1 . 13-year-old Ava Dorsey is the founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, a business that sells organic dog and cat treats.“I actually had the idea when I was six with a picture I drew of a palace,”she says.It was a detailed design for dogs and cats and she had serious plans to build it one day.
Unlike most dog treats that you find in stores, dog treats sold by Ava’s Pet Palace are 100% organic, and are non-GMO(非转基因). Ava has set a goal for herself with these dog treats, and she wants every treat to be healthy, tasty, and top-quality. Seriously, some of her treats sound delicious enough for people to eat! “All of my bags now have the USDA organic stamp, and we're very excited to have gotten it because it's something I've wanted for a long time,”she says.“A lot of stores like to see organic products because customers like it, so that was really exciting.”
Ava says the biggest challenge of being a kid in business is when people don't take her seriously, but undoubtedly Ava has proved that her doubters are wrong! When asked how she defines(定义) success, Ava says,“When you hit a bump in the road, you shouldn't give up and you keep trying.”She learned that from her mom, who sounds like a smart lady! Some more things Ava has learned from her years in business: Hard work eventually pays off and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.
As far as the future of the pet treats industry goes, Ava is optimistic——but she’d also like to be an inspiration for change.“There’s not much diversity(多样性) right now, so that’s something I would love to see in the future,”says Ava.“I would also love to see more kids in this industry.There aren't many other teenagers around, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to others who hope to lead the pet industry.”
1. What can we learn about Ava’s Pet Palace from the first two paragraphs?| A．It is a palace for pets. | B．It is very popular among kids. |
| C．It sells organic pet food. | D．It designs stamps for customers. |
| A．Drive on a stone road. | B．Escape a setback in business. |
| C．Face a challenging situation. | D．Encounter an unexpected opportunity. |
| A．She plans to enlarge her business in other industries. |
| B．She wants to employ more teenagers in her company. |
| C．She intends to be a leading figure in the pet industry. |
| D．She hopes to break new ground in the pet treats industry. |
| A．Patient and hard-working. | B．Determined and creative. |
| C．Confident and humorous. | D．Friendly and outgoing. |
2 . Envy (嫉妒) is a natural human emotion (情绪), and we writers suffer from it constantly. But if we allow it, our envy will eat us up inside and turn something we once loved (writing) into something we hate now.
Remind yourself why you write.
I write because it’s a main aspect of who I am. It satisfies me in a way nothing else does. Although I’m glad to cash whatever checks publishers send me, this is not my purpose.
Keep a positive comment file.
I’ve long kept a blurb(简介)file where I list positive comments reviewers have made about my work. I use these blurbs when it comes time to promote my work. I also read over them when I need to remind myself that I’m a pretty good writer. I take screenshots (截屏) of positive things people say about my work on social media.
You know what happens when you don’t see people posting about their writing successes all the time? You know nothing about them. And if you know nothing about them, you can’t be envious of them, can you? So sometimes leaving the social media alone might help you reduce the chance of being envious. Living your life in the real not the virtual world can remind you that your writing career is about you, not about anyone else.
Not focus on writing only.
You should bear in mind that there are more things to your life than your writing career. Hopefully you have friends and family who love you. Spend some time with them. Do you have any hobbies that don’t involve writing, something you do it simply because it’s fun and relaxing? Do that for a while. Take a break for a few days and don’t feel guilty about it.
| A．Cut down on social media. |
| B．Pay no attention to others successes. |
| C．I write not for money, but for emotional reward. |
| D．Using blurbs make me feel satisfied and relieved. |
| E．And I look at them when I need an emotional lift as well. |
| F．Therefore, how can we learn to live with it and reduce its influence? |
| G．Contenting yourself mentally and emotionally in turn benefits your writing. |
3 . When I was at school, I hated art. Growing up in north Wales, I was not able to rate higher than an E in my final exams. I wasn’t too upset; I thought I wasn’t going to choose it as a career.
By the time I was about four, I started sleepwalking. At night, I used to go under the stairs and scribble (乱画) on the wall. When I was 15, I was no longer just making scribbles. I was drawing anything from pictures of Marilyn Monroe to unrealistic paintings. I showed some to my art teachers. They said: “Why can’t you do this in class?” It was something I struggled to understand myself. I tried so hard to draw when I was awake, practising and using the same tools. But no matter what I did, I was unable to recreate the drawings.
Once I left school, I became a nurse, mainly helping people with brain injuries. I also met my partner. He is unbelievably supportive of my art and sleepwalking habits—he often films me as I work. And when I begin to paint in my sleep, I’ll use any tools I can find, sometimes knives and forks. That’s the only thing that worries my partner—that I’ll accidentally hurt myself. I have gone to various sleep clinics to try to get to the bottom of what’s happening, but nothing out of the ordinary was found health-wise. Alcohol or lack of sleep does bring the sleepwalking on more, though, so I am careful about that.
I have learned to hug my unusual talent and set up my first art exhibition in 2007 at my local in library to raise money for cancer research. Within a week, I had 160 calls from different media outlets and organizations wanting to hear about my art. I was over the moon. I then decided to leave my very fulfilling job in nursing and become a full-time artist.
1. Why wasn’t the author upset about her art final exams?| A．She got used to her E in art. | B．She had little interest in her study. |
| C．She was confident in herself. | D．She was unwilling to work in art field. |
| A．They felt worried about them. | B．They expressed doubt about them. |
| C．They were indifferent about them. | D．They showed confidence about them. |
| A．Extremely pleased. | B．Really concerned. | C．Highly annoyed. | D．Greatly shocked. |
| A．She always enjoys painting. | B．She is often injured by sleepwalking. |
| C．She has no trouble in sleepwalking now. | D．She makes full use of her sleepwalking talent. |
4 . Career coach Angela Copeland encourages job seekers to think beyond the normal barriers or unspoken rules. “It’s always been my philosophy that you have to think outside the box.
Copeland offers her top four tips while looking for a job.
Don’t listen to HR about how to apply
The standard line is to apply for a job online. Copeland suggests finding other ways to apply, whether it is in person, via a headhunter or through a friend inside the company.
Don’t be afraid of social media
Know that potential employers will Google you and look through your social media profiles.
Network with people in your industry. Attend events and reach out to people by email or phone. Out of 10 contacts, you may only have three who respond. But one of those could lead you to your new job.
Don’t expect others to train you
If you want to learn a new skill set, figure out how to train yourself. Stay current in your industry by taking the initiative.
| A．Don’t make contact with peers |
| B．Don’t worry about bothering people |
| C．Keep them professional and updated |
| D．You can’t be so worried about following the rules |
| E．You can’t expect to always get on-the-job training |
| F．Look into the camera and not at your surroundings |
| G．Applying in person is often the most effective method |
5 . It’s true that colleges and universities remain an important source of talent, but when a college degree becomes a box-checking, it unnecessarily places a barrier between skilled workers seeking better jobs and employers in need of their talents.
A degree is an achievement, but with careers stretching to half a century, a one-time intensive period of study is not enough. The reality is that with the current pace of technological change, everyone needs to continuously expand their skills, especially as industries keep changing. The same jobs today will require new skills five years from now.
Hiring those who have already developed some of these skills through other experiences -like lower-wage gateway jobs such as customer service representatives and computer support specialists -can jump start the training process and help companies future-proof their workforce.
Placing higher value on other proven tools - like professional certifications, which are on the rise in popularity, and evaluating candidates via behavioral questions that allow them to showcase their skills during the interview process, are other ways employers can identify someone’s ability to do the job.
In this age of uncertainty, when companies prioritize skills (not degrees), they can build a stronger workforce that has gained experiences via many different routes, which can help to avoid “group-think” and lead to more energetic and creative teams. Those that play by the rules of an old playbook from an old era will fall behind.
The labor market has long been one of the opaquest (不透明的) markets in the world, burdened by the inefficient and unequal ways we match talent and opportunity. Recognizing the diverse ways skills are acquired and adopting a skills-first approach to talent will bring greater transparency, efficiency and equity to the labor market, making it easier for anyone from anywhere to achieve anything.
1. What employees may help companies future-proof their workforce?| A．Those with a college degree. | B．Those who had done lower-wage jobs. |
| C．Those keeping pace with changes. | D．Those without work experiences. |
| A．Ability to use tools. | B．Popularity in previous jobs. |
| C．Achievements in college. | D．Skills shown in the interview. |
| A．Chances are for real talents. | B．It recognizes both degrees and skills. |
| C．A skills-first approach is adopted. | D．It’s still unbalanced and needs improving. |
| A．It’s Hard for People without a College Degree to Find a Good Job. |
| B．College Degrees Remains Important in Building a Strong Workforce. |
| C．It’s Time for Employers to Stop Caring So Much about College Degrees. |
| D．Anyone from Anywhere Can Achieve Anything in This Age of Uncertainty. |
6 . Community partners need you!
Swissvale Farmers Market
We’re looking for students to help us set up and take down our tent and spend the morning under the tent with us. Activities include some heavy lifting (optional), engaging with community members, picking up litter, handling small sales and lots of breaks!
Time: September 10, 2022 8:30 am – 1:15 pm
Food Pantry Distribution
The CHS Food Pantry needs volunteers to assist during preparation and distribution (分发) each week. This involves sorting food, stocking shelves, preparing the outdoor market, and assisting families. Customer service skills are important as volunteers may be assisting families directly. Understanding different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds is helpful.
If interested in volunteering, please contact Colin McWhertor (cmcwhertor@chscorp.org or 412-246-1639).
Time: September 1, 2022 – December 22, 2022 Wednesday: 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm Thursday: 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Garbage Olympics 2022
Join us for Garbage Olympics! A Pittsburgh wide competition between neighborhoods to see who can get the most litter and garbage off our beloved city streets! This year, we are competing against each other as well as the entire city! Teams A, B, and C will race to see who can get the most garbage collected!
We’ll have all the supplies ready, and will explain the rules to everyone before the event starts.
Time: September 17, 2022 8:00 am – 11:00 am
1. What do Swissvale Farmers Market project and Garbage Olympics 2022 have in common?| A．Both start from 8:00 am in the neighborhoods. |
| B．Both include setting up tents. |
| C．Both require volunteers to gather rubbish. |
| D．Both involve team competitions. |
| A．Customer service skills. |
| B．A degree in social economics. |
| C．Work experiences at a food company. |
| D．A different cultural background. |
| A．In a research report. | B．In a social magazine. |
| C．In a travel brochure. | D．At a volunteer matching website. |
7 . Imagine finding a job where you can put together everything important to you. I’ve managed to have a career that does just that. My name is Ronald Green and I’m a fashion designer.
My training as a creative person began when I was a little boy. I was born and spent my early childhood in Lax Kw’alaams. It was from my mother that I inherited (经遗传获得) the love for and the connection to the history and traditions of my people. My earliest works are reflective of many traditional symbols and as I acquired new skills, I translated these into fashion designs.
I’ve always been interested in the use of images and natural items in the making of ceremonial clothing. At the University of Victoria, I studied many techniques traditional to my culture. I created work with images of my childhood, using shell buttons and Melton wool. I also experimented with other techniques that are modern and not usual to my traditional roots. Finally, I developed my own style for these images. I’m proud to say many of my works decorate galleries and holiday spots in my country.
I find inspiration in the natural world—a swimming whale, a singing bird etc. I also get new ideas from respectable artists who have created their own interpretation of their First Nations culture such as Bill Reid and Norval Morrisseau.
When I create my designs, the greatest inspiration comes from the person who commissions (委托) the piece. I want all the elements of the person who will wear my clothes to come together in the piece. Who is that person? What images can reflect his personality? All these forces come together to assist me in the design of the perfect piece.
1. How does the author develop his design style?| A．By learning from his mother. |
| B．By appreciating works in various galleries. |
| C．By creating ceremonial clothes. |
| D．By combining convention and modernness. |
| A．To express his respect for them. |
| B．To introduce First Nations culture. |
| C．To show a way for him to get inspired. |
| D．To explain their understanding of art. |
| A．His client. | B．His culture. |
| C．Natural objects. | D．Traditional symbols. |
| A．A self-judgement. | B．A public call. |
| C．A career review. | D．A self-statement. |
8 . Many companies have moved online these days, with work meetings around the world taking place virtually (虚拟地 ) instead of in the office. But a recent study has found that online meetings may affect creative thinking. The study, published in Nature, included 602 people who were divided into random pairs. Each pair was given five minutes to think of creative uses for an item such as a Frisbee, and then one minute to choose the most creative idea.
Some pairs were asked to work together on a video call, while others worked in person. The results showed that the in-person pairs had more ideas than the virtual pairs. However, virtual groups were better at choosing the best idea. The researchers also used eye-tracking technology to see whether focusing on a screen can affect a person’s creativity.
Teams working together virtually spent more time looking directly at each other and remembered less of their surroundings when asked later. The in-person pairs spent more time looking around the room, but also had more ideas.
The researchers did the same study with 1,490 company engineers. The pairs were asked to think of new product ideas and choose one as an idea for their company. The results were similar to the first study, with the engineers who met in person thinking of more product ideas, and the virtual pairs making slightly better decisions about which idea to choose.
Study author Melanie Brucks said that while she thinks the future of work is hybrid, the results suggest that businesses should think carefully about which tasks can be done online, and which—like thinking of new ideas—should be done in person.
1. How did the experts get the research results?| A．By carrying out surveys. | B．By doing experiments in the lab. |
| C．By comparing different groups. | D．By watching different videos. |
| A．make a decision | B．do some creative jobs |
| C．communicate with people | D．choose the surroundings |
| A．Brainstorm product designs through video calls. |
| B．Decide on the right sales plan on WeChat. |
| C．Come up with ad slogans in online meetings. |
| D．Choose the product package face to face. |
| A．Approving | B．Uncaring | C．Critical | D．Objective |
9 . Amy, a senior design manager at Lego, now runs a team of 10 designers at Lego’s headquarters in Denmark. The company has been one of the world’s most popular toy-makers and last year saw its fastest sales growth in five years. The “dream job” in Denmark led to the opportunity to be a judge on a TV show in the US.
As a child growing up in a village near Glasgow, she never dreamed of being a fashion designer or a toy designer.
She was not a Lego fan as a child. “I played with Lego with my brother when we were kids,” she said. “When we were really little, we had the big box of bricks (积木). But as I got a little bit older, I fell out of Lego. I felt there wasn’t anything interesting for me.”
“It wasn’t until I joined the company that I really got back into it. But we take that into account and think how we can create Lego experiences for kids, adults, and everyone over the world, so that everyone can find something that is related to them. Every time I got a project, I would always change it to something fun, playful and creative. I always loved being creative and also really loved maths.”
And her advice to new Lego designers was to get building. “Creativity is the key and being hands-on with the bricks,” she said. “Whenever you can get ideas out, just do it. Whenever you can get your hands on the bricks, build, build, build.”
“And if you are picking your education, I think certainly pick something that is based on design. The more creative, the better and we are open to everyone.”
1. What do we know about Amy? ______| A．She is a judge in a court. |
| B．She is a senior sales manager. |
| C．She has done a great job at Lego. |
| D．She used to be a fashion designer. |
| A．Gave up. | B．Got into. | C．Turned out. | D．Went for. |
| A．The more creative, the better. |
| B．Actions speak louder than words. |
| C．The key to success is preparation. |
| D．Both action and creativity are important. |
| A．Average. | B．Experienced. | C．Negative. | D．Reasonable. |
10 . Smokejumpers
Every year, wildfires destroy millions of hectares of forest. Homes are damaged, and thousands of people die. Smokejumpers are helping to stop this.
What is the smokejumper?
Smokejumpers are a special type of firefighter. They jump from planes into areas that are difficult to reach by car or on foot, like the middle of a mountain forest. They race to put out fires as fast as they can.
What do smokejumpers do?
At a fire site, smokejumpers first examine the land and decide how to fight the fire. Their main goal is to stop a fire from spreading. Using basic equipment such as shovels and axes, smokejumpers clear land of burnable material like plants and other dry material. They carry water with them too, but only a limited amount.
Who can be a smokejumper?
Although the majority of smokejumpers are men, more women are joining. The most important things are your height and weight. Smokejumpers employed in the US, for example, must be 120 to 200 pounds (54 to 91 kilograms), so they don’t get hurt when they land, or get blown by strong winds. Smokejumpers must also be capable of surviving in the wild.
The work is dangerous, and the hours are long. But for these firefighters, smokejumping isn’t just a job. They love being able to jump out of planes, fight fires, and live in the forest. As a 28-year-old smokejumper Bob Smith says, “This is the best job for tough guys.”
1. What is the first thing a smokejumper does after arriving at a fire site?| A．Clear the land. | B．Look for water. |
| C．Study the area. | D．Record the accident. |
| A．male | B．heavy |
| C．older than 28 years of age | D．within a certain weight range |
| A．all-jobs. org | B．what-is-on. com |
| C．adventuretours. org | D．extremesports. com |
