Question

I considered an active social life as basic human necessity. Yet when it dawned on me just how much time I was spending socializing, I realized I may be taking it to an extreme. I calculated that, on average, I was spending 22 hours or more each week on social activities. So, to see what would happen to my work output, health and wellbeing, I decided to try and cut out my social life entirely.

I knew, at times, I filled my schedule simply out of fear of missing out (FOMO), but also as a way to shift focus away from my work. For one month, I declined all in-person activities with friends: going out for drinks; dinners; parties and non-work related events, to see if it would make me more productive, improve my focus and career prospects.

On day one of the month-long experiment, I had to fight some anxiety over missing out. But as the days passed, I started to relax. I only had one option to consider for Saturday night—to stay home—and this limitation left me more satisfied in my decision. I felt more content working, reading or watching TV.

While I found more time to work, I also noticed a change in my overall health. I found myself cooking more at home, doing daily exercise, getting to bed earlier each night, reading, and enjoying moments of rest and boredom throughout the day.

Having no social life left me more free time than I’d imagine. Such idle moments are vital for creativity, and mind wandering has been linked to creative problem solving. During the experiment I found myself regularly brainstorming new ideas and reimagining existing projects.

Of course socializing is an important way to build work contacts. While one month of no social life did not impact my relationship with existing clients, if I had continued, it may harm my ability to build new ones.

1.What did the author realize about his socializing?

A. It was difficult for him to contact people.

B. It’s a necessary part of his life and work.

C. He had spent too much time in socializing.

D. He should have spent more time socializing.

2.How did the author feel on the first day of his experiment?

A. He felt anxious that he might be left out.

B. He felt more energetic to get down to work.

C. He felt relaxed not having to contact people.

D. He felt doubtful whether he could hold on.

3.What benefit did the author find to let his mind wander lazily?

A. He could have more time with his family.

B. He could solve problems in a creative way.

C. He could be more concentrated on his work.

D. He could free himself from the work contacts.

4.What would the author do after the experiment?

A. Live a quiet life with his family away from the outside.

B. Make a new social life with any possible customers.

C. Spare some time regularly for creative thinking alone.

D. Continue his work contacts with his customers.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】本文主要讲了作者意识到自己花了太多的时间在社交上，于是进行了为期一个月的实验，完全切断社交生活，作者很享受这段惬意生活。

1.推理判断题。由I realised I may be taking it to an extreme. I calculated that, on average, I was spending 22 hours or more each week on social activities. So, to see what would happen to my work output, health and wellbeing, I decided to try and cut out my social life entirely.可知作者意识到自己花了太多的时间在社交上，选C。

2.细节理解题。由On day one of the month-long experiment, I had to fight some anxiety over missing out.可知作者在尝试的最初阶段，他对于自己可能会被抛弃，感觉很焦虑，选A。

3.推理判断题。由Such idle moments are vital for creativity, and mind wandering has been linked to creative problem solving.可知作者发现让自己的思维游荡能够有创造性的解决问题，选B。

4.推理判断题。由Of course socialising is an important way to build work contacts. While one month of no social life did not impact my relationship with existing clients, if I had continued, it may harm my ability to build new ones.可知做完实验之后，作者继续他的工作，和客户联系，选D。