Open Letter to an Editor
I had an interesting conversation with a reporter recently --- one who works for you. In fact, he’s one of your best reporters. He wants to leave.
Your reporter gave me a copy of his resume(简历) and photocopies of six stories that he wrote for you. The headlines showed you played them proudly. With great enthusiasm, he talked about how he finds issues(问题), approaches them, and writes about them, which tells me he is one of your best. I’m sure you would hate to lose him. Surprisingly, your reporter is not unhappy. In fact, he told me he really likes his job. He has a great assignment (分工), and said you run a great paper. It would be easy for you to keep him, he said. He knows that the paper values him. He appreciates the responsibility you’ve given him, takes ownership of his profession, and enjoys his freedom.
So why is he looking for a way out?
He talked to me because he wants his editors to demand so much more of him. He wants to be pushed, challenged, coached to new heights.
The reporter believes that good stories spring from good questions, but his editors usually ask how long the story will be, when it will be in, where it can play, and what the budget is.
He longs for conversations with an editor who will help him turn his good ideas into great ones. He wants someone to get excited about what he’s doing and to help him turn his story idea upside down and inside out, exploring the best ways to report it. He wants to be more valuable for your paper. That’s what you want for him, too, isn’t it?
So your reporter has set me thinking.
Our best hope in keeping our best reporters, copy editors, photographers, artists --- everyone --- is to work harder to make sure they get the help they are demanding to reach their potential. If we can’t do it, they’ll find someone who can.What does the writer think of the reporter?
| A．Optimistic. | B．Imaginative. | C．Ambitious. | D．Proud. |
What does the reporter want most from his editors in their talks?
| A．Finding the news value of his stories. | B．Giving him financial support. |
| C．Helping him to find issues. | D．Improving his good ideas. |
Who probably wrote the letter?
| A．An editor. | B．An artist. | C．A reporter. | D．A reader. |
The letter aims to remind editors that they should ______.
| A．keep their best reporters at all costs |
| B．give more freedom to their reporters |
| C．be aware of their reporters’ professional development |
| D．appreciate their reporters’ working styles and attitudes |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
The call to “know yourself” has been there since ancient times, but our sense of self doesn’t always match what others perceive. Considering the stories we tell about ourselves can help us to change our minds for better.
For many years, psychologists saw identity as a combination of someone’s values, beliefs, goals and social roles. Then, in the 1980s, Bob Johnson created the life story model of identity, in which he proposes that, as we go through life, these core features are built in with our memories to create a personal story through which we understand our lives.
Our life story is something that starts coming together in our teenage years, when we begin to organise our lives into chapters around key events or life changes, and begin to see ourselves as both the central character and, to a varying extent, the story’s author. People with more consistent stories tend to have a stronger sense of identity, and they feel their life has more meaning, direction and sense of purpose. Such people show greater overall life satisfaction, too.
Johnson has also investigated the link between well-being and certain story themes. He discovered that whether someone describes having had some control over events in their past is an important predictor of a person’s mental health. Another key theme involves finding some kind of positive meaning after stressful events. “People could talk about gaining knowledge or personal growth,” says Johnson. His research shows that this is often missing for people with mental health conditions. The good news is that there is evidence we can learn to change our own story.
Lisa Green, another researcher, sounds a few notes of caution（谨慎）. For instance, hearing about the power of redemptive（拯救性的）stories, many people may feel forced to find a positive angle on horrible events. She says that Western culture already pushes people to look for the silver lining behind every cloud.
If you want to turn over a new leaf, though, one top tip is that it helps to choose a significant date that signals the start of a new “chapter”. Contrary to popular doubt, resolutions made on I January are more effective for this reason. So, whether your goal is saving money or getting fit, there is no better time to become the author of our own destiny（命运）.
（1）What can be inferred about personal stories?
| A． |
They are unrelated to health. |
B． |
Consistent ones lead to stress. |
| C． |
They are relevant to happiness. |
D． |
Thematic ones hold back change. |
（2）What can we learn from this passage?
| A． |
Talking about gains from failure is negative. |
B． |
New Year resolutions are well received. |
| C． |
The West tends to overvalue optimism. |
D． |
Social roles fail to be highlighted. |
（3）What does the author mainly do in this passage?
| A． |
Clarify a goal. |
B． |
Analyse an event. |
| C． |
Make a comparison. |
D． |
Illustrate an approach. |
（4）What is the passage mainly about?
| A． |
How self-identity works. |
B． |
How story-tellers are made. |
| C． |
How personal stories raise doubts. |
D． |
How timing affects personal identity. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
Not too long ago, on a cold winter night, there was a teenager who wanted more screen time and a parent who said no. The teenager was advocating for her right to scroll（翻屏）for an extra 30 minutes. The parent argued that none of her friends’ parents let them have screens after 9 o’clock. “I thought, in this family, we don’t compare ourselves with other people, Dad?” the teenager replied. The parent — who was me, by the way — just got served. Since they were young, I have told my kids not to compare themselves with other people. I have argued countless times that comparisons are the “thief of joy”.
Although my daughter didn’t win, she did help expose one of the worst pieces of advice I have ever given. In my defence, I did what we’ve all done before, which is repeat received wisdom without exploring the nuances. But now is the time to set the record straight, which starts with questioning the idea that all social comparison is unhealthy.
Social comparisons do, of course, often get us into emotional trouble. But they can be harnessed（利用）for our betterment if we understand how they work. The social comparisons we make — ones that lead us to feel good or bad about ourselves — are vital to our ability to thrive（成长）. Science provides a guide we can use to harness the way we perform these comparisons to reduce their negative emotional impacts.
Comparing yourself with someone who is outperforming you could result in feelings of envy if you focus on the things they have and you don’t, or it can be energizing and inspiring if you use these comparisons as a source of motivation, for example, “If they can achieve that, so can I.” Comparing yourself with someone who is doing worse than you could result in fear and worry if you think about how you could fall into similar circumstances, or it can draw out feelings of gratitude and appreciation if you use that comparison to broaden your views — for example, “Wow, things could be much worse; I’m doing great.”
What I wish I taught my daughter earlier are these nuances. How we feel about ourselves rests not just on whom we compare ourselves with but also on how we think about that comparison. That’s something we all have control over.
（1）How did the author feel about his daughter’s argument?
| A． |
Excited. |
B． |
Inspired. |
C． |
Energized. |
D． |
Relieved. |
（2）What does the word “nuances” underlined in Paragraph 2 most probably mean?
| A． |
Major achievements. |
B． |
Complex feelings. |
| C． |
Significant impacts. |
D． |
Fine differences. |
（3）Which would be the best title for the passage?
| A． |
Comparing Ourselves with Others Can Become a Healthy Habit |
| B． |
Comparing Ourselves with Others Can Strengthen Family Ties |
| C． |
Social Comparisons Can Get Us into Emotional Trouble |
| D． |
Social Comparisons Can Be Controlled by Science |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
Throughout our Junior year, my classmates and I have been worried about what colleges will see when they look at our whole life story reduced to a single 200-word essay. Will the golden word “success” form in their minds when they review our achievements? Or will they see the big word “fail” in red? The shadow of this mysterious（神秘的）institution steals away what success means to us.
My first step of redefining success began with course registrations. It is a well-known fact, especially in my school, that Junior year is the time of packing many AP classes into the schedule. When asked why they chose so many AP classes, my friends responded: “I don’t know.” They themselves don’t know why they are following the crowd and longing for the pressures of academic difficulty. Therefore, they do not feel the satisfaction of being academically challenged.
Completing many courses no longer brings out the feeling of success because more than four AP classes per year is a norm set by top universities. Determined to follow my instincts（本能）on what I felt success means, I only chose two classes that I knew I would enjoy. The feeling of success was no longer attached to what grade I received but to the pure joy of learning.
Even my failures are attached to a feeling of success; after I take a step back and look at the big picture, I see them as a launching pad（平台）for my next big achievement. In the ninth grade, I went in for my first group interview for a leadership position as a shy girl. Not standing a chance against competitive applicants, I came out of the interview with an upset look. Nevertheless, this interview wasn’t a wasted opportunity. I talked to one of the senior applicants who answered questions in a way that reflected the faith she had in herself.
This year, with an open mind and new knowledge in mind, I walked into another group interview while telling myself I was that cool senior. I managed to secure a leadership position. Ultimately, success came little by little.
（1）Throughout the Junior year, what was the author’s major concern?
| A． |
Pressure from choosing AP classes. |
B． |
Performance in group interviews. |
| C． |
Competition with seniors. |
D． |
Recognition by colleges. |
（2）The author chose fewer AP classes because of _______.
| A． |
her own understanding of success |
B． |
her desire for academic challenges |
| C． |
her strong urge to follow the crowd |
D． |
her dream of entering a top university |
（3）Which would best describe the author’s first group interview?
| A． |
Dignifying. |
B． |
Rewarding. |
C． |
Engaging. |
D． |
Relaxing. |
（4）What can we learn from this passage?
| A． |
Everyone is the maker of their own success. |
| B． |
Success favours those with a golden heart. |
| C． |
Success knocks at your door only once. |
| D． |
A college holds the key to success. |
阅读下列短文，从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
Join us for TransForm, the interactive summer camp that helps you teens find your passion by participating in various activities and connecting with others.
Experience TransForm
TransForm allows you to get to focus on your chosen track through subject matter talks, hands-on workshops, and off-site experiences. However, if you are unsure what track you want, you still get to explore any workshop you want as part of our Explore Workshops. Besides, your parents will also be able to participate in workshops selected just for them to learn about cutting-edge science.
Schedule of Programming
Programming Tracks
·Agricultural Science: Introducing you to areas such as biology, urban farming, and environmental science so that you can explore the field of agriculture
·Community Booster: Guiding you to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges and create transformative progress to benefit all communities
·Healthy Living: Empowering you to make healthy decisions in such areas as nutrition and emotional well-being, and lead healthy lifestyles
·Science Lab: Leading you to explore the skills you need to succeed in life in key areas like computer science, robotics, and physics
（1）TransForm allows the teens to____________.
| A． |
select workshops for their parents |
B． |
prepare track topics for the camp |
| C． |
design programme activities |
D． |
attend hands-on sessions |
（2）According to the schedule, which activity can the teens participate in?
| A． |
Keynote Speech on 17 July. |
B． |
Youth Panel on 18 July. |
| C． |
Celebration on 19 July. |
D． |
Programme Showcase on 20 July. |
（3）What can the teens do in the Programming Tracks?
| A． |
Build urban communities. |
B． |
Serve as guides on a farm. |
| C． |
Learn about healthy living. |
D． |
Volunteer in a science lab. |
阅读下面短文, 从短文后的选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Overtourism Is For Real: How Can You Help?
Travel promotes understanding, expands our minds, makes us better people, and boosts local economies and communities, but the rapid growth of travel has led to overtourism in certain regions and destinations. （1） Certainly not. The loss of what travel offers would be unacceptable in today’s world. Here are some tips on making wise decisions to minimize pressure on the places we visit and improve our experience.
●Choose mindfully. Overvisited destinations are that way for a reason: they’re special. With so many online posts featuring the same places, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out. Go somewhere only when the landscape, culture or food deeply draws you. （2）
●Get creative. The best way to ease pressure on over-touristed destinations is to go somewhere else. Though overtourism is described as a problem affecting the entire world, it’s actually concentrated to a small number of extremely popular spots. That means you have tons of less-visited options to choose from. （3） Why not try a regional alternative or check out a popular destination’s lesser-known sights?
● （4） Minimize impact and maximize experience by skipping major holidays or rush hour. You’ll compete with fewer tourists, save money, experience a different side of a popular place, and boost the economy when tourism is traditionally slower.
Visiting a place that others call home is a privilege（荣幸）. Do your part to preserve what makes a destination special in the first place. （5） You may be amazed how much closer you’ll feel to the people there.
|
A. Visit during off-peak times. B. So, should we stop traveling? C. Travel for you and no one else. D. Can overtourism be avoided then? E. You can still find relatively undiscovered places. F. You’ll find yourself virtually alone, or close to it. G. Consider giving back to the communities you’re visiting. |