colleagues.

__________ things can happen if the arts and medicine join forces. A life can be saved somewhere in the world with funding research, __________ the medical equipment, and providing home-care services.

In these ways, the young __________ of our generation, along with our times, can come together and __________ a domino effect (多米诺骨牌效应) that we’ve been dreaming about.

I have learned that the __________ work is not something reserved for adults. I am 16 years old and I am responsible for my fellows. What happens to each of us __________ us all. I’ve only just begun to learn how to care about others.

1.

A．word

B．explosion

C．threat

D．alarm

2.

A．energies

B．talents

C．risks

D．spirits

3.

A．asked

B．responded

C．gained

D．won

4.

A．deliver

B．raise

C．make

D．accept

5.

A．glared at

B．smiled at

C．laughed at

D．shouted at

6.

A．toughly

B．securely

C．firmly

D．confidently

7.

A．goal

B．stage

C．journey

D．chance

8.

A．decorating

B．taking

C．living

D．saving

9.

A．simply

B．frequently

C．desperately

D．widely

10.

A．Foolish

B．Extraordinary

C．Funny

D．Normal

11.

A．throwing

B．comparing

C．supplying

D．carrying

12.

A．donors

B．tourists

C．customers

D．employers

13.

A．design

B．reduce

C．increase

D．create

14.

A．remarkable

B．reasonable

C．considerable

D．charitable

15.

A．affects

B．embarrasses

C．interests

D．puzzles

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

The horse ranks seventh of all the animals in the Chinese zodiac (生肖). People born in the Year of the Horse are extremely lively, active and     1     (energy). Horses love to be in a crowd, and they can usually     2     (see) in such occasions as concerts, theaters, meetings, sporting occasions, and parties.     3     a sense of humor, horses are masters of talkers, and they are very comfortable     4     (get) along with, for they have the ability of instantly putting people at ease.

Sometimes, the horse is a little self-centered,     5     it doesn’t mean that he will not be interested in any problems except his own.     6    (basic), horse people are very healthy, most likely because they hold     7     positive attitude towards life.

Jobs     8     (involve) communicating with others attract horse people most. Horse people dislike taking orders. They love to take center stage and always delight     9    (audience)everywhere.

They are right there with you before you have had the chance to finish     10     you are saying. They are on to the thought in your mind even before you just have expressed it. All these guarantee their popularity and a large number of friends.

7 . Even though food itself is not the problem, developing a healthier relationship with it is essential to eating disorder recovery. Most people with eating disorders struggle with issues of control when it comes to food—often shaking between rigidity(严格) and chaos.     1    

Let go of rigid eating rules.     2     Therefore, it's important to replace them with healthier ones. For example, if you have a rule forbidding all desserts, change it into a less rigid guideline such as "I won't eat dessert every day". You won't gain weight by enjoying an occasional ice cream or cookie.

Don't diet. The more you restrict food, the more likely it is that you'll become preoccupied (专注的) with it, and even addicted to it. So instead of focusing on what you "shouldn't" eat, focus on nutritious foods that will energize you and make your body strong.     3     Afterwards, you can eat when you're truly hungry, then stop when you're full.

    4     You may be used to skipping meals or fasting(节食) for long stretches. But when you starve yourself, food becomes all you think about. To avoid this preoccupation, make sure to eat every three hours. Plan ahead for meals and snacks, and don't skip!

Learn to listen to your body. If you have an eating disorder, you've learned to ignore your body's hunger and fullness signals.     5     The goal is to get back in touch with these internal cues(提示).

A．Don't ignore your health.

B．The goal is to find a balance.

C．The best way is to lose weight.

D．Stick to a regular eating schedule.

E．You may not even recognize them anymore.

F．You should think of food as fuel for your body first.

G．Strict rules about food and eating fuel eating disorders.

8 . It is natural for young people to be critical of their parents at times and to blame them for most of the misunderstandings between them. They have always complained, more or less justly, that their parents are out of touch with modern ways; that they do not trust their children to deal with crisis; that they talk too much about certain problems; and that they have no sense of humor, at least in parent-child relationships.

I think it is true that parents often underestimate their teenage children and also forget how they themselves felt when young.

Young people often annoy their parents with their choices in clothes and hairstyles, in the entertainers and music. This is not their motive. They feel cut off from the adult world into which they have not yet been accepted. So they create a culture and society of their own. Then it turns out that their music or entertainers or clothes or hairstyles annoy their parents. This gives them additional enjoyment. At least in a small way, they are leaders in style and taste.

Sometimes you are proud, because your parents can’t change what you do. If they do approve, it looks as if you are betraying (背叛) your own age group. But in that case, you are assuming that you are an underdog: you can’t win, but at least you can keep your honor. This is a passive way of looking at things. It is natural enough after long years if you were completely under your parents’ control in your childhood. But it ignores the fact that you should be responsible for yourself.

From my teaching experience for ages, I want to give you young people the following advice that perhaps can help deal with the generation gap properly. If you plan to control your life, co-operation can be part of that plan. You can charm your parents into doing things the way you want. You can impress them with your sense of responsibility, so that they will give you the authority to do what you want to do.

1. What can we know from the young people's views in Paragraph 1?

A．Parents are lacking in humor and like talking a lot.

B．Parents always know much and keep pace with the times.

C．Parents should be responsible for all the misunderstandings.

D．Parents believe their children's ability to solve any problems.

2. What can be inferred about the young people in Paragraph 3?

A．They find extra fun from their annoying actions.

B．They are quite content to be away from the adult society.

C．They make full use of their music to speed up their lives.

D．They always annoy their parents in order to enjoy music.

3. Which of the following is the closest to the meaning of the underlined word “underdog” in Paragraph 4?

A．Lovely dog.

B．Failure.

C．Partner.

D．Looker.

4. What does the author do according to the text?

A．A capable chef.	B．A famous writer.
C．A senior teacher.	D．A trusted entertainer.

9 . A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have found that dogs do not use their tails to help stabilize their movements, which is contrary to previous research results. Instead, as they explain in their paper, the tails are used as a communications device.

The researchers began their work by noting that dogs are unique among mammalian carnivores(哺乳食肉动物) because they do not climb trees. Thus, their tails are not needed to help them survive in such an environment. They then noted that many other ground animals with tails use them for stabilization during running or jumping, Cheetahs(猎豹) , for example, use their tails to help them remain stable as they run very fast. Dogs' tails, the researchers noted, are smaller than those of tree-dwelling(树栖的) creatures and much less flexible than those found on creatures such as cats, which use them quite often to keep their balance.

To learn whether dogs' tails help stabilize their movements, the researchers dressed several sheepdogs in suits with sewn-in sensors, so that they could take down on a computer the movement of every part of the body during their running, jumping and other activities.

Overall, the researchers found that dogs do not use their tails to help them keep their balance or to change direction, or for anything else, at least physically. They note that previous research has shown that dogs use their tails to convey their mood and intentions. Fast wagging, for example, usually means the dog is happy. They suggest that while the tails of dogs may have once served a large purpose, those that live in modern times appear to only use them to show others around them how they are feeling-a very useful ability for a pack animal.

1. What's the author's purpose in mentioning cheetahs and cats in Paragraph 2?

A．To compare their tails' use with the dogs'.

B．To stress the unique function of cats' tails.

C．To emphasize the importance of dogs' life.

D．To state cheetahs' various hunting methods.

2. Why were sheepdogs requested to wear clothes with sensors?

A．To distinguish them from the real dogs.

B．To control their tails wagging frequently.

C．To keep their body balance over fast runs.

D．To record the movements of every part of their body.

3. What will happen if a dog was born without a tail?

A．It can't run as fast as a normal one.

B．It will be less flexible to make turns.

C．It will often roll over during running and jumping.

D．It can't communicate with its visual body language.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Removal of Dogs' Tails Is Acceptable

B．Dogs' Tails Are Not Used for Stabilization

C．Dogs' Tails Are More Flexible in Modern Times

D．The Function of Dogs' Tails Has Changed Entirely

10 . On that day, I was firstly invited by my colleague, Marion, to her birthday party. When I arrived and sat in the corner, a young man opened the door. He was the most handsome man I had seen in my 22 years-with a black crew haircut, a small mustache and beautiful blue eyes. “He is an excellent example,” Marion whispered to me. “And his name was Johan Viggo.”

I was extremely shy and nervous when the party started. We all played the Catch the Fox; but I cheated and got Johan Viggo’s number, 13. Before I could call it, he called my number, 10. I was caught by him. Later, I learned that he had cheated, too. Afterwards, we as friends matched, and had a better understanding.

When drinks and food were served, Johan Viggo offered me a taste of his ice cream. He sat with me and asked if he could take me home. I agreed. And eventually, Marion waved us out of her party one by one.

Several days later, Johan Viggo said his vacation was over and he would return to his ground troops where he served, saying he had a lot to do. “During my break, I will go online to teach my primary school students music.”

Two months ago, Bosnian Kalesic, head of Woods Primary School, Marion’s friend, told Johan Viggo she would find a substitute teacher to cover his classes while he was on duty, but he insisted on continuing to teach. She said, “Johan is an excellent example. He also teaches our kids the significance of practice and determination.”

However, Johan Viggo said to me he was not doing anything extraordinary. “My mom was a music teacher. That’s why I do what I do. I am here to do what’s needed, and if that means standing outside for 24 hours straight in the freezing cold, I’m ready to do that, because it’s my duty as a soldier to follow orders.”

1. Why does the author mention the Catch the Fox in Paragraph 2?

A．To display number 13 is more popular than number 10.

B．To prove the most popular party is constantly changing.

C．To show that he and Viggo both have a desire to know each other.

D．To suggest that he and Viggo have known each other for a long time.

2. What does Bosnian Kalesic want to convey in Paragraph 5?

A．Viggo was very strict with kids.	B．Viggo was irreplaceable anytime.
C．Viggo had a positive effect on kids.	D．Viggo was diligent and independent.

3. What’s the double identity of Johan Viggo?

A．A soldier and teacher.	B．A soldier and student.
C．A headmaster and writer.	D．A headmaster and teacher.

4. Which of the following can best describe Viggo?

A．Ambitious.

B．Devoted.

C．Humorous.

D．Outgoing.