A messy desk can actually lead people towards clearer thinking, say researchers from Germany．
The researchers found in a series of linked studies - using a messy desk and a messy shop front - that people actually thought more clearly when all around was chaos, as they sought to simplify the tasks at hand.
Visual and mental clutter（阻塞） forces human beings to focus and think more clearly.
Famous thinkers and writers such as Albert Einstein and Roald Dahl have been notorious（声名狼藉的） for their untidy desks.
“Messy desks may not be as detrimental（有害的） as they appear to be, as the problem-solving approaches they seem to cause can improve work efficiency or increase employees' creativity in problem solving,” say the authors.
“Business and government managers often promote 'clean desk' policies to avoid disorganized offices and messy desks, for the purpose of boosting work efficiency and productivity,” writes lead researcher Jia Liu of the University of Groningen in a paper published in the Journal of Consumer Research.
“This practice is based on the conventional wisdom that a disorganized and messy environment can clutter one's mind and complicate one's judgments.”
“However, not all evidence supports this conventional link between a messy environment and a messy mind.”
The scientists tested people's response in various 'messy' environments - including a messy shop front, a disorganized desk, and even a work environment where a language task 'reminded' people of messiness.
The authors found in the series of six studies people tended towards simplicity in their thinking.
“They categorized （分类） products in a simpler manner, were willing to pay more for a T-shirt that shows a simple-looking picture, and sought less variety in their choices.” said the researchers.
1. The purpose of the first two paragraphs is to show that _____．
A．A messy desk cannot contribute to clearer thinking
B．People thought more clearly about a messy desk and a shop front
C．People will feel confused when all around are chaos
D．People manage to simplify the tasks in messy environments
2. Why does the author take Albert Einstein as an example?
A．to support the idea that clearer thinking comes from messy environment．
B．to tell the fact that Einstein was known for his untidy desks．
C．to stop us from learning from Albert Einstein．
D．to call on us to develop a good habit．
3.How do people look at messy environment according to the conventional wisdom?
A．Messy environment will create clearer thinking．
B．Messy environment will simplify one' s judgment．
C．Messy environment can promote work efficiency．
D．Messy environment can block one' s mind．
4. What does the last paragraph imply?
A．People believe messy environment creates clearer thinking．
B．People sought more simplicity in the choices．
C．People were not willing to choose those complicated products．
D．Not all the people accept messy environment and complicated things
We can slow down aging. That is the message Dr. Shen Ziyin wants to give the world. And the Chinese doctor claims that he has found an answer to the problems of aging. His solution is a herbal medicine（草药）to slow the process of aging.
Dr. Shen Ziyin has been trained in Western medicine. At the same time he studied traditional Chinese medicine. And, he has been working for the past forty years to put together the best of both and find a cure for aging. He has taken a hint from the ancient Chinese medicine system called “Shen”.
According to Shen, it is the kidney（肾脏）which adjusts the functioning of the body as well as its aging process. It is responsible for the level of activity that the human bodies go through. Studies conducted by Dr. Shen show that herbal medicine based on the Shen system slows the aging process, says a report in the Telegraph newspaper. We notice that when people grow old, they have reduced strength, loss of hair, backache, weakness, wrinkles and so on. This happens because when people grow old, their bodies produce T-cells. These T-cells contain a particular substance（物质）called Fas. Fas makes the cells in the body destruct themselves.
So the only way to slow down aging is to slow the production of T-cells in the body. This can happen if people eat low calorie food. Then the body is not active enough to produce extra T-cells. But, is going hungry all the time a good price to pay for staying young? This is where Dr. Shen’s herbal medicine comes in. But how effective it will be, only time can tell.
1. How did Dr. Shen find the solution to the problem of aging?
A．By studying Western medicine.
B．By learning traditional Chinese medicine.
C．By combining both Western and Chinese medicine.
D．By doing research on both Western and Chinese people.
2.What plays the most important role in keeping people young according to Shen?
A．Medical treatment.
B．People’s good kidney
C．Positive life attitude.
D．Level of people’s activity.
3.The reason why people become old is that_____.
A．their bodies produce T-cells
B．they become weaker and weaker
C．they have reduced strength, loss of hair
D．their bodies are unable to fight diseases
4. We can probably learn from the passage that______.
A．producing more low calorie food allows people to keep young
B．the more Chinese herbal medicine people drink, the better for health
C．people should try to quicken the production of T-cells in the body
D．it remains unknown how effective Dr. Shen’s herbal medicine is
All parents know that one of their most important tasks is to prepare their children for an independent life, but any parent can tell you that it’s hard to let go of your children. That balance between keeping your children safe and allowing them to learn from their own mistakes can be heartbreaking. Years of experience means that parents often do know best, but on the other hand, the young, being less bound by tradition, are often more creative, more able to find new solutions to old problems. Revolutions are led by the young.
Good teachers make the growth of critical (批判性的) thinking easier in their students, only to find that this can lead to a questioning of the teachers’ basic beliefs. Schools encourage parents to become involved, but are often embarrassed when parents have reservations about some of the educational methods being used. Governments encourage unimportant groups to empower themselves in order to participate fully in the development process. And they are often surprised when the new leaders of these groups turn around and attack the policies of that same government. The rebellions (叛逆的)young and the newly unimportant groups are important in social development. They are not necessarily representatives of those they want to represent or not realistic in their demands, but their voices must be heard.
Good parents know that just forbidding particular behaviors does not prevent their children from finding ways to engage in these forbidden activities. Indeed, sometimes the forbidden fruit is more inviting, just because it is not accepted by authority. Parents must work with their children to educate them on the facts, know as much as possible about the lives of their children, provide a good example, encourage more wholesome activities but also support their children when they don’t follow what is expected of them. But the most important point is that they also need to learn how to let go.
1.By saying “Revolutions are led by the young”, the author indicates that young people are more_____.
A．creative B．realistic
C．conventional D．heartbreaking
2. From the second paragraph we know .
A．teachers’ basic beliefs should be questioned by students
B．schools encourage parents to question their education methods
C．the government is satisfied with the new leaders’ attack on the policies
D．the voice of the rebellious young should be heard by the government
3. In order to educate children well, parents should .
A．forbid particular behaviors in their daily life
B．know them well and set a good example to them
C．educate them with facts and expect much of them
D．know as much as possible as their children
4. From the passage we can learn that the author prefers .
A．free parenting B．traditional parenting
C．smart parenting D．critical parenting
5. What is the best title of the passage?
A．Letting Go – for Children’s Independent Life
B．Parents’ Tasks – in Children’s Development
C．Way of Growth – for the Young Groups
D．Teaching Methods – for Teachers and Schools
6-Day Trek（艰苦跋涉）in the Highland National Parks
Destinations: Saigon — Cat Tien National Park —Buon Ma Thuot —Lak Lake — YokDon National Park
Estimated trekking time: Average 4-5 hours／day
Summary: This trip is ideal for those who love trekking in natural forests. From the southern part of Vietnam up to the central highlands, you will cross through two national parks. There will be opportunities to see wildlife and challenge yourself physically at a moderate（中等的）level.
Indulge yourself in the beauty of nature, escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, rediscover yourself in the natural world and refresh both mind and body.
Highlights:
·Private tour
·Walk through the forest to a fascinating and beautiful wetland area. If you are lucky, you may be able to see many different kinds of animals using only binoculars（双筒望远镜）.
·Night time wildlife-spotting excursion（远足）
·Elephant riding
Includes:
·Travel insurance
·Private transportation
·English-speaking guide
·Guest house-twin shared room
·Meals as indicated in the itinerary（旅行日程）
·Elephants
·Canoe
·Mineral water
·Entrance fees & all permits
Excludes:
·Surcharges for other guides in other languages, festival season and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking
·Visa
·Gong show（80 USD／show）
·Tips
·Personal expenses
1.In the forest, tourists will be able to______.
A．have barbeques with natives
B．ride elephants
C．play with wild animals
D．race in canoes
2.Visitors may have to pay extra fees for____.
A．permits B．meals and water
C．a Gong show D．an English-speaking guide
3. This advertisement is especially targeting visitors_____ .
A．from other countries
B．who love wildlife
C．who enjoy country life
D．interested in hiking in forests
Each spring brings a new wildflower blooming in the fields along the highway I travel daily to work. There is one particular blue flower that has always caught my eye. I've noticed that it blooms only in the morning hours. The afternoon sun is too warm for it. Every day each year for about two weeks, I see those beautiful flowers.
This spring, I started a wildflower garden in my yard. I can look out of the kitchen window while doing the dishes and see the flowers. I've often thought that those lovely blue flowers from the fields would look great in that bed alongside other wildflowers.
Every day I drove past the flowers, thinking, "I'll stop on my way home and dig them." "Gee, I don't want to get my good clothes dirty…" Whatever the reason, I never stopped to dig them. My husband even gave me a tool one year for that expressed purpose.
One day on my way home from work, I was saddened to see that the highway department had cleared up the fields and the pretty blue flowers were gone. I thought to myself, "Way to go, you waited too long. You should have done it when you first saw them blooming this spring. "
A week ago we were shocked and saddened to learn that my oldest sister-in-law has a cancer. She is 20 years older than my husband and unfortunately, because of age and distance, we haven't been as close as we all would have liked.
I couldn't help but see the connection between the pretty blue flowers and the relationship between my husband's sister and us. I do believe that God has given us some time left to plant some wonderful memories that will bloom every year for us.
And yes, if I see the blue flowers again, I'm sure I'll stop and transplant them to my wildflower garden.
1. How long might the blue flower bloom in spring?
A．The whole day. B．The whole season.
C．About one week. D．About two weeks
2. Where did the writer want to transplant the flowers?
A．In the garden B．Along the highway.
C．Across the fields. D．Outside the yard.
3. Which of the following is NOT true about the writer's sister-in-law?
A．She is seriously ill.
B．She is twenty years old.
C．She lives far away from the writer.
D．She is not in close touch with the writer.
4. What does the writer want to tell us?
A．Refresh our wonderful moments every year.
B．Visit our relatives only after they get ill.
C．Value now and don't lose chances.
D．Plant flowers and don't enjoy them in the field.
完型填空（共20小题；每小题1．5分，满分30分）
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
One Monday morning, the class were excited about the rumor（流言）that the science room was on fire over the weekend．Mr. Johnson, my fifth grade teacher 36 it and explained that science class would be cancelled 37 the fire. He also 38 us not to go near the room because it could be dangerous．
During the morning break, Kim and I 39 to check out the damage．A first hand observation would make us heroes at lunch．We safely 40 the science room．We stood on tiptoes（脚尖）looking hard through the door window, trying to see what was like inside 41 suddenly a firm hold on our shoulders stopped us．
"Where do you belong? Certainly not here!"
I turned around to find a teacher staring 42 at us, shouting．In those frozen seconds millions of 43 flashed through my mind．My father would kill me for disobeying teachers．Worse than that, my mother might be so mad that she might not 44 him．My heart 45 even lower when I thought of how angry Mr. Johnson would be．Soon the teacher led Kim and me back to the classroom, leaving us 46 before Mr. Johnson．
But to our 47 , there was no yelling and no anger from Mr. Johnson． 48 , he bent slowly to look me in the eye．I was met with a look of 49 rather than anger．He spoke softly and carefully as he explained why he was 50 in my decision to go where I might have got 51 ．As I looked into the eyes of the man who could send me to unimagined 52 at home, tears welled up in my eyes．The thought of disappointing Mr. Johnson 53 me while I felt a gentle touch of Mr. Johnson's hand on my shoulder．I glanced up and he smiled．My 54 for Mr. Johnson grew greatly the moment I discovered that he still liked me even after I'd disappointed him．I could see that he cared more about my 55 than the fact that I'd broken a rule．It was the first time I felt the power of forgiveness．
1. A．confirmed B．believed C．heard D．studied
2. A．in spite of B．due to C．in terms of D．other than
3. A．reminded B．informed C．warned D．convinced
4. A．pretended B．asked C．promised D．decided
5. A．entered B．found C．examined D．reached
6. A．as B．while C．when D．since
7. A．curiously B．patiently C．silently D．angrily
8. A．thoughts B．excuses C．words D．feelings
9. A．help B．stop C．hate D．seize
10. A．flew B．beat C．sank D．moved
11. A．whistling B．chatting C．whispering D．shaking
12. A．delight B．surprise C．regret D．sorrow
13. A．However B．Therefore C．Instead D．Otherwise
14. A．concern B．guilt C．comfort D．complaint
15. A．frightened B．puzzled C．disappointed D．discouraged
16. A．burnt B．hurt C．lost D．blamed
17. A．consequences B．destructions C．influences D．surroundings
18. A．shocked B． confused C．bored D．shamed
19. A．care B．hope C．love D．desire
20. A．behavior B．freedom C．dignity D．safety
