

Zone zero: Does no-effort exercise have benefits?1 "No pain no gain!" That's a mindset applied to many things – from working long hours when starting a new business, to studying hard for an important exam. And gym culture often encourages people to push themselves to their limits, leading people to have an all or nothing attitude, where they feel they must either have an extremely tough fitness regime, or do nothing at all. But what if it doesn't have to be this way? What if you can improve your fitness and wellbeing with minimal effort? Meet the new trend gaining traction: zone zero exercise. 2 Zone training is about your heart rate. For example, zone 1 exercise requires 50% of your maximum heart rate, up to zone 5 which is 100% effort. Activities range from a dog walk or easy warm-up in zone 1, to a sprint up the stairs at zone 5. Think of zone zero as any kind of movement that keeps your heart rate below 50%. This could be a gentle stroll, a few stretches in between long stints of sitting at your desk, even gardening or light housework. Terry Tateossian, a personal trainer and nutritionist, said that for many of her clients, "zone zero is the bridge between sedentary and sustainable". It is exercise that feels effortless. 3 One major benefit of zone zero activity is accessibility. For those unable to do high intensity workouts, such as those recovering from injury, light exercise may feel like a smaller mountain to climb. And with this comes another benefit – consistency. A routine based on zone zero activity is easier to sustain, meaning the long-term benefits are easier to achieve. A 2018 review of research, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, found that zone zero activity can support mental wellbeing, help regulate blood sugar and improve circulation. It can even lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. 4 Of course, if you're gunning for a personal best, or wanting to significantly improve your fitness, you shouldn't stop at zone zero activities. You'll need to do challenging, high-intensity workouts to grow stronger. But even top athletes must embrace gentle movement. Endurance coach Stephanie Holbrook says, "it's often the missing piece that unlocks breakthrough performances because it facilitates genuine recovery." Maybe slowing down is the best way to move forward. 测验与练习 一、为本文选择总结句。 1. What is the main message of this article? a. Tougher workouts are the only way to stay fit. b. Gentle movement can be an effective and sustainable form of exercise. c. Zone zero exercise is only for professional athletes. 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. What is the problem with gym culture, according to the article? a. It encourages people to overexercise. b. It leads people to think they can improve their fitness without any effort. c. It leads people to think they must have a difficult workout routine to gain benefits. 2. What is an example of zone zero exercise? a. walking the dog b. an easy warm-up c. gardening 3. Zone zero exercise is movement that doesn't require much effort. a. True b. False c. Not given 4. In paragraph 3, what are the main benefits of zone zero exercise mentioned? a. accessibility, consistency, health b. consistency, health, intensity c. accessibility, injury, circulation 5. The article encourages readers to stop doing all high-intensity training. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 For people who are don't enjoy exercise, but know the health and wellbeing benefits, zone zero exercise could be something to 1) _______. Instead of a quick 2) _______, you can try activities that feel more 3) _______, and less like a huge 4) _______. If you already eat well and have a rich social life, light exercise could be 5) _______ in your health and wellness routine. the missing piece mountain to climb embrace effortless sprint sedentary stint (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 no pain no gain 没有付出就没有收获 push oneself to their limits 逼迫自己达到极限 all or nothing 走极端,孤注一掷 gain traction 变得流行,被接受 sprint 快跑,冲刺 stroll 散步,溜达 stint 一段时间 sedentary 久坐不动的 effortless 毫不费力的 accessibility 简便性 mountain to climb 困难的挑战,需要克服的难关 be gunning for (something) 努力获得(某物),追求(某事) personal best 个人最好成绩 embrace 欣然接受,乐意采纳 the missing piece 缺失的一环 答案 一、为本文选择总结句。 1. What is the main message of this article? b. Gentle movement can be an effective and sustainable form of exercise. 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. c. 2. c. 3. a. True. 4. a. 5. b. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 For people who are don't enjoy exercise, but know the health and wellbeing benefits, zone zero exercise could be something to embrace. Instead of a quick sprint, they can try activities that feel more effortless, and less like a huge mountain to climb. If you already eat well and have a rich social life, light exercise could be the missing piece in your health and wellness routine.
Is your dog reading your mind?1 Everyone knows that dogs are supposed to be our best friends. Could it be that they know what we are thinking? Whether it's getting excited at the prospect of a walk or knowing that tasty food is coming soon, are our dogs reading our minds? 2 Now, by mind-reading we're not talking about knowing our deepest thoughts in detail, but various psychologists have suggested that dogs might have a theory of mind. What this means is that they are aware that other creatures, like humans, are able to see and understand things in different ways. In various experiments it appears that dogs are able to identify who is paying them attention. They are more likely to ask for food from someone if there is a reason that the human would know where the dog treats are. If dogs have been forbidden food by someone, they are more likely to try and get it quietly. 3 As well as these behavioural studies, there are other things that show how dogs are able to relate closely to humans. Brain imaging studies have shown not only that caninebrains react to human voices, but that they also show an emotional response to those human sounds which demonstrate strong feelings, such as laughing or crying. Brain scanstudies have also shown that human faces also provoke an emotional response in dogs. Other studies have shown that sweat from people feeling scared could make dogs feel more stressed than sweat from happy people. 4 There is some debate about whether dogs have evolved to respond to human emotions as they have become domesticated or whether this behaviour is a learned reaction to stimuli. Experiments like those described above have also been carried out on wolves that have been raised by humans, who may have learned to respond to their carer's behaviour, but do not have the genes of a domesticated species. Wolves did show some abilities to respond to human emotions, but were less able to pick up more subtle clues. 5 Whether it's learned or innate, dogs' ability to read human emotions and intentions are one reason that we have included them in our lives for centuries. It's also why they have been successful as assistance dogs, helping their owners to get through everyday life. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 _______ Paragraph 2 _______ Paragraph 3 _______ Paragraph 4 _______ Paragraph 5 _______ a. nature or nurture b. companions and assistants c. not just cats d. different perspectives e. canine brain responses f. friendly mind readers? 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Dogs develop a detailed picture of what we are thinking. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. Look at paragraph 3. What does 'they' refer to in the following sentence? 'They are more likely to ask for food from someone if there is a reason that the human would know where the dog treats are.' a. humans b. psychologists c. dogs 3. Dogs know when they have to be secretive when getting food. a. True b. False c. Not given 4. Dogs show greater emotional responses than other commonly domesticated animals. a. True b. False c. Not given 5. Dogs are better than wolves at responding to _______ signs from their carers. a. obvious b. subtle c. quick 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 It has been suggested that dogs have a 1) _______ – they understand the perspective of others. 2) _______ studies have shown how dogs act in response to humans' actions. It appears that they are 3) _______ of what humans might be thinking. 4) _______ to familiar faces and voices can be seen on brain scans. Studies have tried to show whether these reactions are 5) _______ or learned behaviours. subtle aware domesticated behavioural innate emotional responses theory of mind (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 excited 兴奋的,激动的 deepest thought 内心最深处的想法 psychologist 心理学家 theory of mind 心智理论 aware 意识到的 pay attention 关注,注意 forbid 禁止,不准 behavioural 行为上的 brain imaging 脑成像 canine 犬科动物的 emotional response 情感反应 brain scan 脑部扫描 provoke 激起,引起 stressed 焦虑的,紧张的 evolve 进化 domesticated 驯化的 learned reaction 后天习得的反应 stimulus 刺激,刺激物 carer 照顾者,看护者 gene 基因 subtle 微妙的,含蓄的 innate 先天的 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 f) friendly mind readers? Paragraph 2 d) different perspectives Paragraph 3 e) canine brain responses Paragraph 4 a) nature or nurture Paragraph 5 b) companions and assistants 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. b. False. 2. c. 3. a. True. 4. c. Not given. 5. b. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 It has been suggested that dogs have a theory of mind – they understand the perspective of others. Behavioural studies have shown how dogs act in response to humans' actions. It appears that they are aware of what humans might be thinking. Emotional responsesto familiar faces and voices can be seen on brain scans. Studies have tried to show whether these reactions are innate or learned behaviours.
Life lessons learnt from pocket money词汇:pocket money 零花钱 1 How much pocket money did you get as a child, if any? Was it a regular, weekly allowance, or just occasional one-off payments for chores? Parents around the world have different ideas about the dos and don'ts of pocket money. How much should parents give? Should they track what their children spend money on? And where is the balance between teaching children valuable life lessons and simply spoiling them? 2 Giving children pocket money offers more than just disposable income – it can provide lessons in financial literacy. One of the first things children can learn is that money is finite – once it is spent, there's no more until the next allowance. This awareness can help children learn how to budget and make good financial decisions. For example, they might spend weeks saving up for something big and exciting, rather than spending small amounts immediately. Making money mistakes while the amounts are relatively small can prepare children for when they start handling larger sums of money as adults. 3 Some parents link pocket money to household chores, teaching kids that hard work and good behaviour is rewarded. Louise Hill is the CEO of GoHenry – a money management service for children. She says that earning through chores encourages financial independence and "ultimately gives much more satisfaction rather than instant gratification". The downside of this, however, is that kids may only help around the house when they receive payment, rather than seeing it as their shared responsibility. In their adolescence, young people may transition to a more lucrative way of earning pocket money – part-time work such as babysitting. 4 Pocket money used to mean exactly that – coins or notes that children could keep in their pocket. And when they're young, seeing physical cash is a good way for them to understand money. But in today's digital world, families are increasingly going cashless. Online money management services are emerging in the market, many of them offering a combination of prepaid debit cards and an app that both child and parent can use to track spending. Some even offer gamified money lessons and the option to set up pots to fulfil savings goals. This modern approach is just another way children can be prepared for adult life, where many transactions are digital. 5 There's no perfect formula when it comes to pocket money, and a lot will depend on family situation and finances. Ultimately, learning to spend wisely, save and even give generously can help children build a healthy relationship with money that can continue into adulthood. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 _______ Paragraph 2 _______ Paragraph 3 _______ Paragraph 4 _______ Paragraph 5 _______ a. Saving pocket money b. Earning pocket money c. Pocket money teaches generosity d. Pocket money in the modern world e. The bigger picture f. Many factors to consider 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. In paragraph 2, what does 'it' refer to in the following sentence? Giving children pocket money offers more than just disposable income – it can provide lessons in financial literacy. a. giving children pocket money b. disposable income c. pocket money 2. Understanding that money is finite teaches children… a. how to spend. b. how to budget. c. how to be an adult. 3. The author thinks it's bad for children to make mistakes with money. a. True b. False c. Not given 4. What is the disadvantage of paying children for doing chores? a. They might not help around the house without payment. b. They might be underpaid. c. They might get tired. 5. Digital money management services cost money. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Giving children pocket money can improve their 1) _______. If they want to 2) _______ for an exciting new toy, they must learn how to 3) _______ and only buy the things they need, rather than being tempted by 4) _______. If they want to save up faster, they must do more 5) _______ to earn more pocket money from their parents. save up financial literacy instant gratification budget cashless adolescence chores (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 allowance 父母定期给孩子的钱,定期补贴 one-off 一次性的 chore 家务活 dos and don'ts 应该与不应该做的事,规则 spoil 宠坏,溺爱 disposable income 可支配收入 financial literacy 财务知识,金融素养 finite 有限的 budget 制订预算 save up 存钱 instant gratification 即时满足 adolescence 青少年时期 lucrative 赚钱的 cashless 无现金的 debit card 借记卡 gamified 游戏化的 transaction 交易 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 f) Many factors to consider Paragraph 2 a) Saving pocket money Paragraph 3 b) Earning pocket money Paragraph 4 d) Pocket money in the modern world Paragraph 5 e) The bigger picture 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. 2. b. 3. b. 4. a. 5. c. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Giving children pocket money can improve their financial literacy. If they want to save upfor an exciting new toy, they must learn how to budget and only buy the things they need, rather than being tempted by instant gratification. If they want to save up faster, they must do more chores to earn more pocket money from their parents.
The meat eaters1 When you hear the word 'carnivore', do you think of lions and bears and sharks, or humans? Steak for breakfast, chicken breasts for lunch and salmon and lamb for dinner. No veg and no carbs. This is just a typical day for someone on the carnivore diet. It's a meal plan that only allows meat, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, dairy products and water. It's animal-based opposed to plant-based. But why are some people following this diet? And what do nutritionists think about it? 2 The carnivore diet is a type of ketogenic diet. Normally the body uses glucose from carbohydrates as energy, but when there's a lack of this, the liver breaks fat down into ketones. This essentially means the body can fuel itself using fat instead of sugar. Followers of the diet may experience weight loss, especially early on. One reason for this is that protein is highly satiating, so you consume fewer calories. On top of this, cuttingout sugary snacks and fizzy drinks has significant health benefits, and when our carb intake is reduced, our stored water levels fall, again helping to reduce weight. 3 Nevertheless, the carnivore diet can't be described as 'balanced' by any stretch, according to health experts. In fact, the British Heart Foundation strongly opposes it, saying there is no scientific evidence that it helps weight loss in the long term, and it's lacking in essential nutrients. They say extreme diets which are low in fibre and high in fat can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Saturated fat increases levels of LDLcholesterol and processed meat is high in salt which can raise blood pressure. Fibre, they say, is necessary and counteracts all these issues, but it can only be found in 'banned foods' of the carnivore diet – fruits, vegetables, seeds, legumes and wholegrains, for example. 4 On social media you'll find plenty of people showing off their muscles and claiming their brain is working better than ever after weeks of fat and eggs and butter. Influencer Paul Saladino was an advocate of the carnivore diet until he started experiencing some persistent unpleasant symptoms. Speaking on a health and fitness podcast, he recounted heart palpitations, muscle cramps and sleep disturbances. He researched the diet more and concluded it was detrimental to his health and probably "not a great thing for most humans". 5 Most experts recommend balance, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is full of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and seeds – it even includes meat, fish and eggs – but everything in moderation. 测验与练习 一、根据文章内容选择合适的标题。 1. What could be an alternate title for this article? a. The risks of the carnivore diet b. A new way to lose weight c. Eat more meat 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. A person on a plant-based diet eats the opposite of someone on a carnivore diet. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. Where does someone on the carnivore diet get their energy from? a. fat stored in the liver b. ketones which come from fat c. glucose in carbohydrates 3. What does 'it' refer to in the following sentence? In fact, the British Heart Foundation strongly opposes it… a. weight loss b. the carnivore diet c. describing the carnivore diet as 'balanced' 4. The British Heart Foundation says the carnivore diet… a. is lacking in fibre. b. helps some people lose weight permanently. c. is higher in salt than other weight loss diets. 5. Paul Saladino thinks the carnivore diet could reduce life expectancy. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Only 1) _______, dairy and water are on the menu for followers of the 2) _______ diet. Eating a lot of meat, especially 3) _______, increases the amount of 4) _______ you have, which means you're more prone to strokes and heart attacks. It's best to eat everything 5)_______. in moderation LDL cholesterol plant-based balanced carnivore meat saturated (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 carnivore 食肉动物 poultry 家禽 plant-based 仅有蔬菜的 ketogenic diet 生酮饮食 glucose 葡萄糖 break down 分解 fuel 为…提供能量 satiating 高度饱腹的 cut out 戒除,不食用 by any stretch 无论如何,绝对不 fibre 纤维 LDL cholesterol 低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 processed 经过加工的 counteract 抵消,中和 show off 炫耀 advocate 拥护者,提倡者 persistent 持续的,反复出现的 recount 详细叙述 cramp 抽筋,痉挛 detrimental 有害的,不利的 in moderation 适度地,有节制地 答案 一、根据文章内容选择合适的标题。 a. The risks of the carnivore diet 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. 2. b. 3. b. 4. a. 5. c. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Only meat, dairy and water are on the menu for followers of the carnivore diet. Eating a lot of meat, especially saturated, increases the amount of LDL cholesterol you have, which means you're more prone to strokes and heart attacks. It's best to eat everything in moderation.
What happens when your job is just too boring?词汇:work motivation 工作动力 1 We all know that having too much work and too much stress can lead to burnout, but did you know that the opposite can also be a problem? Have you ever felt that your job was too easy and that everything was just a bit too boring? If so, you might be suffering from rust out. 2 Rust out happens when there isn't enough challenge to motivate you to keep going in your job. Without some challenge, it can be hard to feel growth in your role. If a job has lots of repetitive and monotonous tasks, it can make it hard to see the purpose of a role. Having a lower level of responsibility at work than before can also make it harder to feel fulfilled in a job. This can affect people who have taken time out from their career for family or personal reasons. 3 If you think that you might be suffering from rust out, then there are a number of signs to watch out for. You might dread finding your schedule each week and not seeing anything stimulating on it. It might be that you often find yourself clock-watching at work, willing the time to pass. Focus and motivation can drop, leading you to get less done than you had before, or to make more mistakes. You may start to feel apathetic and disengagedtowards your job. These feelings can lead to anxiety and depression which can then spread from work into people's personal lives. 4 Finding yourself suffering from rust out can sometimes be an opportunity. Some experts suggest that self-awareness is key. By taking some time to realise what you are really looking for in work and life, you can take steps to re-discover your motivation. Setting yourself goals and allowing yourself to try new things can help you find a new purpose. Considering what you really need for a job can also lead you to find a new one that's better suited to your goals in life. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 _______ Paragraph 2 _______ Paragraph 3 _______ Paragraph 4 _______ a. What is rust out? b. Worse than burnout c. Signs of rust out d. Escaping rust out e. Workload problems: it's not just burnout 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. It's not always great to have an easy job. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. What can help you grow in your job role? a. monotonous routines b. repetitive tasks c. challenge 3. What does 'this' mean in this sentence? This can often affect people who have taken time out from their career for family reasons. a. Feeling burnout b. Difficulty in feeling fulfilled c. Being too motivated 4. Which of these could be a sign of rust out? a. Being disappointed by your rota b. Losing track of time c. Setting targets 5. Thinking about what you really want can help fight rust out. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 When work doesn’t offer enough 1) _______ then we can start to feel 2) _______. We may have too many 3) _______ tasks or find ourselves 4) _______. If that happens, it can be useful to work on our 5) _______ and work out what we really want from work. burnout self-awareness monotonous rust out stimulating clockwatching challenge (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 burnout 疲劳过度 rust out 倦怠,缺乏热情 challenge 挑战 motivate 激励 growth 成长 repetitive 重复的 monotonous 单调乏味的,一成不变的 purpose 意图,目的 responsibility 责任 fulfilled 满足的 take time out 抽出时间 dread 害怕 schedule 日程安排 stimulating 能激发热情的 clock-watching 总看时间等着下班 focus 注意力,专注力 motivation 积极性,动力 apathetic 懈怠的 disengaged 不感兴趣的,心不在焉的 self-awareness 自我认知 goal 目标 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 e) Workload problems: it's not just burnout Paragraph 2 a) What is rust out? Paragraph 3 c) Signs of rust out Paragraph 4 d) Escaping rust out 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. True. Have you ever felt that your job was too easy and that everything was just a bit too boring? If so, you might be suffering from rust out. 2. c. Without some challenge, it can be hard to feel growth in your role. 3. b. Having a lower level of responsibility at work than before can also make it harder to feel fulfilled in a job. This can often affect people who have taken time out from their career for family or personal reasons. 4. a. You might dread finding your schedule each week and not seeing anything stimulating on it. 5. a. True. By taking some time to realise what you are really looking for in work and life, you can take steps to re-discover your motivation. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 When work doesn't offer enough challenge then we can start to feel rust out. We may have too many monotonous tasks or find ourselves clock-watching. If that happens, it can be useful to work on our self-awareness and work out what we really want from work.
Can books treat mental health conditions?1 "It opened up something in me that needed to be opened and needed to heal," says Elizabeth Russell, a teacher and librarian from the US state of Connecticut. She was going through a rough patch in life when she found bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is the use of literature to support people with mental health and wellbeing issues. The benefits of non-fiction, self-help books are well documented – results from 'A meta‐analysis of bibliotherapy studies' suggest this type of bibliotherapy can help with conditions such as anxiety and depression – but what about fiction? 2 'Creative bibliotherapy' may have similar advantages. Ella Berthoud, well-known bibliotherapist and author of The Novel Cure calls it 'the art of prescribing fiction for life's ailments'. But how does it work? If you were to go to Ella for help, she'd start with a consultation. Then, she says, "I will guide you to books that put a finger on feelings you may often have had, but perhaps never clearly understood before." Proponents of creative bibliotherapy say that immersing oneself in a good book can help readers process emotions, discover coping strategies or even just provide some escapism from life's stresses. 3 But some experts worry the benefits of creative bibliotherapy are overhyped. Studies suggest reading may improve things such as empathy and self-confidence, but in terms of treating specific mental health conditions, the evidence is weak. Some stories may even cause harm, particularly if they trigger or reinforce the negative feelings someone wants to escape. It seems bibliotherapy is best used in conjunction with other therapies, rather than as a substitute. 4 In the UK, the Reading Agency's Reading Well programme helps people manage their health and wellbeing with books. The books are recommended by health experts and people with lived experience of the topics covered. But, the organisation's head of health and wellbeing, Gemma Jolly, understands that it's "not a one size fits all." She says, "It's about having an additional tool that might work for some people." Will you give bibliotherapy a go? 测验与练习 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 Which paragraph contains an example of a bibliotherapy organisation? 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. In paragraph 1, what does 'it' refer to in the following sentence? "It opened up something in me that needed to be opened and needed to heal". a. bibliotherapy b. mental health c. depression 2. Bibliotherapy only makes use of non-fiction literature. a. True b. False c. Not given 3. There is evidence that creative bibliotherapy improves… a. empathy b. mental health conditions c. both 4. Creative bibliotherapy may be harmful. a. True b. False c. Not given 5. Which sentence summarises Gemma Jolly's view of bibliotherapy? a. People should try books recommended by people who have had similar lived experience. b. Most people can manage their mental health with books. c. There's no single solution that works for everyone. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 There is evidence to suggest 1) ________ books can help people with their mental health. Creative bibliotherapists are now saying fiction may help us 2) ________ with our problems too. So, if you're going through a 3) ________, why not 4) ________? Although experts warn that the benefits may be 5) ________. cope overhyped give it a go self-help ailments one size fits all rough patch (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 rough patch 艰难的时期 non-fiction 非虚构的 self-help 自我帮助的 fiction 虚构的 prescribe 给…开(药),开处方 ailment 病痛,伤痛 consultation 咨询 put a finger on 明确地指出 immerse oneself 将自己沉浸于…之中 cope 应对 escapism 逃避现实 overhyped 过度炒作的 trigger 引起,触发 reinforce 加强,强化 in conjunction 联同,协同 one size fits all 一刀切的解决方法 give something a go 尝试做某事 答案 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 Paragraph 4. In the UK, the Reading Agency's Reading Well programme helps people manage their health and wellbeing with books. 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. She was going through a rough patch in life when she found bibliotherapy. 2. b. False. There are two types: bibliotherapy with non-fiction, self-help books, and 'creative bibliotherapy' which uses fiction. 3. a. Studies suggest reading may improve things such as empathy and self-confidence, but in terms of treating specific mental health conditions, the evidence is weak. 4. a. True. Some stories may even cause harm, particularly if they trigger or reinforce the negative feelings someone wants to escape. 5. c. Gemma Jolly understands that it's "not a one size fits all." 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 There is evidence to suggest self-help books can help people with their mental health. Creative bibliotherapists are now saying fiction may help us cope with our problems too. So, if you're going through a rough patch, why not give it a go? Although experts warn that the benefits may be overhyped.
Extreme day trips1 You can't beat a holiday, but would you ever consider going away for just one day? Extreme day trips are a new trend that squeeze international adventure into just 24 hours. It might sound exhausting, but for lots of people, the appeal lies in time efficiency, budget-friendly prices and the excitement of going somewhere and doing something completely new. 2 It's possible to zip to cities in your own country to experience new culture, food and geography without ever leaving 'home', though many European extreme day-trippers go abroad. Monica Stott, a travel blogger from the UK, has taken day trips to Reykjavik in Iceland, Milan in Italy and Lisbon in Portugal, all without staying overnight. It all started for her when she flew over to Ireland for work meetings. She told the BBC, "I'd quite often pop over for a one or two-hour meeting and come home. Then I realised I could stay and make a full day of it." 3 Social media groups advertising extreme day trips are now booming. These groups offer a supportive community for like-minded travellers and are packed with tips and destination ideas. 4 However, it's not all fun and games. Hours of the day can easily be taken up with long airport transfers, traffic jams, and in many big cities, there isn't enough time to see everything you want to. Critics also point to the environmental cost. Flying significantly contributes to global emissions and makes carbon-neutral air travel aims, such as the UK's Jet Zero, much less likely to succeed. If other forms of transport can be used, such as trains, that can be a better alternative for the environment. Train stations are often located in city centres, so you can be right in the heart of the city in much less time. 5 So, if you're tempted, pack light, plan smart and consider the best way to travel for the environment and limited time you have. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 ________ Paragraph 2 ________ Paragraph 3 ________ Paragraph 4 ________ Paragraph 5 ________ a. Criticism of flying b. A place to share ideas c. Multiple countries or staying home? d. Life-changing benefits e. The appeal f. Give it a go! 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Monica Stott often travels to multiple countries in one day. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. What do social media groups offer people considering an extreme day trip? a. advice b. offers c. reviews 3. What issue is mentioned about visiting a big city in only 24 hours? a. Train delays mean you can't get there and back easily. b. There is too much to see in a short space of time. c. Overcrowding and queues can waste time. 4. Jet Zero is a UK carbon-neutral train company. a. True b. False c. Not given 5. What does 'that' refer to in the following sentence? If other transport can be used, like travelling by train, then that can be a great alternative. a. air travel b. other transport c. train stations 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Do you fancy 1) _______ for just 24 hours? The 2) _______ Monica Stott started visiting cities for the day after realising she could extend her work trips. Now social media groups are 3) _______ with people sharing tips on where to go and how to make the most of their time. Benefits include not paying to 4) _______, though critics say flying has an 5) _______. Consider train travel if you want to reduce emissions and get into the 6) _______ more quickly. booming going away take up heart of the city travel blogger stay overnight environmental cost (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 go away 外出度假 extreme day trip 当日往返的极限旅行 budget-friendly 经济实惠的 zip 快速前往 day-tripper 一日游的游客 go abroad 出国 overnight 过夜 pop over 短暂造访 make a full day of it 充实地度过一整天,安排一整天做某事 booming 蓬勃发展的,火热的 like-minded 志同道合的 destination 目的地 take up 占用 airport transfer 机场中转 traffic jam 交通堵塞 environmental cost 环境成本 global emissions 全球排放量 carbon-neutral 碳中和的 heart of the city 市中心 pack light 轻装出行 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 e. The appeal Paragraph 2 c. Multiple countries or staying home? Paragraph 3 b. A place to share ideas Paragraph 4 a. Criticism of flying Paragraph 5 f. Give it a go! 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. c. 2. a. 3. b. 4. b. 5. b. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Do you fancy going away for just 24 hours? The travel blogger Monica Stott started visiting cities for the day after realising she could extend her work trips. Now social media groups are booming with people sharing tips on where to go and how to make the most of their time. Benefits include not paying to stay overnight, though critics say flying has an environmental cost. Consider train travel if you want to reduce emissions and get into the heart of the city more quickly.
Beating brain fog你是否时常感到思维迟钝或者记不住事情?这种一头雾水的感觉正困扰着越来越多的现代人。研究显示,近四成的人都曾有过这样的经历。虽然导致这种现象的具体原因尚不明确,但不健康的生活方式和饮食习惯也许或多或少会加剧这种情况。因此,通过调整作息、远离加工食品,多吃天然食物,我们或许可以重新回到思维清晰的状态。 词汇:brain fog 大脑迷雾 1 Do you ever wake up with a fuzzy feeling in your head, you can't concentrate on anything, or find your memory just isn't working as it should? You're not alone. 39% of British people said they suffer brain fog on a regular basis in a FutureYou Cambridge study. But why do we get brain fog, and can we do anything to prevent it? 2 The technical word for brain fog is cognitive impairment. When you have it, you can't think as clearly as you normally can – just as if your brain was actually full of fog. Dr Brennan, a neuroscientist and author, says "Brain fog is different to these short-term disruptions, because it is persistent, occurs regularly and can interfere with the quality of your life, your relationships, and your work". The reality is that no-one knows exactly what causes it, though theories include chemical or blood flow changes in the brain, and low-level inflammation. What we do know are factors that make it worse. 3 Fatigue, for example, is a key contributor to brain fog, making it hard to stay focused. This is because sleep deficiency can change activity in some parts of the brain, which means processing and recalling detail becomes harder. Pain and anxiety can also contribute to it – they interfere with cognitive speed because they are distracting. There are also medical conditions that can make it worse, like long Covid or autoimmune conditions like lupus disease. 4 So, if you're suffering from brain fog, what can you do to fix it? One thing you can do is avoid ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Dr Megan Rossi, the founder of The Gut Health Doctor, told the BBC that "UPFs are often low in essential nutrients like magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids and iron, all of which are crucial for brain function and mental clarity". Therefore, we should pack our diets with nutrient-rich foods like whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats. Blueberries are particularly rich in polyphenols and have been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in clinical trials. Hydration is also very important. 5 So, if you feel a bit foggy, try to get more sleep and consider making some changes to your diet. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 ________ Paragraph 2 ________ Paragraph 3 ________ Paragraph 4 ________ Paragraph 5 ________ a. Fix your problem b. A change in diet c. The benefits of socialising d. The possible causes of brain fog e. What is it? f. It’s not uncommon 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Globally, over a third of the population have experienced brain fog. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. Scientists know what makes brain fog worse, but not exactly what causes it. a. True b. False c. Not given 3. Why can sleep deficiency contribute to brain fog? a. Because it is distracting b. Because it can change brain activity c. Because it can lead to anxiety 4. What does 'it' refer to in the following sentence? There are also medical conditions that can make it worse. a. anxiety b. cognitive speed c. brain fog 5. Why can blueberries help avoid brain fog? a. Because they are a type of UPF b. Because they are hydrating c. Because they are rich in nutrients that help with brain function 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 If you every suffer from 1) _______, technically called 2) _______, here are some tips to help you out. Make sure you get enough sleep as this will help your brain to process and 3) _______ detail. Also, avoid 4) _______ and make sure your diet is rich in 5) _______ – 6) _______ are particularly good for cognitive function. nutrients recall cognitive impairment autoimmune ultra-processed foods brain fog blueberries (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 fuzzy 模糊的,不清楚的 brain fog 脑雾,一头雾水 cognitive impairment 认知障碍 neuroscientist 神经科学家 persistent 持续的,持久的 blood flow 血流 inflammation 炎症 fatigue 疲劳 sleep deficiency 睡眠不足 recall 回忆,回想 distracting 分散注意力的 autoimmune 自身免疫的 lupus disease 红斑狼疮 ultra-processed food 超加工食品 omega-3 fatty acid 欧米伽-3脂肪酸 iron 铁元素,铁 mental clarity 思维清晰度 nutrient-rich 营养丰富的 whole grain 全谷物 polyphenol 多酚 hydration 水分补充 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 f. It's not uncommon Paragraph 2 e. What is it? Paragraph 3 d. The possible causes of brain fog Paragraph 4 b. A change in diet Paragraph 5 a. Fix your problem 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. c. 2. a. 3. b. 4. c. 5. c. Blueberries are particularly rich in polyphenols and have been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in clinical trials. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 If you every suffer from brain fog, technically called cognitive impairment, here are some tips to help you out. Make sure you get enough sleep as this will help your brain to process and recall detail. Also, avoid ultra-processed foods and make sure your diet is rich in nutrients – blueberries are particularly good for cognitive function.
Morning shower or evening shower: Which is best?1 Do you need an energising blast of water in the morning to wake you up for the day? Or do you prefer a relaxing, warm shower in the evening to help you wind down as part of your nighttime routine? Maybe you just shower whenever you feel like it. For something so many of us do, this topic is bound to divide opinion and stir up passion from both sides. But is one really better than the other? 2 After a long day in the outside world, picking up pollutants and allergens on your skin and in your hair such as dust and pollen, a reasonable instinct would be to wash it all off before getting into bed. That's what the evening shower enthusiasts would say. But, says microbiologist Primrose Freestone, no matter the air temperature, you will continue to sweat during the night. Bacteria on your skin then eat the nutrients in your sweat which is what causes BO. Showering at night also doesn't stop you shedding dead skin cells. All this means you may not wake up feeling as fresh as you had hoped. Showering in the morning, on the other hand, can help to remove dead skin cells, sweat or any bacteria you've picked up from your bed sheets. "As a microbiologist, I am a day shower advocate," she says. 3 But it's not all about cleanliness. Nancy Rothstein, who calls herself The Sleep Ambassador, is concerned with sleep quality. In her view, showering in the evening is an essential part of the 'preparing for bed' routine. "Call it an opportunity to shower yourself with mindfulness," she says. And research backs this up. A systematic review of research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews in 2019 found nightly warm showering or bathing one to two hours before bedtime can improve sleep. 4 What it all boils down to is when you would like to feel freshest. If you're someone who can't fully relax in bed until you've showered, you're likely an evening shower person. Whereas, if you can't stand the idea of putting on fresh, clean clothes in the morning when you haven't showered, then a morning rinse is probably more your style. Whenever you choose to shower, Primrose Freestone says it's important to clean your bed sheets regularly to remove all the sweat, bacteria and dead skin cells that build up and can negatively affect the effectiveness of your showers. 测验与练习 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 Which paragraph is about the pros of a morning shower? 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase 'For something so many of us do' refer to?a. waking upb. going to sleepc. showering 2. What is the argument given in paragraph 2 for showering in the evening?a. washing off dead skin cellsb. washing off sweatc. washing off pollutants and allergens 3. Primrose Freestone thinks showering in the evening is better.a. Trueb. Falsec. Not given 4. Research supports Nancy Rothstein's view.a. Trueb. Falsec. Not given 5. Whether you choose to shower in the morning or evening, it's important to…a. practise mindfulness.b. wear fresh, clean clothes.c. clean your bed sheets regularly. 三、用下列单词完成总结。 Spending the day outside of the house means you're 1) _______ pick up pollutants and allergens on your skin. If you 3) _______ going to bed feeling dirty, that probably means you're an evening shower 2) _______. Whereas, if you're a morning shower person, you probably enjoy rinsing off the 4) _______ from the night before. What it all 5) _______ is the person's individual preferences and routines. bound toboils down tosweatshedmindfulnesscan't standenthusiast 词汇表 blast 强劲的水流wind down 放松下来be bound to 注定会,必然会stir up 激起pollutant 污染物allergen 过敏原enthusiast 支持者,热衷于…的人sweat 出汗BO (body odour) 体臭,体味shed 使…脱落advocate 拥护者mindfulness 正念boil down to 归结于can't stand 无法忍受rinse 冲洗,冲一下 答案 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 Paragraph 2. Showering in the morning, on the other hand, can help to remove dead skin cells, sweat or any bacteria you've picked up from your bed sheets. 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. c. Showering. Waking up and going to sleep are mentioned, but showering is the main topic. 2. c. After a long day in the outside world, picking up pollutants and allergens on your skin and in your hair such as dust and pollen, a reasonable instinct would be to wash it all off before getting into bed. 3. b. False. "As a microbiologist, I am a day shower advocate," says Primrose Freestone. 4. a. True. And research backs this up. A systematic review of research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews in 2019 found nightly warm showering or bathing one-two hours before bedtime can improve sleep. 5. c. Whenever you choose to shower, Primrose Freestone says it's important to clean your bed sheets regularly… 三、总结。 Spending the day outside of the house means you're bound to pick up pollutants and allergens on your skin. If you can't stand going to bed feeling dirty, that probably means you're an evening shower enthusiast. Whereas, if you're a morning shower person, you probably enjoy rinsing off the sweat from the night before. What it all boils down to is the person's individual preferences and routines.
Outdoor shoes in the house: What are the dangers?1 "Welcome! Shoes off please." In many Asian countries, removing shoes when you enter someone's home is expected – it shows respect and ensures cleanliness. In other places, such as the UK, however, the social norms are more ambiguous. Some Brits might have a strict "shoes off" rule, while others may be squeamish about seeing others' socks or bare feet. What do the scientists say? 2 If you remove your shoes at the door for cleanliness, you're probably thinking about the visible dirt – urban dust, mud and grass that has hitched a ride from the outside world on the sole of your shoe. But the real problems are microscopic. A review of research called 'Shoe soles as a potential vector for pathogen transmission' found a high prevalence of dangerous bacteria on shoe soles, which could lead to illness. Children under five are particularly at risk because of their closeness to the floor and developing immune systems. 3 Germs aside, shoe soles can also bring in nasty chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, exposure to which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, according to a study by Muhammad Sarwar, published in Cogent Medicine. Allergens such as pollen can also enter your home via your shoes, which can be a big issue if you suffer with hay fever or have respiratory issues. Isn't your home meant to be a safe haven? 4 But it's not just about hygiene. Going shoeless can improve things such as balance, body awareness and strength and stability in your muscles, according to a medically reviewed article called 'Does Walking Barefoot Have Health Benefits?'. "In theory, walking barefoot more closely restores our 'natural' walking pattern, also known as our gait," explains foot and ankle specialist Jonathan Kaplan. 5 In cultures where a shoe-free home is the norm, the reasons are backed by science. And in places where the rules are less clear, maybe it's time to think about leaving our outdoor shoes at the threshold. There's an old African proverb that states "When you leave your shoes at the doorstep, you leave your troubles behind." 测验与练习 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 1. Which paragraph contains a benefit of removing outdoor shoes that is unrelated to cleanliness? 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. It's normal in all cultures to remove your outdoor shoes in the home. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. Why is it a problem to bring bacteria into the home via shoe soles? a. it makes the house dirty b. it's not good for our health c. it can cause hay fever 3. Food allergens can enter the home on the soles of shoes. a. True b. False c. Not given 4. How does the article writer feel about removing outdoor shoes in the house? a. positively b. negatively c. neutral 5. Which word could replace 'norm' in the following sentence? In cultures where a shoe-free home is the norm, the reasons are backed by science. a. pattern b. exception c. standard 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Homes should be a 1)________ – a place to feel comfortable and protected. But if you cross over the 2)_______ and enter the house with your shoes on, you might be bringing in dangerous 3)_______. In cultures where a shoe-free home is not the norm, people may feel 4)_______ about the idea of going 5)_______. gait pathogens threshold squeamish safe haven shoeless hay fever (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 cleanliness 清洁,洁净 ambiguous 不明确的,模棱两可的 squeamish 感到不自在的,易受惊吓的 hitch a ride 搭乘,搭便车 sole 鞋底 microscopic 需要用显微镜才能看到的 pathogen 病原体 prevalence 普遍程度 germ 病菌,细菌 pesticide 杀虫剂 herbicide 除草剂 nausea 恶心,呕吐感 pollen 花粉 hay fever 花粉过敏症 safe haven 避风港,安全的地方 shoeless 不穿鞋的 barefoot 光脚的,赤脚的 gait 步态 shoe-free 不穿鞋的 threshold 门槛,门口 答案 一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。 Paragraph 3. It's about the physiological benefits of going barefoot, not cleanliness. 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. b. False. In other places, such as the UK, however, the social norms are more ambiguous. 2. b. A review of research … found a high prevalence of dangerous bacteria on shoe soles, which could lead to illness. 3. c. Not given. The allergen pollen is mentioned, but food allergens are not mentioned. 4. a. The article writer outlines lots of benefits of removing shoes in the house. 5. c. 'standard' is closest in meaning to the word 'norm'. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Homes should be a safe haven – a place to feel comfortable and protected. But if you cross over the threshold and enter the house with your shoes on, you might be bringing in dangerous pathogens. In cultures where a shoe-free home is not the norm, people may feel squeamish about the idea of going shoeless.
Turning uncertainty into opportunity1 Starting a new job, moving house, quitting your job to start a new business – all of these can be great opportunities, but all of them can lead to uncertainty. We can't know for sure that they will turn out well. Could this fear of the unknown be holding us back? 2 Improving things in your life often requires some uncertainty, whether that's making time to learn something new, or moving to a new area. And It's not just about radical change. We often make negative assumptions about people we don't know, but if we go through the uncertainty of getting to know someone new, we can establish positive social or working relationships. 3 So, how can we learn to make the most of uncertainty? First, it can help to adjust the way we think about not knowing what will happen. Being curious about a new job can help us grow, while being afraid of any negative changes can stop us taking advantage of new opportunities. It can be helpful to see threats as challenges that can be overcome. 4 One thing that can help with this is having faith in your own abilities. When assessing an uncertain future situation, consider your own capability in being able to mitigate any issues that come up. If you know that you have the skills, knowledge or flexibility required to address unforeseen problems, then uncertainty can seem like less of a threat. 5 Believing in yourself is one way to build resilience. E-commerce entrepreneur Alexandre Bonvin highlights the importance of building up a cash buffer in business. Another way to build your resilience can be to take on small tasks that have some uncertainty and reflecting on how you deal with each one. 6 A positive mindset and building up our own personal resilience can help us use uncertainty as an opportunity for growth. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 ________ Paragraph 2 ________ Paragraph 3 ________ Paragraph 4 ________ Paragraph 5 ________ Paragraph 6 ________ a. Believe in yourself b. Is fear holding you back? c. A new way of thinking d. Making a decision e. Opportunities from uncertainty f. Gaining resilience g. How to grow 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. According to the article, what could fear of the unknown lead to? a. making mistakes b. stopping your progress c. quitting your job 2. If we don't get to know someone, we might think bad things about them. a. true b. false c. not given 3. What can help us use a new job for personal growth? a. fear b. curiosity c. assumptions. 4. Look at paragraph 4. What does 'One thing' refer to in the following sentence? One thing that can help with this is having faith in your own abilities. a. uncertainty b. your abilities c. having faith 5. What does Alexandre Bonvin say makes a business more resilient? a. e-commerce b. small tasks. c. spare money 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Uncertainty is often seen as a 1)_______ that can cause people harm. For example, many people would be afraid of 2)_______ their job to take up an 3)_______. But uncertainty can be positive, especially if we adopt a positive 4)_______. Learning how to deal with unpredictable situation can lead to real personal 5)_______. opportunity quitting growth capability threat mindset mitigating (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 quit 辞职 opportunity 机遇,机会 hold back 阻挡...的前进,阻碍...的发展 radical 根本的,彻底的 assumption 假定,臆断 curious 好奇的 take advantage 充分利用,好好把握 threat 威胁 challenge 挑战 overcome 克服 have faith 对…有信心 capability 能力 mitigate 缓和,减轻 unforeseen problem 未曾预料到的问题 resilience 适应力 buffer 缓冲,缓冲物 positive mindset 积极的心态 growth 成长,发展 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 b) Is fear holding you back? Paragraph 2 e) Opportunities from uncertainty Paragraph 3 c) A new way of thinking Paragraph 4 a) Believe in yourself Paragraph 5 f) Gaining resilience Paragraph 6 g) How to grow 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. stopping your progress. We can't know for certain that they will turn out well – but could this fear of the unknown be holding us back. 2. b. True. We often make negative assumptions about people we don’t know, but if we go through the uncertainty of getting to know someone new, we can establish positive social or working relationships. 3. b. Curiosity Being curious about a new job can help us grow, while being afraid of the negative changes can stop us taking advantage of new opportunities. 4. c. Having faith. One thing that can help with this is having faith in your own abilities. 5. c. Spare money. Alexandre Bonvin highlights the importance of building up a cash buffer in business. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Uncertainty is often seen as a threat that can cause people harm. For example, many people would be afraid of quitting their job to take up an opportunity. But uncertainty can be positive, especially if we adopt a positive mindset. Learning how to deal with unpredictable situation can lead to real personal growth.
Small steps to build long-lasting habits1 It's day one of a healthier, smarter, better you. You're full of zest and good intentions. You woke up at 5am to run before work, you read a book in your lunchbreak, and you listened to an English podcast on your commute. Now, fast forward three months. Life is getting in the way, and you've slipped into old habits… snoozing your alarm and eating chocolate for breakfast. Sound familiar? 2 Don't be hard on yourself. It's unrealistic to rely on willpower alone. As James Clear, author of the bestselling book 'Atomic Habits', writes, "The problem isn't you. The problem is your system." Our habits come from goals, so start by getting really clear. Goals, according to George T Doran, should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. It's not enough to say, "I'll exercise more" – that's too vague! A SMART goal would be "I'm going to walk for 20 minutes in the evenings on weekdays." Now you have a clear action that you can stick to. 3 Once you're clear on your goals, you need to make the associated habits as automatic as possible. Try 'habit stacking', a technique popularised in the book 'Atomic Habits', which involves attaching a new habit onto something you already do regularly. For example, if you already make coffee every morning, use that moment to read your book for 20 minutes. That way, your new reading habit is now intertwined with something you're going to do anyway. Another key strategy is to reward yourself, to transform the habit from a chore into something pleasurable. If it's hard to get yourself to the gym, promise yourself that after each visit, you'll allow yourself a treat – a takeaway meal or an episode of your favourite TV show. 4 Even with our best intentions and a great system, stress and interruptions to your routine like social events can still make keeping habits feel like an uphill battle. If or when you have setbacks, accept it as part of the process. Life is full of spontaneity and uncertainty – one could argue that's what keeps it interesting! Use setbacks as a pause for reflection and review. What about your system is working? What's no longer serving you? Then, get back on track. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 ________ Paragraph 2 ________ Paragraph 3 ________ Paragraph 4 ________ a. Making habits easy b. Hypothetical scenario c. Giving up on your habits d. When things go wrong e. Sharing goals with friends f. Goal setting 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Which habit does the writer imply is negative? a. waking up at 5am b. making coffee every morning c. snoozing your alarm 2. "I'll exercise more" is a SMART goal. a. True b. False c. Not given 3. Which word in paragraph 2 is the opposite of 'specific'? a. unrealistic b. vague c. clear 4. Which statement best describes 'habit stacking'? a. Linking a new habit to an existing habit to make it easier to remember. b. Creating habits based on specific goals. c. Replacing a bad habit with a good habit to break unhealthy routines. 5. Social events can interrupt our habit routines. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Maintaining good habits can sometimes feel like 1) _______. It can be hard to 2) _______ a good routine. But when life sends you 3) _______, it's important not to be too 4)_______. Instead, search for the willpower to get 5) _______. an uphill battle setbacks back on track vague stick to pleasurable hard on yourself (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 zest 热忱,强烈的兴趣 commute 上下班往返,通勤 fast forward 快进 slip into 陷入,逐渐养成(坏习惯) snooze 让闹钟推迟响起 hard on oneself 对自己过于严苛 willpower 意志力,毅力 time-bound 有时间要求的,受时间限制的 vague 不明确的,模糊的 stick to 坚持,遵守(习惯,规则等) habit stacking 习惯叠加,让不同习惯互相促进 intertwine 互相缠绕,交织 reward oneself 奖励自己 chore 烦人的事,杂事 pleasurable 令人愉悦的 an uphill battle 一场艰苦的战斗 setback 挫折,阻隘 spontaneity 自发性 back on track 回到正轨 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 b) Hypothetical scenario Paragraph 2 f) Goal setting Paragraph 3 a) Making habits easy Paragraph 4 d) When things go wrong 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. snoozing your alarm. Life is getting in the way, and you've slipped into old habits… snoozing your alarm and eating chocolate for breakfast. 2. b. False. It's not enough to say, "I'll exercise more" – that's too vague! If a goal is vague, it's not specific, which is a requirement of SMART goals. 3. c. vague. 4. a. Linking a new habit to an existing habit to make it easier to remember. 'habit stacking' involves attaching a new habit onto something you already do regularly. 5. a. True. Stress and interruptions to your routine like social events can still make keeping habits feel like an uphill battle. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Maintaining good habits can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. It can be hard to stick toa good routine. But when life sends you setbacks, it's important not to be too hard on yourself. Instead, search for the willpower to get back on track.
Making friends as you ageAt school you're surrounded by people your own age. Of course you spend a lot of time with them, and so some of the best friendships are forged at school. But later in life, it's easy to lose touch – you work full-time, maybe start a family, and your old friends might be scattered across the country or even the world. A 2016 study in Finland found that after the age of 25, the number of friends someone has falls very quickly, and this number continues to decrease throughout a person's life. So when you're in your mid-to-late 20s, how can you make new friends? Radhika Sanghani, a BBC journalist, tasked herself with making new friends by saying 'yes' to any invitations that came her way. If a colleague asked her for lunch, she didn't shy away from it, and she soon made some of the closest friends she'd ever had. "We all message several times a week often leaving rambling voice notes; we host dinners at each other's houses; and we've all cried on each other at least once (the true mark of friendship)" she wrote in a 2018 article. The website Talk Twenties recommends joining a local class or group, like taking up running or joining a choir. Having something in common gives you something to talk about with your new acquaintances, which will hopefully then translate into meaningful relationships. When you don't have mutual interests with someone, it can be difficult to get past the small talk stage, where conversation can quickly fizzle out, and a class can help avoid this. Nowadays, there are also apps for meeting new people, like Bumble BFF or Meetup. Dr Robert Puff who writes for Psychology Today says solid friendships are essential for two main reasons. One is to help make life more enjoyable, and two is for support in difficult times – to make hardships more tolerable! As we grow up, we can feel like we're not in control of what's happening around us, but we can control our social life, so enrich your life with fulfilling friendships. 词汇表 forge 缔造,形成 lose touch 失去联系 scattered 分散的 invitation 邀请 shy away 畏缩,回避 closest 最亲近的 voice note 语音消息 host 举办,组织 in common 共同的,同样的 acquaintance 认识的人,熟人 meaningful 重要的,有意义的 mutual 共有的,彼此的 small talk 闲聊,寒暄 fizzle out 以失败告终 BFF (Best Friends Forever) 永远的最好的朋友 solid friendship 牢固的友谊 social life 社交生活 enrich 使…丰富或充实 测验与练习 1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 1. What did a 2016 Finnish study find? 2. What did Radhika Sanghani task herself with doing? 3. What examples of classes or groups are given? 4. True or False? Small talk can cause conversation to fizzle out. 5. What two reasons does Dr Puff give for having friends? 2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。 1. I really _______ from dancing at parties. I feel so awkward. forge shy away fizzle out enrich 2. That girl works at the bakery. We're not close at all, she's just _______. small talk an acquaintance an invitation a BFF 3. The _______ friend I ever had moved to Australia. I was devastated. meaningful closest scattered mutual 4. My friend Nick and I _______ so much in common. We could talk all day. have live take give 5. I love my _______ life! I'm out with friends every night. solid social voice in common 答案 1. What did a 2016 Finnish study find? It found that after the age of 25, the number of friends someone has falls very quickly, and this number continues to decrease throughout a person's life. 2. What did Radhika Sanghani task herself with doing? She tasked herself with making new friends by saying 'yes' to any invitations that came her way. 3. What examples of classes or groups are given? Taking up running or joining a choir. 4. True or False? Small talk can cause conversation to fizzle out. True. When talking, it can be difficult to get past the small talk stage, where conversation can quickly fizzle out. 5. What two reasons does Dr Puff give for having friends? One is to help make life more enjoyable, and two is for support in difficult times – to make hardships more tolerable. 2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。 1. I really shy away from dancing at parties. I feel so awkward. 2. That girl works at the bakery. We're not close at all, she's just an acquaintance. 3. The closest friend I ever had moved to Australia. I was devastated. 4. My friend Nick and I have so much in common. We could talk all day. 5. I love my social life! I'm out with friends every night.
Naps might not be as good for you as you think1 Surely, they're called power naps for a reason? Aren't naps the key to feeling alert, improving your memory and just generally having a great life? Well, they can be, but things aren't quite that simple. 2 It is true that a short nap can help people be more alert, improve their memory and concentration, and reduce risks around tasks with heavy machinery. Our circadian rhythms are responsible for the notorious lull that many of us feel in the early afternoon. This is the best time for a nap. Some companies have installed sleep pods for their employees, hoping to benefit from increased productivity and cognitive performance. But it is also true that naps can cause problems. 3 Let's start by thinking about the length. A true power nap should be less than half an hour. Any longer, and it becomes hard to rouse yourself from. Any benefits in terms of alertness are likely to disappear with the grogginess that results from a longer period of slumber. 4 This isn't the only issue. Naps have been linked to conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiac problems. However, it's not clear whether these are direct results, or stem from the impact of napping on our sleep habits. If you take a nap after about two or three in the afternoon, it's likely to have a negative effect on your ability to get to sleep at night. Breaking your sleep cycle can lead to bad sleeping habits, which themselves become ingrained. 5 Of course, in the same way that naps can lead to bad sleep, it's also true that bad sleep can lead to wanting to take more naps. So, if you find yourself frequently needing to sleep during the day, experts suggest that you consider why that's the case. Are there any potential health issues that could be causing insomnia? Or are work pressures stopping you from getting enough sleep? 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 ________ Paragraph 2 ________ Paragraph 3 ________ Paragraph 4 ________ Paragraph 5 ________ a. Disrupting our nights b. Why we are sleeping less c. Are naps as good as we thought? d. Hard to recover from e. Find the cause f. Benefits of a power nap 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Naps can make you work better. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. Look at paragraph 3. What does 'it' refer to in the following sentence? Any longer, and it becomes hard to rouse yourself from. a. an hour b. the length c. a nap 3. Naps have been proven to directly cause diabetes. a. True b. False c. Not given 4. What can make it harder to sleep at night? a. high blood pressure b. a five o'clock nap c. a sleep pod 5. Napping can be a sign of underlying issues. a. True b. False c. Not given 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 The effect of our 1) _______ causes us to feel a 2) _______ in the early afternoon. A short nap can help us feel more 3) _______. However, sleeping for too long can make us difficult to 4) _______ and lead to 5) _______ and other problems. stem from lull grogginess alert circadian rhythms productivity rouse (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 power nap “能量盹”,白天时间的短暂小睡 alert 清醒,警觉 circadian rhythm 体内生物钟 lull 昏昏欲睡的感觉 sleep pod 睡眠舱 productivity 生产力,工作效率 cognitive performance 认知表现 rouse 唤醒,使…醒来 grogginess 昏昏沉沉的感觉 slumber 沉睡,睡眠 cardiac 心脏的 stem from 源自,由…引起 sleep habit 睡眠习惯 sleep cycle 睡眠周期 ingrained 已成习惯的 insomnia 失眠 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 c) Are naps as good as we thought? Paragraph 2 f) Benefits of a power nap Paragraph 3 d) Hard to recover from Paragraph 4 a) Disrupting our nights Paragraph 5 e) Find the cause 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. True. It is true that a short nap can help people be more alert, improve their memory and concentration, and reduce risks around tasks with heavy machinery. 2. c. a nap. The pronoun 'it' refers to 'nap' in this sentence: 'A true power nap should be less than half an hour'. 3. b. False. However, it's not clear whether these are direct results, or stem from the impact of napping on our sleep habits. 4. b. A five o'clock nap. If you take a nap after two or three in the afternoon, it is likely to have an impact in your ability to get to sleep at night. 5. a. True. So, if you find yourself frequently needing to sleep during the day, experts suggest that you consider why that's the case. Are there any potential health issues that could be causing insomnia? Are work pressures, or working hours stopping you from getting enough sleep? 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 The effect of our circadian rhythms causes us to feel a lull in the early afternoon. A short nap can help us feel more alert. However, sleeping for too long can make us difficult to rouse and lead to grogginess and other problems.
The benefits of spending money on a good time1 What's best: a brand new phone or a day out with your friends? Is it better to spend money to buy things or to do things? A study of UK consumers showed that six in ten people would rather spend their money on experiences than material possessions. Those aged 18-34 reported spending the highest amount on fun activities. 2 Possessions can last for many years, while experiences are fleeting. This, however, might be the wrong way to look at things. Psychology professor Thomas Gilovich discovered that the happiness that objects provide can fade quickly. We adapt to having new possessions, so that rather than being something we are excited by, they just become our new normal. Soon we may even want to buy a better version of the things we own. Our feelings around possessions can also be affected by others. We tend to compare what we have with other people. If someone else has something better, we can start to feel envious. 3 A holiday or a day out may have a short duration, but the happiness it provides can last much longer. Waiting for our latest purchases to be delivered is frustrating, but waiting for an exciting event gives us a feeling of anticipation. Experiences are often shared, so we gain pleasure from social connection and time spent with other people. Memories of our experiences become part of our identity. As Gilovich points out, we are the sum of our experiences. Indeed, the very fact that experiences last for a limited time can give them value. A physical good deteriorates over time, while our memories of an experience can give us pleasure year after year. 4 Of course, it's not always that simple. Other studies have suggested that happiness gained from experiences might depend on your personality type, and how many possessions you already have. People with more introverted personality types may get less benefit from social occasions and those with few possessions may get greater benefit from objects. However, for many of us, it could be that when choosing how to spend our disposable income, we'll get far more benefit by spending on something to do, rather than something to have. 测验与练习 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 _______ Paragraph 2 _______ Paragraph 3 _______ Paragraph 4 _______ a. Adapting to products b. Experiences becoming more popular c. Spending disposable income d. Not for everyone e. Anticipation and memories 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. Most UK consumers prefer spending their income on experiences. a. True b. False c. Not given 2. What does 'this' refer to in the following passage? Possessions can last for many years, while experiences are fleeting. This, however, might be the wrong way to look at things. a. thinking that experiences are better b. thinking that something that lasts longer is better c. thinking about experiences 3. According to the text, which of these are true? a. experiences have to be exciting to be enjoyable. b. new possessions are expensive. c. we get bored of new possessions over time. 4. Waiting for a new experience is exciting. a. True b. False c. Not given 5. Whether you can get more pleasure from experiences can depend on _______. a. where you live b. your income c. your job 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Buying new 1)_______ might not make us happy. We can start to see them as a 2)_______ and also they can 3)_______ over time. Waiting for new experiences often makes us feel 4)_______, while the memories we make help form our 5)_______. deteriorate gain anticipation new normal material possessions identity duration (答案见词汇表后) 词汇表 experiences 体验,经历 material possessions 物质财产 fleeting 短暂的,转瞬即逝的 fade 渐渐消失 new normal 新常态 envious 嫉妒的,羡慕的 duration 持续时间 frustrating 令人沮丧的,令人懊恼的 anticipation 期望,期待 gain 获得,获取 social connection 社会联系 the sum of …的总和,…的集合 deteriorate 劣化,变坏 personality type 性格类型 disposable income 可支配收入 benefit 好处 答案 一、将标题和段落配对。 Paragraph 1 b) Experiences becoming more popular Paragraph 2 a) Adapting to products Paragraph 3 e) Anticipation and memories Paragraph 4 d) Not for everyone 二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。 1. a. 2. b. 3. c. 4. a. 5. b. 三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。 Buying new material possessions might not make us happy. We can start to see them as a new normal and also they can deteriorate over time. Waiting for new experiences often makes us feel anticipation, while the memories we make help form our identity.