2 . Aloha is perhaps one of the most recognized words in the world. Many ________ use it to brand their goods and services. But there is more to it in Hawaii. It’s the spirit to ________ one another all the time, not only when a(n)________ strikes. And it was the ________ spirit of aloha that has brought warmth and strength to those who have ________ the deadliest wildfire in modern US history that swept across the historic city of Lahaina just a week ago.

Arica Lynn Souza, whose ________ was burned to the ground on August 8, describes aloha as being there when something happens and when someone ________ help. She thinks that it is the spirit of aloha that makes Lahaina so ________.

“I ________ with my two babies and a very small bag. The only reason why we’re able to have clothes on our backs and everything else is due to this kind of aloha feeling within our community and with each other.”

Kaliko Kaauamo is a Hawaiian-language expert and curriculum designer. When asked what aloha looks like, she quickly paints a ________ picture, “Aloha is the guy whose home was burned down, who has no clothes, finds his slippers, puts them on and ________ finds someone else to help without expecting anything ________. It’s a philosophy. It’s an appreciation. It’s a ________ love that we are born and raised with.”

During a disaster, community members usually ________ to help each other. But it is the ________ emotional attachment sets Hawaii apart from the rest of the world.

4 . Creative people are more likely to make the most of their idle (空闲的) time during a typical day by exploring their mind, a new study by University of Arizona researchers suggests.

In the study, the researchers divided the study into two parts. For the first experiment, the researchers asked each participant to sit alone in a room for 10 minutes without any access to digital devices. In the absence of any particular prompt (提示), the participants were asked to speak out their thoughts aloud in real time. The recorded files from 81 participants were then analyzed.

The researchers assessed the participants’ creativity through a thinking test, a lab-based verbal test that measures a person’s ability to think outside of the box. Participants who performed well in the thinking test had thoughts that flowed freely and were associated with one another, often indicated by phrases such as “this reminds me of” or “speaking of which”.

“While many participants had a tendency to jump between seemingly unrelated thoughts, creative individuals showed signs of thinking more associatively,” Raffaeli said, who was a senior author of the paper.

The first experiment also found that creative people were more engaged in their thoughts when they were left alone without distractions (干扰), such as the cellphone and Internet. “Creative people rated themselves as being less bored, even over those 10 minutes. They also spoke more words overall, which indicated that their thoughts were more likely to move freely,” Raffaeli said.

To further prove their initial findings, the researchers extended their study in the context of a much larger span of time—from 2020 to 2023 when many people were alone with their thoughts more often. For the second experiment, over 2,600 adults answered questions through a smartphone app called Mind Window. Participants who self-identified as being creative reported being less bored and more engaged in their thoughts during that period.

The researchers are continuing this line of work using their Mind Window app. They encourage people to download and use the app to help scientists understand how people across the world think in their everyday lives. “Understanding why different people think the way they do may lead to promising interventions to improve health and well-being,” Raffaeli said.

5 . Reducing food waste is easy — just ask the students at a school in Wood bridge, America, who have become experts at sorting their lunchtime trash (垃圾). Since the fall of 2019, they have actively participated in a successful food-waste diversion program that not only saves money but also contributes to reducing the amount of trash that heads to landfills.

Actually, this program plays a crucial role in facing up to the challenges of climate change. By reducing food waste,the school minimizes the amount of trash sent to landfills, thereby reducing harmful methane emissions (沼气排放). The school’s program is making a significant impact. Each month, it moves over 1,300 pounds of food waste, resulting in an estimated reduction of 772 pounds in CO, emissions and the production of 180 kilowatt-hours of energy, according to Blue Earth Compost in America.

At school, when students are done eating lunch, they head to an appointed section — a row of desks, garbage cans and containers — where they sort their trash. Leftover liquids, such as juice or milk,are emptied into a big basin on the floor. The juice containers and plastic water bottles are placed into another container to recycle. Additionally, prepackaged, unopened snacks such as bags of carrots as well as produce such as apples and bananas are “rescued” and placed into a big basket with a handwritten “Donations” sign taped to it to send to the town’s senior center.

The benefits extend beyond environmental awareness. The program reduces trash-carrying costs as less weight goes into the trash bins,making it easier for cleaners to manage. The students also find this planet-friendly practice enjoyable and meaningful, considering it a small game that contributes to a bigger cause. This initiative proves that collective efforts, even on a smaller scale, can lead to significant changes, not only in waste reduction but also in educating a generation committed to preserving our planet.

8 . Over the past few decades, technology has profoundly transformed the way we live and work. The digital revolution has brought about________ changes to industries, economies, and societies worldwide. As we continue to navigate this rapidly changing landscape, it is crucial to understand the ________ impact of technology on various aspects of our lives.

In the realm of employment, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping job markets. Routine tasks that were once carried out by humans are now________ by machines with remarkable efficiency. While this automation has increased productivity and reduced errors, it has also ________ concerns about job displacement and the need for upskilling.

The education sector has not been immune to technological advancements either. Online learning platforms and digital resources have________ traditional classroom settings. This shift offers flexibility in learning, but it also requires learners to possess strong________ skills to navigate digital environments effectively.

Communication has been revolutionized by technology as well. Social media platforms enable instantaneous global________, connecting people across borders. However, the rapid spread of information in the digital age has________ challenges related to misinformation and privacy breaches.

Healthcare has witnessed the integration of technology through telemedicine and remote monitoring. While these innovations improve access to medical services, they also raise questions about the ________ of personal health data and the potential loss of the human touch in patient care.

In the realm of creativity, technology has opened new avenues for artistic expression. Digital art, virtual reality experiences, and interactive storytelling have________ boundaries in the creative world. However, concerns linger about the ________ of originality and the potential loss of tangible artistic experiences.

The environment benefits from technology through innovations in renewable energy and resource management. Yet, the________ footprint of electronic devices and the challenge of electronic waste management underscore the ________ implications of the digital revolution.

In conclusion, technology’s far-reaching influence touches every aspect of our lives. Its ________ can be both empowering and concerning. To navigate this complex landscape, individuals, businesses, and policymakers must work together to harness the potential of technology while addressing its________ challenges.

9 . Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, have revolutionized the way we think about money and transactions. These digital assets are based on blockchain technology, a decentralized and transparent system that enables secure peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks.

The potential applications of cryptocurrencies extend beyond simple transactions. Smart contracts, for instance, are self-executing contracts with terms directly written into code. They automatically execute and enforce the terms of an agreement when specific conditions are met. This technology has implications across various industries, from supply chain management to real estate.

However, the rise of cryptocurrencies has also given rise to challenges. One major concern is their volatility. The value of cryptocurrencies can fluctuate dramatically within short periods, making them risky investment options. Additionally, the pseudonymous nature of transactions has led to debates about the potential for illicit activities, such as money laundering and tax evasion.

Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are grappling with how to classify, regulate, and tax cryptocurrencies. The decentralized nature of these digital assets challenges traditional regulatory frameworks. Some countries have embraced cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, while others have implemented strict regulations or outright bans.

The future of cryptocurrencies is still uncertain. Proponents believe they could reshape the financial system, enabling greater financial inclusion and efficiency. Critics worry about their potential negative impacts and the need for more comprehensive regulations to protect consumers and prevent misuse.

10 . The concept of universal basic income (UBI) has gained significant attention in recent years as societies grapple with the potential impacts of automation and technological advancements on the job market. UBI is a proposed economic policy in which all citizens or residents of a country receive a regular, unconditional cash payment from the government.

Proponents of UBI argue that it could address issues such as poverty, income inequality, and job displacement caused by automation. By providing a basic income floor, individuals would have financial stability to cover their essential needs, even if traditional employment opportunities diminish. This, in turn, could foster entrepreneurship, creativity, and pursuit of education.

Critics, however, raise several concerns about the feasibility and consequences of UBI. One major concern is the potential cost of implementing such a program. Providing a universal basic income to an entire population would require significant financial resources, which could strain government budgets and lead to increased taxation. Additionally, some worry that UBI might discourage people from actively seeking employment or pursuing career advancement, as they may opt for a guaranteed income without the need for work.

Furthermore, UBI may not fully address the complexities of poverty and inequality. It could overlook the structural factors that contribute to these issues, such as lack of access to quality education and healthcare. Critics argue that a more effective approach would involve targeted social programs that address the root causes of poverty and offer assistance where it is most needed.

As the debate around UBI continues, policymakers and economists grapple with questions about its implementation, impact on work incentives, and potential to reshape social and economic dynamics.