There's a curious thing about people.All of us are driven in some way or another to achieve—we want to run faster,be more creative,win more awards,and earn more money.But here's the thing: if you want to offer warm words of wisdom,constructive criticism or "360-degree feedback(反馈;反应)",then think again.Most of us would rather not hear it.
Our easily-broken egos(自尊心)are partly to blame.We all want to meet our own expectations of ourselves,and so being criticized can present a huge threat to our egos.Yet as decades of psychological theory and research have indicated,people have endless tricky strategies(策略) of remaining positive in the face of criticism.For this reason,rather than us welcoming feedback with open arms,our first response is often an automatic defense.These reactions serve to make us feel better about ourselves.
Psychological research exposes this unhealthy appetite for ignorance.In one study,students watched a false educational film about a serious disease called "TAA Deficiency".In fact,TAA Deficiency is completely fictional,but the students were not told this information;instead,they were asked whether they wished to provide a cheek test for assessing(评估)their risk of developing the disease.Half of the students were told that if they ever developed TAA Deficiency,then the treatment would involve them taking a two-week course of pills.Of this group,52% agreed to provide the cheek test.The other half of students learned the treatment would involve taking the pills for the rest of their lives.Of this group,only 21% agreed to the test.
These findings show a common pattern seen in other studies within and beyond the context(背景) of healthcare. That is,people are especially resistant to hearing feedback when they believe it could force them to do something difficult or unpleasant.
1.What can we infer from paragraph 1?
A. People should be satisfied with what they have.
B. People should offer constructive criticism.
C. People should be cautious when giving advice.
D. People should care less about others.
2.How do people usually react when facing criticism?
A. They try to accept it.
B. They deal with it seriously.
C. They tend to support or protect themselves.
D. They turn to psychological theory.
3.Why didn't most of the second group agree to the test?
A. They didn't believe in the result.
B. They knew there wasn't such a disease.
C. They were sensitive to the negative result.
D. They didn't agree with the test.
4.What can be the best title for the passage?
A. Meeting Criticism B. Rethinking Feedbacks
C. Improving Healthcare D. Fighting TAA Deficiency
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Music has a great effect on everyone. But does music affect plants, too? People have been experimenting with music for almost three decades. From school-level projects to higher-level scientific experiments, the effect of music on plants has been a confusing and debatable topic.
We know music is sound and sound is nothing more than a wave. Plant growth is a result of the cell division that takes place within the cells. But why is music associated with plant growth? In humans, music has a strong effect on our health and mood, and over the years, people have claimed that the same effect has been observed on plants, too. Plants are sensitive by nature, and many people claim that they have feelings just as humans do. There are stories about plants shedding tears. Although scientists do not support these as facts, these myths have led them to take up various experiments on plants.
Various studies have proved that plants respond to acoustic (音响的) energy. It increases their rate of growth and their size, and influences their overall health. Dan Carlson, after a thorough study over a span of many years, has reached a conclusion that music helps plants absorb nutrients(养分) more efficiently.
It took Dan about fifteen years to develop a foliage spray (叶面喷剂) that is used beneficially with the sound frequencies. Carlson calls this spray “Sonic Bloom”. His findings have proved to be beneficial for countless farmers and have resulted in-according to Guinness Book of World Records-the largest indoor plant on record.
The Purple Passion was treated with the Sonic Bloom process. It grew to be 1,300 feet tall and was alive even after 25 years. Its normal lifespan(寿命), however, is 18 months and it grows not more than 18 feet tall. The book, Secret of the Soil, writes about Sonic Bloom and its results. Sonic Bloom is also sold in the market.
1.What inspired scientists to experiment with plants?
A. The effects of music on humans.
B. Plants are sensitive by nature.
C. The cell division taking place within the cells.
D. People’s debatable opinion of the effect music has on plants.
2.What is the main idea of Para. 3?
A. Nutrients are important to plants.
B. Music can have some good effects on plants.
C. How the rate of growth of plants can be improved.
D. What kinds of music can contribute to the growth of plants.
3.What did Dan Carlson develop?
A. A spray called “Sonic Bloom”.
B. A method to grow larger plants.
C. A special plant that grows very fast.
D. Acoustic energy that plants respond to
4.Why is the Purple Passion included in Guinness Book of World Records?
A. It is the oldest indoor plant.
B. It is the largest indoor plant.
C. It gives off the most pleasant smell.
D. It can grow in the toughest conditions.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Given the recent interest in green buildings in the media, let’s think differently. Instead of focusing on increasing the supply of energy, what if we focus on reducing demand?
Can we start with ending the open-door practice of street-front shops? While cool air from these shops is refreshing to pedestrians, it carries a cost. Energy is used in the air conditioning process.
So it must be possible to look for changes in regulations that would encourage more energy-saving designs. For instance, if we fix ceiling fans, air-conditioning homes could surely be avoided for part of the year. Ceiling fans use far less energy. They were in a year air conditioners could stay if ceiling fans were fixed.
In homes built under the small-house policy in New Territories, the ceiling may be too low for ceiling fans. If the 9-meter maximum building height regulation were relaxed, ceiling fans could be fixed to reduce energy use. Current thinking in sustainable building design and operation involves integrated(协调统一的) design, that is, bring together all parties to create a building with better performance that achieves energy reduction.
For integrated design to succeed, all parties must come together and think beyond each person’s circle of influence. Better solutions are impossible to avoid with integrated design. Buildings would no longer be engineered after the basic architecture was built. Positive project outcomes may include reduced air-conditioning load, reduced power use for electric lighting, and a reduction in the amount of materials used.
We need to ask if we are ready to look beyond our own small circles and seek an improved approach to building design. By that I mean an integrated design resulting in more sustainable buildings.
1.What's the author's attitude towards the open-door practice of the street shops?
A. Supportive.
B. Disapproving.
C. Optimistic.
D. Uncaring.
2.Why does the author suggest fixing ceiling fans?
A. To follow an old practice.
B. To help reduce energy use.
C. To completely replace air conditioners.
D. To help cut down on daily expenses.
3.What's the key to making sustainable buildings a reality?
A. All parties should get started at the same time.
B. The basic architecture should be finished first.
C. Proper design and performance to achieve energy reduction.
D. Seeking the small-house policy and some successful architects.
4.What would be the best title for the text?
A. Waste less, live better
B. Goodbye, air conditioning
C. How to reduce the energy cost
D. Green buildings call for integrated design
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
When it's five o'clock, people leave their office. The length of the workday, for many workers, it defined by time. They leave when the clocks tells them they’re done.
These days, the time is everywhere: not just on clocks or watches, but on cellphones and computers. That may be a bad thing, particularly at work. New research shows that clock based work schedules hinder creativity.
Clock-timers organize their day by blocks of minutes and hours. For example: a meeting from 9 a. m. to 10 a. m, research from 10 a. m to noon, etc. On the other hand, task-timers have a list of things they want to accomplish. They work down the list, each task starts when the previous task is completed. It is said that all of us employ a mix of both these types of planning.
What, then, are the effects of thinking about time in these different ways? Does one make us more productive? Better at the tasks at hand? Happier? In experiments conducted by Tamar Avnet and Anne-Laure Sellier, they had participants organize different activities from project planning, holiday shopping, to yoga-by time or to-do list to measure how they performed under “ clock time” vs “ task time”. They found clock timers to be more efficient(有效率的) but less happy because they felt little control over their lives. Task timers are happier and more creative, but less productive. They tend to enjoy the moment when something good is happening, and seize opportunities that come up.
The researchers argue that task-based organizing tends to be undervalued and under-supported in the business culture. This might be a small change to the way we view work and the office, but the researchers argue that it challenges a widespread characteristic of the economy; work organized by clock time. While most people will still probably need, and be, to some extent, clock-timers, task-based timing should be used when performing a job that requires more creativity. It’ll make those tasks easier, and the task-doers will be happier.
1.What does the author say a clock-based work?
A. It makes workers very tired.
B. It reminds workers to leave on time.
C. It makes workers aware of the precious time.
D. It may have a bad effect on the creativity.
2.What does the underlined word “hinder” in paragraph 2 mean?
A. Block.
B. Consider.
C. Increase.
D. Value.
3.What did Tamar Avnet and Anne-Laure Sellier find in their experiments about clock-timers?
A. They seize opportunities as they come up.
B. They always get their work done in time.
C. They tend to be more productive.
D. They can control their lives.
4.What do the researchers suggest?
A. Task-based timing is preferred for doing creative work.
B. It is important to keep a balance between work and life.
C. Performing creative jobs tends to make workers happier.
D. A scientific standard should be adopted in job evaluation.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Chinese researchers say they have come up with a simple way to find out a person’s biological age —how much the body has aged physically – through a urine (尿) test.
Their findings will help researchers conduct numbers of ageing studies and even predict a person’s risk of age-related diseases, according to a paper published in the journal Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience.
Another paper by researchers at the Beijing Hospital and the West China Hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan province, said on Tuesday that people aged at different rates due to changes in their genetic make-up and their environment.
Chronological age – which is based on one’s birth date —was an inaccurate measure of biological age so a more accurate method was needed, the team said.
Ageing is driven by the lifelong gradual accumulation of a broad variety of molecular (分子) faults in the body’s cells. The team said they had identified a matter —8-oxoGsn — that indicated increases in oxidative (氧化性) damage in urine as people’s bodies aged.
Cai Jianping, a co-author at the Beijing Hospital, said: “As we age, we suffer increasing oxidative damage and so the levels of oxidative matters increase in our body.” The team tested the levels of 8-oxoGsn in urine samples from 1,228 Chinese people aged two to 90 and concluded the marker helped accurately determine the stage of biological ageing in adults.
They had previously found that 8-oxoGsn levels also increased with age in the urine of animals such as mice.
The team has also developed a rapid analysis technique called ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, which can process up to 10 urine samples an hour, according to the study.
1.Scientifically speaking, by what does a doctor judge the stage of a person getting old?
A. His biological age. B. His condition.
C. His psychology. D. His chronological age.
2.What are the outer factors the speed of one’s ageing physically depend on?
A. One’s birth date.
B. The increases in oxidative damage in urine.
C. The accumulation of various molecular faults in the body’s cells.
D. The changes in their genetic make-up and their environment.
3.Which can take the place of the underlined word “marker” in the sixth paragraph?
A. Molecular faults. B. 8-oxoGsn.
C. Oxidative damage. D. Stage of biological ageing in adults.
4.What is the passage about?
A. Why people are ageing.
B. How to delay people’s ageing physically.
C. A rapid method with which to judge how much people are aging physically.
D. What determines the stage of people’s ageing physically.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Roger Federer, who recently became the oldest man to hold the No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis at the age 36, will bring a 12-match winning streak (连胜) to the BNP Paribas Open, which starts this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Federer, a five-time winner of the hard-court event and a 20-time Grand Slam singles champion, on Tuesday was seeded No. 1 in a field that has been given up by injuries to several excellent players. Among those missing are world No. 2 Rafael Nadal (hip injury), Stan Wawrinka (knee), who lost to Federer in the 2017 final, David Goffin (eye) and Andy Murray (hip surgery).
Federer, who has spent 305 weeks of his career at the top the Assn of Tennis Professional world rankings, must reach the semifinals (半决赛) at Indian Wells to keep his No. 1 status. If he exits sooner than that, Nadal would regain the top spot. Federer has a first-round bye (轮空) and a seemingly easy projected route to the quarterfinals, where he likely would face No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem of Austria.
Five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, who had a small medical intervention (干预) on his troublesome right elbow earlier this year, was seeded 10th in the tournament. Djokovic has played only four matches this year because of his elbow problems and hasn’t played a tournament since he lost to Hyeon Chung of South Korea in the round of 16 at the Australian Open in January.
Maria Sharapova of Russia will face Naomi Osaka of Japan on Wednesday with their match scheduled for not before 5:00 p.m.
On Thursday, Serena Williams will play Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will play Heather Watson of the United Kingdom during the evening session (7 p.m. start).
1.Why does Federer have a seemingly easy projected route to the quarterfinals?
A. Because he is seeded No. 1
B. Because many excellent players are missing.
C. Because he is well enough to beat any player.
D. Because he has a first-round bye.
2.Who is most likely to be the seed next to Federer among the players who can play in the BNP Paribas Open?
A. Rafael Nadal. B. Novak Djokovic.
C. Dominic Thiem. D. Maria Sharapova.
3.What is the trouble with Novak Djokovic, which stopped him playing the tournament?
A. He was seeded 10th in the tournament. B. He has played fewest matches.
C. He lost to Hyeon Chung. D. He has elbow problems.
4.Why does the author use most words to talk about Federer?
A. Because he is seeded No. 1.
B. Because will bring a 12-match winning streak.
C. Because he is the oldest to hold the No. 1 ranking and was seeded No. 1.
D. Because the author believes he can beat anyone in the tournament.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
“City Cycling USA: Los Angeles,” a pocket-sized tour guide to seeing Los Angeles on two wheels, is seemingly for visitors; for locals, its series of bike-friendly paths and itineraries (行程) are a road-map to becoming tourists in their own city again.
“City Cycling” explores five neighborhoods in the Westside and Eastside and generally north of the 10 and south of the 101. Itineraries fit the period of a day, beginning with spots for coffee, walking along museums and shops, and finishing off with recommendations of where to buy a well-deserved drink. Published by Thames and Hudson in association with London cycling brand Rapha Racing, the guidebook is among the first U.S. sections — alongside New York, Chicago and San Francisco — in a series launched in 2013 with biking tours of eight European cities.
Greatest hits such as the Bradbury Building and Echo Park Lake are included in the neighborhood tours, with plenty of fashionable places for where to eat — Eggslut, Pine & Crane and Gjusta. The guide is a reminder of how crowdedly packed each enclave (飞地) of L.A. is with unusual destinations, the large number of places to explore within a few square mile radius (半径), easily done once we step out of the car.
Los Angeles’ famously pleasant weather makes it an ideal city for exploring by bike; neighborhoods have different styles. While the car still plays an important role, cycling culture, like CicLAvia, already has full support, and is prepared to grow with the implementation (实施) of Mobility Plan 2035, which aims to make the city more bike friendly. “City Cycling USA: Los Angeles” is a start.
1.Who is City Cycling USA: Los Angeles really intended for?
A. Locals on bikes. B. Visitors on bikes.
C. Tourist on bikes D. Bicyclists
2.Where does each itinerary begin and end?
A. Where there is a café.
B. Where it is convenient for tourists on bikes.
C. Where drink can be bought easily.
D. Where there are museums and shops.
3.What are Eggslut, Pine & Crane and Gjusta used for?
A. Destinations you can reach within a day.
B. Places where you can eat.
C. Guides to a enclave of L.A. crowded with unusual destinations.
D. Places where you can see the Bradbury Building and Echo Park Lake.
4.Why is Los Angeles fit to explore by bike?
A. Because of its pleasant weather. B. Because of cycling culture.
C. Because of Mobility Plan 2035. D. Because it is bike friendly.
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
警方近期正在缉拿一系列案件的嫌疑人员。阅读下面有关警方通报查找人员的信息(A、B、C、D、E和F),根据案件及人物的描述,选出嫌疑人员,并在答题纸上将相应选项的标号涂黑。选项中有一项是多余的。
1.A valuable dog was taken while being walked by its owner in City Park yesterday afternoon. Police wish to talk to a man seen nearby at the time, described by witnesses as short and fat with short light hair and clear glasses.
2.Yesterday morning at 9.30a.m. a man armed with a gun entered the National Bank and demanded money from the staff, before fleeing when confronted by bank security staff. Security cameras show the man as being short and thin with shoulder length blonde hair.
3.A tall, strong built man with blonde hair, a thick black moustache and wearing dark glasses knocked a woman to the ground and stole her purse on Main Street last Saturday afternoon. If you see this man, do not approach as he is considered extremely dangerous.
4.At the football match between Manchester United and Liverpool, several people had their wallets stolen while waiting in line to buy food. The victims did not see or notice the thief but bystanders describe him as very tall and thin, clean shaven with short light hair.
5.A car was stolen from the supermarket carpark on Friday, June 23 this year by a man described as very young, 1.7 metres tall with thin dark hair and carrying a blue backpack. A reward of $500 is offered for the car’s recovery.
A.
Name: Ziggy Nizott Height: 1.82 m Weight: 90kg Age: 35 Details: Long history of violent crime including robbery, assault and car theft. | B.
Name:Dennis Tsokas Height: 1.95 m Weight: 70 kg Age: 28 Details: Well known to local police having been arrested several times for pick-pocketing. |
C.
Name:Michael Clarke Height: 1.7 m Weight: 65 kg Age: 20 Details: Arrested as a youth for car theft and the selling of stolen goods. | D.
Name:Mark Hughes Height: 1.6 m Weight: 60kg Age: 29 Details: Is wanted by police for several armed robbery of grocery stores, banks and post offices. |
E.
Name: Herb Elliot Height: 1.6 m Weight: 90kg Age: 22 Details: Recently released from prison where he served 2 years or selling stolen goods. | F. Name: William Daniels Height: 1.6 m Weight: 90kg Age: 32 Details: Arrested 4 times for the selling of drugs and car theft. |
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Joe came to New York from the Middle West, dreaming about painting. Delia came to New York from the South, dreaming about music. Joe and Delia met in a studio. Before long they were good friends and got married.
They had only a small flat to live in , but they were happy. They loved each other, and they were both interested in art. Everything was fine until one day they found they had spent all their money.
Delia decided to give music lessons. One afternoon she said to her husband:
“Joe, I’ve found a pupil, a general’s daughter. She is a sweet girl. I’m to give three lessons a week and get $5 a lesson.”
But Joe was not glad.
“But how about me?” he said.” Do you think I’m going to watch you work while I play with my art? No, I want to earn some money too.”
“Joe, you are silly,” said Delia. “You must keep at your studies. We can live quite happily on $15 a week.”
“Well, perhaps I can sell some of my pictures,” said Joe.
Every day they parted in the morning and met in the evening. A week passed and Delia brought home fifteen dollars, but she looked a little tired.
“Clementina sometimes gets on my nerves. I’m afraid she doesn’t practice enough. But the general is the oldest man! I wish you could know him, Joe.”
And then Joe took eighteen dollars out of his pocket.
“I’ve sold one of my pictures to a man from Peoria,” he said, “and he has ordered another.”
“I’m so glad,” said Delia. “Thirty-three dollars! We never had so much to spend before. We’ll have a good supper tonight.”
Next week Joe came home and put another eighteen dollars on the table. In half an hour Delia came, her right hand in a bandage.
“What’s the matter with your hand?” said Joe. Delia laughed and said:
“Oh, a funny thing happened! Clemantina gave me a plate of soup and spilled some of it on my hand. She was very sorry for it. And so was the old general. But why are you looking at me like that, Joe?”
“What time this afternoon did you burn your hand, Delia?”
“Five o’clock, I think. The iron-I mean the soup-was ready about five, Why?”
“Delia, come and sit here,” said Joe. He drew her to the couch and sat beside her.
“What do you do every day, Delia? Do you really give music lesson? Tell me the truth.”
She began to cry.
“I couldn’t get any pupils,” she said, “So I got a place in a laundry ironing shirts. This afternoon a girl accidentally set down an iron on my hand and I got a bad burn. But tell me, Joe, how did you guess that I wasn’t giving music lessons?”
“It’s very simple,” said Joe. “I knew all about your bandages because I had to send them upstairs to a girl in the laundry who had an accident with a hot iron. You see, I work in the engine-room of the same laundry where you work.”
“And your pictures? Did you sell any to that man from Peoria?”
“Well, your general with his Clemantina is an invention, and so is my man from Peoria.”
And then they both laughed.
1.To support the family, Delia worked as ________.
A. a tutor B. a music teacher
C. an artist D. a laundry assistant
2.It happened that ________.
A. a man from Peoria liked Joe’s pictures
B. Delia earned $15 dollars a week easily
C. the couple worked at the same laundry
D. Clemantina and the general were kind
3.Who hurt Delia’s hand?
A. The general B. Clemantina C. Herself D. A girl
4.We can infer from the underlined sentence that ________.
A. Clemantina was an invention of the general
B. Clemantina was an invention of the man from Peoria
C. there were no such men as the general, Clemantina and the man from Peoria
D. the general, Clemantina and the man from Peoria were the couple’s clients
5.The couple’s attitude towards each other is ________.
A. faithful B. honest
C. ashamed D. heartbreaking
6.Which do you think is the best title of the story?
A. A service of love B. A story of Joe and Delia
C. Lies and truth D. Servants of love
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
Famous centenarians (百岁老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year, Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."
Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to train the brain are essential for senior citizens.
Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of a listless elderly generation.
Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a gallbladder (胆囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.
Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for a "good stage role".
Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.
With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.
1.From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______.
A. being active at 102 is achievable for everybody
B. Oliveira owes his long life to his mother’s help
C. being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character
D. social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior
2.How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7
3.By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?” in Paragraph 5, Heesters shows us he ________.
A. wants to sit or lie in comfort
B. is waiting for people to pick him up
C. is willing to work till he dies
D. prefers to give performance at home
4.In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.
A. old age is a big problem if you want to succeed
B. as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic
C. old people should never think of themselves as old
D. old age cannot prevent a great person from achieving a lot
5.In the writer’s opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.
A. intelligent B. pessimistic C. positive D. diligent
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析