Ways to Respectfully Disagree
It’s easier to agree than disagree. 1.Unfortunately, many of us either shy away completely from disagreements or lose it when things don’t go our way. These tips can help keep disagreements constructive.
Use “I’ to communicate how you feel, what you think and what you want or need. 2.For example, telling your parents “You always remind me about my housework when you know I have much homework” has a very different tone from “I’m feeling pressured because I have a lot of homework tonight. Can I do those chores tomorrow?”
Listen to the other’s opinion. 3.That makes it more likely that he or she will do the same for you. When the other person is talking, try to stop yourself from thinking about why you disagree or what you’ll say next.
4.This is the important thing you can do to keep a conversation on track. Of course, it’s a huge challenge to stay calm when you feel angry about something, especially if their person you’re talking to gets heated.
5.If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of someone’s put-downs (贬损的话), you know how valuable using respectful language and behavior can be. So instead of saying what you might be thinking (That’s a stupid idea!), try saying “I don’t agree, and here is why.”
Respect goes beyond difficult conversations, of course. Being helpful and considerate towards family members, teachers or coaches in our everyday actions helps us establish a foundation for those times when we might disagree.
A. Stay calm.
B. Look into the other’s eyes.
C. Using ‘you’ statements can sound aggressive.
D. Avoid putting down the other person’s ideas and beliefs.
E. Then you can calmly present your case and why you disagree.
F. Being a good listener shows that you respect the other person.
G. But we can learn a lot from conversations where we don’t agree.
What's safer? Using a numeric PIN code(数字密码)to unlock your smartphone or relying on a swipe(滑动)pattern? New research suggests that, at least when someone close by could be looking over your shoulder, you might be safer with an old-fashioned PIN.
The research by the United States Naval Academy and the University of Maryland tested what could best secure smartphones from so-called "shoulder surfing attacks". So, if you are worried about someone looking over your shoulder while you unlock your phone, would you be wiser to use a PIN or a pattern? According to this research at least, the answer to that question is pretty clear.
Those who have a single observation of your screen as you unlock it with a swipe pattern will be successful in knowing it 64.2% of the time. Security can be improved somewhat by removing lines on the pattern lock (35.3% success rate for shoulder surfers).
By comparison, the use of a six-digit PIN greatly reduces the chances for an attacker to determine how to unlock your smartphone, with just 10.8% of attacks being successful. In tests, viewers were able to determine the users' lock-screen patterns from up to six feet away, from a variety of different angles, even after a single viewing.
Indeed, when it comes to safety, past research has determined that an unlock pattern is about the same as a three-digit PIN -something I hope that none of us would rely upon.
The researchers' conclusion is that a PIN of six digits or more is the most secure de fence against shoulder surfing attacks, and while both types of pattern lock are poor, patterns without lines provide greater security.
Unsurprisingly, the research confirmed that phones with larger screens were found to provide less security against shoulder surfing attacks.
1.What did the research focus on?
A.What lock-screen patterns people use. B.When shoulder surfing attacks occur.
C.Why people prefer numeric PIN codes. D.How you can unlock your phone safely.
2.What do we learn about shoulder surfing attacks?
A.They can increase our screen time. B.They are a threat to our privacy.
C.They are a kind of physical attack. D.They can be done through remote control.
3.Which of the following proves to be the safest?
A.A six-digit PIN. B.A three-digit PIN.
C.A lock-screen pattern with lines. D.A lock-screen pattern without lines.
4.What does the author intend to do in the last paragraph?
A.Add some background information. B.Provide some advice for the readers.
C.Offer additional topic-related information. D.Summarize the previous paragraphs.
When it comes to medical care, many patients and doctors believe "more is better." But what they do not realize is that overtreatment-too many scans, too many blood tests, too many procedures-may bring harm. Sometimes a test leads you down a path to more and more testing, some of which may be attacking, or to treatment for things that should be left out.
Terrence Power, for example, complained that after his wife learned she had Wegener's disease, an uncommon disorder of the immune system(免疫系统), they found it difficult to refuse testing recommended by her doctor. The doctor insisted on office visits every three weeks, even when she was feeling well. He frequently ordered blood tests and X-rays, and repeatedly referred her to experts for even minor complaints. Even when tests came back negative, more were ordered, and she was hospitalized as prevention when she caught a cold. She had as many as 25 doctor visits during one six-month period. The couple was spending about $30,000 a year for her care.
After several years of physical suffering and near financial ruin from the medical costs, the couple began questioning the treatment after discussing with other patients in online support groups. "It's a really hard thing to determine when doctors have crossed the line," Mr. Power said. "You think she's getting the best care in the world, but after a while you start to wonder: What is the purpose?" Mr. Power then spoke with his own primary care doctor, who advised him to find a new expert to oversee Mrs. Power's care. Under the new doctor's care, the regular testing stopped and Mrs. Power's condition was stable. Now she sees the doctor only four or five times a year.
1.Which of the following was a problem for Mrs. Power during her medical treatment?
A.She had to be hospitalized for three weeks whenever she had a cold.
B.Her doctor asked her to consult other experts for her complaints.
C.When test results showed she was fine, her doctor still ordered more tests.
D.She did not have any insurance, so she became penniless.
2.When did the Powers start to doubt the treatment of Mrs. Power?
A.After they knew about the treatment of other patients.
B.After they analyzed the results of her blood tests
C.After Mrs power was cured of her illness.
D.After the new expert tested her.
3.Which of the following can replace the underlined word "stable" in the last paragraph?
A.not getting worse B.improper
C.unchangeable D.uncertain
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.Treatments do not always cause harmful side effects.
B.Patients tend to believe more testing is better treatment.
C.Doctors generally recommend office visits that are necessary.
D.Too much medical care may not be beneficial to patients.
I've often wondered if I might do more good as a travel agent rather than as a psychologist. It seems that I have been more dramatically affected by certain kinds of travel experiences than I ever have.
My trip to Iceland is a fine example of that. The plan was to spend two days in a remote mountain hut(棚屋)in Iceland. I was working on a photographic book about winter in Iceland and needed to capture images of this amazing region of high mountain peaks, smoky volcanoes, and lakes with floating icebergs.
The moment after we arrived, the weather turned extreme making visibility impossible. It snowed so much and the wind blew so hard that we couldn't leave the tiny hut. To stay warm, we walked around in circles much of the day inside the tiny hut. We tried to call for help but the radio did not work. Day after day, we watched our supplies of food and fuel grow dangerously short. We got acute cabin fever(幽居病)and started going for walks and ski expeditions outside. Even when the weather finally broke, nobody came to get us even though it was three days beyond our scheduled pickup. By the time the rescue team came to pull us out, we had all given up hope.
From then on, the world looks different to me, as does my life. It would have taken me years of psychotherapy(心理治疗)to get to the same point.
Almost everyone has a story to tell, and interestingly, most of these experiences were not altogether pleasant at the time. In fact, it appears that the most constructive life-changing journeys were those that involved some sorts of awful and uncomfortable events that forced the person to develop new resources, increase confidence, and solve problems in new ways.
1.The writer went to Iceland to .
A.enjoy the natural beautiful floating icebergs
B.collect materials for psychological research
C.challenge the high mountains there
D.take photos about the region for a book
2.During the trip in Iceland, the difficulties those travelers faced are the following EXCEPT .
A.They were short of food and fuel
B.They got lost in the mountain
C.They couldn't see the surroundings clearly
D.They failed to get in touch with the rescue team
3.What can we conclude from the passage?
A.Awful journeys may become life-changing events that inspire people.
B.The travelers were so depressed that they needed psychotherapy.
C.The writer is a travel agent who loves difficult challenges.
D.In Iceland the weather is always extreme and it snows a lot.
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A.Certain Kinds of Travel Experiences That I Ever Have
B.An Unforgettable and Inspiring Adventure
C.My Trip to Iceland
D.Solve Problems in New Ways
The following "green" hotels from across the world offer guests an eco-friendly and world-class holiday experience.
Hi Hotel, Nice, France
Offering a private beach and rooftop pool, the Hi Hotel Eco Spa Beach has received Green Globe certification for using recycled paper, organic(有机的)paint, eco-friendly cleaning products and organic food.
Garonga Safari Camp, Phalaborwa, South Africa
A high-class 12-bed camp in South Africa, the hotel supports the local community. Locals are offered employment opportunities, with potential for career development, while food and goods are sourced locally where possible. Additionally, guests are invited to offset their carbon footprint by helping with the planting and growing of Spesbok Trees in the Eastern Cape.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Maldives
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa combines environment and modern design to offer guests the luxurious experience. Various parts of the hotel are built over the water in the Indian Ocean in order to reduce interference(干扰)with the natural environment.
The Park Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
Located within a 10-minute car ride from the centre of Hyderabad. The Park Hyderaba's exterior(外部)makes full use of natural light, reducing the need for electricity. Green transportation, bikes and electric cars, is encouraged.
Spice Island Beach Resort, St. George's，Grenada
Owned and run by Sir Royston Hopkin and his family, Spice Island Beach Resort is a luxurious destination for guests hoping to bathe in the natural beauty of the Isle of Spice. It uses solar heating and all forms of energy conservation. Smoking of any kind is forbidden in the areas or the hotel.
1.What's special about Hi Hotel?
A.It puts a ban on cars.
B.It provides green food.
C.It encourages guests to plant trees.
D.It offers employment opportunities to the locals.
2.How does Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa protect the environment?
A.It is partly built over the sea. B.It has simply-decorated rooms.
C.It makes full use of natural light. D.It uses eco-friendly cleaning products.
3.Which hotel bans smoking?
A.Hi Hotel. B.The Park Hyderabad.
C.Garonga Safari Camp. D.Spice Island Beach Resort.
假设你是校英文报的编辑李华，请用给来自英国的交换生Eric写一封邮件，感谢他为校报提供稿件。内容包括：
1. 表示感谢；
2. 简要评价其稿件；
3. 希望继续供稿。
注意：1. 词数100左右；
2. 可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
Dear Eric,
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Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
