-
As the new semester begins, millions of college students across the country are trying hard to remember how best to write a paper or, more likely, how best to delay that paper.
Procrastination is the thief of time and a lot of students suffer form it. They can spend whole days in the library doing nothing but staring into space, eating snacks, surfing the Internet, watching videos and looking at other students sitting around them, who, most likely are doing nothing either.
Paralyzed (使失去活力) by their habit to procrastinate, they write micro blogs about their fears, asking their online friends if they sometimes have the same issue. But this does nothing to break the spell (魔咒).
According to a recent report, 95 percent of us procrastinate at some point and 20 percent of the world’s population are always procrastinating. The figures are disappointing. Procrastinators are less wealthy, less healthy and less happy than those who don’t delay. Procrastinators like to find excuses to justify their behavior, but BBC columnist Rowan Pelling says they are all wrong.
Many procrastinators tell themselves they are perfectionists who work best under pressure. Pelling says this is non sense, as work done at the last minute is more likely to have mistakes than work done on time. The behavior of procrastinators often makes them feel ashamed, inconveniences others and annoys loved ones.
Pelling also points out that procrastination feels particularly delinquent（过失的） in a society that thinks of speedy action as admirable, and, at times, even as a moral good.
Fortunately, social scientists have thrown their weight behind efforts to understand this behavioral mistake and offer strategies to control it. Piers Steel, a Canadian social scientist and author of The Procrastination Equation, believes human is “designed” to procrastinate. Nevertheless, he suggests a couple of good ways to get through the task at hand.
1.Which behavior belongs to procrastination?
A. Never dream away the time.
B. Always complete the tasks ahead of time.
C. Never put off till tomorrow what should be done today.
D. Always wait to work until the “good mood” or “good time”.
2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
A. Procrastination makes people waste their time.
B. Speedy action is considered as a moral standard in the society.
C. procrastinators usually complete their tasks perfectly.
D. Procrastination is common among people.
3.What is most likely to be discuss
ed in the paragraph that follows?
A. Ways to handle the study pressures.
B. Introduction to the book The Procrastination Equation.
C. More examples to illustrate procrastination
D. Measures to deal with procrastination.
-
As the new semester begins, millions of college students across the country are trying hard to remember how best to write a paper or, more likely, how best to delay that paper.
Procrastination is the thief of time and a lot of students suffer form it. They can spend whole days in the library doing nothing but staring into space, eating snacks, surfing the Internet, watching videos and looking at other students sitting around them, who, most likely are doing nothing either.
Paralyzed (使失去活力) by their habit to procrastinate, they write micro blogs about their fears, asking their online friends if they sometimes have the same issue. But this does nothing to break the spell (魔咒).
According to a recent report, 95 percent of us procrastinate at some point and 20 percent of the world’s population are always procrastinating. The figures are disappointing. Procrastinators are less wealthy, less healthy and less happy than those who don’t delay. Procrastinators like to find excuses to justify their behavior, but BBC columnist Rowan Pelling says they are all wrong.
Many procrastinators tell themselves they are perfectionists who work best under pressure. Pelling says this is non sense, as work done at the last minute is more likely to have mistakes than work done on time. The behavior of procrastinators often makes them feel ashamed, inconveniences others and annoys loved ones.
Pelling also points out that procrastination feels particularly delinquent（过失的） in a society that thinks of speedy action as admirable, and, at times, even as a moral good.
Fortunately, social scientists have thrown their weight behind efforts to understand this behavioral mistake and offer strategies to control it. Piers Steel, a Canadian social scientist and author of The Procrastination Equation, believes human is “designed” to procrastinate. Nevertheless, he suggests a couple of good ways to get through the task at hand.
1.Which behavior belongs to procrastination?
A. Never dream away the time.
B. Always complete the tasks ahead of time.
C. Never put off till tomorrow what should be done today.
D. Always wait to work until the “good mood” or “good time”.
2.According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
A. Procrastination makes people waste their time.
B. Speedy action is considered as a moral standard in the society.
C. procrastinators usually complete their tasks perfectly.
D. Procrastination is common among people.
3.What is most likely to be discussed in the paragraph that follows?
A. Ways to handle the study pressures.
B. Introduction to the book The Procrastination Equation.
C. More examples to illustrate procrastination
D. Measures to deal with procrastination.
-
As each semester begins, my colleague greets his students wearing a jacket and tie.
“You make only one first impression,” he says. So while the rest of the semester he teaches class in his usual, more casual clothes, the first week he presents a different image.
His thought is that students will remember their first meet positively and more readily think highly of him as the semester goes on because that favorable first impression has an influence on them.
The sequence (顺序) that we meet matters in how we judge subsequent (后来的) information. The big influence of first impressions is related to the halo effect, where the perception (看法) of positive qualities in one thing or part gives rise to the perception of similar qualities in related things or in the whole.
Here is an example: You meet a friendly person at a party and later are asked to collect money for a worthy cause. You call that person because you think she will make a contribution. In reality, there is no connection between being pleasant and being generous. Yet the halo effect leads you to think that the two are related.
The halo effect is powerful, but it is questionable whether it matters much in long-term relationships, such as that between teacher and student. While dressing up may make students think the teacher must know his subject matter because he creates a professional first impression, the effect wears thin if the person turns out to be a poor teacher after all.
First impressions matter but they don’t have the final word. Facts speak louder. If you had never seen or heard of Einstein, the first time you saw him your impression would most likely be negative. Now his face is connected with genius (天才), not madness because he is the person who has come to define what genius is.
The problem is that few of us are Einsteins and we often don’t get the chance to change a negative first impression.
1. The author explains the halo effect mainly by _____.
A. following the order of importance
B. making a comparison
C. setting down general rules
D. giving an example
2.In the author’s eyes, the halo effect _____.
A. is surprisingly powerful
B. matters more in the long run
C. makes some teachers irresponsible
D. may affect our judgment of others
3. The author uses the example of Einstein to show the importance of _____.
A. appearance B. impressions
C. truth D. fairness
4.The author seems to advise readers _____.
A. not to follow others’ judgments
B. not to judge a book by its cover
C. to mind their first impressions
D. to pay no attention to the halo effect
-
During the high school career, students may begin to question the importance of a college education. They might find themselves asking, “Why is it important to go to college?” The answer is that, more than ever, college graduates enjoy much greater opportunities available to them than those who have not received a college education.
For many high school students, being able to immediately generate an income after graduation is an appealing thought. They may also be affected by the rising cost of tuition, and while it is true that a higher education may be one of the largest expenses you will ever face, the importance of a college education has become quite evident in terms of earning potential within today’s economy.
Why should you go to college? One important answer to this question is more opportunity. As opposed to generations of the past, high school graduates today are unable to obtain high-paying jobs that were once available. The U.S. has been transformed from a manufacturing-based economy to an economy based on knowledge, and the importance of a college education today can be compared to that of a high school education forty years ago. It serves as the gateway to better options and more opportunity.
There are additional reasons as to why it is important to go to college. When students experience a post secondary education, they have the opportunity to read books and listen to the lectures of top experts in their fields. This encourages students to think, ask questions, and explore new ideas, which allows for additional growth and development and provides college graduates with more opportunities in the job market over those who have not experienced a higher education.
The importance of a college education is also stressed because of the opportunity to gain valuable resources during the study. The more connections which are collected during your college career, the more options you will have when you begin your job search. Once you have ended your job search and have started your career, however, the importance of a college education has not been exhausted. Having a college degree often provides for greater promotion opportunity.
So, why should you go to college? The reasoning does not begin and end with the job aspect. A good education is beneficial from many different viewpoints, and though the importance of a college education is quite evident for many high school students, what is often not as clear is how they will pay for that education.
1.Why do some high school graduates prefer working to college study?
A.To obtain high-paying jobs. B.To earn money at an early age.
C.To spend less money on tuition. D.To adapt to the knowledge-based society.
2.The author most likely agrees with the idea that ____.
A.too much time is spent on lectures in college study
B.high school education is a gateway to more opportunity
C.college graduates gain more chances over others in job market
D.a college degree guarantees promotion in American companies
3.What is most likely to be talked about in the paragraph after the last paragraph of the passage?
A.Refusing college education. B.Changing college education.
C.Receiving college education. D.Affording college education.
4.What can be the best title for the passage?
A.Importance of college education. B.Education means opportunity.
C.Which is more important, job or education? D.How to survive in the college.
5.Which of the following shows the development of ideas in the passage?
I: Introduction P: Point Sp: Sub-point (次要点) C: Conclusion
A.
B.
C.
D.
-
A new report says the number of foreign students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by three percent last year. This has been the first obvious increase since 2001.
American schools last fall had 583,000 foreign students. The record is 586,000. That was set in 2002 after many years of gains. But after that the numbers fell. The terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 led to more visa (ǩ֤) requirements. Now stronger efforts are being made to get more foreign students to study in the United States.
China remained in second place in front of South Korea but behind India, which sent almost 84,000 students last fall. The number of Japanese fell sharply by nine percent, although it remained in fourth place.
There were three percent drops from Indonesia and Kenya, the only African country in the top twenty last year. But there were obvious increases from Saudi Arabia, Nepal and Vietnam. The number of Saudi students more than doubled, rising to nearly eight thousand.
For a sixth year, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles had the most foreign students. Columbia University in New York was second. Other schools in the top five were New York University, the University of Illinois and Purdue University.
Unlike American students in other countries, who often choose history and language study, the leading area of study in the USA was business and management. Second was engineering.
The new report also says more than 220,000 Americans studied in other countries. That was during the 2005-2006 school year. It was a record number, and an increase of eight and a half percent from the year before. But only five percent of them stayed for a full year.
1 After 2002, the number of foreign students in the USA fell mainly because ____ .
A. Americans were worried that foreign students might attack them
B. few American universities welcomed students from abroad
C. their own countries could offer them a better education
D. it was harder for foreign students to get permission to study in the USA
2 Which of the following Asian countries has the largest number of students studying in the USA?
A. China. B. Japan. C. South Korea. D. India.
3 Which subject is the most attractive to foreign students in the USA?
A. Business and management. B. History.
C. Engineering. D. Language.
4We can learn from the passage that ____ .
A. Kenya is the only African country that has students in the USA
B. now foreign students are encouraged to study in the USA
C. the number of students studying in America always increases
D. the number of foreign students in the USA will keep increasing in the future
5 In which section of a newspaper could you most probably read this passage?
A. Culture. B. Science. C. Education. D. Business.
-
It was the beginning of a new term. As a(n) 36 teacher in that school, I didn’t know any of the students. A little girl was 37 at the gate of the classroom. She looked very 38 .
I walked up to her and asked 39 she stood there. But she said 40 . Instead, a boy shouted, “She is from Grade Four, the 41 student in her grade.” I looked at the little girl, who didn’t seem to be the smart kind. I 42 why her teacher asked her to stay in Grade Three. I took her hand and 43 her into the classroom.
“Sit here. Now you are my student and I’m your teacher,” I said. She 44 said nothing, but she burst into tears.
I later learnt that her parents 45 in a car accident, and she had 46 talking to others since then. She learnt very 47 . I gave her respect and never 48 her as I know everybody deserves (值得) respect. I 49 her after school, and she was making 50 little by little. I encouraged her and as 51 went by, she was not as shy as before. At the end of the term, she seemed to have forgotten all her 52 . She was not one of the best students when she left that school, 53 at least, she was not that shy and sad little girl any longer.
In the following 54 , she would send me a card on each Thanksgiving Day. Three days ago, I received a(n) 55 to her wedding. And now, I am at her wedding, and she is smiling brightly.
Everyone deserves respect and everyone can be happy!
1.A. old B. new C. good D. famous
2.A. smiling B. sitting C. standing D. crying
3.A. tall B. shy C. beautiful D. kind
4.A. if B. when C. why D. how
5.A. something B. anything C. nothing D. everything
6.A. worst B. shortest C. ugliest D. smartest
7.A. remembered B. thought C. asked D. understood
8.A. threw B. pushed C. pulled D. led
9.A. firstly B. still C. surprisingly D. finally
10.A. fought B. disappeared C. met D. died
11.A. kept B. stopped C. advised D. forgot
12.A. fast B. widely C. slowly D. quietly
13.A. played jokes with B. thought highly of C. took care of D. looked down upon
14.A. helped B. served C. chose D. pleased
15.A. progress B. happiness C. marks D. surprises
16.A. dreams B. efforts C. energy D. time
17.A. joy B. sadness C. past D. anger
18.A. since B. because C. so D. but
19.A. hours B. years C. months D. days
20.A. invitation B. card C. key D. letter
-
Every year, thousands of students choose to study in another country for a semester, the summer, or a year. Studying overseas can be an exciting experience for many people.
Why do you study overseas?
Living in another country can help you to learn a language, and about another culture. You will see the world in a new way, and learn more about yourself. 1. Many companies today want employees who speak a second language, or have experienced living or working in another country.
Make the right choice.
Once you decide to study overseas, you have to make some choices. To choose the right country or school, ask yourself: Where do I want to go and why? How much do I want to pay? How long do I want to study overseas? 2.
3.
Get your passport and visa (签证) early! Before you go, learn some of the language, and read about some common customs in your host country. 4. Bring some of it, and a credit card with you.
Once you are there.
After the first few weeks overseas, many students will feel a little homesick. They may miss their family, and familiar ways of doing things. 5. When you feel sad or homesick, try to talk to others, or write your feelings in a notebook.
A.Get ready to go.
B.Learn about the country.
C.Get quick access (进入) to foreign universities.
D.Overseas study may also look good on your future resume(简历).
E.Do I want to live with a host family, with roommates, or alone?
F.Remember that it takes time to get used to a new place, school, and culture.
G.As a study-abroad student, you will pay tuition fees (学费) to the overseas institution.
-
Every summer, the Serengeti plains (平原) of Africa are worth visiting. Millions of wild animals begin their 1,800-mile journey northwards on their annual migratory (迁移的) route.
In the month of November, polar bears in their thousands cross the Canadian Arctic, as they head towards the ice sheets of Hudson Bay. The sea ice that forms every winter is the key to the bear’s managing to exist, for here they hunt for seals (海豹).
The Great Bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds, migrates each year across Europe and Asia to its wintering grounds. Unluckily, these and other migratory animals are in danger from human activity.
We have written several articles on climate change and the effect of rising ocean temperatures. Since 1979, ice sheets in the Arctic have gone down by 30 percent. What does this mean for polar bears? They are forced to stay on land for longer periods of time, which delays their search for food. As a result, bears today are 60 pounds lighter than what they were. Besides, smaller bears also produce weaker babies, and their chances of survival are at risk. In the plains of Africa, migratory animals like gazelles are traveling long distances for food, just to avoid falling prey (牺牲品) to humans who hunt them.
In an unusual step, experts from 120 countries have agreed to protect 31 migratory mammals, fish and birds. The United Nation’s 11th annual Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was held in Quito, Ecuador. For the first time, 900 experts attended the conference, and the enthusiastic support shows the world is united in conservation (保护) efforts.
What does getting on a protected list mean? Countries that have signed the agreement will be required to pass laws locally and work with other countries that fall within the animal’s migratory path. Only one animal did not make the list. The African lion was rejected (拒绝) for lack of information of the countries where it lives.
1.What can we learn from the passage?
A. The Great Bustard is one of the largest flying birds.
B. The weight of polar bears today is lighter than what it was.
C. In the 1970s, ice sheets went down by 30 percent.
D. 120 experts have agreed to protect 21 migratory animals.
2.Why was the African lion not included in the list from the passage?
A. We don’t know which countries it lives in.
B. It isn’t a migratory animal.
C. Experts were not interested in this animal.
D. It was not traveling long distances for food.
3.The writer writes this passage aiming to __________.
A. let us know about the animals
B. prevent the rare animals from dying out
C. inform us of the effects of climate change
D. draw our attention to helping the migratory animals
4.All these factors have probably put the migratory animals in danger EXCEPT _______.
A. some human activity B. the enthusiastic support from experts
C. rising ocean temperatures D. climate change
-
Each year there is an increasing number of cars on roads and streets as millions of new cars and trucks are produced. One out of every six Americans works at putting together the parts of cars, driving trucks, building roads or filling cars and trucks with gas. Americans won’t live without cars!
Most Americans would find it hard to think what life would look like without cars. However, some have realized the serious problems of the air pollution that is caused by the car.
The polluted air becomes poisonous and dangerous to health.
One way to get rid of the polluted air is to build a car that does not pollute. That’s what several of the large car factories have been trying to do. But to build a clean car is easier said than done. Progress in this field has been slow.
Another way is to take the place of the car engine by something else. Inventors are now working on steam cars as well as electric cars. Many makers believe that it will take years to develop a practical model that pleases man.
To prevent the world from being polluted by cars, we’ll have to make some changes in the way many of us live. Americans, for example, have to cut down on the number of their total cars. They are encouraged to travel and go to work by bicycle. Bicycling is thought to help keep the air clean.
But this change does not come easily. A large number of workers may find themselves without jobs if a car factory closes down. Thus the problem of air pollution would become less important than that of unemployment.
Although cars have led us to a better life, they have also brought us new problems.
1.How many ways to get rid of air pollution are suggested in this article by the writer?
A. Four. B. Three.
C. Two. D. One.
2.If the number of cars is cut down, the most serious problem to American workers is_______.
A. to have no work to do B. to keep the air clean
C. to get a better life D. to go to work by bike
3.What is the conclusion(结论) of the writer?
A. Bicycling is the only way out.
B. The number of cars must be cut down.
C. Cars bring us nothing but serious problems.
D. Cars bring us not only a better life but serious problems.
4.To reduce pollution, we’ll have to make some changes in the way many of us live, EXCEPT that ______.
A. Americans have to cut down on the number of their total cars.
B. People are encouraged to travel and go to work by bicycle.
C. The number of cars on the roads should be limited every day.
D. People should build more roads and fill cars and trucks with gas.
-
At the beginning of the 20th century there were more than a million lions worldwide. Today there are less than 30,000 in the wild. The remaining lions are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, hunting and activities to protect farms and cattle.
For generations, Masai tribesmen on the large African plains in southeastern Kenya have hunted lions — to protect their farms and cattle. Today they celebrate the lions’ life.
Noah is an elder in the Masai community. “We have decided as a community of the Masai to lay down our spears, and there will be no more killing of lions in our community.” He is part of a group of Masai visiting the United States promoting (推广) the Predator Compensation Program.
Conservation International’s Frank Hawkins explains, “The Masai have been living with wildlife for many generations and it has been a conflicting ( 有冲突的) relationship in many ways. They compete with the animals for food as lions eat their cattle. We’re trying to find ways in which the wildlife will become something useful to them.” They had the Predator Compensation Fund founded in 2003. After much discussion, a group of Masai farmers agreed to protect lions. In turn, if lions or other predators kill their cattle, the Masai owner will be paid market value for the dead animals from the fund.
One man said that in the past, when a lion killed cattle, they killed it immediately. And now, after the start of the program, the Masai see the lion population growing. Since 2003, only four lions have been killed here.
1.What is the aim of the Predator Compensation Program?
A．To protect people in the wild. B．To protect Masai’s farms.
C．To protect lions only. D．To protect the wildlife.
2.According to the passage, why haven’t Masai tribesmen killed many lions since 2003?
A．Because lions don’t eat their cattle any more.
B．Because they will be fined if they kill lions there.
C．Because the fund will pay for dead animals killed by lions
D．Because there are less than 30,000 lions in the wild now.
3.What do you think of the Masai ?
A．Wise. B．Mean. C．Generous. D．Stupid.
ed in the paragraph that follows?