2 . A therapy (治疗) client and I are working on an eating disorder and find it originated from a relationship break-up or perhaps being bullied in middle school. Such hurtful experiences led to not eating for a couple of weeks. Then comes a high praise from a friend that totally backfires. Maybe it’s an enthusiastic, “Wow, you look great!’’ In a flash, this praise excites an inner and often unconscious thought: “Oh, people care more about me if I lose weight. So many things feel out of control but I can control people’s affection by not eating.”

Often, very well-intentioned individuals offer praise out of a desire to uplift and connect. Such praise is often tied, directly or indirectly, to a person’s relationship with the standards of a specific group or institution. Sadly, such praise can easily reduce an individual’s dignity to their level in line with the group’s expectations rather than supporting their inherent (固有的) dignity and worth. So, what’s a better way?

One answer is to exit the game of “right and wrong” and enter a more life-giving focus on what needs are present. Returning to our example above, when you see that someone has lost weight and you want to give them a praise, just pause and take a deep breath. Simply ask, “How are you doing?” See them and hear them. Appreciate them as a person of limitless value. Know there may be much more to their inner world than meets the eye. Similarly, when you see someone’s success in school, appreciate the hard work they put into it. Ask with gentle curiosity, “How’s it been for you?” Listen with your full attention that in itself can be a rare gift in today’s hustle and bustle world.

By maintaining your concern and listening to the ways they want to be accompanied and supported — even when it might not be your first instinct — you can see them as a whole person, with complex feelings, very human needs, and inherent dignity.

1. What does the underlined word “backfires” in paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Improves the situation.	B．Shows sincere concern.
C．Removes hurtful feelings.	D．Produces an unexpected result.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．Analyzing the phenomenon.	B．Listing another example.
C．Presenting the solution.	D．Making a proposal.

3. Why does the author suggest simply asking “How are you doing”?

A．To start a light conversation.

B．To focus on one’s inner needs.

C．To explore the secret of keeping slim.

D．To show appreciation for one’s efforts.

4. What might be the title for the text?

A．Say No to the “Right or Wrong” Game

B．Why We Need to Make Praises to Others.

C．Follow Me and Be a Qualified Therapist

D．How Innocent Words can Be Harmful

3 . Clear and effective communication not only can help you get what you want but also is important to successful relationships with your partner coworkers, bosses, and friends. You take part in some form of communication with others many times a day.     1     To be an effective communicator, you first need to learn which habits to break and which ones to build, so you can be a thoughtful listener and a powerful speaker.

Few people have had any training in listening at all and they don’t know how to communicate with others. If you want to interact effectively with me, you first need to understand me. And you can’t do that with techniques alone.     2     And I don’t feel safe enough to open myself up to you.

    3     The conversation flows naturally out of your character, or the kind of person you truly are. It is obvious in how I actually experience you. If your private performance doesn’t match your public performance, it will be very hard for me to open up to you.     4    

Unless you understand me and my unique situation and feelings you won’t know how to advise me.     5     You may say you care about and appreciate me. I really want to believe that. But how can you appreciate me when you don’t even understand me? All I have are your words, and I can’t trust words.

A．Being honest is the first step in good communication.

B．At first there is not enough trust between two strangers.

C．However, that doesn’t mean you’re communicating well.

D．What you say is good and fine, but it doesn’t relate to me.

E．But most people are not good at expressing themselves in public.

F．Then, I don’t feel safe enough to express my opinions and my true feelings.

G．If I sense you’re using some techniques, I will wonder what your purposes are.

5 . Customer service refers to the way that companies behave towards their customers.     1    However, many a time organizations don’t focus on customer relationship management, and that’s what makes customers angry, which is one of the reasons why companies lose their customers.     2    

First of all, you need to realize the great value of the customers. It’s they who are the boss, and it, s because of them that you get your pay checks. So do take your customers seriously.

    3     You need to ask the customers the right kind of questions and think of the possible solutions which you can provide. Understand how they feel according to a particular situation, their body language, tone of voice and words they speak. Never make assumptions and think that you know what the customers want.

Making customers feel they are important is an excellent way to serve them better.     4     The best way to do that is using their first name and finding ways of praising them in a sincere way.

In addition, there are some other skills which will help you in serving your customers better. For example, once you finish solving the problem for the customers, before ending the call, always remember to ask if there is anything else you can do for them. End the call with a “thank you”. If the customers are angry, let them express their anger completely.    5     Once they’ve finished speaking, try to calm them down by apologizing.

In a word, always remember that if the customers remain happy, you’ll be in business.

A．Treat customers as individuals.

B．Never interrupt or start speaking until they’ve finished.

C．You can bring in as many new customers as you want.

D．So customer service is important and you should know how to improve it.

E．Finding out the needs of the customers is another important customer service tip.

F．More companies are finding that their customer service should not be limited to stores.

G．It’s the quality of service that determines whether the customer remains with the company.

6 . Social media does have its shortcomings, and one of those is that it can often seem like everybody is living and winning big — except you.

    1       But the reality is that these people go through struggles just like everybody else. Nobody’s life is perfect all the time. We all go through life’s hardships, failure, and pain. Picture perfect moments do exist, but they exist amongst the real-life terrible moments.    2    

Someone could have +1000 likes on their pictures or a million views on their videos and still be unhappy.     3     There are people with only 10 likes but having plenty of friends, and people with +1000 likes that are lonely, depressed, in fed up relationships and have no real friends.

There are couples that appear happy on social media but behind those photos, they suffer a lot in relationships.     4     Things aren’t always what they appear to be.

You don’t know what some people go through to come out with the fantastic pictures you envy. The real key players mostly operate behind the scenes but make the most happen. They may look like nobody but they are building their kingdoms while others are getting high on likes and attention. Success is not what is presented on social media.     5    

Be yourself and never give up on yourself. Don’t compare yourself to others. The real champions of social media are those who add value to others, not the ones who show their lifestyle to impress others.

A．Those ones don’t get documented.

B．Some even think it’s a complete show-off.

C．Being popular on social media is not everything.

D．Self-worth is determined by the number of likes one gets.

E．There are couples who post nothing but are in loving relationship.

F．It takes tears, sleepless nights, and loads of failure to make it in life.

G．You are always flooded with strangers’ images that show the life you long for.

7 . Building Up Your Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and emotionally engage with others. It is viewed as the fundamental social glue and main psychological mechanism, which enables us to relate to each other, maintain social relations and create a more sympathetic world.     1    . It is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. Here are some tips on how to build up your empathy.

Practice active listening 

Listening is one of the most effective ways you can demonstrate empathy to other people. Active listening requires three things. To begin with, paraphrase what the person said to show that you understood the content.     2    , because it helps the person better understand and regulate their own emotions. Finally, indicate how your response makes you want to behave, because again you are demonstrating that you understand their emotional state and helping them figure out a behavior to move forward with.

Challenge your prejudices and assumptions        

Ask yourself why you think that all poor people are lazy, or all people with mental health issues are dangerous. A lot of assumptions and prejudices are based on misinformation that has become widespread.     3    .   

Treat people as being important

Recognize that you aren’t the only one living in this world and that you aren’t some superior being.     4    . Don’t lump (合并) them into stereotypical (刻板印象的) groups with erroneous one-size-fits-all labels. Each person is an individual and comes with a set of flaws and strengths.

    5    

This means getting a direct experience of another person’s life, the “walk a mile in another person’s shoes” proverb. You don’t have to go quite that far, but consider taking on all the things that your mother does in a day for an entire week. You’ll discover how difficult it is to manage both the home and work, and you’ll have a better appreciation for how much work she has to do. You may even decide to pitch in a bit more.

In conclusion, building up your empathy takes time and effort, but it is worth it. So start practicing today and make a positive impact on the world around you.

A．Practice experiential empathy

B．Leave each person as they are

C．Practice gratitude and appreciation

D．Take each person as they come

E．Reflect on your emotional reaction as well

F．However, empathy is not something we are born with

G．Educate yourself and listen to the groups that are affected by this misinformation

8 . Recently, a topic featuring “Graduates avoid sending resumes out of social anxiety disorder” received many comments on Sina Weibo. It seems that social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia (恐惧症), is affecting many people’s lives. Over 80% of university students who took part in a survey tended to avoid social interaction due to an assumed social phobia.     1    

For those who have a social phobia, everyday social situations cause strong fear beyond their control because they fear being watched or judged negatively by others.

Having a social phobia can mean physical symptoms like blushing (脸红), upset stomach, or having trouble catching your breath. The good news is that it is treatable.    2     Avoiding social situations because of shyness might mean missing out on opportunities or being rude.

I used to be so shy that I avoided greeting people I knew by pretending to scroll (滚屏) on my phone or turning in another direction.     3    When I saw him, Istarted scrolling on my phone as usual to avoid greeting him. But he immediately saw through it and asked,“Why did you pretend not to see me?” After my explanation, he replied, “I can relate to feeling awkward, but once someone realizes that you’re avoiding him, it can come across as rude.”

    4    Being afraid of negative comments, they simply shut themselves down so that no one will have the chance to judge them. But socializing not only leads to judgment. If you’re lucky enough, you may come across someone who gives direct but honest feedback, like what the senior journalist did for me. But if some people only offer you negative judgment, simply stay away from them.     5    Why give up on opportunities for social interaction because of fears of comments and judgment?

A．After all, they are not making you any better.

B．Understand it’s perfectly fine to make mistakes.

C．Here are some tips for overcoming a fear of social interaction.

D．But is avoiding social interaction equal to having a social phobia?

E．However, my attitude began to change when I met a senior journalist.

F．But if you only feel a bit uncomfortable, it might mean you are just shy.

G．Shy people avoid socializing because they take others’ opinions seriously.

9 . We often think about relationships on a scale from positive to negative. We are drawn to loving family members, caring classmates and supportive mentors. We do our best to avoid the cruel uncle, the playground bully and the jerk boss.

But the most toxic relationships aren’t the purely negative ones. They’re the ones that are a mix of positive and negative. We often call them frenemies, supposed friends who sometimes help you and sometimes hurt you. But ifs not just friends. It’s the in-laws who volunteer to watch your kids but belittle your parenting. The manager who praises your work but denies you a promotion.

Everyone knows how relationships like that can tie your stomach into a knot. But groundbreaking research led by the psychologists Bert Uchino and Julianne Holt-Lunstad shows that ambivalent (矛盾情绪的) relationships can be damaging to your health — even more than purely negative relationships.

I had assumed that with a neighbor or a colleague, having some positive interactions was better than all negative interactions. But being cheered on by the same person who cuts you down doesn’t reduce the bad feelings; it increases them. And it’s not just in your head: It leaves a trace in your heart and your blood.

Even a single ambivalent interaction can cause harm. In one experiment, people gave impromptu speeches on controversial topics in front of a friend who offered feedback. The researchers had randomly assigned the friend to give ambivalent or negative comments. Receiving mixed feedback caused higher blood pressure than pure criticism. “I would have gone about the topic differently, but you’re doing fine” proved to be more distressing than “I totally disagree with everything you’ve said.”

The evidence that ambivalent relationships can be bad for us is strong, but the reasons can be harder to read — just like the relationships themselves.

The most intuitive reason is that ambivalent relationships are unpredictable. With a clear enemy, you put up a shield when you cross paths. With a frenemy, you never know whether Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde is going to show up. Feeling unsure can disrupt the body’s calming system and activate a fight-or-flight response. It’s unsettling to hope for a hug while also preparing for a likely quarrel.

Another factor is that unpleasant interactions are more painful in an ambivalent relationship. It’s more upsetting to be let down by people you like sometimes than by people you dislike all the time. When someone stabs you in the back, it stings more if he’s been friendly to your face.

1. Which of the following can be counted as a frenemy?

A．Your neighbour’s kid who advises you to study hard but idles away his own time.

B．Your classmate who admires your diligence at first, but doubts your intelligence later.

C．Your mother’s friend who encourages you to spend more time on homework but less on smart phones.

D．Your father’s colleague who proposes you to do a moderate amount of homework while ensuring adequate sleep.

2. Which of the following statements can be inferred from the passage?

A．Ambivalent relationships have a permanent effect on your well-being.

B．The common cause for high blood pressure is ambivalent relationship.

C．Ambivalent interactions will be more painful if it is done consciously.

D．The negative impact of ambivalent interactions is direct and strong.

3. The underlined word “belittle” in paragraph 2 probably means ______.

A．devalue

B．appreciate

C．respect

D．abuse

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

A．Some Negative Relationships Are Bad for Your Health

B．Your Most Ambivalent Relationships Are the Most Toxic

C．The Reasons for Ambivalent Relationships Are Unpredictable

D．Some Positive Relationships Are Better than All Negative Ones

10 . As our lives become more closely connected with the digital age, it’s more important than ever to keep the spark of human connections, a key part of which is making small talk.     1     Here’s how to master the art of small talk.

The cornerstone of effective small talk lies in developing genuine interest. Genuine interest is about actively seeking to understand the other person, valuing their perspectives and appreciating the uniqueness they bring to the conversation.     2    

Small talk extends beyond spoken words; it includes the art of observation. As you engage in conversation, pay attention to the speaker’s body language, facial expressions and tone of voice.     3     Being familiar with them not only helps you navigate the conversation with sensitivity but also enables you to establish a deeper connection by respecting the slight differences of the other person’s communication style.

Actually listening and connecting with someone is essential for a conversation. By providing your undivided attention, you convey respect and interest in what the other person has to say.     4     Ask follow-up questions to show that you value their insights. This depth of engagement lays the foundation for a more meaningful connection.

At the heart of successful small talk lies the authenticity (真实性) of your engagement. Authenticity fosters a sense of trust and connection, making the conversation more meaningful and memorable. Avoid the temptation to project an image or use scripted responses.     5     In the world of small talk, authenticity is the key that unlocks the door to deeper connections and more fulfilling interactions.

A．Instead, let your true self shine through.

B．Some accessible topics are great for small talk.

C．Active listening involves fully engaging with the speaker.

D．Focus on understanding their viewpoints beyond simply hearing words.

E．The signals provide valuable insights into their emotions and intentions.

F．Small talk may be a gateway to building rich and meaningful relationships.

G．By expressing authentic curiosity, you make the other person feel seen and heard.