1 . A lot of people think that a confident person is someone who is completely free of worry. That appears to make _________, because it would seem that confidence and worry are the complete opposite of each other. _________ it’s not the truth at all. _________ people are not people who never _________ worry. They are people who feel worry but are able to _________ it.

So how can you _________ anxiety? Firstly, we need to accept that worry serves a purpose. It is not a _________ emotion. It only becomes a _________ when it stops us from acting. Every time you feel worry, _________ yourself that it is a __________ response. Analyze the situation and if it seems OK, you can go ahead.

The second thing you can do is to look at what __________ worry. Like many negative emotions, worry comes from worried thoughts. If you are faced with a job interview, and you may think, “There are plenty of __________ people than me going for the job”, or “I’m bad at job interviews”. With the thoughts, of course you are going to feel worried!

But the thing is, if you __________these thoughts, there are plenty of things __________ behind those statements. Even if there are plenty of better persons than you going for the job, are they better in all __________? Does the job always go to the “better” candidate? (候选人) If you can attack and destroy all the false logic around those statements, you will automatically (自动地) feel less anxious.

1.

A．trouble

B．sense

C．a mistake

D．a difference

2.

A．So

B．Though

C．But

D．And

3.

A．Independent

B．Careful

C．Brave

D．Confident

4.

A．see

B．defeat

C．experience

D．forget

5.

A．meet with

B．deal with

C．begin with

D．work with

6.

A．feel

B．avoid

C．overcome

D．settle

7.

A．useful

B．weak

C．useless

D．real

8.

A．problem

B．question

C．disease

D．disadvantage

9.

A．believe

B．teach

C．help

D．remind

10.

A．natural

B．serious

C．false

D．formal

11.

A．causes

B．explains

C．includes

D．means

12.

A．bigger

B．poorer

C．better

D．higher

13.

A．look into

B．find out

C．think over

D．go over

14.

A．strong

B．bad

C．unusual

D．wrong

15.

A．ways

B．memories

C．exams

D．methods

2 . Negative emotions have a bad reputation: they’re often seen as dangerous or destructive.     1     But research reveals that negative emotions are useful for people and important for a successful and satisfying life.

In a recent study, we tested this idea for the case of anger. We designed a series of experiments with more than 1, 000 participants. We found that people who got mad first were more successful than the other participants.     2     When the goals were not challenging, getting angry did not improve outcomes.

    3     Here the story becomes more complicated. The findings do not mean that everyone should get angry in order to achieve their goals. But anger clearly can be useful in overcoming obstacles. Let us say, anger at a crashing computer could motivate someone to take it to a repair shop. But it could also motivate them to smash the computer on the floor.     4     Yet only one is truly beneficial. This complication in using our negative emotions contributes to their bad reputation. Fortunately, there is a lot of research on how to improve responses to negative emotions like anger. No doubt the best response is not to focus on what’s happening but to respond to achieve the desired outcome.

Negative emotions aren’t bad. They are incredibly important indicators that significant events are taking place.     5    

A．But what does this mean for people’s life?

B．People try to avoid them, contain them or ignore them.

C．Across our studies, anger helped achieve challenging goals.

D．Both actions have removed the obstacle: the crashing computer.

E．So the next time one happens, don’t push it away-pay attention.

F．When you are angry, you experience physical and emotional pain.

G．In the midst of anger, however, it can be very easy to make careless mistakes.

3 . “Anxiety.” The very word invites discomfort. Its effects—shortness of breath, pounding heart, muscle tension—are outright upsetting. But, as a clinician, I find that we tend to miss out on many valuable opportunities presented by this human emotion. In and of itself, anxiety is not deadly, nor is it a disease. Quite the contrary: it is an indicator of brain and sensory health. Once we accept that it is a normal, though uncomfortable, part of life, we can use it to help us.

We all know working out at the gym is hard. By nature, a “good workout” is uncomfortable, since it involves pushing our physical strength past what we can easily do. The sweet spot of exercise is always a somewhat challenging experience. Similarly, if you want to be emotionally stronger, you need to face some tension. For example, one effective treatment for fear is exposure therapy (疗法), which involves gradually encountering things that make one anxious, reducing fear over time.

Humans are social creatures. When my patients learn to open up to their partners about their anxieties, they almost always report a greater sense of emotional closeness. Also, as international relationship expert Sue Johnson teaches, when we express our need for connection during challenging moments (e.g., “I’m having a hard time right now and could really use your support”), it creates greater connection and turns our anxiety into love.

From time to time, we find ourselves at the end of our rope. Our responsibilities pile up, our resources break down, and we feel uncomfortably anxious—what we’re experiencing is called stress. Simply put, the demands placed upon us outweigh our available resources, just like a set of scales (天平) going out of balance. Focusing on work and pretending everything is OK only leads to disastrous results. Medical treatment for stress may function for a while, but it tends to make things worse in the long run. The only solution to deal with stress is to do the mathematics to balance the scales.

1. What does the author say about anxiety?

A．It is an invitation to diseases.

B．It indicates stable mental health.

C．It costs us many valuable chances.

D．It is a natural emotional expression.

2. Why does the author mention “good workout” in paragraph 2?

A．To prove how exercise influences emotions.

B．To suggest an effective way to challenge limits.

C．To explain how anxiety builds emotional strength.

D．To show a positive connection between mind and body.

3. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The key to closeness is partners’ support.

B．Sharing anxieties improves relationships.

C．Humans are defined by their social nature.

D．Expressing feelings keeps us off anxieties.

4. According to the last paragraph, how can we deal with stress?

A．Devote more energy to our work.

B．Increase resources available to us.

C．Seek professional medical treatment.

D．Master advanced mathematical skills.

4 . 听下面一段独白, 回答以下小题。
1. What is the most important thing in writing a thank-you note?

A．Being polite and sweet.

B．Using simple language.

C．Explaining the exact reason.

2. What makes an email a good way to say thank you?

A．It is more formal.

B．It can be received earlier.

C．It can be understood more easily.

3. What is the advantage of a handwritten note?

A．It takes less time to write.

B．It carries more sentences.

C．It seems more sincere.

4. What does the speaker mainly talk about?

A．The importance of writing a thank-you note.

B．Some basic rules for writing a thank-you note.

C．A few helpful examples of writing a thank-you note.

5 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. How does the woman feel?

A．Angry.

B．Puzzled.

C．Worried.

2. What kind of program does Ann want to watch?

A．A fashion show.

B．A football match.

C．A basketball match.

3. What suggestion does the woman give to the man?

A．Making friends with Charlie.

B．Taking care of the baby with his wife.

C．Watching the football match with her husband at her home.

6 . Have you ever felt nervous or afraid to take time off from work to look after your mental health?

Marisa Kabas, a writer and political strategist, recently posed a similar question on Twitter (推特网), inspired by Simone Biles, who stopped taking part in Olympic events this week to protect her mental health.

“It was so shocking to so many people,” Ms. Kabas said on Wednesday in an interview. “Because the whole mentality (心态， 思维方式) is to be strong, and push through the pain.”

If you’re unlikely to use sick days for mental health reasons or are scared of being punished for doing so, I experts say it’s time to start thinking about how to protect your mental well-being. You should take a “sad day”.

There’s no official definition for a “sad day,” also known as a mental health day. Typically, it is paid time off drawn from sick days(or personal days) to help employees who aren’t feeling like their usual selves, offering an opportunity to refresh their minds, do something meaningful; or simply take a break from daily stressors. The “sad day” is only a temporary (暂时的) fix, and not meant to address deeper problems, but sometimes a little time away can make a big difference.

In most situations, just say that you need to take a sick day, and leave it at that, the experts advised. “I think the safe advice is not to be honest and frank,” said Andrew Kuller, a clinical psychologist. Not everybody values mental health, he added, and “unless you’re close with your boss, it is a risk. But say you work at the type of organization where you can tell the truth without fear of being punished. In that case, you still don’t need to reveal why you want to take a sick day.”

Whatever you do, don t spend the mental health day feeling guilty. So instead of thinking, “I should be at work right now, try to reframe your thinking in a more positive way. For example, try saying: “It would be great; if I could be at work right now. But today is a day that I need to take care of myself, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

1. Why were so many people shocked in the eyes of Ms. Kabas?

A．Simone Biles posed questions on Twitter.

B．Simone Biles was interviewed by Ms. Kabas.

C．Simone Biles inspired sports fans greatly in the Olympics.

D．Simone Biles pulled out of Olympic events due to mental health.

2. What can we know about a “sad day”?

A．It is only short-term relief.

B．It has an official definition.

C．It is of no value in reducing stress.

D．It is a perfect solution to big problems.

3. What are you advised to do in Paragraph 6?

A．Face punishment bravely.

B．Try your best to please your boss.

C．Ask for a sick day without much explanation.

D．Tell your boss about the importance of mental health.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Don’t be too serious about a “sad day”

B．When work weighs you down, take a “sad day”

C．Don’t be afraid to talk about your mental health

D．When you feel burnt out, tell your manager openly

7 . The Power of Insensitivity

Highly sensitive(敏感的)person, or HSP, is a term invented by psychologist Elaine Aron. HSPs can come with many challenges. They may find it hard to adapt to new surroundings, and easily become uncomfortable in response to certain feelings or others’ opinions.     1    

The power of insensitivity can be explained as “slow power”. Usually, people connect “insensitivity” with something bad, but indeed, it stresses the ability to keep doing something difficult without complaining.     2     It is not a weakness but an approach to winning a better life.

    3     Knowing yourself is difficult, and knowing yourself correctly is undoubtedly an excellent ability. The successful people clearly know where their strengths are, what they can do and what direction to go.

There are some ways to practice “insensitivity”: Don’t pay too much attention to the ups and downs of life at the moment.     4     Don’t get involved in other people’s lives and don’t let others affect yours. Regarding relationships, learn to view problems as two parts: One part is what you need to face and solve. The other part is the responsibility of others, which is not your business.

Everyone can gain the ability to be insensitive.     5     And the world will also be a better one if we focus on major goals and stay insensitive to something else.

A．Insensitivity plays a significant role.

B．Rather, you should be looking forward.

C．That’s where the need to be insensitive comes from.

D．Once you slow down the pace, you will feel more comfortable.

E．Those not easily affected are the people who care less about others.

F．That is, calmly facing the downtime in life and moving towards one’s own direction.

G．One reason why insensitivity allows people to better survive is the strong self-awareness.

8 . Many people feel anxious in situations that are stressful to them. For example, they may feel anxious about taking tests, meeting new people, or speaking in class.     1     But it’s best to learn how to cope. Here are several tips that can help you through anxious moments:

Start with a “growth” mindset. Some people have a fixed mindset. They might think, “This is how I am.”     2     They think they are the way they are. But brain science has shown that with a growth mindset, people can get better at just about everything—with effort and practice. That includes reducing anxiety.

    3     When you’re anxious, you might tell yourself things like, “I can’t do this!” or “What if I mess this up?” Instead, plan to tell yourself something that could help you face the moment with a bit of courage like, “I can do this!” or “It’s OK to feel anxious. I can do this anyway.”

Notice how anxiety affects your body. When you’re anxious, do you feel “butterflies” in your stomach? Sweaty palms? Shaky hands? A faster heartbeat? These physical feelings can be uncomfortable but they aren’t harmful. You can cope. You don’t have to push the feelings away.     4    

Face the situation—don’t wait for anxiety to go away. You might think that you’ll put off speaking in class or talking to that new person until you no longer feel anxious about it. But it doesn’t work that way.     5    

Learning to cope with anxiety takes time, patience, and practice. Most of all it takes being willing to face anxiety. Start with one small step. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at lowering anxiety.

A．Talk yourself through it.

B．Tell a parent or another adult you trust.

C．It’s facing the anxiety that helps you lower it.

D．Try to pay attention to anxious thoughts and feelings.

E．Try to notice them without getting upset that they’re there.

F．With a fixed mindset, people don’t think things can change.

G．If you feel anxious in situations like these, you’re not alone.

9 . How to Stop Laughing at Inappropriate Times

Although laughing at inappropriate times can be embarrassing, it’s actually a natural reaction for some people when they’re facing a highly stressful situation. It can help you relieve stress and release your own tension.     1     Here are some ways to stop laughing.

Distract yourself from your urge to laugh. 

It takes time to learn how to curb your tendency to laugh, but distraction is an easy way to stop yourself, in the meantime. For example, you can pinch yourself. The slight pain will distract you from your urge to laugh.     2     Choose any color and see how many places you can spot it in the area. This small goal will shift your focus from laughter and your emotions.

    3    

What can you do instead of laughing nervously? For example, nod, lick your lips, exhale slowly, or click a pen. What you decide to replace your laughter with depends on the circumstances that are causing your laughter. For example, you may laugh nervously during work meetings.     4     If you tend to laugh at serious moments, take a deep breath at moments when you’d typically laugh.

Identify what makes you laugh inappropriately.

Do you laugh out of nervousness, or do you laugh to cope with painful feelings? Maybe you laugh because you have a lot of energy or have trouble finding the words you want to say. Whatever your reasons for laughing, write down when your laughter is causing you issues. Consider the time, location, occasion, and people who could be causing your laughter. These are called your triggers.     5    

A．Create a plan for replacing your laughter.

B．Choose replacement behaviors for the laughter.

C．You can also look for a certain color in the room.

D．Tell yourself, “The next time I feel awkward in a work meeting, I will click my pen.”

E．Once you know what they are, you can begin to address your habit of laughing.

F．But the inappropriate laughter may negatively affect your life.

G．If this is the case, click your pen instead of laughing.

10 . Anger is the most destructive emotion, which will dominate your thoughts and actions.     1     You may also speak reckless language without thought. So what can be done to control anger? Here are four ways that you can combat the causes of anger.

Change your attitude.

Realizing that no-one is perfect and accepting that not everyone has the same standards as you is a good start to avoiding getting angry.     2    For example, when you are in a position of authority, and you give instructions that are not followed, instead of getting angry, look for the reason why. It may be that the person will need further training or guidance.

Stop trying to manage your anger.

Anger management used to be promoted as a way of dealing with anger, but a much better way of facing up to anger is to identify the root cause. When trying to do it be prepared to be honest with yourself. Is it worry or stress making you angry? Are you fearful of failure?     3    

Don’t dismiss anger as a bad emotion.

    4    Martin Luther King was angry about the lack of civil rights in the USA. Gandhi was angry about British domination in India. They both used that anger to motivate themselves to fight against what they saw as injustice. Anger of this type can be used to fuel action. Use it to help you not hinder you.

    5    

We all get tempted to throw something or even hit someone when getting angry. A reaction like that is called the easy way, which might make you feel better after an angry outburst. However, staying calm or walking away from conflict are harder but much better choices .By learning control, you can become a much calmer, less volatile person.

A．This applies to work, day-to-day life, and relationships.

B．Once you know why you get mad, then it is possible to deal with the cause.

C．When you are in a temper, you may make ill-considered decisions that you will probably regret.

D．Many people try to live by high standards, and as a result, are often disappointed and get angry.

E．Don’t take the easy way when you get angry.

F．Stop anger from being your master.

G．There are occasions when anger can be directed in such a way as to achieve great things.