1 . “I am so sorry,” I tearfully said to my principal investigator (PI), explaining I would not be able to return to work as originally planned. Before I became a parent, I had assumed a baby would fit right into my academic plans. But now, as the end of my leave approached, I realized I couldn’t simply carry on as I always had. I was worried this decision might signal the end of my academic career — but I felt I had no other choice.
Thankfully, my PI had more foresight. He told me I didn’t need to resign and that he could offer me a contract that would allow me to contribute to our project from afar. It proved to be an absolute career lifeline tailored to me.
Then five years after stepping back from academia, I felt ready to re-enter more fully. Because I had been able to keep my hand in during my time away, the prospect was much less daunting than it would have been otherwise. I ended up landing a lecturer position that allowed me to slowly ease back in, focusing on teaching and scholarship with research taking a back seat. And when, 4 years on, a senior lectureship position came up in the very group I had left a decade earlier, the timing was right. With both of my children in “big school”, I was ready to really put my foot down on the career accelerator. I got the job.
Now, 6 months into my new role, I am happy to be right where it all began, with involvement in so many interesting projects. But what truly made the difference for me was the offer of what I needed during that time away. I hope more institutions and PIs can come up with creative provisions (条款) for those in their workforce who don’t want to give up their careers but want-or-need to take extended periods of leave. And to those who are taking such breaks, or considering it, know that returning is possible. Above all, on both sides: Please do not discount extended leavers. We have a lot to offer — if we are given the chance.
1. What can we learn about the author from the first paragraph?A.Her path to PI began when she became a parent. |
B.She struck a balance between work and family. |
C.She had intended to stick to her academic plans. |
D.She chose to prioritize her career over her family. |
A.Fearsome. | B.Realistic. | C.Regretful. | D.Promising. |
A.Academic researches. | B.Supportive work environment. |
C.Interest in the projects. | D.Involvement in engaging projects. |
A.To analyse. | B.To entertain. | C.To report. | D.To promote. |
2 . My son was playing with a bottle of bubbles. Dip the loop in the bottle, pull it out, and blow it to make bubbles. He understood the principle but was vainly
I hadn’t blown bubbles in years. I am a
After several
There are some things that you can get with
A.trying | B.managing | C.expecting | D.acting |
A.changes | B.bubbles | C.results | D.drops |
A.lent | B.handed | C.threw | D.cast |
A.researcher | B.professional | C.chemist | D.parent |
A.out of date | B.of no use | C.in doubt | D.in trouble |
A.trial | B.confidence | C.patience | D.success |
A.even | B.thus | C.somehow | D.still |
A.fruitless | B.tough | C.unwilling | D.difficult |
A.Despite | B.Without | C.On | D.Except |
A.screamed | B.nodded | C.rushed | D.flew |
A.escaped | B.floated | C.burst | D.bounced |
A.silently | B.slightly | C.eagerly | D.gently |
A.freed | B.fueled | C.contained | D.reduced |
A.brain | B.action | C.force | D.science |
A.survive | B.separate | C.jumped | D.arise |
3 . After 20 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow (寡妇) for 19 years, but my busy life had made it impossible to visit her
“What’s wrong? are you well?” she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night
“I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I
She thought about it for a moment, and
Before we
A few days
“I paid this bill
At that moment, I
A.home | B.talk | C.movie | D.dinner |
A.directly | B.frequently | C.rarely | D.exactly |
A.bring | B.take | C.force | D.invite |
A.visit | B.meal | C.ring | D.date |
A.argued | B.whispered | C.committed | D.responded |
A.agreed | B.refused | C.promised | D.nodded |
A.anything | B.nothing | C.something | D.everything |
A.met | B.parted | C.left | D.divided |
A.but | B.and | C.so | D.or |
A.before | B.earlier | C.ago | D.later |
A.broke | B.formed | C.fell | D.struck |
A.sat | B.waited | C.gathered | D.dined |
A.saw | B.read | C.showed | D.wrote |
A.in advance | B.on purpose | C.by accident | D.with patience |
A.tables | B.dishes | C.seats | D.chances |
A.mother | B.family | C.wife | D.child |
A.miss | B.admire | C.love | D.hug |
A.sensed | B.accepted | C.checked | D.pursued |
A.time | B.money | C.comfort | D.calls |
A.ensured | B.delayed | C.forgotten | D.forgiven |