Finding the Real You
Psychometric testing — personality testing — has been very popular nowadays as studies show their results to be three times more accurate in predicting your job performance. These tests are now included in almost all graduate recruitment (招聘) and are widely used in the selection of managers.
The most popular of these personality tests is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It is based on the theory that we are born with a tendency to one personality type which stays more or less fixed throughout life. You answer 88 questions and are then given your “type”, such as Outgoing or Quiet, Feeling or Thinking.
Critics of personality testing raise doubts about “social engineering”. Psychologist Dr. Colin Gill warns that the “popular” personality traits (特性) have their disadvantages. “People who are extremely open to new experiences can be butterflies, going from one idea to the next without mastering any of them.” However, the psychometric test is here to stay, which may be why a whole sub-industry on cheating personality tests has sprung up. “It’s possible to cheat,” admits Gill, “but having to pretend to be the person you are at work will be tiring and unhappy and probably short-lived.”
So can we change our personality? “Your basic personality is fixed by the time you’re 21,” says Gill, “but it can be affected by motivation and intelligence. If you didn’t have the personality type to be a doctor but desperately wanted to be one and were intelligent enough to master the skills, you could still go ahead. But trying to go too much against type for too long requires much energy and is actually to be suffered for long. I think it’s why we’re seeing this trend for downshifting — too many people trying to fit in to a type that they aren’t really suited for.”
Our interest in personality now exists in every part of our lives. If you ask an expert for advice on anything, you’ll probably be quizzed about your personality. But if personality tests have any value to us, perhaps it is to free us from the idea that all of us are full of potential, and remind us of what we are. As they say in one test when they ask for your age: pick the one you are, not the one you wish you were.
1.The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is based on the belief that __________.
A. personality is largely decided from birth
B. certain personality traits are common
C. some personality types are better than others
D. personality traits are various from time to time
2.According to Dr. Gill, what is the problem with personality tests?
A. The results could be opposite to what employers want.
B. People can easily lie about their true abilities.
C. Employers often find the results unclear.
D. They may have a negative effect on takers.
3.In Dr. Gill’s view, how easy is it to change your personality?
A. It’s possible in your adult life.
B. It’s easy if you have great motivation.
C. It’s unlikely because it requires much energy.
D. It’s difficult before the age of 21.
4.What final conclusion does the author reach about the value of personality tests?
A. They are of doubtful value to employers.
B. They are not really worth doing.
C. They can strengthen the idea we have of our abilities.
D. They may encourage greater realism.
World leaders from nearly 200 countries have signed an important historic agreement to fight global climate change. The agreement came after two weeks of talks between the leaders at the 21st Conference in Paris, France.
As part of the Paris agreement, countries said they would cut down on pollution However, according to the terms of the deal, countries that don’t do this will not be punished, or fined. Instead，the document is meant to show that governments around the world take climate change seriously and are willing to work together to fight global warming.
World leaders have met many times to discuss climate change. But, the 21st Conference of Parties, or COP21, which began on November 30 in Paris, was the first time they agreed on a global, legal pact (协定).
Before the conference, each nation was asked to create plans on how to reach the shared goal. The pact that was signed allows countries to decide the best way to cut down their gas pollution. No matter how they decide to go green, each country must report honestly on all of their efforts. Every five years, nations must look at the work they’ve done and submit new plans on how they will improve over the next five years.
In the pact, the countries pledge（承诺）to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emitted（排放） by human activity to the levels that trees，soil and oceans can absorb naturally. It urges countries to spend trillions of dollars on creating new energy sources, like solar and wind power. It also requires countries to raise at least $ 100 billion each year to help developing countries.
However, critics of the pact say it is not detailed enough, and doesn’t include specifics about how the plan will be enforced and how improvements will be measured. The pact does include one large, specific goal: how countries will aim to keep global temperatures from rising more than 3. 60℉(20℃) by 2100.
Nonetheless，the agreement is considered by many world leaders to be a major victory. The U. N. has been working more than two decades to convince governments to work together to reduce man-made emissions.
“History will remember this day,” U. N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said. “The Paris agreement on climate change is a monumental success for the planet and its people.”
1.When was the legal pact probably passed?
A. On November 30. B. On December 4.
C. On December 8. D. On December 12.
2.According to the agreement, countries_________ .
A. have to give a yearly report about their work
B. will be published if they fail to reduce pollution
C. are required to ensure investment in fighting pollution
D. should try to reach the agreed standard in five years
3.What is each country required to do before the Paris conference?
A. Provide a work plan. B. Give an oral explanation.
C. Provide a large amount of money. D. Give a written assessment.
4.The pact is thought to be imperfect because_______.
A. it doesn’t consider developing countries
B. it is not detailed enough
C. it is not attractive to all countries
D. it only benefits some countries
Far away, in a forest outside Oslo, Norway, 1,000 newly planted trees are growing. When the trees are full-size, they will be cut down and used to make paper. The paper will be used to make copies of an unusual book. The book will contain 100 stories by 100 authors written over the course of 100 years.
Scottish artist Katie Paterson began the project last year. “We’re asking one writer a year to submit a story,” Paterson said. Subject, style, and length are up to the author, However, it is 100 years later that the stories can be revealed.
What’s the point of asking authors to write stories that readers alive today will never get to enjoy? “The project is a lot about the imagination,” she says. “It’s about thinking about the future and developing an artwork that’s not just for now but for a future generation.”
Paterson got the idea for the project while drawing tree rings in a notebook. Each ring in a tree’s trunk represents one year of growth. That inspired her to create a project that ties the present with the future. The idea seemed so far that she set it aside. But a few years later, Paterson had the opportunity to take part in a program called Slow Space. Organizers were looking for projects designed to unfold over time. Paterson’s was one of three selected.
The first work for the book was completed this year. The manuscript(手稿) is being held at Oslo’s public library, where a special room house the growing collection of stories.
“More and more paper books are phased out,” Paterson says. She notes that Oslo’s library has had thousands of digital books. Hopefully, she says that she expects the future generations will be excited enough to shout, “Look! They’re paper books!”
1.What’s the purpose of the project according to Paterson?
A. Protecting the forest.
B. Setting up a library.
C. Leaving behind some paper books for future generations.
D. Encouraging more authors to create more wonderful works.
2.How did the idea of the project occur to Paterson?
A. Inspired by tree rings.
B. Inspired by the library.
C. Inspired by the ecological environment.
D. Inspired by the program of Slow Space.
3.What’s the proper meaning of the underlined part?
A. Lit up. B. Dying out. C. Coming to life. D. Passed down.
4.It can be inferred that ________.
A. the stories inside the book will remain secret until 2115
B. the stories inside the book will be selected among many
C. the book will record the biggest events during 100 years
D. the book will be held in the form of both paper and digital
File Created Page 1 of 1
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT
PRINTED AT ALBANY N.Y. AIRPORT ON JULY 10, 2016 11:15 A.M.
Dear Valued Customer,
We regret that your baggage was not available to claim after your recent flight. Everything possible will be done to locate your belongings and return it to you on time.
For information on your delayed baggage, contact the United Airlines Baggage Resolution Center at its 24 hour, seven days a week.
Number:
1-800-335-BAGS (2247) (US – Toll Free)
281-821-3536 (Local Houston Number)
Or visit site: http://www.united.com/for/bagtracing
As soon as you send your Delayed Baggage Report, United Airlines will begin to look carefully for your baggage system. Our Baggage Resolution staff will make every effort to call you once a day to keep you updated on our progress. Please refer to the File Reference Number on this receipt (凭证) when corresponding or calling so that we can quickly access your records.
Keep this receipt with your claim check (提取证）and E-Ticket receipt until your baggage is returned to you.
In most circumstances, United Airlines will deliver your baggage when it is located. Delivery times vary depending on location.
If your baggage has not been returned to you within the first five-day tracing period, please download a claim form from our website and return it to us with the required information included.
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT
DELAYED BAGGAGE REPORT FILE REFERENCE: ALBUA25876
Name: JOHN JACKSON Contact Number: 802-247-9999
Delivery Address: 66 MOONBROOK DR
BRANDON Email: minminvt@yahoo.com
VERMONT USA 05745
Bag Tag: 0037387643; 0037387657
Description: Soft-Side Upright suitcase; Non-Zippered, hard side horizontal suitcase
1.Where does the report most probably come from?
A. Suitcase Tracing Center B. Information Center of the Airport
C. Delivery Center of United Airline D. Baggage Resolution Center
2.What can we learn about John Jackson from the report?
A. He must have filed his Delayed Baggage already.
B. He will get back his delayed baggage in less than five days.
C. He should call 802-247-9999 for the information about his delayed baggage.
D. He may not know anything about his delayed baggage during the first five days.
3.The purpose of the passage is __________.
A. to provide information about the location of the delayed baggage
B. to inform the customers of the time when the delayed baggage can be found
C. to instruct the customers how to get back their delayed baggage
D. to tell the customers the news that their delayed baggage was delayed
2022年冬奥会部分项目将在张家口举行，为了确保冬奥会圆满成功，张家口某机构提前发起了志愿者招募活动。假如你是该活动的负责人，请用英文写一篇招募通知，欢迎各界人士踊跃报名参加。
报名时间：2016年9月1日至10月 1 日；
地点：张家口市志愿者招募办公室；
联系电话：0313-123456；
其他内容自拟。
注意：1. 字数120字左右 2. 开头，结尾已为您写好
Notice
Attention, please! Everyone:
___________________________________________________________________________
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文，请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
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With Teachers’ Day draw near, I would like to express my thanks to Ms. Li, who taught me English last year.
At that time, I was having a trouble studying English and my scores fell. Ms. Li encouraged me and tell me her story that she never gave up before her studies didn’t go well. She also said that it was necessary to make efforts so that I would not regret waste time. Her words were the best medicine because she stood in her shoes to deal with problems and gave me sincere advices. She didn’t simple comfort me. Her teaching methods also counted. It had never occurred me that studying could be so interested until I met Ms. Li.
