Some students get so nervous before a test; they do poorly even if they know the material. Sian Beilock has studied these highly anxious testtakers.
Sian Beilock: “They start worrying about the consequences. They might even start worrying about whether this exam is going to prevent them from getting into the college they want. And when we worry,it actually uses up attention and memory resources. I talk about it as your cognitive horsepower that you could otherwise be using to focus on the exam.”
Professor Beilock and another researcher,Gerardo Ramirez,have developed a possible solution. Just before an exam,highly anxious testtakers spend ten minutes writing about their worries about the test.
Sian Beilock: “What we think happens is when students put it down on paper,they think about the worst that could happen and they reappraise the situation. They might realize it's not as bad as they might think it was before and,in essence(本质上),it prevents these thoughts from popping up when they're actually taking a test.”
The researchers tested the idea on a group of twenty anxious college students. They gave them two short math tests. After the first one, they asked the students to either sit quietly or write about their feelings about the upcoming second test.
The researchers added to the pressure. They told the students that those who did well on the second test would get money. They also told them that their performance would affect other students as part of a team effort.
Professor Beilock says those who sat quietly scored an average of twelve percent worse on the second test. But the students who had written about their fears improved their performance by an average of five percent.
Next, the researchers used younger students in a biology class. They told them before final exams either to write about their feelings or to think about things unrelated to the test.
Prefessor Beilock says highly anxious students who did the writing got an average grade of B+,compared to a B- for those who did not.
Sian Beilock: “What we showed is that for students who are highly testanxious,who'd done our writing intervention(排解),all of a sudden there was no relationship between test anxiety and performance. Those students most likely to worry were performing just as well as their classmates who don't normally get nervous in these testing situations.”
But what if students do not have a chance to write about their fears immediately before an exam or presentation? Professor Beilock says students can try it themselves at home or in the library and still improve their performance.Which of the following is TRUE?
A.The result in the math test agrees with that in the biology test. |
B.In the first math test, students who sat quietly performed better. |
C.In the second math test, students who wrote about their feelings did worse. |
D.Some college students are highly anxious testtakers while others are not in the tests. |
What may happen if students have the problem of test anxiety?
A.Test anxiety is sure to cause students to fail the test. |
B.Test anxiety can improve students' performance to some degree. |
C.Students' attention and memory resources run out when worried. |
D.Students may not be admitted into their favorite college if worried. |
The result of the research suggests that ________.
A.proper amount of burden may turn out to be a good thing |
B.facing the fears bravely may help one to achieve more |
C.avoiding facing the problem may contribute to relaxation |
D.taking no action before difficulty may result in success |
What is the main idea of the passage?
A.It is important for students to overcome test anxiety. |
B.Anxious students overcome test anxiety by writing down fears. |
C.It is a common practice for students being worried before a test. |
D.Being worried before tests does harm to students' performance. |
The new studies show that fewer than half of the 9th graders in many of the nation’s largest cities, can ever graduate. The studies clearly show that the dropout rate isn’t dropping. And, in particular, the dropout rate isn’t dropping for poor and minority students.
Amazingly, though so many regret the rising dropout rate, our schools continue to lack formal plans--or any plans--to teach students motivation(动机). Most schools have no game plan to ensure that students understand that school will be completely necessary. Schools expect youth and children to act as though school is important, but they never teach them to believe that.
Years ago, families ensured that theoffspringrecognized the value of school. But in many modern families, the children may fail to recognize the importance of school life just because these families may actually tell the child that school is not important. Since many families are not motivating their children to be interested students, youth professionals, like teachers may need to provide this training. Otherwise, it is likely the dropout rate will continue not to drop, but only worsen.
Here are some strategies to convince even the most apathetic (无动于衷的) students that they must stay in school.
Ask students if they will ever need to work: The world has changed. 100 years ago, factory work was the booming job, and it required no education. Today, factories are increasingly automated. Most computer-related jobs require education and at least a high school diploma.
Ask students which century they will be prepared for: In 1900, the most common jobs were farm laborer and domestic servant—education not needed. Now, the most common jobs are office and sales worker—education and diploma usually needed. An amazing 6 out of 10 people today work in a store or office.
Ask students to devise a way that the employee could be replaced. For example, the coming trend in fast food is to use computers rather than people to run the restaurant. A prototype is apparently already being tested. The students should discover that most jobs that lack education and diploma requirements may be ripe for automation. What does the underlined part mean in Paragraph1?
A.Few students can afford to go to school in large cities. |
B.A large number of the 9th grades can graduate now. |
C.There are still quite a few 9th graders leaving school early. |
D.Most schools in large cities have fewer and fewer students. |
Without the help of youth professionals,_____.
A.more and more families will gradually recognize the value of school. |
B.some parents will be more convinced of their children’s future. |
C.it is likely that the dropout rate in schools won’t continue to drop. |
D.the schools will make proper plans to solve the problems with dropout. |
The author takes factory work for example mainly to ______.
A.tell us that many jobs requires certain education in the past |
B.show that there are more factory work and employment in modern society |
C.show that employment in the computer field grows at a high rate |
D.emphasize that modern jobs require education and schools are necessary |
It can be inferred that______.
A.both schools and families should answer for the high dropout rate |
B.many new jobs don’t need children’s high school diploma |
C.working in a store doesn’t require a high school diploma |
D.most schools are ready to help students recognize the importance of study |
If students play the “Replace Me” game, the result would be “______”.
A.They will know that they can ‘always’ do without a diploma |
B.More of them will drop out early to go to work |
C.They will discover that lack education is a disadvantage in choosing jobs |
D.They will become better at using computers to hunt for a job |
Hello, Chicago. If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy(民主),tonight is your answer.
……
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $ 5 and $ 10 and $ 20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy(冷漠), who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished(消失)from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime—two wars, a planet in peril(危亡), the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
……
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there. This passage is most probably taken from a (an)_______.
A.report | B.lecture | C.speech | D.announcement |
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A.The speaker has won an election campaign which is quite important for him. |
B.The speaker feels they are unlikely to make their ancestors’ dream come true. |
C.The speaker thinks America is a nation that lacks democracy. |
D.The speaker’s campaign was launched in the nation’s capital. |
The purpose of the speaker is to do the following except______.
A.expressing thanks to his supporters |
B.discussing the challenges that lie ahead |
C.urging Americans to unite for the bright future of the nation |
D.warning the people against two terrible wars in store |
We can see from the passage that the speaker is a (an)_______person.
A.unreliable | B.determined | C.narrow-minded | D.humorous |
Chief Executive Office
Lahore Stock Exchange
Lahore Stock Exchange (LSE) is the 2nd largest exchange of the country with a workforce of almost 150 employees. The Exchanges of Pakistan are currently undergoing a major reform program involving shareholding(使成为股东制) in order to develop the capital markets further.
We seek a dynamic(精干的), forward-thinking Chief Executive with ability to provide strong leadership and effective management to deliver its organization goals and strategic plan. The successful candidate(候选人) should have the business both pre and post shareholding with a proven record.
The candidate should have minimum of 7 years of experience along with a business related degree or other professional qualifications. However, a strong record of achievement, excellent communication and team building skill are equally important. International qualifications or experience will be an added advantage together with the knowledge of the local corporate environment.
Compensation package will be highly attractive and match the position. If you are interested in a strategic leadership role and be part of an organization to make a difference, please write to:
Head of Human Resources, Lahore Stock Exchange (Guarantee)Ltd,
19th Khayaban- e- Aiwan –e- Iqbal, Lahore, Pakistan, together with your Curriculum Vitae and latest passport sized photograph. What is NOT true about LSE?
A.It’s Lahore Stock Exchange |
B.It’s one of the largest exchanges in Pakistan. |
C.It’s developing Pakistan’s capital city |
D.It’s located in Khayaban- e- Aiwan –e- Iqbal, Lahore, Pakistan |
What is wanted according to this advertisement?
A. A Chief Executive Office B. A Chief Executive
B. Head of Human Resources D.A candidateWhat does the underline word compensation probably mean?
A.Salary | B.Job | C.Equipment | D.Food |
There was one thought that air pollution affected only the area immediately around large cities with factories and heavy automobile traffic. At present, we realize that although these are the areas with the worst air pollution, the problem is worldwide. On several occasions over the past decade, a heavy cloud of air pollution has covered the east of the United States and brought health warnings in rural areas away from any major concentration (集中)of manufacturing and automobile traffic. In fact, the very climate of the entire earth may be infected by air pollution.
Some scientists consider that the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the air resulting from the burning of coal and oil is creating a “greenhouse effect” - raising the world’s average temperature. If this view is correct and the world’s temperature is raised only a few degrees, much of the polar ice will melt and cities such as New York, Boston, Miami, and New Orleans will be in water.
Another view, less widely held, is that increasing particular matter in the atmosphere is preventing sunlight and lowering the earth’s temperature - a result that would be equally disastrous. A drop of just a few degrees could create something close to a new ice age, and would make agriculture difficult or impossible in many of our top farming areas. Today we do not know for sure that either of these conditions will happen though one recent government reports that the greenhouse effect is very possible. Perhaps, if we are lucky enough, the two tendencies will offset(抵消)each other and the world’s temperature will stay about the same as it is now. Driven by economic profits, people don’t think about the damage on our environment caused by the “advanced civilization”. Maybe the air pollution is the price the human beings have to pay for their development. But is it really worth?As pointed out at the beginning of the passage, people used to think that air pollution ________.
A.caused widespread damage in the countryside |
B.affected the entire eastern half of the United States |
C.had damaged effect on health |
D.existed only in urban and industrial areas |
As to the greenhouse effect, the author ________.
A.shares the same view with the scientists |
B.is uncertain of its happening |
C.rejects it as being ungrounded |
D.thinks it will destroy the world soon |
It can be concluded from the last paragraph that ________.
A.lowering the world’s temperature only a few degrees would lead major farming areas to disaster |
B.raising the world’s temperature only a few degrees would not do much harm to life on earth |
C.almost no temperature variations have occurred over the past decade |
D.the world’s temperature will remain constant in the years to come |
This passage is mainly about ________.
A.the greenhouse effect |
B.the burning of coal and oil |
C.the potential effect of air pollution |
D.the likelihood of a new ice age |
Have you ever thought about what determines the way we are when we grow up? Remember the TV program Seven Up? It started following the lives of a group of children in 1973. We first meet them as wide-eyed seven-year-olds and catch up with them at seven-year intervals: nervous 14-year-olds, serious 21-year-olds and then grown-ups.
Some of the stories are inspiring, others sad, but what is interesting in almost all the cases is the way in which the children’s early hopes and dreams are shown in their future lives. For example, at seven, Tony is a lively child who says he wants to become a sportsman or a taxi driver. When he grows up, he goes on to do both. How about Niki? She says, “I would like to find out about the moon.” And she goes on to become a space scientist. As a child, soft-spoken Bruce says he wants to help “poor children” and ends up teaching in India.
But if the lives of all the children had followed this pattern, the program would be far less interesting than it actually was. It was the children whose childhood did not prepare them for what was to come that made the program so interesting. Where did their ideas come from about what they wanted to do when they grew up? Are children influenced by what their parents do, by what they see on television or by what their teachers say? How great is the effect of a single important event? Many film directors, including Steven Spielberg, say that an early visit to the cinema was the turning point in their lives. Dr. Margaret McAllister, who has done a lot of research in this area, thinks that the major factors are parents, friends and their wider society.What does the text mainly discuss?
A.New ways to make a TV program interesting. |
B.The importance of TV programs to children. |
C.Different ways to make childhood dreams come true. |
D.The influence of childhood experience on future lives. |
What does the underlined word “influenced” mean in the last paragraph?
A.Impressed. | B.Improved. | C.Affected. | D.Attracted. |
What are the examples in Paragraph 2 meant to show?
A.Many people’s childhood hopes are related to their future jobs. |
B.There are many poor children in India who need help. |
C.Children have different dreams about their future. |
D.A lot of people are very sad in their childhood. |
Spielberg’s story is meant to show that _______.
A.going to a movie at an early age helps a child learn about society |
B.a single childhood event may decide what one does as a grown-up |
C.parents and friends can help a child grow up properly |
D.films have more influence on a child than teachers do |