1 . For as long as I can remember, I want to be a performer. But when it was time to go to college and decide what I wanted to be for the rest of my life, it didn’t occur to me to choose drama as my major. Making a living as a performer seems impractical to me. So instead of starting drama I started pre-law, and then went to law school like my two sisters did before me. They seemed happy enough, I thought; they worked about 80 hours a week, but they made good money and could afford expensive cars and fancy apartments in the city.
After law school I got a new job and worked as a lawyer for a big company. I had great benefits, including four weeks of vacation a year, but I never got to use any of my vacation time because there was always too much work to do. I worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, and when I was finished, all I could do was collapse into my bed until I woke up to do it all over again the next day.
After five years of this lifestyle, I thought I was going to go crazy. I was unhappy and exhausted, I never saw my friends or my family, and I realized I hadn’t been in a play or musical since I started law school. I thought that acting in a small community play might make me feel better, but rehearsals and performances all took place during my work hours. So I made a drastic decision and quit my job.
I got a small part in a local play and then the lead role. Now I make my living from acting, and once in a while, I do some legal consulting for a little extra money. I don’t get paid a lot for my acting jobs, but it’s enough. I had to give up my big apartment and expensive car, but I’m so much happier now. I see my friends and family, I have free time,and I get to do something I love every day.
1. The writer went to law school because .| A．his two sisters went to law school |
| B．he was interested in the practice of law |
| C．a lawyer’s job would bring him a decent and leisure life |
| D．acting jobs were not well-paid enough to earn a living |
| A．Rewarding. | B．Exhausting. | C．Enjoyable. | D．Endless. |
| A．Work consumed almost all his time and energy. |
| B．He didn’t have great benefits. |
| C．He hated working and wanted a break. |
| D．Some rehearsals and performances took place during his work hours. |
| A．To inform us that the writer quit his job. |
| B．To show us how boring it is to be a lawyer. |
| C．To tell the writer’s story of making a living as an actor. |
| D．To share with us the change of the writer’s lifestyle and the reason. |
2 . Like many six-year-olds, Sam Pointon loves trains and dreams of working with them when he grows up. However, when the position for Director of the National Railway Museum in England was offered, Sam couldn’t help applying for it. And he got the job finally!
It all began during a family vacation, when Sam’s dad noticed the job opening. He joked that it would be the perfect position for little Sam when he grew up. But Sam thought he was able to do the job. After all, he had been on several train rides, owned an electric train and had mastered the technique of controlling two trains at once.
Little Sam’s handwritten letter caught the eye of the museum staff, who were so impressed by his enthusiasm that they decided to hire (雇用) him.
While the job doesn’t pay anything, it does have its perks (补贴). But young Sam doesn’t care about it. He thinks it would be an important experience for him. Therefore, he has been doing his job quite seriously and has already suggested that the museum should set up a model train area to attract more children.
In order to encourage Sam, his family was invited for a special VIP, behind-the-scenes tour of the museum, which covers more than 400 years of railroad history and houses over 100 old trains. They were also given free tickets to see a stage adaptation (版) of the popular kids’ book The Railway Children.
Sam is so serious about his new position that the six-year-old believes he doesn’t even have to go to school anymore — which of course, is not the case. His parents just haven’t had the heart to tell him yet!
1. Sam learned about the job offer from ________.| A．the museum | B．the director | C．his father | D．his teacher |
| A．his attitude | B．his ability | C．his experience | D．his family’s support |
| A．He is kept busy. | B．He gets good pay. |
| C．He is the only child working there. | D．He does a good job. |
| A．Quiet and creative. | B．Careful and confident. |
| C．Brave and friendly. | D．Kind and clever. |
3 . Years ago, when I was working as a sales manager, there were people on my team who were always the top-performing employees. We all knew how to get the job done, but there were a few who had interpersonal (人际的) skill s and persuasive abilities to land the sales.
To get hired, you obviously need to have the necessary skills to complete the required tasks. For example, you’re not going to be interviewed for a position in IT if you don’t know how to work a computer. These kinds of skills are called hard skills. However, many employers are looking for applicants who possess certain soft skills that relate to one’s personality, such as leadership qualities, time management abilities, and communication skills.
The biggest difference between hard and soft skills is how each type of skill is got. While hard skills are abilities learned through education or training, soft skills are more subjective personality qualities that you’re either born with or you develop through life experiences. Hard skills are the technical knowledge you gain through training that get you in the door, and soft skills are the personality qualities that make you a good employee and keep you there.
It’s easy to quantify hard skills because they’re specific and often define the basic requirements of a job. Soft skills are more difficult to measure. But they’re transferable (可转移的) across all industries.
So in addition to hiring people who know what they’re doing, employers look for applicants with a specific set of soft skills that can’t be taught as easily as hard skills. These innate (先天的) personality qualities can be developed, but it takes time, and employers would rather hi re someone who’s already there.
1. Why did the author mention her experience of being a sales manager?| A．To praise her colleagues’wonderful skills. |
| B．To introduce the topic of two kinds of skills. |
| C．To stress the importance of interpersonal skills |
| D．To prove that she has much experience in managing. |
| A．The ability to get knowledge. |
| B．The ability to interview a leader. |
| C．The ability to play a computer game. |
| D．The ability to communicate with others. |
| A．How they are got in our life. | B．When they are needed in our work. |
| C．Which is easier to develop in us. | D．Which is more important in daily life. |
| A．Soft skills are as important as hard skills |
| B．Hard skills can be changed into soft skills |
| C．Applicants need more soft skills than hard skills |
| D．Employers put more stress on hard skills than soft skills |
4 . Jobs for Teens
Teenagers earn more than just money at a part-time job, they also earn experience, financial independence, responsibility, and savings for college. Here are some popular jobs for teens to earn extra money while getting valuable experience for the future.
Babysitting
Babysitting is a true way for any teenager who enjoys kids to make money. Neighbors, family friends, and relatives with small children often need help and want someone they know and trust. In order to offer more valuable services, teens can take classes on dealing with possible dangerous situations.
Coffee Shop
If your teen enjoys coffee, music, laptops, and people, then working as a waiter at a coffee shop can be a great part-time job choice. Coffee shops often offer a peaceful atmosphere (氛围) perfect for people watching. Besides, he can earn tips (小费)! If your teen wants to serve people, working at a coffee shop part-time could be the job for him.
Dog-Walking
Many elderly neighbors, friends on vacation, and people who work long hours need help washing and walking their pets. If your teen enjoys working with animals and is responsible for his work, then this is the job for him. His part-time business will begin to pick up once he sets himself up as a reliable animal lover.
Food Services
If your teen loves communicating with people, restaurant employment might be right for her. She can choose from such positions as cashier, server, food runner, dish washer, and prep cook. Food industry positions can help your teen develop people skills, self-respect, and responsibility, while enjoying a bit of socializing.
1. Which job is especially fit for pet lovers?| A．Babysitting. | B．Coffee Shop. |
| C．Dog-Walking. | D．Food Services. |
| A．They offer music and laptops. |
| B．They help improve teen’s social skills. |
| C．They have a peaceful atmosphere. |
| D．They provide tips for employees. |
| A．Parents. | B．Teenagers. | C．Teachers. | D．Graduates. |
5 . 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 became 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 (排除) 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 (专长). 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. What is good about being a generalist?| A．You can enjoy your life to the fullest. |
| B．You know more about your occupation. |
| C．You don’t need to be pushed by society. |
| D．You will need to know a little about many things. |
| A．choices | B．regrets | C．perspectives | D．expectations |
| A．should love poetry and philosophy |
| B．is fully aware of his talent and ability |
| C．is a committed specialist in medicine |
| D．brings knowledge of other fields to work |
| A．Seemingly unrelated interests are in a way connected. |
| B．In-depth exploration will make our discoveries possible. |
| C．Everyone has a chance to succeed as long as they pursue. |
| D．Passion alone does not actually ensure a person’s success. |
6 . Thein Shwe is sitting with one of his students, 14-year-old Nur Hakim, outside a small classroom built of wood. Thein Shwe has been working at this non-formal primary education centre since it was first set up five years ago. He says, “I love teaching. I was a personal tutor (家庭教师) before. When I learnt that this centre was looking for teachers, I applied.
Thein Shwe is very popular among his students. Even Nur Hakim, who at first was very shy, becomes more confident as his teacher smiles, nodding to encourage him. “I come from a poor family,” says Nur Hakim. “My father died when I was a baby.”
Nur Hakim’s father, who was a factory worker, was the main provider. Since his father’s death, his mother has had to support the family of six by herself. Nur Hakim was not attending school until the age of 12, when he got the chance to attend this non-formal primary education centre. “I love English and I love my teacher because he is always on time and teaches us well,” says the boy.
Nur Hakim says he hopes to join Grade 5 students next year in a nearby government school. Nur Hakim holds on to his dreams. “I want to be a doctor,” he says. “In my village, I see a lot of illnesses.”
Thein Shwe admits (承认) he finds it difficult to support his family working as a volunteer. But Thein Shwe talks more about the successes and difficulties he has faced keeping his students in class. He says over the four years, about 80%of the students continue on to the government school or vocational (职业的) training.
When Thein Shwe is asked about his main success as a teacher, he needs no time to think. “It’s being able to keep the poorest children in school,” he says.
1. What can we learn about Thein Shwe?| A．He started teaching when he was 14. |
| B．He used to work in a government school. |
| C．He has worked as a volunteer teacher for five years. |
| D．He helped set up the non-formal primary education centre. |
| A．He has begun to have a dream. |
| B．He has fallen in love with English. |
| C．He has come to understand his parents. |
| D．He has had a growing belief in himself. |
| A．Be a worker like his father | B．Work in the field of medicine. |
| C．Teach in a government school. | D．Be a volunteer teacher like Thein Shwe. |
| A．Teaching kids useful life skills. |
| B．Providing chances of education for poor kids. |
| C．Changing children’s ideas on education. |
| D．Sending his students to schools of higher education levels. |
7 . Touchdown spaces are simple work spaces that may be employed as a replacement for a larger office.
One ideal customer for a touchdown space is someone who is starting his or her own business and wants a space outside the home for work-related tasks.
A touchdown space is also taken advantage of by business people who are in town for a short period of time. Rather than working in a hotel room, the visiting business professionals will rent a desk for them during their stay in town.
Not every city recently offers touchdown spaces as a replacement for larger offices.
| A．However, the idea is really gaining more attention. |
| B．They can be a rented work space within a working office. |
| C．Doing so allows these people to separate work time from personal time. |
| D．Touchdown spaces often include a few basics needed for doing business. |
| E．In today’s office environments, different tasks require different work spaces. |
| F．Touchdown spaces, at the very least, require a table, a chair, and Internet access. |
| G．They usually have limited money, and renting even a small office is not practical. |
8 . Edward O. Wilson’s Letters to a Young Scientist is part of a memoir (回忆录) and part of an advice column for young scientists. During his long and highly successful career, Wilson has advised numerous doctoral students and helped them launch their careers. Along the way, he has developed a strong sense of what it takes to be successful in the field of science. He builds his book around a more fundamental and timeless career question: What makes a good scientist?
As Wilson works toward an answer, he backs up his arguments with first-hand evidence. It is obvious that he deeply appreciates the creativity of the scientific process. In his first few chapters, he encourages readers to daydream, work hard and mess around. Wilson relates several examples of “messing around” in his own career. Some led to major discoveries while others led to nothing at all. However, quick and uncontrolled experiments open the potential for major discoveries.
I find Wilson’s writings on the importance of failure especially affecting. Most young scientists are not prepared for the level and number of setbacks they are likely to come across in their early careers. As scientific funding has been cut and tenure-track (终身的) jobs have grown rare, today’s young scientists will be refused more than scientists of equal quality in the past century. “Be prepared mentally for some amount of failure. Waste and frustration often attend the earliest stages,” Wilson writes.
Wilson also suggests, “A strong work virtue is absolutely essential. There must be an ability to pass long hours in study and research with pleasure even though some of the effort will unavoidably lead to dead ends.” The time that is seemingly wasted may later prove to have been well spent. Wilson insists that the process of exploring and gaining closeness with one’s studies — even the ones that don’t go as planned — is essential to the creative process of a scientist.
1. What is Letters to a Young Scientist mainly about?| A．Wilson’s achievements. |
| B．Records of Wilson’s private life. |
| C．Practical suggestions for scientists. |
| D．Methods for scientists’ finding desirable jobs. |
| A．they make it possible to achieve great success |
| B．they make it easy to get first-hand experience |
| C．they can lead to final findings rapidly |
| D．they can be controlled at will |
| A．They are more afraid of suffering failures. |
| B．They may face even greater challenges at work. |
| C．They are more knowledgeable and better educated. |
| D．They can take advantage of more scientific resources. |
| A．To avoid academic dead ends. |
| B．To develop critical thinking. |
| C．To stay positive patiently. |
| D．To make a schedule. |
9 . Volunteers needed
HSE is an organization aimed at creating a free online English learning platform for all English learners. It will help you learn and practice English skills by connecting you with native English speakers around the globe and strengthening intercultural ties. The following are positions available for now.
Tutor
Working language: Chinese and English
Commitment: 2 hours per week
Tutors’ primary job is to give students one-on-one classes. Each class is taught on WeChat and lasts for 30 minutes. In class, tutors will discuss topics with the students according to our internal materials.
Application Process
Interview (in English, 10-15 minutes)
(If accepted) Read internal materials
Editor
Working language: Chinese and English
Commitment: 2 hours per week
Editors will write and polish (润色) text as requested in either Chinese or English. Such text usually includes class materials and text contents about to be published on our WeChat Official Account.
Application: show past works (original/edited)
Translator
Working language: Chinese and English
Commitment: 2 hours per week
Translators will translate our internal documents. These documents usually include volunteer profiles (简介), interviews with college students, and promotion information. You are free to use translation devices or software to make sure the documents are free of significant errors.
Administrative assistant
Working language: English
Commitment: 2 hours per week
Manage student information by organizing the information and updating processed information in the HSE Volunteers Group Chat.
Manage volunteers’ information by updating their status (状态) (active/inactive).
Contact us
When contacting us, please tell us the position you are interested in.
Location: No. 5 Zhujiang W Rd, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, CN
1. What’s the aim of HSE?| A．Building a free English learning platform. |
| B．Creating a link between English learners. |
| C．Helping English learners find jobs easily. |
| D．Encouraging English learners to practice online. |
| A．They all provide a good pay. |
| B．They all need to deal with students. |
| C．They all have the same working hours. |
| D．They all require excellent writing skills. |
| A．Tutor. | B．Editor. |
| C．Translator. | D．Administrative assistant. |
10 . When I was a boy growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s, we had a milkman delivering milk to our doorstep. His name was Mr. Basille. He wore a white cap and drove a white truck. As a 5-year-old boy, I couldn’t take my eyes off the coin changer fixed to his belt. He noticed this one day during a delivery and gave me a quarter out of his coin changer.
Of course, he delivered more than milk. There was cheese, eggs and so on. If we needed to change our order, my mother would pen a note — “Please add a bottle of buttermilk next delivery” — and place it in the box along with the empty bottles. And then, the buttermilk would magically (魔术般) appear.
All of this was about more than convenience. There existed a close relationship between families and their milkmen. Mr. Basille even had a key to our house, for those times when it was so cold outside that we put the box indoors, so that the milk wouldn’t freeze. And I remember Mr. Basille from time to time taking a break at our kitchen table, having a cup of tea and telling stories about his delivery.
There is sadly no home milk delivery today. Big companies allowed the production of cheaper milk, thus making it difficult for milkmen to compete. Besides, milk is for sale everywhere, and it may just not have been practical to have a delivery service.
Recently, an old milk box in the countryside I saw brought back my childhood memories. I took it home and planted it on the back porch (门廊) . Every so often my son’s friends will ask what it is. So I start telling stories of my boyhood, and of the milkman who brought us friendship along with his milk.
1. Mr. Basille gave the boy a quarter out of his coin changer to __________.| A．show his magical power | B．pay for the delivery |
| C．satisfy his curiosity | D．please his mother |
| A．He wanted to have tea there. | B．He was a respectable person. |
| C．He was treated as a family member. | D．He was fully trusted by the family. |
| A．Nobody wants to be a milkman now. | B．It has been driven out of the market. |
| C．Its service is getting poor. | D．It is not allowed by law. |
| A．He missed the good old days. | B．He wanted to tell interesting stories. |
| C．He needed it for his milk bottles. | D．He planted flowers in it. |
