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Personal Forgiveness
ㅤTaking responsibility for mistakes is a positive step,but don't beat yourself up about them. To err (犯错)is human.(1)____You can use the following writing exercise to help you do this.
ㅤIn a journal or on a piece of paper,put the heading "Personal strengths."(2)____ Are you caring?Creative?Generous?A good listener?Fun to be around?They don't have to be world ﹣changing,just aspects of your personality that you're proud of.
ㅤAt the top of a second page,put the heading"Acts of kindness." On this one,list all the positive things you've done for others. It might be the time when you helped a friend with their homework,when you did the ironing without being asked,or when you baked cookies after the family had had a tiring day.(3)____
ㅤYou could ask a friend or family member to help add to your list.(4)____That way,you could exchange thoughts on what makes each of you special and the aspects of your personality that shine through. In fact,don't wait until you've made a mistake to try this—it's a great way to boost self﹣confidence at any time.
ㅤIt's something of a cliché(陈词滥调) that most people learn not from their successes but their mistakes.
The thing is,it's true.(5)____We' re all changing and learning all the time and mistakes are a positive way to develop and grow.
A. |
A little self﹣forgiveness also goes a long way. |
B. |
Now list all the characteristics you like about yourself. |
C. |
They might even like to have a go at doing the exercise. |
D. |
It's just as important to show yourself some forgiveness. |
E. |
It doesn't mean you have to ignore what's happened or forget it. |
F. |
Whatever it is,no matter how small it might seem,write it down. |
G. |
Whatever the mistake,remember it isn't a fixed aspect of your personality. |
ㅤIndoor plants might look as if they just sit around not doing much,but in many ways they are the unsung heroes of the home.(1)_____,but studies have shown that they can promote people's wellbeing by improving their mood(心情),reducing stress and helping their memory.What's more,indoor plants are easy to look after and are not very expensive.
ㅤWhat are indoor plants?
ㅤIndoor plants,also known as houseplants or pot plants,are plants that like to grow indoors.Many of these species(物种) are not ideally suited to growing outside in the UK,especially in the winter.(2)_____
ㅤWhy are indoor plants good for you?
ㅤWill Spoelstra,who works at the Royal Botanic Gardens,says,"(3)_____.I find during the winter months,plants around the house can really lift your mood."Several studies have backed this up and found that indoor plants can improve creativity,focus and memory.There is also research showing that pot plants can clean the air around them by removing harmful gases,such as carbon dioxide.They also remove some harmful chemicals from paints or cooking.(4)_____
ㅤWhich plants can you grow?
ㅤAloe vera,peace lilies and spider plants are some of the species that are easy to grow indoors.You can buy plants from supermarkets,garden centres or online.Younger plants are often cheaper than fully grown ones,and you get to care for them as they mature—which is part of the joy of owning plants."(5)_____." Spoelstra says." It can bring a new interest and focus into people's lives and help to make the link between home and nature."
A. |
All plants are different |
B. |
Not only do they look beautiful |
C. |
There are many benefits to growing plants indoors |
D. |
Instead,they grow better inside,where it is warmer |
E. |
Plants like peace lilies and devil's ivy are among the best |
F. |
Changing the pot of your plant from time to time will also help |
G. |
Learning about the requirements of each plant can be very rewarding. |
Tricks To Becoming A Patient Person
ㅤHere's a riddle:What do traffic jams,long lines and waiting for a vacation to start all have in common?There's one answer(1) .
ㅤIn the Digital Age,we're used to having what we need immediately and right at our fingertips.However,research suggests that if we practiced patience,we'd be a whole lot better off.Here are several tricks.
ㅤ●Practice gratitude(感激)
ㅤThankfulness has a lot of benefits:Research shows it makes us happier,less stressed and even more optimistic.(2) . " Showing thankfulness can foster self control," said Ye Li,researcher at the University of California.
ㅤ●Make yourself wait
ㅤInstant gratification( 满足) may seem like the most " feel good" option at the time,but psychology research suggests waiting for things actually makes us happier in the long run.And the only way for us to get into the habit of waiting is to practice. (3) .Put off watching your favorite show until the weekend or wait 10 extra minutes before going for that cake.You'll soon find that the more patience you practice,the more you start to apply it to other,more annoying situations.
ㅤ●(4)
ㅤSo many of us have the belief that being comfortable is the only state we will tolerate,and when we experience something outside of our comfort zone,we get impatient about the circumstances.You should learn to say to yourself, "(5) . " You'll then gradually become more patient.
A. |
Find your causes |
B. |
Start with small tasks |
C. |
Accept the uncomfortable |
D. |
All this adds up to a state of hurry |
E. |
It can also help us practice more patience |
F. |
This is merely uncomfortable,not intolerable |
G. |
They're all situations where we could use a little extra patience |
It's a joyful and stressful time of year in the United States for students and their families as they make decisions about where to attend college. Families often turn to rankings systems to help make a decision.(1)
When I talk to families as a scholar of higher education,they're often surprised that teaching excellence is not counted in rankings.(2)
Emerging research suggests that courses in lower﹣ranked universities,on average,scored higher on teaching than courses in higher﹣ranked universities.(3) The absence of teaching excellence from the rankings is surprising given the link between high﹣quality teaching and student success. Quality teaching is one of the most important predictors of a wide range of college outcomes.
Rankings,however,are only one reason why a low value is placed on teaching in higher education. Administrators often don't view teaching excellence as a way to increase enrollment(注册)or funding.(4) Research shows that the more time instructors spend on teaching,the lower their salary. What is the result?Many instructors continue to teach using traditional lectures,which lead to lower success rates.
(5) Nevertheless,not much will change until schools with high﹣quality teaching are rewarded with more resources,higher rankings and increased enrollments. In the long term,universities,organisations that rank schools,and others should work to make teaching a valued,core part of the mission.
What should students and their families do?They should give strong consideration to universities where high﹣quality teaching is valued,even though the schools may be ranked lower.
A. |
Higher education has achieved its true potential. |
B. |
Therefore,it's not highly valued in hiring or promotion. |
C. |
Quality teaching has been an important reputation﹣building factor. |
D. |
However,the rankings ignore a critical factor:the quality of teaching. |
E. |
Efforts to improve teaching at the university level have recently emerged. |
F. |
They're even more surprised at how teaching is undervalued by universities. |
G. |
In fact,universities often shift emphasis from teaching to other ranking factors. |
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If the only reading you ever do is the novel or magazine, the speed at which you read -probably does not matter very much. But if you have to read a great deal for study, you will appreciate the benefits of being able to read more quickly. 16 _________
·Before you open the book, make sure that you are comfortable. You need a seat which supports your back and the book should be at the right distance from your eyes. 17 _________
18 ___________Look at the table of contents, the preface, the chapter heading,etc.This will help you to decide whether you really need to read the whole book or only certain parts of it. Ten minutes spent in this way could save you quite a lot of time in the long run.
· If you decide that you need to read the whole book, decide how much you can read at a time. 19_______ A history book which may contain the facts in story form will be easier to read than one dealing with scientific subjects. In the former case you may be able to read a chapter. In the latter you may only be able to read one page.
Always keep a pencil and paper beside you. 20 ___________Note also the facts important for your purpose as well as anything which leads you to further research. You don't have to write these things in detail. It is enough to put the page number and one or two words as a reminder .
A. | Stop to have a rest now and then. |
B. | Spend a few minutes looking through the book. |
C. | This depends on the type of book you are reading. |
D. | Here are some tips to help improve your reading speed. |
E. | Make a note of any page which is of special importance. |
F. | You may find yourself having to leam something by heart. |
G. | G Keep the room cool rather than warm to avoid feeling sleepy. |
Music has long been considered to be an enjoyable pastime for many people. 35 The mental health benefits from music can't be argued.Music could also be helping you with many other health problems behind the scenes.
36 However, for the same reason, music can be very beneficial if one is in pain.By distracting (分心) the mind from the pain, music, people say, can lower stress and anxiety levels.This, of course, can lead to less pain.
Many people enjoy relaxing music in the evening prior to going to bed. 37 While the validity of the idea is still being assessed,the lowered stress can even be tied back to blood pressure.Similarly, according to researchers,listening to just 30 minutes of soft music every day may help with healthy blood sugar levels, through the lowering of stress and anxiety.
When it comes to heart health,there is speculation (推测) that it's not the style of music, but rather the tempo that makes it so good for your heart health.In one European study,participants listened to music as the researchers monitored their heart rates and blood pressure. 38 On the other hand,when the music slowed,the participants' stress and anxiety levels became lower and the effects on heart rates appeared to follow suit.
39 But there is a whole range of other health issues that turning up the radio could be beneficial for,which is what makes music so valuable.
A. |
This feeling can also result in many other health problems. |
B. |
Some experts say that music can be harmful if it is too loud. |
C. |
This idea is a little off-the-wall but still has scientific backing. |
D. |
They say it can play a big role in calming the brain enough to sleep. |
E. |
The implications of music on overall well-being are really impressive. |
F. |
It is also highly popular due to the individualized effects on stress and anxiety. |
G. |
Interestingly,the more cheerful the music was,the faster their heart rates were. |
A. The format of magazines enables children to be exposed to a wide variety of subjects. B. Magazines and newspapers provide adults with critical news. C. Being exposed to magazines and newspapers benefits you a lot. D. Keep interesting magazine pictures to give children story ideas. E. Magazines are valuable assets for many people, but in particular to children. F. Magazines and newspapers are expensive now but out of style. |
Magazine Articles: More Valuable Than You May Think
Parents are often surprised when teachers suggest their children read magazines. Read on to learn about the benefits that reading magazines offers to young readers and how to introduce your children to the medium.
Magazine Benefits
Magazine articles can provide reluctant readers with a lively, breezy writing style that can inspire them to read more.
The articles in magazines are generally short, which allows a child to finish reading a feature article without losing interest due to a short attention span. The writing in magazines also tends to be easy to read, especially if it is a children's publication.
By allowing your child to read magazines at an early age, you are encouraging development of a useful skill.(1) Getting into the habit of reading periodicals as a child will foster the habit of reading news articles that may continue into adulthood.
(2) Magazine articles challenge students to think about issues they may have never considered or cause them to rethink their world view. Information is available in a wide variety of reading levels because magazines are written for every audience imaginable. Many publications cover the same material in different writing styles that might make it easier for your child to comprehend.
Magazine Activities
Reading magazines as a family can be used to introduce each other to the various interests that each family member possesses. When your children are finished with their magazines, encourage them to pass their issue on to a sibling or other family member.
Once each family member has finished reading each magazine, you can use them for art and writing projects. These projects are for family members of all ages:
1. Cut out pictures to help your preschool and kindergarten children learn their alphabet, numbers, and colors.
2. (3) Paste the picture at the top of a page and have them write a story about what is happening or what the picture represents.
3. Clip pictures to create a collage. Many teenagers love using their artistic talents to collage.
(4) The skills that students utilize and strengthen when reading magazines can be applied to higher level reading and other academic subjects. Encouraging your child to read by giving them a magazine subscription could cause them to take the leap from being a reluctant reader to a voracious page﹣turner.
A. committed B. compared C. contact D. delegation E. destructive F. humble G. negotiate H. respelled I. similarity J. superiors K. witnessed |
Some Very "American" Words Come from Chinese
Many of the Chinese words that are now part of English were borrowed long ago. They are most often from Cantonese (粤语) or other Chinese languages rather than Mandarin. Let's start with them.
kowtow
The English word kowtow is a verb that means to agree too easily to do what someone else wants you to do, or to obey someone with power in a way that seems (1) . It comes from the Cantonese word kau tau, which means "knock your head". It refers to the act of kneeling and lowering one's head as a sign of respect to (2) such as emperors, elders and leaders. In the case of emperors, the act required the person to touch their head to the ground. Britain's Lord George Macartney refused to "kau tau" to the Qianlong Emperor. Soon after, the English word "kowtow" was born. In 1793, Britain's King George III sent Lord George Macartney and other trade ambassadors to China to (3) a trade agreement. The Chinese asked them to kowtow to the Qianlong Emperor. As the story goes, Lord Macartney refused for his (4) to do more than bend their knees. He said that was all they were required to do for their own king.
It is not surprising, then, that Macartney left China without negotiating the trade agreement. After that, critics used the word kowtow when anyone was too submissive to China. Today, the usage has no connection to China, nor any specific political connection.
gung﹣ho
Another borrowed word that came about through (5) between two nations is gung﹣ho. In English, the word gung﹣ho is an adjective that means extremely excited about doing something. The Chinese characters "gong" and "he" together mean "work together, cooperate." The original term gongyehezuoshe means Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. The organizations were established in the 1930s by Westerners in China to promote industrial and economic development. Lt. Colonel Evans Carlson of the United States Marine Corps observed these cooperatives while he was in China. He was impressed, saying "…all the soldiers (6) themselves to one idea and worked together to put that idea over." He then began using the term gung﹣ho in the Marine Corps to try to create the same spirit he had (7) . In 1942, he used the word as a training slogan for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion during World War II. The men were often called the "Gung Ho Battalion." From then, the word gung﹣ho spread as a slogan throughout the Marine Corps. Today, its meaning has no relation to the military.
typhoon
In English, a typhoon is a very powerful and (8) storm that occurs around the China Sea and in the South Pacific. The word history of typhoon had a far less direct path to the English language than gung﹣ho. And not all historical accounts are the same. But, according to the Merriam﹣webster New Book of Word Histories, the first typhoons reported in the English language were in India and were called "touffons" or "tufans." The word tufan or al﹣tufan is Arabic and means violent storm or flood. The English came across this word in India and borrowed it as touffon. Later, when English ships encountered violent storms in the China Sea, Englishmen learned the Cantonese word tai fung, which means "great wind." The word's (9) to touffon is only by chance. The modern form of the word typhoon was influenced by the Cantonese but (10) to make it appear more Greek.
A. Clear solutions already exist for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. B. Despite this, how our dietary choices affect climate change is often underestimated. C. Food, especially livestock, also lakes up a lot of room D. In developed countries, vegetarianism would bring all sorts of environmental and health benefits. E. No matter how much their carnivorous friends might deny it, vegetarians have a point: cutting out meat delivers multiple benefits. F. Though a relatively small increase in agricultural land, this would more than make up for the loss of meat. |
W hat would happen if the world suddenly went vegetarian?
People become vegetarians for a variety of reasons. Some do it to make animal suffering, others because they want to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Still others are fans of sustainability or wish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (1) And the more who make the switch, the more those perks would manifest on a global scale.
Jarvis and other experts at Colombia's International Centre for Tropical Agriculture carried out researches to see what might happen if meat dropped off the planet's menu overnight.
First they examined climate change. Food production accounts for one﹣quarter to one﹣third of all greenhouse gas emissions from human activities worldwide, and the worst of responsibility for those numbers falls to the livestock industry. (2) In the US, for example, an average family of four emits more greenhouse gases because of the meat they eat than from driving two cars but it is cars, not steaks, that regularly come up in discussions about global warming.
(3) Of the world's approximately 12 billion acres of agricultural land, 68% is used for livestock. Should we all go vegetarian, ideally we would give at least 80% of that pastureland (牧场) to the restoration of grasslands and forests, which would capture carbon and further alleviate climate change.
The remaining 10 to 20% of former pastureland could be used for growing more crops to fill gaps in the food supply.(4) That's because one﹣third of the land currently used for crops is dedicated to producing food for livestock not for humans.
A. suspected B. fortunately C. invasions D. inevitable E. accustomed F. unreliable G. features H. acknowledged I. inclusion J. transferred K. instantly |
The iPhone X, Apple's new smart phone, is equipped with facial recognition. (1) , its scanner can unlock the system. It requires no buttons to be pressed, being always ready to read your face. Android users can expect similar (2) as well.
For the millions of people who will soon depend on facial recognition to check their email, send a text or make a call, it will be quick, easy and pretty "cool" to use. However, as we grow (3) to the technology, we cannot become numb to the problems that come with it.
Facial recognition is already used everywhere. In China, police use the technology to identify people who jaywalk (乱穿马路). In the United State, more than half of all adults are in a facial recognition database that can be used for criminal investigation. Governments, however, are not the only users of facial recognition. Retailers (零售商) use the technology in their stores to identify (4) shoplifters. One social media app in Russia allows strangers to find out who you are just by taking a photo of you.
However, different users of facial recognition produce different levels of accuracy. Camera distance, lighting, facial pose all affect the accuracy. Officials at the New York Police Department, for example, have (5) at least five misidentifications by their facial recognition system. If the iPhone's new system is similarly (6) , no one will consider it to be acceptable security for our personal information. (7) , it probably won't be. But for many of the systems elsewhere, mistakes and (8) of privacy might be unavoidable.
As the smart phone of choice for many users, the iPhone's (9) of facial recognition may encourage consumers to accept the technology elsewhere. However, even as we choose to explore the convenience facial recognition might offer, we should also be suspicious of the many ways it can be used. Facial recognition may well be (10) . Its risks need not be!
Before there was the written word, there was the language of dance. Dance expresses love and hate, joy and sorrow, life and death, and everything else in between.
(1) We dance from Florida to Alaska, from north to south and sea to sea. we dance at weddings, birthdays, office parties and just to fill the time.
"I adore dancing," says Lester Bridges, the owner of a dance studio in Iowa. "I can′t imagine doing anything else with my life." Bridges runs dance classes for all ages. "Teaching dancing is wonderful.(2) It's great to watch them. For many of them, it's a way of meeting people and having a social life."
(3) "I can tell you about one young couple," says Bridges." They're learning to traditional dances. They arrive at the class in low spirits and they leave with a smile.(4) "
So, do we dance in order to make ourselves feel better, calmer, healthier? Andrea Hillier says, " Dance, like the pattern of a beating heart, is life. Even after all these years, I want to get better and better.(5) I find it hard to stop! Dancing reminds me I'm alive."
A. |
So why do we dance? |
B. |
Dance in the U.S. is everywhere. |
C. |
If you like dancing outdoors, come to America. |
D. |
My older students say it makes them feel young. |
E. |
I keep practicing even when I'm extremely tired. |
F. |
Dancing seems to change their feeling completely. |
G. |
They stayed up all night long singing and dancing. |
Moving into a new home in a new neighborhood is an exciting experience. Of course, you want to make sure that you become an accepted and valuable part of your new neighborhood. The easiest way to accomplish this is to make sure you conduct yourself as a good neighbor should. (1)
Perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a good neighbor is to keep your property(房产) neat, clean, and in good repair. (2) By choosing to keep the outside of the home in great shape, you will help to improve the look and feel of the area.
Second, take the overall appearance of the neighborhood seriously. When going for a walk, take along a small garbage bag. (3) This small act will let your neighbors know that you care about the area.
(4) If a neighbor is going to be out of town, offer to collect mail and newspapers. If a neighbor suffers an illness, offer to do the grocery shopping. Let them know that you are there to help in any way that is acceptable, while still respecting the privacy of your neighbor.
(5) By following the basic rules of respecting others, taking care of what belongs to you, and taking pride in the appearance of the neighborhood in general, you will quickly become a good neighbor that everyone appreciates.
A. |
In general, keep an eye on their property while they are gone. |
B. |
A good neighbor is also one who likes to help out in small ways. |
C. |
Being a good neighbor is more or less about considerate behavior. |
D. |
Sometimes neighbors may go to the supermarket together to do shopping. |
E. |
Should you come across waste paper thrown out of a passing car, pick it up. |
F. |
People tend to take pride in keeping everything in their street fresh and inviting. |
G. |
Here are a few tips to help you win over everyone in the neighborhood quickly. |
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Rock music consists of many different styles. Even though there is a common spirit among all music groups, they make very different music.____1____At that time the Beatles entered the world of music from Liverpool.
After they were given an invitation to appear live on BBC, the Beatles quickly became famous in Britain with nationwide tours. By mid-1963, the Beatles had been extremely popular in England. ____2____They held large concerts and performed at clubs. They became the hottest thing on the pop music scene in England. They began as a modestly successful musician group and ended the year as show business legends(传说). John Lennon and Paul McCartney were named composers of the year.
____3____They were not sure how the Americans would react to the new type of music. Beatlemania hit New York on February 7, 1964. Hundreds of fans jammed the airport to greet them. ____4____ The concert was broadcast live and attracted the largest one night audience in the history of television up to that time. The Beatles were described as a British invasion(入侵)by local and nationwide newspapers at that time. Their victory in America was still remembered as a major turning point in the history of rock and roll. Thanks to the Beatles, a lot of opportunities were opened up to new faces on the market. ____5____
A. |
They decided on a tour to the United States in 1964. |
B. |
Even their hairstyles became major trends at that time. |
C. |
Rock music developed in the 1950s and the early 1960s. |
D. |
However, their songs changed the lives of generations to come. |
E. |
Many rock bands were able to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles. |
F. |
They appeared in the films A Hard Day's Night(1964)and Help!(1965). |
G. |
They performed their first concert in America at CBS television's 53rd street studio. |
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Imagine a child standing on a diving board four feet high and asking himself the question: "Should I jump? This is what motivation or the lack of it can do. Motivation and goal setting are the two sides of same coin. ____1____Like the child on the diving board, you will stay undecided.
____2____ More than that, how should you stay motivated to achieve the goal? First, you need to evaluate yourself , your values your strengths, your weaknesses, your achievements, your desires ,etc. Only then should your you're your goals
You also need to judge the quality and depth of your motivation. This is quite important, because it is directly related to your commitment. There are times when your heart is not in your work. ____3____ So, slow down and think what you really want to do at that moment. Clarity(清晰)of thoughts can help you move forward.
Another way of setting realistic goals is to analyze your short and long term objectives, keeping in mind your beliefs, values and strengths. Remember that goals are flexible.____4____ They also need to be measurable. You must keep these points in mind while setting your goals.
Your personal circumstances are equally important. For example, you may want to be a Pilot but can't become one because your eyesight is not good enough. ____5____You should reassess your goals, and motivate yourself to set a fresh goal.
You will surely need to overcome some difficulties, some planned, but most unplanned. You cannot overcome them without ample motivation. Make sure that you plan for these difficulties at the time of setting your goals.
A. | This can affect your work. |
B. | So how should you motivate yourself? |
C. | However, this should not discourage you. |
D. | So why should we try to set specific goals? |
E. | They can change according to circumstances. |
F. | Motivation is what you need most to do a good job. |
G. | Without motivation you can neither set a goal nor reach it |
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Color is fundamental in home design-something you'll always have in every room. A grasp of how to manage color in your spaces is one of the first steps to creating rooms you'll love to live in. Do you want a room that's full of life? Or are you just looking for a place to relax after a long day?___36_____, color is the key to making a room feel the way you want it to feel.
Over the years, there have been a number of different techniques to help designers approach this important point.___37_____, they can get a little complex. But good news is that there're really only three kinds of decisions you need to make about color in your home: the small ones, the medium ones, and the large ones.
____38____.They're the little spots of color like throw pillows, mirrors and baskets that most of us use to add visual interest to our rooms. Less tiring than painting your walls and less expensive than buying a colorful sofa, small color choices bring with them the significant benefit of being easily changeable.
Medium color choices are generally furniture pieces such as sofas, dinner tables or bookshelves.___39_____.They require a bigger commitment than smaller ones, and they have a more powerful effect on the feeling of a space.
The large color decision in your rooms concern the walls, ceilings, and floors. Whether you're looking at wallpaper or paint, the time, effort and relative expense put into it are significant.___40_____.
A. | While all of them are useful |
B. | Whatever you're looking for |
C. | If you're experimenting with a color |
D. | Small color choices are the ones we're most familiar with |
E. | It's not really a good idea to use too many small color pieces |
F. | So it pays to be sure, because you want to get it right the first time |
G. | Color choices in this range are a step up from the small ones in two major ways |