The term “multitasking” originally referred to a computer’s ability to carry out several tasks at one time. For many people, multitasking has become a way of life and even a key to success. In fact, some excellent mental aerobic exercises (大脑训练) involve engaging the brain in two or more challenging activities at a time. Although checking e-mail while talking on a phone and reading the newspaper may be second nature for some people, many times multitasking can make us less productive, rather than more. And studies show that too much multitasking can lead to increased stress, anxiety and memory loss.
In order to multitask, the brain uses an area known as the prefrontal cortex (前额叶脑皮层). Brian scans of volunteers performing multiple tasks together show that as they shift from task to task, this front part of the brain actually takes a moment of rest between tasks. You may have experienced a prefrontal cortex “moment of rest” yourself if you’ve ever dialed (拨电话) a phone number and suddenly forgotten who you dialed when the line is answered. What probably occurred is that between the dialing and the answering, your mind shifted to anther thought or task, and then took that “moment” to come back. Research has also shown that for many volunteers, job efficiency (效率) declines while multitasking, as compared to when they perform only one task at a time.
Multitasking is easiest when at least one of the tasks is habitual, or requires little thought. Most people don’t find it difficult to eat and read the newspaper at the same time. However, when two or more attention-requiring tasks are attempted at one time, people sometimes make mistakes.
We often don’t remember things as well when we’re trying to manage several details at the same time. Without mental focus, we may not pay enough attention to new information coming in, so it never makes it into our memory stores. That is one of the main reasons we forget people’s names---even sometimes right after they have introduced themselves. Multitasking can also affect our relationships. If someone checks their e-mail while on the phone with a friend, they may come off as absent-minded or disinterested. It can also cause that person to miss or overlook key information being passed on to them.
1.Why are some mental aerobic exercises designed to engage people in multitasking?
A.To reduce their stress and anxiety.
B.To develop their communication skills.
C.To help them perform daily tasks more easily.
D.To make them more productive.
2.According to Paragraph 2, why may a person suddenly forget who has called?
A.He may leave his prefrontal cortex temporarily damaged.
B.He is probably not very familiar with the person he has called.
C.He is probably interrupted by another task.
D.He may need a rest between dialing and speaking.
3.People tend to make mistakes when ____.
A.new messages are processed one after another
B.their relationships with others are affected
C.the tasks require little thought
D.they perform several challenging tasks at a time.
4.What is the main idea of the passage?
A.Multitasking has become a way of life.
B.Multitasking exercises need to be improved.
C.Multitasking often leads to efficiency decline.
D.Multitasking enables people to remember things better.
A Letter to My Younger Self
Dear 17-year-old self,
When your Laker (洛杉矶湖人队球员) dream comes true tomorrow, you need to figure out a way to invest in the future of your family and friends. This sounds simple, but you have to take some time to think it over.
I said invest.
I did not say give.
Let me explain.
Purely giving material things to your siblings (兄弟姐妹) and friends may appear to be the right decision. You love them, and they were always there for you growing up, so it’s only right that they should share your success and all that comes with it. You buy them a car, a big house, and pay all of their bills. You want them to live a comfortable life, right?
But the day will come when you realize that as much as you believed you were doing the right thing, you were actually holding them back.
You will come to understand that you were taking care of them because it made you feel good to see them smiling. That was extremely selfish of you. While you were feeling satisfied with yourself, you were slowly eating away at their own dreams and ambitions. You were adding material things to their lives, but taking away the most precious gifts of all: independence and growth.
Understand that you are about to be the leader of the family. This involves making tough choices, even if your siblings and friends do not understand them at the time.
Invest in their future; don’t just give.
Use your success, wealth and influence to put them in the best position to realize their own dreams and find their true purpose. Put them through school, set them up with job interviews and help them become leaders in their own right. Hold them to the same level of dedication (全身心投入) that it took for you to get to where you are now and where you will eventually go.
I’m writing you now so that you can begin this process immediately and don’t have to deal with the struggle of getting rid of the addiction you caused. That addiction only leads to anger and jealousy from everybody involved, including yourself.
As time goes on, you will see them grow independently and have their own ambitions and their own lives, and your relationship with all of them will be much better as a result.
There’s plenty more I could write to you, but at 17, I know you don’t have the attention span (注意力持续时间) to sit through 2,000 words.
The next time I write to you, I may touch on the challenges of mixing blood with business. The most important advice I can give to you is to make sure your parents remain PARENTS and not managers.
Before you sign that first contract, figure out the right budget for your parents - one that will allow them to live beautifully while also growing your business and setting people up for long-term success. That way, your children’s kids and their kids will be able to invest in their own futures when the time comes.
Your life is about to change, and things are about to come at you very fast. But just let this sink in a bit when you lay down at night after another nine-hour training day.
Trust me, setting things up right from the beginning will avoid a ton of tears and heartache, some of which remains to this day.
Much love,
Kobe
(节选自the Player’s Tribune)
1.According to Bryant, “giving” could make ______.
①him feel satisfied with himself
②him stand out from other players
③his siblings and friends live a comfortable life
④his siblings and friends depend on him
A.①②③ B.①③④ C.①②④. D.②③④
2.According to the article, Bryant probably ______.
A.had never dreamed of playing for the Lakers
B.spent a large sum of money buying houses for himself
C.had trouble handling family relationships
D.has a circle of supportive friends
3.According to the article, Bryant should have ______ when he was younger.
A.shared his success with others
B.inspired his siblings to achieve their goals through hard work
C.looked for well-paid jobs for his siblings
D.refused to live with his siblings
4.Bryant’s purpose in writing this letter was to ______.
A.criticize his siblings for wasteful spending
B.give advice to young people about how to treat their family if they become rich
C.complain about feeling tired of looking after his friends
D.remind young people to use every means to take good care of their family
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you too, and she would love to spend some time with you.”
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
“I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Halfway through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation--nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates — one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time”.
1.When the mother heard it was the son’s call, she was _______.
A.surprised B.worried C.suspicious D.puzzled
2.What did the mother mainly talk about to the author during the dinner?
A.Her life after the author’s marriage. B.Her memory about the author as a child.
C.Her life since the author’s last visit. D.Her expectation about future reunions.
3.What’s the purpose of the author’s writing this passage?
A.To teach us how to cherish our family.
B.To tell us to enjoy the present life.
C.To convey the importance of showing respect for our parents.
D.To warn us not to put off what we should do till some time later.
4.What’s the best title of the passage?
A.Mother’s love B.Love is Something You Should Never Put off
C.Precious union D.A special date
The New York See It All Tour is exactly what it sounds like: an all-inclusive guided tour of New York City.
Central Park
One of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is a man-made wonder. Not only is it the first public park built in America, but it is also one of the most frequently visited parks, with over 25 million guests per year. Set in the middle of busy Manhattan, its grounds serve as a safe harbor, not only for athletes, and musicians but also for lots of migratory birds each year. One can spend an entire peaceful day wandering its grounds, gazing upon nearly 50 fountains, monuments, and sculptures or admiring its 36 bridges.
Hudson River Park
Hudson River Park is a waterside park on the Hudson River that extends from 59th Street south to Battery Park in the New York City district of Manhattan. Bicycle and pedestrian paths, including the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, span the park north to south, opening up the waterfront for the public to relax. The park includes tennis and soccer fields, children’s playground, dog run, and many other features.
Washington Square Park
Washington Square, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a very popular and often crowded square. People from all backgrounds gather to this large square dotted with trees.
Central Park Zoo
The Central Park Zoo is a small 6.5-acre zoo located on Central Park in New York City. The zoo began in the 1860s, making it the first official zoo to open in New York. The zoo was improved in 1934, with the addition of many new buildings ranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. Finally, the zoo was repaired in the mid-1980s and reopened in 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments.
1.Which park is set in the heart of Greenwich Village?
A.Central Park.
B.Hudson River Park.
C.Central Park Zoo.
D.Washington Square Park.
2.What can we learn about Central Park?
A.It is primarily an artificial park.
B.It is the first public park built in the world.
C.It was the most crowded park when first built.
D.It especially attracts pedestrian and artists.
3.When was the first official zoo in New York repaired for the first time?
A.In the 1860s. B.In 1934.
C.In the mid-1980s. D.In 1988.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Which brand held the first place in the smart phone market in India in Q4 2019?
A.Xiaomi. B.Samsung. C.Vivo.
2.How many more Samsung’s smart phones were sold in India in 2019 than in 2018?
A.158 million. B.45 million. C.13 million.
3.What mainly helped Vivo beat Samsung in the Indian smart phone market?
A.Its sales channel. B.Its high popularity. C.Its low-priced phones.
4.How were Xiaomi’s smart phones sold before in India?
A.In physical stores. B.Through online channels. C.Online and offline as well.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Who has ups and downs in life in the last ten years?
A.Mary. B.Bob. C.Jenny.
2.Why was it hard for Bob to make two ends meet for first years?
A.Because his wife lost her job.
B.Because both he and his wife had low income.
C.Because his wife was still studying.
3.Where does the man’s wife work now?
A.In a trading company. B.At a law firm. C.At a university.
4.Why does the man want to hold a party this Saturday?
A.To welcome his old classmate.
B.To celebrate his new move.
C.To memorize their graduation.
