| 1. 难度：困难 | |
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Are people less or more happy when they get older? A study in 2018 found that people generally become happier and experience less worry after age 50. In fact, it found that by the age of 85, people are happier with their life than they were at 18. Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the study. His team found that levels of stress were the highest among adults between the ages of 22 and 25. 1. Happiness was the highest among the youngest adults and those in their early 70's. But the people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their 70’s and 80’s. The survey also found that men and women have similar emotional patterns as they grow older. 2.The researchers also considered possible influences like, having young children being unemployed or being single. Bu, they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being related to age. 3. One theory is that, as people get older, they become more than thankful for what they have and have better control of their emotions. They also spend less time thinking about bad experiences. 4.In another study, people in their 80’s reported the fewest problems with the quality of their sleep. The original goal was to confirm the popular belief that aging is connected with increased sleep problems. 5.But except for that, people reported that they felt their sleep quality improved as they got older. A. So why will happiness increase with age? B. Researchers surveyed more than 150, 000 American adults. C. At that time, the people were between the ages of 18 and 85. D. Stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their 50's. E Happiness is not the only thing that apparently improves with age. F. The survey did find an increase during middle age, especially in women. G. However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men.
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| 2. 难度：中等 | |
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1. When we meet with something we're not familiar with or something frightening, our brain and body start making changes to help prepare us for the unknown. Dr. Kerr says. "For some people, choosing to be scared can be fun. ” What good is fear? 2. It tells a person to hide, run away, or defend oneself. Faster heartbeat and breathing send more blood and oxygen to the muscles so they are ready when they are needed. Stress chemicals can make a person more alert. Our memories also help protect us. We keep a close eye on babies because they don't understand what might hurt them. As babies grow, they learn what's unsafe, their brains store those memories. Then their brains use fear to warn them of dangers. "We don't want to be fearless; Dr. Kerr says. “3.!” Too much can be harmful Experiences can lead to long-lasting fears that may stop a person from trying new things. We’re born with the ability to feel fear, but a lot of what we're afraid of is learned. "Being afraid doesn't mean you’re weak," Dr. Kerr says. A long-lasting fear can mean you\e had a bad experience, and your brain doesn't want you to have it again. 4. Other people may have no special fear of dogs but may be afraid of other things, such as heights, snakes, or spiders. How to feel less afraid Many people have beat their own fears. Here is one method: Instead of listening to their imagination, they learn the facts about anything that seems scary. 5.. Dr. Kerr grew up on a farm. As a seven-year-old, she was scared of black bears in the woods. Later, she read about them. " Understanding the facts gave me a sense of confidence, she says. "I knew for sure what to do if I ever met with a bear and how to protect myself." A. Knowledge can help a person feel less afraid B. Being scared is not always a bad thing C. Fear is a tool that brain uses to keep the body safe D. That is why our brain works faster in time of danger E. It is good to have a healthy sense of what's dangerous F. Some people are scared to death by his own shadow at night G. If a dog bit someone, that person might feel afraid of all dogs
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| 3. 难度：中等 | |
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Suggestions for Senior Year Senior year is finally here. We are sure being one of the oldest students in school sounds great. You’ve reached the most important year. 1. Three graduates are here to give you some suggestions. Zhao Yuebei, 18, Hainan University Find a suitable study method and create your own system of knowledge. In the review stage, I’ve been studying physics and chemistry with the help of mind maps. 2. I usually wrote down a scientific term in the center of a blank page, and added related points around the term. I enjoyed this process as it forced me to reflect and organize all my knowledge.3. Zhao Yujie, 18, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang Don’t bury yourself all day in your studies—it’s tiring and not that useful. Life may be stressful during senior high, but we also need to find ways to refresh ourselves. When I felt discouraged, I often had a heart-to-heart talk with my mother or my head teacher. 4. Some of my classmates preferred to run around the playground. One of them even made up funny stories and read them out during breaks. Song Yu, 18, Northwestern University, US 5. Besides the gaokao, some universities hold the independent enrollment (自主招生) exams in the middle of June, which can give you an advantage in the hunt for a top university place, if you do well in the exams. But you don’t need to waste too much time preparing specially for them because both the written test and the interview are based on your everyday performance and intelligence. A. It was a great relief for me. B. So how can you make the most of it? C. Keep your eyes open for other choices. D. Mind maps can encourage your creativity. E. But that is when the hard work really begins. F. It allows me to see the relationship between different concepts. G. Mind maps are used to visually organize and classify information.
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| 4. 难度：简单 | |
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Your comfort zone is a behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk．1.You benefit in obvious ways： regular happiness， low anxiety， and reduced stress． Leaving your comfort zone can have very positive results， though． For one thing， you'll surely be more productive if you're willing to move out of it． With the sense of unease that comes from having deadlines and expectations， you'll have the drive and ambition to do more and learn new things．2.For another， learning to live outside your comfort zone can prepare you for life changes that force you out of it． Fear and uncertainty always exist in our life． By challenging yourself to things you normally wouldn't do， you can experience some of that uncertainty in a controlled and manageable environment． While outside your comfort zone can be a good place to be，3.． You can start by doing everyday things differently． For example， you can take a different route to work or try a new restaurant． Besides， you should remember to break out in small steps． You get the same benefits whether you go with long strides （大步） or you start slow． If you're socially anxious， don't suppose you have to gather the courage to ask your crush （爱慕之人） on a date right away． 4. Identify your fears， and then face them step by step． Trying new things is difficult， so it's important to understand how habits form and how we can break them．5. A．It provides a state of mental security． B．it's of great necessity to find ways to break out of it C．it's a pleasant experience to stay in the comfort zone D．You have to manage that stress and risk in a clever way． E．Just say hello to them and see where you can go from there． F．That means you will get more done and find smarter ways to work． G．And it's as important to press yourself out of your comfort zone by doing specific things．
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| 5. 难度：中等 | |
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Smart devices are sometimes powerful. They put a world of information at our fingertips. ―1.That is a huge blessing for parents seeking flexible work hours. Smart phones and tablets can also promote efficiency by allowing people to get things done in spare moments that would otherwise be wasted, such as while queuing for coffee. They can even help lazybones create the false impression that they are working around the clock, by programming their e-mail to be sent at 1 am. But for most people, the servant has become the master. Not long ago only doctors were on call all the lime. Now everybody is. Bosses think nothing of invading their employees' free time. 2. Even people with strong mind check their smart devices with heavy addiction, even during pre-dinner drinks, and send e-mails first thing in the morning and last thing at night. 3. How can we harvest the benefits of connectivity without becoming its slaves? One solution is digital dieting. Just as the abundance of junk food means that people have to be more disciplined about their eating habits, 4. Maybe the only way to break the 24/7 habit is to act together rather than individually. The firms should introduce rules about when people are expected to be offline, and encourage them to work together to make this possible. We must be aware that the faster smart devices become and the more addictive the apps that are designed for them, the stronger the addiction will grow. 5. A. This is partly because smart devices are addictive. B. Work invades the home far more than domestic chores invade the office. C. Now it's time to outsmart the smart devices by insisting that everyone turn them off from time to lime. D. the abundance of junk information means we have to be more disciplined about our browsing habits. E. Banning texting at weekends can really show the iPhone who is boss. F. They enable people to work at home instead of crowding into the subway with smelly strangers. G. What can be done to keep smart devices in their place?
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| 6. 难度：中等 | |
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What do employers want from business graduates? Prospective employers have always expected business-school graduates to possess a certain set of skills, such as strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Today, employers are looking for even more一technical expertise paired with interpersonal and intrapersonal（内在） skills. 1. You can learn the technical skills on the job or in school, but the soft skills are more challenging to get. 2. That can make you the type of employee that companies want to hire and promote. Recent data in The Financial Times 2018 Skills Gap Study agrees that soft skills, like the ability to work well in a team, were rated as "most important" by 64 percent of respondents. During your business-school experience, you'll have the opportunity to build these skills as you work on group projects, interact with teachers, and participate in internships（实习）.When you reflect on your personal and professional lives, the people who have mastered skills like communication, listening, and cooperation are the people who stand out to you.3. But that doesn't mean that there aren't other skills on the top of many companies' wish lists.4. The first is "combine", which is the ability to combine and deal with information from multiple sources to solve complex problems. The second is "organize", or the ability to organize information to see relationships and to solve multiple, interrelated problems. 5. A. Market yourself as someone with soft skills. B. And they stand out to prospective employers too. C. So these skills in high demand have great value in the hiring market. D. What you may not realize is the lasting impact of developing skills like leadership. E. Soft skills like flexibility and teamwork are in high demand among employers. F. The skills you gain while earning your MBA help prepare you for various careers. G. The skills that employers have the most difficulty finding often have the most value in the marketplace.
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| 7. 难度：中等 | |
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Americans are proud of their variety and individuality (个性), yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of a lift operator or the uniform of a five-star general(将军).1. Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian (百姓的) clothes.People expect higher quality from a man who wears a uniform.2.Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform.What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a hairdresser, or a waiter to lose professional identity (职业身份) than to step out of uniform? 3.They are often more comfortable and more lasting than civilian clothes. Among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them.Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement. 4. 5.Though they are long-lasting, often their initial(最初的) expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes.Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes. A.Americans think highly of uniforms . B.Why are uniforms so popular in the United States? C.When people wear the same uniforms, they are likely to think, speak, and act similarly on the job at least. D.Uniforms also have many practical good points E.Some practical problems with uniforms arise. F.The television repairman who wears a uniform is likely to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes. G.People's identity can be recognized more easily by their uniforms
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| 8. 难度：中等 | |
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During the long holiday, did you feel bored and decided to check social media, only to find that your best friend was at the beach, that your classmate was going hiking, and that your cousin or niece was enjoying a feast? Have you got the feeling that others are experiencing things and enjoying life more than you are？ Oh, you might feel that you are missing out. 1. FOMO is the anxiety caused by a nagging （难以摆脱的） feeling that you are not taking part in the exciting and worthwhile things going on around you． As is known, comparison is the thief of joy. FOMO makes us check social media more frequently, leading to an addiction and a negative cycle that is hard to break．2. These include the feelings of depression, loneliness and boredom． 3. You can avoid FOMO by focusing on being mindful, changing your habits, and working to be more grateful for your own life． Social media is often what contributes to FOMO more than anything else.If you are feeling very upset when seeing all of the fun that others are having,take a break from your accounts.In this case,you'd better stop looking to social media for happiness.4. Besides, one of the best ways to overcome FOMO is to begin to truly appreciate what you value in your life. Make a list of all the things that are important to you, including subjects, people, dreams, possessions or experiences．5. You will find the true value of your life． Do remember that if you miss an opportunity, other opportunities will come． A． Have you ever experienced FOMO？ B． What can you do to overcome FOMO？ C． Spend some time reflecting on these things． D． You can permanently do so if you feel it helps． E． The feeling is called the fear of missing out or FOMO for short． F． Researchers have found that FOMO can cause serious negative results． G． If it controls you, the only thing you really miss out on is your own life．
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| 9. 难度：中等 | |
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Most people are familiar with big international sports events like the Olympics and the World Cup. But have you ever heard of the Commonwealth Games? The Commonwealth of Nations is an international organization made up of 53 member states, including Canada, India and Australia.1. Today, they still hold the Commonwealth Games in the hope of keeping their friendship alive. The Commonwealth Games take place every four years. Like other international sports events, popular sports such as volleyball and hockey are played there. 2. Lawn bowls, a popular game in Commonwealth countries, is similar to culling(冰壶). However, it’s played on a grass field instead of on ice. Netball is another game that is seldom seen outside of Commonwealth nations. 3. It is mainly a women's sport. Australia held the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland between April 4 and 15, 2018.4.It built new stadiums, a light railway and new Wi Fi networks. 5.It has hosted the games five times. It is also one of just six countries that have attended each of the games since they were first held in 1930. A. Queensland did a lot to prepare for the games. B. Nineteen cities in nine countries have hosted the event. C. Most of these member states used to be British territories(领地). D. Australia has always been enthusiastic about Commonwealth Games. E. It's similar to basketball, but each team has seven players instead of five. F. But there are also other sports that are a bit less known in other countries. G. Over 5 , 000 athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games in more than 250 events.
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| 10. 难度：中等 | |
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How to protect your privacy when you travel It hasn't been an easy year for the privacy of travelers，at least so far．Data leaks，surveillance（监视）worries and those troublesome cameras in airplane seatbacks and hotel rooms are enough to make passengers anxious． 1. Fortunately，there are ways to safeguard your privacy on land and in the air．These tips can help you deal with these troubles． 2. "It's not clever to declare on Facebook that you're traveling to somewhere，reminding a wide range of people that your property is sitting empty，"says Danny McLoughlin．"That puts your security at risk．"Wait until you return to start posting vacation photos． Some homeowners renting their residences may install security cameras．Travelers should find out if the hosts are required to disclose the presence of surveillance devices．If the rental comes with cameras，ensure they aren't in a sensitive area by conducting a careful sweep 3. Although you can't control how a hotel or airline handles-or mishandles-your data，you can take reasonable steps to ensure the information it has won't get you into trouble．4. But some of the worst data leaks happen when you're staying at a hotel．For example，a hotel clerk sometimes asks for your name and then announces your room number after you've checked in．You're better off handing the employee your ID when he or she asks for your name and asking the employee to write your room number on a piece of paper．Why？5. Just to be sure，never leave the customer copy behind．You can destroy it later，but keep it under your contro1． A．It's never been better． B．Perhaps they should be． C．Travelers say they're taking privacy seriously． D．Never broadcast your journey on social media． E．There are other people on the other side of the wall． F．Some travelers only offer the bare minimum，such as a P．O．box instead of a home address． G．Report anything doubtful to the host immediately-and if you don't like what you hear， leave．
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