1. 有哪些便利之处；
2.有哪些不便之处；
3.你的看法。
注意：
1.词数不少于 100 字；
2.可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
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2 . The world has faced a food crisis of unprecedented(前所未有的) proportions in 2022—the largest in modern history, as conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis and rising costs have combined to pose great risks for hungry people across the world. As many as 828 million people go to bed hungry every night. The number of those facing acute food insecurity has risen from 135 million to 345 million since 2019. A total of 49 million people in 49 countries are suffering hunger, according to figures from the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
“We are facing an unprecedented global food crisis and all signs suggest we have not yet seen the worst. For the last three years, hunger numbers have repeatedly hit new peaks,” WFP Executive Director David Beasley said. He warned that things can and will get worse unless there is a large-scale and coordinated(协调一致的) effort to address the causes of this crisis.
There are many reasons for prevailing high levels of food insecurity. These reasons include conflicts, climate changes and weather extremes, economic slowdowns and downturns. In addition, these drivers often do not act alone. For instance, conflicts are often accompanied by economic downturns, which affect livelihoods and the ability of people to earn resources, leading to increasing poverty levels and higher prevalence(流行) of food insecurity.
Unfortunately, the main reasons for high levels of food insecurity have not improved this year. People in the Horn of Africa are facing a fifth consecutive(连续的) failed rain season in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, which will constrain their production, and is likely to push many people deeper into food insecurity.
Moreover, there is uncertainty about the weather. And climatic shock affecting any major producer or exporter will introduce additional uncertainty into production and consequently prices, which in turn impact the ability to purchase food, particularly of the most vulnerable people.
1. How does the author lead in the topic?| A．By making a comparison. | B．By sharing personal experience. |
| C．By giving opinions with evidence. | D．By listing facts and accurate figures. |
| A．This global food crisis won’t last longer. |
| B．It’s certain that the global food crisis will get worse. |
| C．We need to work together to deal with the global food crisis. |
| D．There will be another new peak of hunger numbers in three years. |
| A．Characters. | B．Operators. | C．Factors. | D．Activities. |
| A．The Issue of Food Safety | B．The Unprecedented Food Crisis |
| C．Conflicts Causing Food Shortage | D．Efforts Put into the Study of Food Insecurity |
3 . A good gift is one that is more valuable for the recipient than it is for the giver. But most gifts destroy value rather than create it. Think of the Christmas-tree-shaped cookie jar that cost your aunt 530 but is worth considerably less than zero to you, posing a moral conundrum (难题): Do you throw it right into the trash or wait a couple of months? The economist Joel Waldfogel calls this discrepancy the “deadweight loss” of gifts, and estimates that, on average, it is from 10 percent to a third of a gift’s price.
One explanation for the deadweight loss is a mismatch between desirability and feasibility. Consider n gadget that is useful (high disability) but difficult to set up and time-consuming to use (low feasibility). Scholars have found that givers usually focus on desirability, and receivers are more aware of feasibility. Your friend who bought you a fancy wearable fitness tracker probably thought it was a really cool and helpful gift; to you, it seems like a massive headache to figure out, requires an app download and a monthly fee, and offers data that will either make you feel terrible about yourself or turn into a life-ruining obsession. That’s why it is still sitting in your drawer in its original package.
Another happiness-killing mismatch can occur between the receiver’s initial reaction and their long-term satisfaction. As Anna Goldfarb noted in The Atlantic a few weeks ago, givers tend to look for “reaction-maximizing gifts” (such as the wife’s over-the-top response to the car) as opposed to “satisfaction-maximizing gifts.” Once the giver is not present to see the receiver’s reaction, the receiver might not actually be that excited about socks with her best friend’s face on them.
Someone looking for a big reaction might be tempted to buy a wildly expensive gift, which poses its own emotional problems. In the worst cases, they may even be trying to exert dominance over you, or manipulate you into doing them a favor later. Either way, receiving a gift that’s too nice might make you feel guilty. According to one 2019 survey from CompareCards, 46 percent of respondents felt guilty for being unable to give a gift worth as much as the one they received.
In truth, the biggest benefit to most gift giving is to the giver herself. Generosity is truly a way to buy happiness. As my colleague Michael Norton and his co-authors showed in the journal Science in 2008, although spending money on oneself is weakly related to happiness, spending money on others significantly rises the giver’s well-being. Neuroscientists have shown that charitable giving to others engages the reward system, inducing pleasure in one of the same ways that alcohol and certain drugs do. (Maybe this is the real reason Santa is so jolly.)
1. What does “deadweight loss” of gifts in para.1 refer to?| A．The value the gift creates rather than destroys. |
| B．The money the giver spends on a meaningful gift |
| C．The good-will and thoughtfulness of the gift giver. |
| D．The loss of the gift value in the eyes of the receiver. |
| A．Fashionable and practical. | B．Unfriendly and upsetting. |
| C．Desirable and satisfactory. | D．Expensive and unworthy. |
| A．That the giver is not present to see the receiver’s reaction. |
| B．That the receiver was expecting something wildly expensive. |
| C．Thot the giver is confused about what gift brings satisfaction. |
| D．That the receiver was expecting something he/she truly wants. |
| A．It is in giving that givers receive. |
| B．Gift-giving is in most cases a win-win situation. |
| C．The greatest gift you can give is your time and attention. |
| D．Presents are generally terrible, but they can still bring you joy. |
4 . With climate change continuing to worsen, our situation is beginning to feel increasingly serious.
Techno-optimism is one of the greatest misconceptions when it comes to solutions to ensure our future. It can be defined as a belief that future technologies will solve all of our current problems. This definition reinforces (强化) the idea that there’s no reason to panic or change our current energy-intensive lifestyle. All society needs to do is look to green technology to work its magic.
One of the best examples of this optimistic misconception is the electric car. Despite being highly regarded as an eco-friendly way to get around, electric cars are not the end for the future of transport. Batteries in electric cars use chemical elements which we could be seeing a shortage of by the midcentury.
Techno-optimism puts too much emphasis on technology and not enough on what we can do right this minute. Unfortunately, people seem to like the picture that techno-optimism paints.
| A．So where should we look for answers instead? |
| B．The modern world’s simple solution is technology. |
| C．Moreover, they are more energy intensive to produce. |
| D．Is it a trap that many people have fallen into in recent years? |
| E．Unfortunately, this is an incredibly dangerous opinion to hold. |
| F．Despite any technology, we as a whole are not living sustainably. |
| G．Nevertheless, the truth is, we need a widespread change in our lifestyles. |
5 . For those who don’t decide their own working hours, a trial of four-day workweeks of 35-hour work weekly without a drop in pay among 2500 workers in Iceland has shown the old schedule may truly not be the most productive form of labor (劳动). The report, conducted by the research organization Autonomy and the Association for Sustainability and Democracy, found that negative markers like burnout (过度劳累), stress, necessary overtime, and disconnection with friends and family all went down, as would be expected, but that productivity remained at worst unchanged, and often improved in those working shorter hours.
The trials were such a success that following their conclusion in 2019,Mass renegotiation (重新协商)by labor unions means that 86% of Icelanders are now working non-traditional workweeks which could include 5-to-6-hour working days or four-day working weeks.
“This study shows that the world’s largest-ever trial of a shorter working week was a success,” said Will Stronge, director of Autonomy.
The main argument is that “burnout” depletes the ability of workers to be productive. A lack of production will sometimes result in a demand for overtime, especially by managers, further increasing burnout and decreasing productivity. In those who cannot afford to be less productive, like nurses for example, burnout simply results in negative health outcomes.
Hoping to see if they could replicate (复制)the productivity gains in other countries, the Reykjavid City Council started this trial, mostly at public offices, but also in private firms, to measure performance and worker well-being for four years.
Compared with non-participating firms or offices, productivity remained the same or increased in those participating, but it wasn’t free. Instead, as necessity is the mother of invention, a sort of mass re-imagining of operations was needed to achieve production or service goals with the reduced hours. This involved,as the report details, the shortening or early ending of meetings, and often a total reorganization of work processes to find where problems could be removed.
1. What does Autonomy’s report show?| A．Four-day workweeks are most productive. |
| B．Reducing regular work hours has many benefits. |
| C．Stress has no connection with working hours. |
| D．Workers should be flexible about their working hours. |
| A．They felt sad for most Icelanders. |
| B．They became worried about workers’ productivity. |
| C．They knew it was time for a change. |
| D．They decided to encourage hard work. |
| A．reduces | B．shows | C．loses | D．approves |
| A．it’s not really worth trying for many companies. |
| B．It is necessary to make some changes to ensure productivity. |
| C．It costs a lot to re-imagine operations. |
| D．It is very difficult for most companies to change their routine. |
6 . What do you think about when you wait at a crosswalk? What about checking out your friends’ new posts? Chances are, if you’re not visually impaired, you don’t think much about these everyday activities as you’re doing them. But for blind and low-vision(视力低下的）people, these kinds of things can be difficult if the people designing them don’t take steps to make them accessible.
One big problem blind people always face is the assumptions of sighted people about what they can and can’t do. Everette Bacon, President of the Utah chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, says more than once he’s had a stranger grab his arm, thinking he needs help.
“ It’s impressions about blindness that are far more threatening to blind people than the blindness itself,” says Daniel Kish, president of World Access for the Blind.
People’s assumptions about capability(能力）contribute to a low number of blind people working in or studying STEM( science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. People with low or no vision have a lot to offer in these fields. They are just as capable as anyone else at experimenting and making new discoveries.
One tool that provides accessible ways to help the blind interact (互动）with data and scientific equipment is the Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest 2. It reads aloud data from over 70 sensors(传感器）commonly used in science experiments. Cary Supalo invented this device to help students experience hands-on science learning. He has been blind since the age of seven. “ For kids who are blind or vision impaired, before this technology existed, they had to be told what happened,”he says.
Making the world more accessible isn’t limited to inventing a cool new piece of technology, though. If you’re posting a picture on social media, adding a specific description of what’s happening in the picture, called alt text, can help blind people understand your post without having to rely on sight. If you’re building a website, or know someone who is, follow accessibility guidelines.
1. What does Bacon think of the stranger’s help?| A．It should be given more politely. |
| B．It showed people’s good hearts. |
| C．It was unnecessary. |
| D．It set a good example. |
| A．People’s prejudice |
| B．Their limited intelligence |
| C．A lack of blind-friendly labs |
| D．Their sensitive characteristics |
| A．Follow government guidelines. |
| B．Describe pictures in the alt text. |
| C．Add a voice document |
| D．Use a special website |
| A．more light, more happiness | B．your legal disability rights |
| C．what you assume matters | D．a world of accessibility |
7 . In the digital age, we rely on technology such as social media in trying to build interesting and varied lives. Social networking sites like Facebook are designed and promoted to make us believe enthusiastically that they are able to open up new experiences for us. There are constant notifications (通知) and updates, urging us to check-in to find out what is new.
But if we do not use the technology wisely, we can end up becoming overly attached and trapped in a cycle of social media FOMO, a sign of deeper unhappiness. FOMO, or fear of missing out, is a fear that exciting or interesting events are happening somewhere else and that we are not able to join.
People who experience high levels of FOMO have been found to be more likely to give in to urges to write and check text messages while driving, as well as to use Facebook more often directly after waking, while going to sleep and during meals.
When it comes to lasting happiness, it is best not to give in to FOMO, but rather to deal with the cycle of desires that fuel it. Hard as it is, we are better off working toward facing the fearful reality that we cannot experience everything we might like than to get caught in a cycle of checking behaviors that only cause anxiety.
If we have become used to using social media as part of our attempts at living interesting lives, we must admit that it is not easy to change our approach. But change is almost always worthwhile in the long run.
The fact that FOMO is so common in our digital age is a sign that there is something wrong with the way we are pursuing happiness and that we are not as happy as we might think we are. It should warn us that, in our eagerness to use digital technology to try to make ourselves happier, we may unintentionally (无意之中) be bringing on exactly the opposite result.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．The digital age has arrived. |
| B．Sites give netizens useful experiences. |
| C．People have fallen into modern technology. |
| D．Social media are designed to attract public attention. |
| A．Failing to use Facebook. | B．Answering a call during shopping, |
| C．Reading text messages on reaching offices. | D．Checking Facebook while driving. |
| A．To gain long-time happiness. | B．To speed the cycle of desires. |
| C．To work much better. | D．To reduce fearful reality. |
| A．Everybody has experienced FOMO. |
| B．Digital technology may make us unhappier. |
| C．Pursuing happiness is a sign of the digital age. |
| D．People may unintentionally get lost in technology. |
8 . There is something to be said for being a generalist, even if you are a specialist. Knowing a little about a lot of things that interest you can add to the richness of a whole, well-lived life.
Society pushes us to specialize, to become experts. This requires commitment to a particular occupation, branch of study or research. The drawback to being specialists is we often come to know more and more about less and less. There is a great deal of pressure to master one’s field. You may pursue training, degrees, or increasing levels of responsibility at work. Then you discover the pressure of having to keep up.
Some people seem willing to work around the clock in their narrow specialty. But such commitment can also weaken a sense of freedom. These specialists could work at the office until ten each night, then look back and realize they would have loved to have gone home and enjoyed the sweetness of their family and friends, or traveled to exciting places, meeting interesting people. Mastering one thing to the exclusion of others can hold back your true spirit.
Generalists on the other hand, know a lot about a wide range of subjects and view the whole with all its connections. They are people of ability, talent, and enthusiasm who can bring their broad perspective into specific fields of expertise. The doctor who is also a poet and philosopher is a superior doctor, one who can give so much more to his patients than just good medical skills.
Things are connected. Let your expertise in one field fuel your passions in all related areas. Some of your interests may not appear to be connected but, once you explore their depths, you discover that they are. My editor Toni, who is also a writer, has edited several history books. She has decided to study Chinese history. Fascinated by the structural beauty of the Forbidden City as a painter, she is equally interested to learn more about Chinese philosophy. “I don’t know where it will lead, but I’m excited I’m on this pursuit.”
These expansions into new worlds help us by giving us new perspectives. We begin to see the interconnectedness of one thing to another in all aspects of our life, of ourselves and the universe. Develop broad, general knowledge and experience. The universe is all yours to explore and enjoy.
1. To become a specialist, one may have to ______ .| A．narrow his range of knowledge | B．avoid responsibilities at work |
| C．know more about the society | D．broaden his perspective on life |
| A．treasure their freedom | B．travel around the world |
| C．spend most time working | D．enjoy meeting funny people |
| A．is fully aware of his talent and ability | B．is a pure specialist in medicine |
| C．should love poetry and philosophy | D．brings knowledge of other fields to work |
| A．Passion alone does not ensure a person’s success. |
| B．In-depth exploration makes discoveries possible. |
| C．Everyone has a chance to succeed in their pursuit. |
| D．Seemingly unrelated interests are in a way connected. |
9 . All parents have sky-high hopes for their children. We want them to be confident and satisfied. What can parents do to help their kids grow up to lead happy lives? Experts advise:
Praise their efforts.
Let them make decisions and mistakes.
Encourage them to solve their own problems. As they grow, children need practice in communicating and standing up for themselves. One of the best places to learn these skills is at home.
| A．Applaud their achievements |
| B．Step back and let them work it out |
| C．She got a B plus for the next period |
| D．Kids won’t always come out on top |
| E．Setting too high a goal makes kids feel discouraged |
| F．Give advice on how to help kids become mature |
| G．Making his/her own decisions builds his/her confidence |
10 . At the table sat my new mentees (学员): six eager undergraduates who signed to work on a project I designed. “Starting today, I get to learn what it s like to be an adviser,” I thought to myself excitedly. But a few minutes later, the students broke the news: They didn’t have any training related to the project. I couldn’t help sighing. How would this ever work?
My inspiration to involve undergraduates in my research came after two years of working as a teaching assistant. Many of my undergraduate students had voiced the same frustrations I once had: They were expected to absorb facts and use them in exams, without any real critical thinking or chance to apply what they had learned. I believe I could fill that gap by creating a project related to my own work and employing undergraduates as the researchers.
My Ph.D. adviser was supportive, knowing it would be a good experience for undergraduates. My department purchased the fish we would study, and a government research lab offered space. Everything was in place—except for the students’ training. I was worried. But backing out was not an option.
I reminded myself how green I had been on my first day in the lab. After 3 hours there, I had to throw everything out and start over the experiment, because I mistook the concentrations of chemicals. But my mentor (导师) said nothing and he let me learn from the scene.
His example inspired me. On the first day in my lab, I walked new mentees through the facilities. However, I noticed that some forgot my instructions. My instinct (本能) was to jump in and save the day. But I resisted the urge to intervene (介入) and watched proudly as the students identified the mistakes and learned from them.
Six months later, in a reflection meeting, the students thanked me for letting them find their own way to grow as scientists.
1. What made the author sigh after meeting her new mentees?| A．Their choosing other advisers. | B．Their absence from her training. |
| C．Their being late for a few minutes. | D．Their receiving no relevant training. |
| A．To help them achieve better performances in exams. |
| B．To fill the gap between advisers and mentees. |
| C．To offer them a chance to combine theory with practice. |
| D．To train them to be her teaching assistants. |
| A．Her being in a dilemma. | B．The possible options ahead. |
| C．Objects needed by her mentees. | D．Her thanks to the government. |
| A．Training students as early as possible. |
| B．Walking students through each experiment. |
| C．Giving students room to learn through their errors. |
| D．Stepping in to help students get out of trouble in time. |
