1 . Being impulsive can lead to a host of challenges. Being impulsive at the grocery store can mean spending too much money, or buying junk food and sweets when you meant to buy health y items. You might spontaneously spend the day shopping instead of studying, or playing video games when you meant to go to the gym.     1    

Develop a daily exercise routine.

Exercise, particularly aerobic (有氧的) exercise, will help you be less impulsive. Exercise lifts your mood, and decreases feelings of stress and anxiety.     2     If you’re more likely to act impulsively out of boredom or frustration, you can put this energy to better use through exercise.

Learn more about mindfulness practices.

Becoming aware of your feelings and learn to connect with your impulsive thoughts. Mindfulness helps by allowing you some distance from your impulses, offering you the opportunity to choose to act upon your impulses or not.     3     For example, “I am angry that my partner just said that, and I want to criticize her.”Follow this with a more constructive response, such as, “I can try to calm down.”

    4    

Surround yourself with people you can go to for help. When your impulsiveness is based on anxiety, you can help yourself by spending time with people you trust. Making sure to have people in your life with whom you can share things you’re concerned about may help ease your anxiety, and decrease your impulsiveness.

Write down your goals.

Determine how you want to prioritize your time. The first step to being less impulsive is to figure out what you want and hope to achieve. Then check and make sure your actions reflect the values you’ve written for yourself. This might mean writing a master task list. If you’re a student, you might want to create a study plan.     5    

A．Seek help from experts.

B．Talk to people you trust.

C．If something’s not working, plan out any needed changes.

D．In addition, it keeps a person’s attention actively engaged.

E．When you notice an urge, figure it out before acting on it.

F．Recording your goals helps measure them against your impulses.

G．You can become less impulsive when you learn to use effective organizational tools.

2 . Nobody likes to feel negative emotions: Anger, jealousy and regret can all be overwhelming. In fact, we dislike feeling negative emotions so much that some of us will do anything to avoid them, from adopting a sense of denial to turning to food or work as a distraction.

Deep down we know that we can’t be joyful all the time, so why do we have such a problem with the less-than-favorable feelings? It’s natural for people to avoid or suppress negative emotions. We are biologically programmed above all else to survive, to keep ourselves safe; therefore, anything that our brain perceives as something out of our comfort zone, something that might harm us in any way is usually avoided. This is the default in-built programming we have inherited from our ancestors.

However, when we do, things don’t always work out well for us. “When we bury our emotions, they inevitably end up reappearing elsewhere further down the line,” says Dr. Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic. “Burying them in this way can cause a whole host of different issues and symptoms such as headaches and anxiety.”

Not only can burying our less-desirable emotions impact our well-being, but it also prevents us from enjoying the well-being rewards coming along with these emotions. Actually, it’s a sign of emotional well-being to be able to acknowledge and stay with the uncomfortable feelings instead of pushing them away or denying them. Negative emotions can be wonderful signposts if we pay attention to them. For example, a feeling of dread, uncertainty or fear in any working environment might be a great sign that you need to start to consider changing that environment.

Our emotions are a big part of being human and they serve an important function—even the difficult ones. As Elena says: “Without negative emotions, we would struggle to know our boundaries, how to keep ourselves safe, what hurts us or makes us happy. They can guide us toward making decisions that serve us in the long term.”

1. What is Paragraph 2 of the text mainly about?

A．The features of negative emotions.	B．The definition of negative emotions.
C．The causes of avoiding negative emotions.	D．The methods of avoiding negative emotions.

2. What does Dr. Elena Touroni suggest?

A．Keeping a positive attitude.	B．Ignoring the negative emotion.
C．Taking care of the physical condition.	D．Acknowledging the uncomfortable feelings.

3. Why is the working environment mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．To explain function of negative emotions.

B．To stress the benefits of negative emotions.

C．To prove the powerful influence of negative emotions.

D．To remind that negative emotions can change your job.

4. What can be the best title for the passage?

A．The Good Side of Negative Emotions	B．The Reasons for Negativity
C．The Influence of Negative Emotions	D．The Ways to Embrace Negative Emotions

3 . Sometimes, we meet with situations that cause us to feel angry to the point we may want to erupt like a volcano or curse (咒骂) someone out.     1     Here are some replies online to the question about how to deal with anger.

Go for a swim, lift weights, and practice other forms of exercise!

Science suggests that hearing, seeing, or swimming causes our brain to produce neurochemicals that increase blood flow to the brain and heart. “    2     I like to lift weights. It completely takes the edge off. Heavy bag work is good for cardio and reducing anger. Yoga is great for both exercise and meditation,” wrote u/JackFunk.

Eat a healthier diet.

Proteins such as fish, tofu, and chicken, help us produce higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals in the brain that play a role in your mood, motivation, and concentration. “I found that some foods messed with my stomach.     3     Over time I have removed various foods from my diet, and it has really helped,”   u/JackFunk also wrote.

Write your feelings down.

Whether it’s quick sentences or journal entries, writing down how you feel is a great way to release negative emotions. “    4     Pour your heart out… and if you’re worried that someone else may read it later, you can burn it to release the energy,” wrote u/ChoiceFabulous.

    5    

“If you have trouble not getting angry when discussing something or trying to work through a problem with someone, always imagine the conversation is being videotaped. If you keep that in the back of your mind, you will always think about what you say, and it could help keep your mind from the anger,” wrote u/therealtidbits.

A．For me, nothing is better than exercise.

B．Whenever I can’t help getting angry, I read.

C．Pretend that when you get angry people are watching.

D．Whenever I can’t exercise or burn out the feelings, I write.

E．Anyway, there are always better ways to handle when angry.

F．They then messed with my head, which brought out the anger.

G．Pretend there is a camera before you and be mindful of what you say.

4 . As the trees drop their leaves and frosts advance in, we prepare our homes and ourselves for the winter months.     1     When the seasons change, we know that we have to change our behavior to keep ourselves safe and warm. Our feelings change like the seasons. Laughing, joyful and positive like summer; sad, angry, and hopeless like winter.     2     However, it would not be practical to feel wonderful all the time.

The phrase “emotional wintering” was popularized by Katharine May. She mentions emotional wintering asks us to see our difficult or uncomfortable feelings as winters which we can get ready for and live through.     3    

Sometimes the emotional winters are caused by an event that makes us feel as though we want to withdraw into ourselves.     4     We need to take time to replenish (补充) them while accepting that we are sad. Whatever the cause, emotional wintering encourages us to accept that our emotional seasons are normal and we should manage them as best we can.

    5     To manage through challenging times, we need to adjust our habits, reassess our expectations of ourselves, and ensure that we sustain ourselves appropriately. This process gives us the space to explore the full range of emotions that make us human, and allows us to safely sit with a feeling, in relative comfort, until it passes.

With the management, we believe we will be well by the time the next summer rolls around.

A．It prepares us for the coming spring.

B．Different emotions come to all of us.

C．Emotional wintering asks us to change.

D．We can grow from challenging experience.

E．Thick socks and cosy blankets are brought out.

F．We expect to always live in our emotional summers.

G．At other times we simply use up our supplies of positivity.

5 . Paul Dirac was one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. He was a pioneer in quantum(量子) theory, which shaped our modern world. Dirac was also a genius when it came to analytical thinking. But when his colleagues asked him for advice, his secret to success had nothing to do with the traditional scientific method. “Be guided,” Dirac told them, “by your emotions.”

Dirac’s advice, like his physics, ran against the common assumption of psychology in his day: that logical thought primarily drives our behaviors, and that when emotions play a role, they are likely to keep us off our best judgment.

Today, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of emotions and how they can positively influence logical choices. In a study led by Professor Mark Fenton, his team conducted interviews with 118 professional traders at four investment banks. They found that even among the most experienced traders, the lower-performing ones seemed less likely to effectively engage with the emotions guiding their choices—whether to buy or sell a set of securities, for example, with millions of dollars at risk. The most successful traders, however, were particularly likely to acknowledge their emotions and followed their direct feelings about stock options(股票期权) when they had limited information to draw on. They also understood that when emotions become too intense, toning them down can be necessary. The issue for the successful traders was not how to avoid emotions but how to control them.

Welcoming emotions into the decision-making process can help us be more clear-eyed about where our choices come from. Dirac knew that emotions helped him look beyond the beliefs of his contemporaries. Again and again, his controversial ideas proved correct. Dirac passed away in 1984, a couple of decades before the revolution in emotion theory began, but he’d been happy to see that he’d been right again.

1. Why does the author mention Paul Dirac in paragraph 1?

A．To offer a suggestion.	B．To introduce the topic.
C．To describe the scientist.	D．To present a phenomenon.

2. What did people think of emotions’ effect on behaviors in Dirac’s days?

A．It was permanent.	B．It was unfavorable.
C．It was meaningful.	D．It was unavoidable.

3. How did some traders perform better at work according to paragraph 3?

A．By working more intensely.	B．By experiencing more widely.
C．By making decisions more directly.	D．By controlling emotions more efficiently.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．A study on professional traders.

B．A development in emotion theory.

C．The role of emotions in decision-making.

D．The achievements of Paul Dirac as a physicist.

6 . Do you think you need to shout at yourself to force yourself to finish your homework? If so, think again.    1     Research shows that practicing self-compassion (自我关怀) improves our mental and physical well-being and supports long-term success.

Self-compassion is the practice of being kind and supportive to ourselves. The opposite is being self-critical and mean to ourselves when we make a mistake.     2     These negative responses are related to depression, stress and reduced quality of life.

A 2017 study found people who practice self-compassion tend to handle stress better. Their bodies have less of a stress response when, for example, they meet with difficulties at work or school.     3     Let’s say they do poorly on a geometry test. Self-compassion helps them use the experience to make changes going forward, like seeking out a math tutor.

    4     We can start with mindfulness. First of all, practice observing our thoughts — are they understanding or critical? Don’t judge ourselves too severely then. Rather than getting caught up in how we could have done better, forgive ourselves and think about what to change while remaining respectful, and loving to ourselves.     5     We can read a novel, play a musical instrument or kick around a soccer ball with friends.

With practice, we can learn to treat ourselves with kindness and unconditional love — not tough love.

A．So how do we develop self-compassion?

B．It may be more effective to be kind to yourself.

C．It includes letting go of your strict self-criticism.

D．Mindfulness is the key to practicing self-compassion.

E．But this approach does not make us feel or perform better.

F．They have more confidence to look for areas where they can improve.

G．Also, show ourselves kindness in ways that nourish (滋养) our spirit and body.

7 . Everyone feels a little jealous (妒忌的) once in a while. But when the feeling begins to ruin your relationship and cause you stress, it’s probably time to start looking for ways to get rid of it. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

    1    
        Sometimes there are deeper underlying (潜在的) issues that fuel jealousy. Once you admit that you’re struggling with jealousy, it’s time to start looking into why you’re feeling that way.     2    . When you feel like you’re falling behind everyone else, it’s easy to become jealous when you see other people’s success.
Use your jealousy to motivate yourself

    3    . While people often view jealousy as a bad thing, being jealous can actually provide you with a valuable learning opportunity. When you’re jealous, it’s usually because you’ve found something you want but you don’t have. So instead of stewing (担忧) in these jealous feelings, make an effort to go out and get whatever you want.

Focus on your positive qualities

Sometimes jealousy is rooted in feelings of insecurity and a lack of self-confidence.     4    . When you start feeling those tell-tale signs of jealousy, remind yourself of all the things that make you amazing, such as your relationships, your job, or how much you’ve grown in the past few years. All of these help to beat your feelings of jealousy.

Stop comparing yourself to others

Constantly comparing yourself to others can fuel feelings of insecurity. It can be tempting to compare yourself to others and want to compete against them. However, constantly setting yourself up against others can just make your jealousy and feelings of insecurity worse. Stop doing that.     5    .

A．Find the root of your jealousy

B．Engage yourself in meaningful activities

C．Focus on yourself and how you’re doing instead

D．They are able to help you with increasing your confidence

E．However, it’s important to find your own unique strengths

F．For example, low self-confidence is often a cause of jealousy

G．Your jealousy might be just what you need to seek what you want

8 . Music affects our emotions. We tend to listen to music that reflects our mood. When we’re happy we may listen to upbeat (愉快的) music; when we’re sad we may listen to slower and more moving songs; when we’re angry we may listen to darker music with heavy guitar, drums and songs that reflect our level of anger. We may not know why we prefer the artists we listen to, but we can learn a lot about ourselves through our musical tastes.

Consider John, a pleasant man in his mid-40s who describes his mid-20s as a time when he was figuring out his place in life. At the time, he considered himself to be cold, nervous, shy, well-mannered and sensitive. But the music he preferred to listen to was dark, heavy and aggressive. After some time in therapy (治疗), John realized he’d been repressing (抑制) anger and aggression due to years of childhood abuse, and music had become his voice. Now John has been able to unlock his previously hidden emotions and begin to work through the issues.

Cindy, a woman in her mid-30s, has struggled through years of depression. While depressed, she often listened to music that reflected sadness and emotional pain. However, Cindy also noted that she had a passion for upbeat music that made her want to dance and feel free from emotional struggle. But she rarely felt this energy and freedom without the music encouraging. It turned out that Cindy was an energetic and happy child. However, Cindy’s struggle with depression began after her mother’s death when she was 11 years old. With the help of therapy, Cindy is now in the process of breaking through the layer of depression that has covered her since her mother died.

In summary, while music can move us in an intense emotional moment, it also can be used to teach us about unconscious elements of our emotional structure. If we notice a pattern of emotional music that raises questions about our current feelings or about who we are, it could be an important opportunity for self-exploration.

1. What kind of music do people probably listen to when they are delighted?

A．Music with drums.	B．Slower songs.
C．Upbeat music.	D．Dark music

2. How does John describe himself in his mid-20s?

A．He was passionate.	B．He was aggressive.
C．He was dark inside.	D．He was polite.

3. In what way was Cindy different from a happy child?

A．Her mother passed away when she was 11 years old.

B．She rarely felt energetic and free.

C．She always listened to sad music.

D．She had experienced childhood abuse.

4. What might be the best title for the passage?

A．How to Be Happy

B．Music Impacts Our Emotions

C．People Change While Growing up

D．Different People Listen to Different Music

9 . How to cultivate emotional awareness

In school, we learned the periodic table and were told to recite the alphabet, but nobody forced us to take a class on what emotions are and how they work.     1     Yet, research shows that being aware of your emotions is hugely beneficial and people with high emotional awareness have better social and emotional functioning.

Emotional awareness is being able to identify and make sense of not only our own emotions but those of others. It’s absolutely essential in maintaining good mental health. But if you’ve spent a lifetime masking your real emotions, being honest with yourself for the first time may prove tough.     2    

Turn to mindfulness

Mindfulness is the process of bringing our attention to: the present moment and becoming more aware of our thoughts.     3     There are many ways to be mindful, from practising breathwork to sitting in silence. Where emotional awareness is concerned, meditation which can aid clarity and allow us to view our emotions in a more measured way is strongly recommended.

Practice daily self-reflection

    4     You’d better create a habit of checking with yourself every day. Self-reflection cultivates emotional awareness and is key to understanding why you feel the way you do. Activities such as journaling can be really beneficial in learning about your thought processes. It may also help you actively choose healthy coping strategies to manage more challenging emotions. Free-writing, where you write out everything that’s on your mind without judgement, can be used to dig deeper into your thoughts and feelings.

Name what you’re feeling

Sometimes what we really struggle with is putting our emotions into words.     5     Instead of employing basic descriptions like angry, happy, frustrated or sad, consult The Emotion Wheel which identifies eight basic emotions at the centre of the wheel, with dozens of corresponding emotions of various intensities stemming out from it. It gives you a specific name for what you’re feeling. By naming them, we can not only find relief from those uncomfortable feelings but bring more joy and fulfilment into our lives too.

A．When was the last time you stopped and truly observed how you feel?

B．Turn into your emotions and honestly reflecting on how you feel is important.

C．It can be difficult to feel heard by others if we don’t have the language to describe how we’re feeling.

D．But it gets easier with practice.

E．It’s not always easy to put a finger on exactly what’s wrong, without digging a little deeper.

F．It’s a state of calm, non-judgmental state of mind.

G．And for many of us, that means understanding how we feel and why can be incredibly difficult.

10 . Sometimes too much pressure can make us angry, fed up or sad. But you can actually remove some pressure before it gets the best of you.    1    .

Forget about being perfect.    2    It’s just you who put unnecessary pressure on yourself and reduce your ability to do excellent work. Take a look at the next point to find a better replacement for being perfect.

    3    It is wise to reduce many of your inner, mental problems such as performance anxiety and other worries. So you’d better ignore the possible outcomes and just keep your focus on the work you are doing, which makes it easier to live up to your potential.

Be calm with mistakes and failure.    4    When you learned to ride a bike, you fell off it time and time again. Just brush yourself off, perhaps cry for a moment and then get up on the bike again. See failure not as something negative but simply as a lot of room for improvement.

Just do it! It is often easy to get stuck in procrastination (拖延) and get little done.    5    That will make you upset about yourself. “Just doing it” is a great way to get out of a procrastination state and just get going with what you want to do. But that’s not always so easy. You have to get started at once.

A．Being perfect is pretty meaningless.

B．Focus on the process, not on the outcome.

C．If you make mistakes, you should apologize.

D．It happens, the pressure can start to build up.

E．Continue with your normal day in a perfect way.

F．Here are a few things you can do to accomplish that.

G．The world won’t break down if you make mistakes or fail.