1 . Team-building exercises have become popular for managers trying to increase organizational and team harmony and productivity. Unfortunately, many employees are angry about compulsory bonding and often regard these exercises as a nuisance (烦事).
A paper published this week by University of Sydney researchers in Social Networks has reported participants' feelings about team-building intervention (干预), revealing ethical implications in forcing employees to take part.
“Many people see team building activities as a waste of time, so we decided to look in more depth at what's behind this,” said the paper's lead researcher, Dr Peter Matous.
“Teams are formed, combined and restructured. Staff are relocated and office spaces redesigned. All this is done with the aim of improving workplace efficiency, collaboration and cohesion. But does any of this work?” said Dr Matous.
The study found that team-building exercises which focused on the sharing of and intervening into personal attitudes and relationships between team members were considered too rude and nosy (爱打听), although the researchers say some degree of openness and vulnerability (脆弱) is often necessary to make deep, effective connections with colleagues.
"Some participants were against team-building exercises because they were indirectly compulsory. They didn't welcome management's interest in their lives beyond their direct work performance," said Matous. "Many people don't want to be forced into having fun or making friends, especially not on top of their busy jobs. They feel management is being too nosy or trying to control their lives too much."
In this study the researchers recommended a self-disclosure (表露) approach where participants were guided through a series of questions that allowed them to increasingly disclose personal information and values. The method is well-tested and has been shown to increase interpersonal closeness. However, to be successful it must be voluntary.
The researchers said there are numerous schools of thought that propose differing psychological methods for strengthening relationships. “With caution, many relational methods to improve teams and organizations can be borrowed from other fields. The question is how to apply them effectively to strengthen an entire collective, which is more than just the sum of individual relationships,” said Dr Matous.
1. Why are many employees opposed to team-building exercises?| A．They consider such exercises annoying. |
| B．They deem these exercises counter-productive. |
| C．They see such exercises as harmful to harmony. |
| D．They find these exercises too demanding. |
| A．They relocated team leaders and their offices. |
| B．They rearranged the staff and office spaces. |
| C．They redesigned the staffs work schedules. |
| D．They reintroduced some cohesive activities. |
| A．They were intended to share personal attitudes and relationships. |
| B．They indirectly added to the vulnerability of team members. |
| C．They always strengthened connections among colleagues. |
| D．They were regarded as a violation of employees' privacy. |
| A．By allowing participants freedom to express themselves. |
| B．By applying it to employees who volunteer to participate. |
| C．By arranging in proper order the questions participants face. |
| D．By guiding employees through a series of steps in team building. |
| A．They must be used in combination for an entire collective. |
| B．They prioritize some psychological aspects over others. |
| C．They place too much stress on individual relationships. |
| D．They have to be applied cautiously to be effective. |
2 . Bill Johnson was walking along the banks of the Niagara River, trying to find a good place to take a photo. Finally, he found the
Tired and gasping for breath, he paddled his hands, trying to stay afloat. Finally, he found himself being
| A．poor | B．perfect | C．unique | D．wet |
| A．beyond | B．into | C．from | D．over |
| A．blew | B．landed | C．flew | D．stressed |
| A．site | B．distance | C．reach | D．measure |
| A．stretched | B．jumped | C．ran | D．went |
| A．strong | B．weak | C．light | D．heavy |
| A．Automatically | B．Casually | C．Properly | D．Desperately |
| A．put out | B．swept away | C．driven away | D．pulled over |
| A．drawing | B．dropping | C．leaving | D．climbing |
| A．fell | B．lasted | C．got | D．stood |
| A．pouring | B．crying | C．moving | D．turning |
| A．part | B．machine | C．way | D．hand |
| A．puzzled | B．embarrassed | C．realised | D．sacrificed |
| A．risked | B．struggled | C．relieved | D．frustrated |
| A．waste | B．hold | C．lose | D．shorten |
| A．bringing up | B．shooting up | C．cutting up | D．breaking up |
| A．lifted | B．followed | C．pushed | D．ranked |
| A．washed | B．wound | C．trapped | D．wrapped |
| A．humble | B．reliable | C．capable | D．panicked |
| A．column | B．advertisement | C．headline | D．journalist |
A Nation of Animal Lovers
The British are traditionally a nation of animal lovers. This is clear from the large number of animal programmes on TV. There are programmes about wildlife in Britain and other countries, and about pets at home. There are programmes like Animal Hospital about sick animals and the working lives of animal doctors. Some programmes try to find new homes for unwanted or homeless animals. All these programmes are very popular. There is a pet in more than half of the homes in the UK(52.3%). The most popular pets are cats.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London is a very famous home for unwanted dogs and cats. It was started in 1860 by Mrs. Mary Tealby, because she was worried about all the homeless animals on the streets of London. Since it opened, the home has taken in more than 3 million dogs and cats. In 2006, over 11,000 dogs and cats came to the home. By the end of the year, homes were found for 5,000 of them. The home even has its own magazine, Paws.
| It Can Only Happen in Britain! The Echo January 13 The rat at platform one has just made your train late! An officer was called to Stirling station today because passengers were worried about a large white rat on the line. Three trains passed over it, but the rat was unhurt. The Scottish railway company, Scotrail, closed the line. Then passengers watched as the officer carefully caught the rat. It bit him, but he took it away safely. An officer from Scotrail said, “We try to protect all wild animals and pets. At first the rat was very frightened, but now he’s fine.” “We’ve called him Ronnie. He needs a good home. People think rats are dirty. But they make great pets!” |
2. How many homes in the UK raise pets?(no more than 10 words)
3. Why did Mrs. Mary Tealby started Battersea Dogs and Cats Home?(no more than 15 words)
4. What was the result of the rat in the train station?(no more than 10 words)
5. How will you react if you see some wild animals in cities? Please further explain that.(no more than 20 words)
4 . You have to get to your job interview, but you don’t have access to an automobile. How would you solve this dilemma (困境)? Most people would probably call an Uber or perhaps ask a friend or family member for a ride. But not this Indiana woman. Kasia Shelton from Muncie has been arrested for stealing a vehicle from a local dealership (经销商). According to police reports, the 20-year-old used the 2013 Kia Optima to drive to a job interview in Indianapolis.
The auto theft happened on Monday, October 9. On the day, Shelton arrived at RDI Motors in Muncie and asked an employee to see a certain 2013 Kia Optima. He showed the car to Shelton and we can only assume he talked in length about its great condition for its age, the features, and the reliability. The employee later told the police that Shelton seemed interested in the car and asked to take it for a test drive. But while he was talking to her and preparing the car for a drive, the dealership’s telephone kept ringing and ringing. He said that he had to excuse himself constantly to go pick up the phone, yet there was never anybody on the other end of the line. The last time the phone rang was just as the employee had gotten the car ready for Shelton to take it for a test drive. When he got back from the phone, Shelton and the Kia were gone.
The RDI employee immediately called the Muncie Police Department. The police then began using the Flock camera surveillance system (监控系统) in an attempt to spot the car. A while later, they saw the car again, this time returning to Muncie. After that, the cameras lost the car, but we now know that Shelton drove it back to RDI Motors. Finding out wasn’t too difficult. The police said they were able to connect the car to Shelton because she had filled out an online form on RDI Motors’ website.
When the police later showed up at Shelton’s door, she seemed confused and thought the officers were pulling off some kind of a joke. She genuinely didn’t seem to understand what she was getting arrested for. After all, she returned the Kia to the dealership once she was done with her trip. She didn’t plan to keep it, so what’s the big deal?
Whether she understood the reason why or not, Shelton was arrested. She has been charged with auto theft, which could land her in prison for up to two and a half years.
1. Why was Shelton arrested?| A．Because she got a job interview. | B．Because she didn’t call an Uber. |
| C．Because she stole a car. | D．Because she drove a 2013 Kia Optima. |
| A．Uninterested. | B．Negative. | C．Responsible. | D．Intolerable. |
| A．Some other clients. | B．Mysterious phone calls. |
| C．Shelton’s attitude. | D．His colleagues’ calls. |
| A．By searching the Flock camera surveillance system. |
| B．Through the interview company. |
| C．By inquiring RDI motors’ employees. |
| D．Through the personal information she left on the site. |
| A．Don’t you think that’s the reason you arrest me? | B．Is this small thing worth an arrest? |
| C．Is this a deal? | D．Do you think I should buy the car? |
Advertising is all around us and it seems to have become an unavoidable part of our life. Digital marketing experts estimate that most Americans may be exposed to around 4, 000 to 10, 000 advertisements a day.
You may think you will never fall for an ad and be persuaded to buy something, but read the article first before you decide!
While direct hard-sell ads might be easy to detect — such as those for products endorsed (宣传) by celebrities — soft-sell ads may be more difficult to spot. One such method advertisers use is to make customers believe there is an immediate need to buy the product using words or phrases such as hurry, act now, last chance, now or never.
These are not the only methods, of course. Other methods include giving away samples and sponsorship of events, In fact, there are many methods which work for different products in different places. Gillian Greene, Creative Director of Cheesy Bee, an advertising agency in London, confirms this, stating their adverts are tailor-made (特制的) according to the situation.
Not all ads are directed towards the end customer. Advertising agencies will make adverts with the investors (投资人) and shop owners in mind. An impressive and expensive ad may signal to the investors that the ad agency is successful and they may then be encouraged to invest in it. Similarly, shop owners are more likely to stock (囤积) well-advertised products because they know customers are more likely to buy them. In this way, ads can help sell products even when they are not directed at the customer. Ads work in all stages of a business and, perhaps, that is the success of advertising.
1. What is the author’s purpose in using two sets of numbers in Para. 1? (No more than 15words)2. What is the meaning of the underlined words in Para. 2? (no more than 3 words)
3. How does a soft-sell advertising work according to Para. 3? (No more than 15 words)
4. What is the article mainly about? (No more than 10 words)
5. Do you think advertising is necessary? And why? (No more than 20 words)
One of New York’s most beautiful and valuable buildings is in danger. The New York Public Library, in the heart of the city at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, may have to close its door.
The library is a very special place. Even though it is in the busiest part of the city, it has grass and trees around it, and benches for people to sit on, Even more unusual in crowded New York, its rooms are very large. The roof of the Main Reading Room is fifty—one feet high. Here, a reader can sit and think and work in comfort.
And what books there are to work with! The library has over thirty million books and paintings. It owns one of the first copies of a Shakespeare play, a Bible printed by Gutenberg in the 15th century, and a letter written by Columbus in which he told of finding the new world.
Every New Yorker can see and use the library’s riches—free. But the cost of running the library has risen rapidly in recent years, and the library does not have enough money to continue its work. In the past, it was open every evening, and also on Saturdays and Sundays. Now it is closed at those times to save money.
The library is trying in every possible way to raise money to meet its increasing costs. Well—known New York writers and artists are trying to help. So are universities, whose students use the library, and governments of New York City and New York State. But the problem remains serious.
Yet a way must be found to save the library because, as one writer said, “The Public Library is the most important building in New York City—it contains all our knowledge.”
1. What’s the best title of the passage? (No more than 8 words)2. What can people find in the library? (No more than 15 words)
3. What does the underlined word “riches” refer to? (No more than 1 word)
4. Why is the library closed on Saturdays and Sundays now? (No more than 3 words)
5. Please make one practical suggestion to help and give your reason. (No more than 25 words)
7 . Whether an individual is considering starting a small business or changing career paths, passion must be taken into account. While characteristics such as strong values, talent, ambition, intellect, discipline, persistence (毅力), and luck all contribute to business and career success, following your passion can often make the most significant difference of all.
Before discussing passion and explaining its significance, we must first define the true meaning of success. Success is usually thought of as making large sums of wealth or achieving a certain level of fame, but true success that satisfies is not all about money.
Success is better defined as an achievement of a desired aim or purpose. More than money or fame, most people desire to combine their own passions with their work while making a sustainable income. The more you earn, the less money returns, making money an elusive (难以捉摸的) definition of success.
For most people, success means being proud of their achievements and being part of something that matters. This is particularly true when it comes to meaningful work. If an individual decides to follow their passion, there is a greater likelihood that money and traditional success will follow because the time and effort invested in the adventure come with enthusiasm and zeal (热情).
If enthusiasm and passion are present, people tend to be more resilient (有承受力) when encountering obstacles. People who are passionate about what they do, rather than just "in it for the money," tend to be people who have more positive outlooks and can overcome difficulty through problem-solving.
Also, the more passionate someone is about their job, the more inclined (倾向于) they are to work hard on self-improvement, increasing their chances of success.
One of the most successful companies in the world is Apple. Apple's founder and most remarkable leader was the late Steve Jobs. In an article titled “The Seven Success Principles of Steve Jobs”, writer Carmine Gallo outlines seven factors responsible for Jobs’ success. The article is based on interviews with Apple employees and Steve Jobs himself. The first principle? “Do what you love.” Steve Jobs believed in the power of passion and once said, “People with passion can change the world for the better.” Jobs claimed that his passion for his work made all the difference.
1. In writing Paragraph 1, the author aims to ________.| A．introduce the topic | B．make a comparison |
| C．present an argument | D．propose a definition |
| A．sometimes you don’t get much reward for your hard work |
| B．money doesn't always define success |
| C．if you want to be successful, you need a steady income |
| D．the more you earn, the less money returns, which is not a sign of success |
| A．Most people intend to choose meaningful jobs. |
| B．If you follow most people's course, success is just around the corner. |
| C．Working with enthusiasm is more likely to succeed. |
| D．If you are always proud of yourself, you will succeed easily. |
| A．situations | B．risks | C．threats | D．difficulties |
| A．Steve Jobs and His Success Principles |
| B．Follow Your Passions, and Success Will Follow |
| C．Secrets to Success |
| D．Passion and Your Career |
8 . One of the most exciting aspects of exploring the wild places is observing wild animals in their natural habitat. The thrill of an unexpected animal encounter is hard to match. No matter what kind of wildlife you are going to encounter, there are a few general safety rules. These will go a long way in keeping you safe when encountering wild animals.
Be aware of your surroundings
Between the scenery and conversation with your travel partners, it’s easy to get distracted (注意力分散) and stop paying attention to where your feet are taking you. Watch where you are walking. This is your number one tip for avoiding dangerous contact with snakes, insects, and other small creatures. If you are in a place where such animals are known to be present, don’t put your hands or feet into any location you can’t clearly see. Keeping the animals in mind will help you both avoid a potentially dangerous encounter.
Don’t feed the wildlife
Feeding wild animals ranks high on the list of mistakes that get people in trouble. Animals are highly motivated by food. It will make them get much closer to you, and that puts you and them in greater danger. If they become scared at close range, that can lead to an attack. Food can lead the animal to become aggressive (有攻击性的) in trying to get more food. Even if you don’t get hurt, it encourages the wildlife to approach other people which could place them in danger. Accidental feeding can be just as bad as doing it on purpose. Leaving food unprotected and unattended at a campsite is a bad idea.
Keep your distance
As a general rule, the bigger and faster an animal is, the more distance you want to keep between you and them. Every wild animal is potentially dangerous. It isn’t just big predators (食肉动物) that can kill you. Wild pig, deer, and other herbivores can be just as dangerous as a lion or bear. Don’t try to find out how close you can get to the animals. Don’t ever try to touch a wild animal.
Also, don’t assume an injured animal is not dangerous. They could well be more dangerous. If you find an injured animal, the only way you can possibly help them is to contact a park authority and report it to them. Do not attempt to help the animal. You are not likely to do it any good and are far more likely to do yourself harm.
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 1?| A．Having a match with a wild animal is thrilling. |
| B．Exploring the wild places requires safety tools and skills. |
| C．It’s always exciting to meet an unexpected animal while exploring the wild. |
| D．You need to walk a long way to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. |
| A．Bring a watch when exploring the wild. |
| B．Do not talk to each other and mind your steps. |
| C．Remember what wild animals look like before setting out. |
| D．Find a place free of snakes, insects and other small creatures. |
| A．Feeding wild animals might poison them. |
| B．Leaving food outside the camp can also be harmful. |
| C．Feeding wildlife is a task of high rank. |
| D．Feeding wild animals may encourage them to attack each other. |
| A．If it is injured, rescue it by yourself immediately. |
| B．Contact a park authority as soon as possible. |
| C．You can touch it if it’s a harmless animal. |
| D．It can be observed from a distance. |
| A．To draw people’s attention to wildlife. |
| B．To help people organize outdoor activities. |
| C．To offer some safety tips on wildlife encounters. |
| D．To share his encounters with wild animals. |
9 . In 1910, the Los Angeles Times ran a story about a boy who was charged with opening a valve (阀门) on a water pump powered by a steam engine to release the built-up pressure. His whole job consisted of staring at these machines all day, which was incredibly boring. The “ lazy ” boy then invented a release for the pump to run just as it should and won his freedom. The first automatic steam engine was born.
This story may be fictional, but the boy’s behavior reflects a deeper truth. When we are feeling lazy, we often search for an easier way, trying to update the process and save time and effort. In other words, laziness can drive innovation.
In recent years, some psychologists and business leaders have wised up to this insight, changing our perspective of what laziness really means. Both Bill Gates and Walter Chrysler have been credited with a quote: “ I always choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it. ”
Our brains are born for laziness. Compared with our ancestors who had to conserve energy to compete for food, flee from predators, and fight, we now don’t take survival as a daily issue. It seems natural that we would choose to be “lazier” , but the opposite has occurred. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans sleep less and work more than we used to; productivity per worker has gone up 400 percent since 1950. Our culture teaches us that our worth depends on how industrious we are, so we work even harder to produce even more.
But there’s one big paradox (悖论), sad but true: The harder we work, the less productive we are. When demand increases, we tend to push harder. Yet the trouble is that, without any refresh and recharge, we are less efficient, make more mistakes, and get less engaged with what we’re doing.
Therefore, how can we make our labor more meaningful and our lives more fulfilling? Current research in psychology and neuroscience points to a new understanding of the value of the wandering mind. Taking breaks and allowing your thoughts to drift can help your brain retain information, refocus, and gain fresh perspective.
Here’s the core problem: When the time finally comes to put our feet up, we often don’t know how. We have little training in how to be idle. But at least give it a shot. Maybe this week, notice some downtime in your day, some white space in your calendar. Instead of filling the space with more work, just sit in the sofa, and be, in the words of poet Mary Oliver, “ idle and blessed. ”
1. The author tells the story in paragraph 1 to prove ______.| A．the kid needs punishing | B．boredom enhances productivity |
| C．creativity contributes to laziness | D．laziness inspires new ideas |
| A．By listing some numbers of being lazy. |
| B．By quoting some great figures’ words. |
| C．By making a comparison between two great figures. |
| D．By giving examples of how to be creative. |
| A．People nowadays don’t have to face poverty. | B．Modern society honors creativity. |
| C．Americans lives a poorer life than before. | D．Ancestors consider industry as a value. |
| A．Working 24 -7 with a tight schedule. |
| B．Taking three part-time jobs to fill weekends. |
| C．Watching a stand-up comedy after a busy weekday. |
| D．Attending a formal dinner with business purpose. |
| A．compare the previous understanding of idleness to the new |
| B．persuade people to give up the value of hard work |
| C．criticize the irresponsible attitude towards life |
| D．encourage people to keep refreshed for better work and life |
10 . It is an ancient Chinese tradition to cherish grain. In ancient China, farming promoted the development of civilization so people regarded grain as a God. The ancient people firmly believed that “food is the most important thing for the people”. The earth God “She” and the grain God “Ji” were the earliest gods worshipped by our ancestors and the country was called “Sheji”.
Chinese believe in food conservation. Scholars have strongly advocated that “every single grain is fruit of hard work” and nothing should be wasted. Strong daily practices are associated with “respecting” the grain. Families that run out of rice never leave their container completely empty. There is always a little rice left in it. Parts of the poultry (家禽) and livestock that are unsuitable to be the main dishes are always deliciously cooked.
Food also helps bring people together. In Chinese culture, “Ju” (get together)is a very particular word. There are many ways to get together, but the word “Can” is usually added to it in case of festivals, birthday celebrations, moving to new houses, weddings and funeral. “Ju Can”(get together and have dinner)is an important way for Chinese families to bond.
But these ordinarily frugal (节俭的) people often end up wasting food during “Ju Can”. Some reports show that the annual waste of grain in China is close to 6% of the total grain output, of which, the waste rate of a large party is as high as 38%. The food waste is driven by people’s flamboyant nature-they think the plates must be full and taking away packed food from a party is “disgraceful”. The dishes at a dinner party have become a symbol of a person’s wealth and having too many dishes at the menu has become fashionable, thus promoting waste.
Small to a person, a family, big to a country, the whole human race, to survive, to develop, we have to be frugal. Being frugal does not mean being mean, it simply means one is wise enough not to waste food. If the culture of diligence and frugality is more widespread in all countries, it would provide for a stronger foundation for national security and family happiness.
1. Why does the author mention “Sheji” in Paragraph 1?| A．To prove China enjoys a long history. |
| B．To explain Chinese tradition of cherishing food. |
| C．To show farming promoted Chinese civilization. |
| D．To clarify who is the earliest god in China. |
| A．Chinese cuisine is diverse. |
| B．Chinese don’t waste food. |
| C．The ancient Chinese lived a difficult life. |
| D．Chinese are skillful at cooking delicious food. |
| A．The disgraceful behaviour in “Ju Can”. |
| B．The human nature revealed in food waste. |
| C．How much food Chinese people waste in “Ju Can”. |
| D．The food waste in “Ju Can” and the reason behind it. |
| A．showy | B．generous | C．unique | D．hardworking |
| A．Farming is crucial to China’s development. |
| B．Food plays a vital role in bringing people together. |
| C．We should cherish food and form the habit of frugality. |
| D．We mustn’t leave the container completely empty in case of tunning out of food. |
