1 . 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.

2 . Dear Crystal,

I’m sorry to hear that life is getting you down right now ... I’m not sure there’s any specific advice I can give to cheer you up. It’s sometimes quite annoying to be reminded how much people love you when you don’t love yourself that much.

I’ve found that it’s of some help to compare one’s moods(情绪)about the world to the weather.   Here are some obvious things about the weather:

It’s real.

If it’s dark and rainy, it really is.

It isn’t under one’s control as to when the rain stops, but it will stop one day.

You can’t change it by wishing it away.

It really is the same with one’s moods．The wrong approach is to believe that they are illusions(幻想). Panic, anxiety and anger are as real as weather.

But they will pass; they really will.

In the same way that one has to accept the weather, one has to accept how one feels about life. “Today’s a bad day” is a perfect approach.“Hey-ho, it’s raining inside; it isn’t my mistake, and there’s nothing I can do about it. But when the sun comes out, I shall take full advantage.”

I don’t know if any of that is of any use... I just hope this brings you a little more pleasure and purpose in life.

Best wishes!

Yours,

Stephen Fry

1. How does Crystal feel according to the letter?

A．Ignored.

B．Ashamed.

C．Panicked.

D．Unhappy.

2. Stephen Fry writes to Crystal to________．

A．offer tips on making friends

B．teach skills of writing poems

C．share comfort and encouragement

D．explain ways of observing weather

3. In which column(专栏)of a school website will you find the text?

A．Literature.	B．Watch This.
C．Just Ask.	D．Science Forum.

3 . More Than a Feeling

Charles Darwin formulated the most successful theory in the history of biology: the theory of evolution. He was also responsible for another grand theory: the theory of emotion, which dominated his field for more than a century. Its core principle was that the mind consists of two competing forces: the rational and the emotional.     1    

We now know that, on the contrary, emotions enhance our process of reasoning and aid our decision-making. In fact, we can’t make decisions, or even think, without being influenced by our emotions.

    2     Perhaps the most important discovery regarding the role of emotion is that even when you believe you are exercising cold, logical reason, you are not. People are not usually aware of this, but the very framework (框架) of their thought process is highly influenced by what they are feeling at the time - sometimes subtly (细微地).

Consider anger, for example. Backed by the threat of attack, anger creates incentives (动机) for others to comfort the angry individual. Your mental calculations increase the importance you place on your own welfare and goals at the expense of others’. Coaches tap into anger as a motivational tool because the focus on the self encourages athletes to push themselves to achieve their goals. Anger also causes you to perceive less risk.     3    

The new view of emotion may not correspond to the way Darwin saw it, but it does support one of the basic conclusions of his theory of evolution. Humans are not as different from non-human animals as people believed. What can we learn from this? The first and most crucial step is self- awareness.     4     By studying our own emotions, we can read others’ better and communicate more effectively. Once we are in touch with our true feelings, we can take steps to manage them whenever it benefits.

A．Emotions play a critical role in shaping our thoughts and decisions, subtly influencing the framework of our reasoning even when we believe we are thinking rationally.

B．He believed that emotions played a constructive role in the lives of non-human animals, while the usefulness of emotions was largely replaced by the evolution of reason in humans.

C．That can produce better judgments in situations where risk aversion (厌恶) is inappropriate, as when you are analyzing stocks (股票) or playing poker.

D．Anger, while often perceived negatively, can sometimes fuel our motivation and reduce our perception of risk, enabling more decisive actions in certain situations.

E．Studies show that those with high levels of emotional intelligence fare better in their personal and professional lives.

F．If emotions aid rational reasoning, how does that work.

4 . Higher levels of optimism (乐观主义) are related lo a longer lifetime. People with the highest levels of optimism have 11 % to 15% longer lifetime than those who practice little positive thinking. The optimists may live to age 85 or beyond.

Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring life’s stress. But when negative things happen, optimistic people are less likely to blame themselves.     1    . They also believe they can control their destiny and create opportunities for good things to happen in the future.

    2    . Research has found optimists have a 35% less chance of a heart disease. There’s a direct connection between optimists and healthier diet and exercise behaviors, as well as a stronger immune (免疫) system and better lung function.

Optimism can be improved by training. Studies have found only about 25% of our optimism is programmed by genes (基因).     3    . It turns out you can train your brain to be more positive. One of the most effective ways to increase optimism is called the “Best Possible Self” method. In this period, you imagine yourself in future, and you have achieved all your life aims and all of your problems have been solved.     4    . Another way is to keep a journal only to capture positive experiences you experienced that day.

It’s not easy to carry out optimism exercises. Like exercise, they will need to be practiced regularly to keep the brain positive.     5    . But isn’t a longer, happier, more positive life worth the effort?

A．It may also lengthen your life.

B．The rest is up to your attitude to life.

C．Being optimistic also improves your health.

D．The optimism exercises may be a hard process.

E．The focus on the positive can reshape your brain.

F．Practicing this daily can significantly improve your positive feelings.

G．They are more likely to see the barrier as a good chance to turn positive.

5 . Sometimes, we meet with situations that cause us to feel angry to the point we may want to erupt like a volcano or curse (咒骂) someone out.     1     Here are some replies online to the question about how to deal with anger.

Go for a swim, lift weights, and practice other forms of exercise!

Science suggests that hearing, seeing, or swimming causes our brain to produce neurochemicals that increase blood flow to the brain and heart. “    2     I like to lift weights. It completely takes the edge off. Heavy bag work is good for cardio and reducing anger. Yoga is great for both exercise and meditation,” wrote u/JackFunk.

Eat a healthier diet.

Proteins such as fish, tofu, and chicken, help us produce higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals in the brain that play a role in your mood, motivation, and concentration. “I found that some foods messed with my stomach.     3     Over time I have removed various foods from my diet, and it has really helped,”   u/JackFunk also wrote.

Write your feelings down.

Whether it’s quick sentences or journal entries, writing down how you feel is a great way to release negative emotions. “    4     Pour your heart out… and if you’re worried that someone else may read it later, you can burn it to release the energy,” wrote u/ChoiceFabulous.

    5    

“If you have trouble not getting angry when discussing something or trying to work through a problem with someone, always imagine the conversation is being videotaped. If you keep that in the back of your mind, you will always think about what you say, and it could help keep your mind from the anger,” wrote u/therealtidbits.

A．For me, nothing is better than exercise.

B．Whenever I can’t help getting angry, I read.

C．Pretend that when you get angry people are watching.

D．Whenever I can’t exercise or burn out the feelings, I write.

E．Anyway, there are always better ways to handle when angry.

F．They then messed with my head, which brought out the anger.

G．Pretend there is a camera before you and be mindful of what you say.

6 . Steps to happiness

Life is full of happiness and sadness. The following skills can help improve your state of happiness.

Be kind to yourself

It is not always easy as we are often not confident. But those little troubles, such as when we make a mistake, and when we judge ourselves as “stupid” or such like, can actually have quite an impact on our mental well-being.     1    

Find your happiness

For some people, watching 90 minutes of man running around and kicking a ball brings great joy and passion.     2     We are all different, and knowing what bring you peace and happiness helps. Explore more and find what you really like.

Move

    3     Humans weren’t designed to sit all day long. Apart from getting fat, and increasing the risk of diseases, sitting all day leads to boredom. And the more you sit doing nothing, the worse it gets. So, make a start now and take a walk.

Improve your relationships

We all need others.     4     Again, humans are social creatures, so getting out to see friends is important, even taking time to talk to those you live with is important. Put down your device and actually have a chat. It can really boost your mood.

Eat properly

Eat the right foods and you’ll feel an obvious change in your attitude and mental well-being in a few weeks.     5     Avoid lots of processed food.

A few simple steps can improve your mental status. Give it a try, a few minor changes can make all the difference to your happiness.

A．Challenge yourself.

B．Get up and walk, or go jogging.

C．It’s hard to be an island, entire of itself.

D．Being kind to others is also important.

E．Instead of being negative on yourself, try being positive.

F．For others, this is similar to a trip to the dentist for root treatment.

G．Aim for a well-balanced diet and one that is as close to nature as possible.

7 . What’s the secret to happiness? Although that answer won’t be the same for everyone, you can follow daily practices to develop joy from within.

Letting Go

    1     Bad thoughts, habits, and bad relationships may hold you back from discovering true joy. Some people believe they have found true happiness when they get promotion (晋升), buy a dream house, or find that special someone. Yet, within a few years, they may find themselves back to the past or suffering.

Getting Up Early

Waking up a bit earlier and practicing your morning life can guide you towards happiness and success.       2     And how you choose to spend those early hours will set the tone (基调) for the rest of the day. By getting up early, you’ll look forward to rising each day and doing the things that make you feel good, putting a smile on your face.

Mindful Eating

Good, healthy food can bring joy into your days if you choose to practice mindful eating. There is no doubt that your food choices affect your overall physical health.       3     As the old saying goes, you really are what you eat! Each food group influences you differently.

What’s more, being mindful when eating can also bring happiness as you become present in the moment and focus on joy.     4    

Living in the Now

The secret to happiness is to live fully in the here and now.     5     And they often let fears and desires hold them back. That’s where living in the now comes to light. If you want to discover true happiness and joy, then in each moment, try to embrace (拥抱) endless presence to achieve inner peace and freedom.

A．Yet each has unique benefits.

B．A great morning results in a great day.

C．You’d better try it the next time you eat.

D．Most people can’t focus on living in the present.

E．However, some foods can also affect your feelings.

F．Discovering a form of movement that you love is most important.

G．Forming happiness begins with giving up what no longer serves you.

8 . We’re all human, and we know there are some days when we feel good and others when we get down in the dumps. But knowing how to keep things steady, or at least more positive than negative, is a smart move for your health, both mental and physical.     1    “Mood (情绪) awareness is a necessary part of keeping good mental health. It doesn’t mean you should feel positive all the time.     2     Instead, try to be aware of what your mood is, what events or environments can start it, and learn ways to find balance,” explains Himali Pandya, chief strategy and development officer at People USA, a mental health crisis prevention center.

At the first step, you’re supposed to try mood tracking.     3     Use one method per week, then think about which seemed to work best for you and consider building it into your routine going forward.

·Daily Journaling

Just let it flow! Each day, write down how you felt when you woke up in the morning, at midday, and in the evening.     4     It may also be helpful to write down anything that contributed to a change in your mood throughout the day. This is a great wellness activity that can help you process daily experiences.

·Mood Chart

This is similar to journaling, but it offers a bit more structure that can help show any patterns that seem to influence your mood.     5     And then draw columns (柱状图) for day of the week, mood, and mood-changing factors. Make it fun by using colored pens or emoji stickers for tracking.

A．Below are two popular ways to do this.

B．In fact, that is an unrealistic expectation.

C．And then there are times when our moods zip up and down!

D．Becoming aware of your mood trends can help you get there.

E．These are images you color in according to how you’re feeling.

F．Create a chart in your journal, on a whiteboard, or on a piece of paper.

G．If you notice mood changes between those time periods, write those down too.

9 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一个完整的短文。

If you are constantly lack of confidence and worried about what other people think about your shortcomings, you will never get to where you need to go in life. This was what I learned from my own experience.

My name is Peter. Before I was born, the doctors examined my mom and found there was something wrong with my face, and actually it was worse. With my “weird” face, I knew I was not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I had never been to a real school before, not because of the way I looked, but all the surgeries I had. Mom homeschooled me. I became stronger, though. So maybe it was time for me to go to the real school.

One day, I happened to hear Mom and Dad talking about me quietly. “We can’t keep protecting him.” Mom whispered to Dad, “We have to help him learn to deal with it. We can’t just keep avoiding situations that… ”, but she didn’t even finish her sentence because she saw me. “Go back to sleep, Peter,” Mom said softly.

“Everyone will stare at me at school,” I said, suddenly crying.

Mom came over, putting her hand on mine. “Honey, you know if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. But we spoke to the principal (校长) , Mr. Green and told him how funny and smart you are. When I told him about all your surgeries, and how brave you are, ‘Wow, I have to meet this kid.’ ” Mom smiled at me.

“He is really a nice man. Besides, a real school is really good for you. Peter, you will make lots of friends and learn things you have never learned with Mom.” Dad added, raising his hand as if to swear.

“But… I don’t want to go. I am afraid... ” I said in a low voice.

“How about at least meeting Mr. Green before you make up your mind?” Mom asked.

I nodded, unwilling to accept the arrangement.

注意：
1. 续写短文的词数应为150左右；
2. 请在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Paragraph 1:
We arrived at the school a few weeks before the start of the school.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2:
After taking a tour of the school and hearing Mr. Green’s words, I realized it was time to make a change.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10 . 阅读下面材料，根据文后各题目的具体要求完成阅读后的表达任务。

Silent friends in a life storm

Dear Annalisa,

My dad died unexpectedly a few months ago and I feel angry with some of my oldest friends, who have hardly contacted me since it happened.

Three months on, I’ve finally heard from some of them through text about other matters. I didn’t mention my sad stories, and they didn’t ask.

I understand that death is a frightening subject and that people might worry about saying the wrong thing. Yet I still feel a bit hurt by their lack of contact after my dad’s funeral (葬礼).

Now I don’t want to face them because I don’t want to make them feel guilty (内疚的). Normally they are extremely good friends who I love very much. I have other friends, so I can manage this without their support. I just want to let go of the anger so I can get through this sadness. Hope to receive your advice.

Yours,

Amy

Dear Amy,

I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s death.

Your anger may come from being unable to ask for the help you need. You also seem worried about troubling your friends too much.

It is likely that your friends are very concerned about you. Perhaps their own fear of the subject is too big to comfort you and, just as you say, they are frightened of saying the wrong thing. Also, people often want to “fix” things, but no one can fix death, so they may feel powerless to help you. In these situations, you have to be brave to break the ice and tell them not only what you need, but also how to offer help.

If you really can’t ask your “silent” friends for help, maybe you could count more on those other friends. You might find some psychological (心理的) treatment useful as well. Talking to someone with professional knowledge who understands your situation can help you carry the burden of sadness.

Yours,

Annalisa

1. 根据文章内容，使用文章中的原词完成下列表格，每空一词。

Amy’s problem	Some of her oldest friends have seldom contacted her since her dad’s death, making her feel angry and ______.
Annalisa’s analysis (分析)	● Amy’s anger comes from the fact that she is ______ to ask for help. ● The subject of death is so frightening that her friends are at a loss what to say to ____     her. ● Her friends may feel powerless to help her solve the problem so they choose to keep     ____.
Annalisa’s ______	● Be brave to start a conversation with her friends. ● ______ more on those other friends. ● Seek ______ support.

2. 假如你是 Amy，请给Annalisa回一封信，表示感谢并告诉她你打算怎么做。写作词数应为40左右。
Dear Annalisa,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Amy

3. 假定你是Amy的朋友，得知她的困扰，你将如何提供帮助？请用英语写出你可以做的三件事。
_______________________________________________________________________________________________