3 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A.wrestling   B. approaches   C. preoccupied D. experimenting   E. dynamically F. bound   G. moderate   H. applies   I. inadequate   J. unitedly     K. integrity

Dare to be Dull

A big part of why spontaneous (即兴的) speaking feels so challenging is the desire to always say the right thing in the right way at the right time. But that leads to unnecessary self-evaluation and criticism, consuming precious mental energy and preventing you from     1     engaging in the moment. I often advise people to follow a spontaneous comedy saying: “Dare to be dull.” That is, don’t feel you are       2     to give an exceptional performance. Recognize that there is no single “correct” way to answer a question, give feedback or welcome a colleague —only better or worse       3    .

Another popular saying also       4     here: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” Listeners are more likely to trust you when you speak like a man of       5     rather than an actor or a robot. For example, research shows that the most effective speech includes     6     use of fillers such as “um” and “ah.” So when you need to speak spontaneously, refocus your attention on your listeners instead of       7     with your inner critic. Attempting to serve their needs will take your mental spotlight off yourself, relieving the pressure you feel. Tell yourself that     8    , making mistakes, and learning during spontaneous interactions are normal.

Micah, a student of mine, was fearful that his class contributions would be seen as     9    . To avoid embarrassment, he planned and rehearsed the points he wanted to make. But because he was always working to remember them and find the right time to use them, he was     10     and failed to get the most out of discussions. With my help he focused on silencing his inner critic. He began offering more ideas, sometimes imperfectly formed, and in just a few weeks he became less anxious and more confident.

4 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. army   B. available   C. displayed   D. reserves   E. straight   F. inserted G. additional   H. advocates   I. initiative   J. proven   K. existing

A new way to reduce poaching

Researchers are working on a pilot program backed by Russia’s Rosatom Corp to inject rhino horns (犀牛角) with radioactive material, a strategy that could discourage consumption and make it easier to detect illegal trade.

Poachers (偷猎者) killed 394 rhinos in South Africa for their horns last year, government data shows, with public and private game     1     lacking the resources needed to monitor vast tracts of land and protect the animals that live there. While the toll was a third lower than in 2019 and the sixth     2     drop, illegal hunting remains the biggest threat to about 20,000 of the animals in the country — the world’s biggest population.

Thousands of     3     sensors along international borders could be used to detect a small quantity of radioactive material     4     into the horns, according to James Larkin, a professor at the University of Witswatersrand in Johannesburg, who has a background in radiation protection and nuclear security. “A whole new     5     of people could be able to detect the illegal movement of rhino horn,” he said. Some alternate methods of discouraging poaching, including poisoning, dyeing and removing the horns, have raised a variety of opinions as to their virtue and efficacy.

Known as The Rhisotope Project, the new anti-poaching     6     started earlier this month with the injection of an amino acid (氨基酸) into two rhinos’ horns in order to detect whether the compound will move into the animals’ bodies. Also,     7     studies using computer modeling and a replica rhino head will be done to determine a safe dose of radioactive material. Rhino horn is used in traditional medicine, as it is believed to cure disease such as cancer,     8     as a show of wealth and given as gifts.

“If we make it radioactive, these people will be hesitant to buy it,” Larkin said. “We’re pushing on the whole supply chain.”

Besides Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, the University of Witwatersrand, scientists and private rhino owners are involved in the project. If the method is     9     feasible, it could also be used to curb illegal trade in elephant ivory.

“Once we have developed the whole project and got to the point where we completed the proof of concept, then we will be making this whole idea     10     to whoever wants to use it,” Larkin said.

7 . 阅读下列短文，根据短文内容，从框中选择合适的单词或词组，用其正确形式填空，并将答案书写在答题卡相应位置。

pack;   athlete;   survive;   ruins;   recommend;   concentrate on;   stay positive;   in advance;   effort

If your airport is crowded on a normal day, then it will be especially busy during the holidays. One of the top travel tips for     1     the airport during the holiday season is to arrive at the airport early. Plan when to arrive at the airport     2    . You’d better arrive two hours before your boarding time for domestic flights and four hours for international flights. How to     3     is also the key to enjoying a stress-free airport experience. If you can, try to avoid checking your bags and travel with only a carry-on. This will save you valuable time at the airport.

8 . 选用方框内合适的内容并用其正确形式完成下列短文（每项限用一次）。

make sense, skip, enthusiastic, motivating, countless, ultimate

When you set a big goal, you’re really assigning yourself       1     small tasks. When people give up on these big goals, it’s often because they haven’t figured out what those small tasks are or planned for the time and work needed.

No one wants to talk you out of a big goal. You should definitely pursue what you are     2     about in life. However, you should be realistic about where you are today, where you want to go and what you can reasonably achieve in the time frame and with the resources you’ve got. If you don’t really have the time or knowledge required to get where you want to go, it    3     to set a more achievable goal.

Once you meet that first goal, you promise yourself to set another and another. The approach is more effective because it guarantees at least some progress towards your big,     4    goal. It doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” situation.

Once you’ve set a goal, you need to make achieving that goal part of your daily life. A new “habit stack” is needed. A habit stack is a series of small actions you do relatively in the same order each day. Most of us have a habit stack when getting ready for bed that includes washing your face, brushing your teeth, and setting your alarm, for example. You never or rarely     5     a step because the habit is set and you go from one activity to the next without even thinking about it. So, if you want to run a 10K this year, you’ll need to run nearly every day to practice. You should set out your running clothes and confirm your route the night before.

This is just one example of doing small things daily to help you achieve a larger goal. Goals that are “right-sized” relative to the amount of time and work you’re willing and able to invest are much more satisfying because you’re more likely to achieve them. Achieving a goal is an extremely       6     experience, and one that will build confidence so that you can work up to something more remarkable over time. As you set goals this year, overcome the “all or nothing” mindset and enjoy more success in the long term.

9 . 选词填空

plastic, traffic jam, reusable, species, gas, for instance, have a role

There is no doubt that human activities have warmed the atmosphere, oceans and land. To improve the situation, what can we do? Here are some tips on how to help protect our planet.

★ Keep talking about climate change

The first and most important thing you can do is keep talking about climate change to everyone. The greatest challenge in the history of our     1     should not be a taboo (禁忌) subject. Just one idea shared with one of your friends or relatives can     2     in protecting our planet.

★ Reduce and reuse what you can

As consumers, let’s try to make better choices. Think about these questions before you buy something. Can I reject all that packaging? Do I really need the new product? Besides, use     3     bottles and throwaway coffee cups less. You should keep refillable and     4     alternatives to hand. In addition, fix things when they are broken.     5    , you can replace your smartphone’s battery or screen instead of buying a whole new device.

★ Use cars less

If you use cars less, there will be less harmful     6     sent out to the environment. At the same time, there will be fewer     7    . You can get to your destination by walking, cycling or using public transport. If you need a car occasionally, hire an electric one. If you really need your own set of wheels, choose the most environmentally friendly one possible.

10 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. invaluable   B. roughly            C. satisfying       D. distraction     E. simply     F. advantage G. reasonable   H. performed        I. schedule        J. planned          K. excellence

People tend to think that productivity involves doing several things at once, but according to Cal Newport, the secret to success is the opposite of multitasking. Newport is the author of Deep Work, a book that describes the benefits of focusing on one thing and doing it with     1    .

Newport defines deep work as “the ability to focus without     2     on a cognitively (认知地) demanding task.” It’s the opposite of shallow work, which is made up of simple tasks that are usually     3     while distracted.

According to Newport, deep work is a(n)     4     skill in today’s economy. It allows you to learn difficult things quickly and produce at a high level. Most people are distracted when they work, so you learn to work without distraction, that gives you     5    . Deep work enables you to produce to the best of your ability and acquire new skills quickly. Developing excellence in one’s craft can be a deeply     6     try. But deep work itself is also a skill, which means the more time you spend at it, the easier it gets. Moreover, if you only work at a shallow level, your ability to do deep work decreases.

So how do you conduct deep work into your work life or your studies? It’s essentially important to     7     deep work into your day. Otherwise, it’s easy to let your time fill up with shallow work. Newport recommends doing deep work as your first task of the day. That way you get it done before distractions build up. Shallow work does need to get done, but if you save it for later in the day, you can get your deep work done, too.

Scheduling deep work sessions for the same time every day can turn them into a habit. This makes it easier to spend time on them.

Because deep work is by definition cognitively demanding, you won’t be able to do it all day. Beginners can usually only focus on deep work for     8     an hour, and even experts have trouble going more than four hours. So set     9     goals for yourself. If you really focus, you’ll be surprised at how much you accomplish in a few hours.

By focusing on     10     sessions of deep work, you can get more done in less time and feel more satisfied.