1 . Exams make us anxious. The silence of the hall; the ticking of the clock; the proud expression of the person sitting at the neighboring desk who has finished 15 minutes early. It therefore seems hardly surprising that those who worry about taking tests do worse than those who do not.
What is, perhaps, surprising, according to research recently published by Maria Theobald, is that it is not the pressure of the exam hall which causes the problem. It is the pressure of review.
Dr. Theobald worked with 309 students who were preparing for their final state exam, the most important that they take. During the 100 days before that, the students used a digital-learning platform which presented them with old exam questions and recorded their performance. They also sat a mock exam (模拟考) 40 days before the real thing. To know their levels of anxiety, they were asked every day including the days of the mock and the real exam to give themselves 1-5 points to questions like “How much do I feel tense and nervous?”
Dr. Theobald found that anxiety on the day of the test did not predict exam performance at all. What predicted it was the level of knowledge a student showed in the mock and the earlier digital-learning activities. Those who performed well in these also did well in the real thing, no matter how anxious they were on the day. What actually affected students, it turned out, were high levels of anxiety during the weeks before the exam took place. The greater a student’s anxiety on the days before the exam, the lower his or her knowledge-gain was during that period, leaving that student with less material to review during the exam itself.
To reduce the anxiety, Dr. Theobald proposes a two-fold strategy for students. First, they can raise their belief in their own abilities by reminding themselves of just how much they know. Second, they can decrease the importance of the test by reminding themselves that, while it is important, it is not a life-or-death situation.
1. What causes bad exam results according to the research?| A．The noisy clock. | B．The stressful review. |
| C．The silent classroom. | D．The annoying neighbor. |
| A．Research process. | B．Research findings. |
| C．Research background. | D．Research significance. |
| A．The day of the real exam. | B．The day of the mock. |
| C．The days before the real exam. | D．The days before the mock. |
| A．Prepare a lot for exams. | B．Build up self-confidence. |
| C．Attach significance to tests. | D．Remind ourselves of the time. |
2 . “Charlieeeeeeee, do your homework now!” his mother was shouting.
Charlie thought, “Well she doesn’t have to do it.” and he spent hours with his books, hoping that time would pass and it would soon be time for supper. As usual, he was lying on his bed, busy staring at the ceiling, daydreaming. Suddenly some little elves (精灵), no more than a centimetre tall, appeared by the window.
One of the elves asked Charlie politely to give them his homework so they can play with it.
Charlie agreed and watched his guests, and was so surprised to see what they did. In less than a minute, they had formed teams and were busy playing with the pen, the eraser, the book, and the pad of paper. Very strange stuff they were getting up to. Like with the sums, instead of moving the pen across the paper, they would hold the pen still and move the paper instead. Or like how they had races to see who could do the sums fastest. They also used well-known songs to learn the words to them.When they had done that they put on a big concert to sing those songs.
Charlie really enjoyed watching those little students. He even joined in with the singing.
“Aww, this is so much fun...”
“Of course, it’s fun! Why don’t you try it for a few days yourself? We’ll all come back to see you again from time to time.”
“Deal!” agreed Charlie.
So, every evening, Charlie started playing with his homework, inventing new and crazier ways to make it more fun. He would sing loads of songs and do all manner of other things too. Now and again, his elf friends would turn up.
Neither Charlie’s parents, nor his teachers, nor anyone in the whole school could understand the great change in him. From that day on, not only did he spend a lot more time doing homework, he did it perfectly. He was very happy, and was always singing. His mother told him how proud she was at seeing him work so hard.
But Charlie said to himself, “Well, she doesn’t have to do it. It’s fun!”
1. What did Charlie think of his homework at first?| A．It’s difficult. | B．it’s boring. | C．It’s tiring. | D．It’s upsetting. |
| A．They politely asked Charlie to watch their performance. |
| B．They patiently taught Charlie to sing songs together. |
| C．They finished Charlie’s homework in a fun way. |
| D．They tried to stop charlie doing his homework. |
| A．Singing the well-known songs. |
| B．Playing with the homework. |
| C．Moving the paper instead. |
| D．Performing in a big concert. |
| A．He created his own songs to perform with his elves. |
| B．He succeeded in finishing his homework in a shorter time. |
| C．He tried elves’ method and found his homework very easy. |
| D．He made up some funny new methods to finish his homework. |
注意：
1. 词数100左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；
3. 开头语和结束语已为你写出。
4. 你可以参考他写的这篇文章进行仿写。
附录：总体框架：
| Dear Clover, I’m so glad to hear that you’re going to study in our school as an exchange student. It’s my great honour to introduce my school to you. (学校概况)...To me, studying here is a kind of enjoyment. Its beautiful landscape excites and inspires me, offering something for each of the senses...(模仿写作)+(你对学校的总体感受) |
Q1: What do you know about the history of our school?
介绍学校概况：建于1913年，川中是一所拥有一百多年历史的公立学校。(参考词汇：public school 公立学校)
Q2: When you get up in the morning, what can you hear in dorm?
原文：Down by the sea, the roar of the ocean waves and cries of the seabirds make up the music of the coast.
仿写：教官(instructor) 的哨子声(whistle)、校园广播站播放的音乐和鸟儿的歌唱组成了我们的起床闹铃(wake up call)。
Q3: On the way to teaching buildings, what scenery can you see?
原文：The peaceful landscape of the “Emerald IsIe” and its many green counties is a true feast for the eyes, with its rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cattle.
仿写：校园的风光秀美，绿树环绕，鲜花点缀其中，堪称一场真正的视觉盛宴。
Q4: Walking on the school path, what can you smell?
原文：On a quiet morning in the mountains, feel the sun on your skin, and breathe in the sweet scent of fresh flowers while birds greet the new day with their morning song.
参考词汇：What impresses me most is..., 桂花树Osmanthus trees, every time每当...，blossom开花，sb. be greeted with sth.(景象、声音或气味映入眼帘，传入...耳/鼻中))
仿写：让我印象最深刻的是教学楼旁种的桂花树，每到桂花开放的时候，淡淡的香味扑鼻而来。
Q5: When it comes to food, what can you taste here?
提示：谈到美食，在这里，你有机会品尝到最地道的中国菜。四个饭堂的菜肴和小吃各具特色，你可以自由选择。我最喜欢的是......
参考词汇：authentic 地道的
Q6：How do you enjoy your school life? Do you like studying here?
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4 . School days mean homework, studying, exams, and social interactions — not to mention getting up early every morning. It’s understandable if you don’t always feel your happiest going to school during the week, but it’s also something you can totally improve! Follow the tips on this list to feel happier on school days.
Focus on the good things about school. A little positive thinking can go a long way towards improving your mood.
Try not to take negativity from others too hard.
See a school counselor if you feel really unhappy. The job of your school counselor is to help make your experience better. Stop by their office and ask to talk if you can’t keep up with school work or if you feel like you’re being bullied by other students. School counselors have access to all kinds of resources to help you out.
| A．Smile more often. |
| B．Do something nice for someone. |
| C．Maybe you’ll even start looking forward to them! |
| D．If someone isn’t nice to you at school, it’s probably not your fault. |
| E．Whether in junior high or senior high, you may look for ways to make learning more enjoyable. |
| F．Think about the bigger picture and how your education will have a positive impact on your life in the long run. |
| G．For example, if you’re struggling in a particular subject, they can set you up with a teacher to help you improve. |
5 . Students at Monument High School are participating in a unique activity called the Independent Project. The program is an “alternative” school that’s completely run by students—no teachers, parents, or adults are allowed—and they’re in charge of deciding their entire courses. What these teens study in the classroom and their homework are all entirely up to them.
Students aren’t taking this lightly—instead of reacting irresponsibly to the freedom to design their own studies, they’re eagerly grasping their own interests by writing poetry collections, learning instruments and taking flight lessons.
“I think the more choices we have in our schools, the more students we will help develop into the kind of citizens that we need,” Principal Marianne Young explains. “And that it’s okay for you to need a little bit of a different approach from mine.”
The only structure to the program is this: On Mondays students come up with questions that interest them about one of their school subjects, and then they spend the rest of the week researching and coming up with potential conclusions to these inquiries. On Fridays, they present this information to their classmates.
Teens express their satisfaction with the program because it accommodates different kinds of learners, even those who don’t always succeed in a traditional academic sense.
“I have dyslexia(阅读障碍), so it’s very hard for me to read, write and do those sorts of things. School has always been a big problem for me,” one student named Sergio explains. “If not for this program, I don’t know if I’d be graduating—I don’t know where I’d be right now. I think this has really been my savior and got me through the last two years of high school.”
1. What can we know about the Independent Project?| A．Normal school courses are a must. | B．There’re no teachers involved in it. |
| C．It aims to help students with math. | D．Students must study courses at home. |
| A．more course choices will benefit top students |
| B．teachers play a key role in students’ education |
| C．different learning styles should be encouraged |
| D．knowledge can be better gained by discussions |
| A．Approving. | B．Cautious. | C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
| A．The structure of a learning program. | B．The benefits of interactive learning. |
| C．An unusual educational program. | D．The differences in individual learning. |
In the live-streaming channel (直播间) of Yang Weiyun, no singing or dancing is performed and no products
After she retired as a teacher, she opened her live-streaming account in May 2021 and offered free pinyin courses
“Many illiterate adults didn’t have the chance to go to school when they were young. I wanted to give them
Knowing that each of the students learning through her live-streaming channel
Yang said she tried her best to work
7 . On Mondays, two of my children get ready for school in an unusual way. Each packs plenty of food and water, a pair of rubber boots and sometimes a cup of hot chocolate. Then, I drop them off at a nearby park where they spend the entire day outside at a certified forest school.
When I first signed them up for forest school program, I loved the idea, but as a mum, I was concerned about a few things: Would they be comfortable outside for that long? Would they stay engaged for that many hours? Then I asked them if time ever seemed to move slowly, they stared at me in confusion. They didn’t understand my question, which fittingly removed it.
In this program, kids direct their own play, climbing tall trees or testing ice on the frozen lake. They are never told their play is too high or too sharp, but are rather trusted to self- adjust. Something else my sons appreciate about forest school is not being told to move on to the next activity, but being left to stay in a particular spot for as long as their curiosity allows. :
“What about all the things they’re missing in real school?” concerned parents have asked me. Neither of their classroom teachers thinks it’s a problem, but most significantly, my kids are learning new and different skills that a classroom cannot teach. They are learning to sit silently and observe nature up close-a skill that’s virtually impossible to develop in a noisy and overcrowded classroom setting. They are making social connections across a broader range of age groups. They cooperate together, using their different sizes and strengths to fulfill various roles within their games.
I appreciate it that forest school is shaping my boys’ relationship with the outdoors. They’re learning how to spend extended periods of time in nature, what to do to pass the time, and developing knowledge that will get them much closer to nature in the coming decades.
1. What is special about the forest school program?| A．Teachers engage in kids’ play. | B．Kids play and learn outdoors. |
| C．It focuses on nature protection. | D．It offers various food and drinks. |
| A．Awkward. | B．Concerned. | C．Relieved. | D．Proud. |
| A．The concerns caused by the program. |
| B．The benefits gained from role plays. |
| C．The skills acquired by children. |
| D．The games loved by teachers. |
| A．Nature: a wonderland for the young |
| B．Forest school program proves a hit |
| C．Parks are replacing traditional schools |
| D．Forest school: a fine place for my kids |
8 . Soon it would be the holidays, but before that, there were year exams. All the
As she was falling asleep, Jane was afraid that she might oversleep. Her
| A．teachers | B．students | C．classmates | D．schools |
| A．prepare | B．miss | C．join | D．pass |
| A．succeeded | B．failed | C．ended | D．called |
| A．before | B．after | C．when | D．as |
| A．excited | B．frightened | C．worried | D．pleased |
| A．early | B．late | C．heavily | D．eagerly |
| A．exam | B．holiday | C．tour | D．dream |
| A．sleeping | B．resting | C．exciting | D．breathing |
| A．him | B．her | C．them | D．it |
| A．hand | B．eye | C．mind | D．body |
| A．her sister | B．her parents | C．the lessons | D．the medicine |
| A．result | B．marks | C．desk | D．paper |
| A．Everything | B．Nothing | C．No one | D．Everyone |
| A．If | B．Though | C．So | D．How |
| A．mustn’t | B．couldn’t | C．might not | D．shouldn’t |
| A．watch | B．textbook | C．sister | D．subject |
| A．gave up | B．put off | C．put up | D．put away |
| A．examining | B．leaving | C．copying | D．crying |
| A．raised | B．woke | C．stood | D．cheered |
| A．nice | B．wonderful | C．terrible | D．special |
Hunan Province
May 6, 2010
Dear editor,
Under China’s current educational system, there are those who do nothing but study. They of course are thought to be model students.
But I feel that there is another type of student who, perhaps not as diligent (勤奋的) as the first type, uses his time more efficiently and achieves a lot academically (学业上).
Last year, a classmate of mine was accepted by a top university. It surprised all of us. It was because, unlike most of us, he didn’t spend too much of his time studying.
When I asked him the secret of his success, he said that the key was properly and scientifically arranging his time.
“ I spent a lot of time keeping fit and as a result, I was able to better concentrate (集中) on my class work.”
The moral of the story is: it isn’t necessary to sit at your desk all day long to get high academic (学术) grades.
Yours,
Zhang Zishu
1. According to the letter, what leads to the fact that many students do nothing but study?| A．The present educational system. | B．People’s old ideas. |
| C．The teaching methods. | D．The parents of these students. |
| A．the first type of student is our model |
| B．the second type of students is our model |
| C．both types of students are worth learning from |
| D．neither of the two types of students are good |
| A．properly and scientifically arranging his time |
| B．spending a lot of time studying |
| C．doing nothing but studying |
| D．playing all the time |
| A．call on us to work even harder |
| B．advise people to think about how to study more efficiently |
| C．advise people to do research into his classmate’s success |
| D．criticize (批评) China’s educational system |
10 . When someone asks me what my goals are for the coming year, I don’t usually know how to reply. Of course I, as most people do, want to see an improvement in my grades. This year, however, I’m hoping for something different.
Through the course of my school life, I’ve gradually developed a new understanding of the word “prioritization (优先次序)”. The first thing I wish to get in Senior 1 is the ability to manage my time better. I’ll surely become busier with the coming semester (学期), and proper organization is important. From school clubs to academic competitions, everything should be set up in a way that doesn’t influence my health, which leads me to my second goal.
My mother has always told me put my health first, so in the future, I hope to both physically and mentally healthy. A person can’t study without having the energy to do so. In order to stay energetic, they must put their health first, no matter how busy they are, or how much work they have to complete.
And finally, I hope that I won’t be discouraged (泄气的) by my failure and never give up on my dreams. I hope that I’ll have the courage to try new activities and clubs. I believe my final goal can apply to every student around the world. We should all respect one another’s likes and dislikes, and concentrate on each other’s advantages, not our disadvantages. Everyone should try to take part in all of life’s opportunities(机会).
Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance (平衡), you must keep moving.” In my case, it’s the other way around. In order to keep moving, I must keep my balance—the balance between studies and activities, efficiency (效率) and procrastination (拖延症), academics and health, passions and dislikes. The new journey is going to be a hard one, but if I set these goals, I believe I will make it through to the end.
1. During this school year, what does the author hopes to do?| A．Concentrate on improving her overall grades. | B．Join as many school clubs as possible. |
| C．Learn how to manage her time well. | D．Spend more time on outdoor activities. |
| A．Not be afraid of failing. | B．Always put their studies first. |
| C．Only do what they’re good at. | D．Make different kinds of friends. |
| A．A strong feeling of dislike | B．A strong feeling of love |
| C．A strong feeling of anger | D．A strong feeling of joy |
| A．Show what she likes about high school life. |
| B．Stress (强调) the importance of health to students. |
| C．Show how to balance our studies and activities. |
| D．Share her goals for the coming high school year. |
