Are you reading this while sitting in an office cubicle（办公室格子间）? If so, please take a moment and glance around you. Are there photos of your last vacation hung on the wall? One of your kid’s drawings? A yellowed print of a favorite cartoon?
If so, you are doing something good for both yourself and your organization. Newly published research suggests working in an environment that offers little privacy can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout（过度疲劳）. But personalizing one’s workplace is an effective protection against such unwanted outcomes.
“Individuals may take comfort from the items with which they surround themselves at work, and these items may help employees to keep emotional energy high in the face of stresses that come from their work,” writes a research team led by Gregory Laurence of the University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan, in north central U.S.
In the Journal of Environmental Psychology, Laurence and his colleagues describe a study featuring 87 white-collar employees at a large, urban university in the Midwestern United States.
Research assistants noted whether they worked in a private office (with a door that can be closed) or a cubicle. They also counted the number of items each worker had brought from home to decorate his or her workspace – a list that included photographs, posters, artworks.
Not surprisingly, Laurence and his colleagues found a connection between the amount of privacy an employee enjoys and his or her rate of burnout. “High privacy conditions tend to serve as strong protectors against unwelcome interferences and distractions（干扰和分心的事）,” they noted, “contributing to a work environment supporting reduced emotional exhaustion.”
But this link disappeared when those employees had personalized their cubicles. Employees who had turned their workspaces into areas that reflect their interests and personalities reported the same (relatively low) level of emotional exhaustion, no matter whether they worked in an office or a cubicle.
The research confirms “the calming effect” of having your own stuff around you. So if you’re feeling exhausted at work, relief could be as simple as hanging a few of your kindergartener’s colorful creations on your cubicle wall. Who might be most interested in the passage?
| A．Job hunters. |
| B．Office workers. |
| C．Kid’s parents |
| D．Employment researchers. |
For employees, decorating cubicles with their own items __________.
| A．offers them little privacy |
| B．may help improve their work efficiency |
| C．will sometimes cause burnout |
| D．serve as interferences and distractions |
The participant of the research __________.
| A．come from the university of Michigan-Flint |
| B．all suffer high levels of emotional exhaustion |
| C．may work in a private office or in a cubicle |
| D．like personalizing their homes with little items |
Where does this passage probably come from?
| A．A book review | B．A research plan |
| C．An official document | D．A news report |
Volunteer at Shelter - North Toronto Cat Rescue---Bayview/Hwy 7
Do you like animals? Come and volunteer at our cat shelter.
North Toronto Cat Rescue is a no-cage, no-kill cat shelter. We are a volunteer organization, funded totally by donation, and are a licensed Canadian charity.
We are looking for volunteers who can join us once a week for a 3 month period (at least). The work is not wonderful but it is very rewarding. Mainly, we feed, clean, and scoop litter. Of course we also spend quality time with our cats.
We have 2 shifts(换班) per day, 7 days per week:
Mornings are 9am-1pm.
Evenings are 5-7pm or 6-8pm.
Please note that any new volunteer who wishes to work evening shift must be able to work 4 morning shifts on a team before moving to an evening shift. This is required in order to gain the ability to work more independently, as required during evening shifts.
Students must be at least 16 years old. Adults are also welcome.
If you do not have your own personal transportation, please check the public transportation from your area to our location at Bayview/Hwy 7 area before responding to this ad. Where is the ad most likely to appear?
| A．In the local newspaper | B．On the Internet |
| C．On TV | D．In a magazine |
Which of the following volunteers can work evening shift?
| A．A college student who can work for half a year period. |
| B．A college student who lives near the shelter. |
| C．A worker who has worked five morning shifts at the shelter. |
| D．A car owner who will work there for the first time. |
How many hours will a new volunteer work at least for the shelter?
| A．14 | B．32 | C．48 | D．24 |
What can we infer about the work at the shelter?
| A．Boring | B．Tiring | C．Dirty | D．Challenging |
A glass a day keeps obesity at bay. Alcohol has always been thought to cause weight gain because of its high sugar content, but new research suggests a glass a day could form part of a diet. Looking at past studies they found that, while heavy drinkers do put on weight, those who drink in moderation can actually lose weight.
A spokesman for the research team at Navarro University in Spain says, “Light to moderate alcohol intake, especially of wine, may be more likely to protect against, rather than promote, weight gain”. The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research reviewed the findings and agreed with most of the conclusions, particularly that current data do not clearly indicate if moderate drinking increases weight.
Boston University’s Dr. Harvey Finkel found that the biologic mechanisms (生物学机制) relating alcohol to changes in body weight are not properly understood. His team pointed out the strong protective effects of moderate drinking on the risk of getting conditions like diabetes(糖尿病)，which relate to increasing obesity. Some studies suggest that even very obese people may be at lower risk of diabetes if they are moderate drinkers.
The group says alcohol provides calories that are quickly absorbed into the body and are not stored in fat, and that this process could explain the differences in its effects from those of other foods. They agree that future research should be directed towards assessing the roles of different types of alcoholic drinks, taking into consideration drinking patterns and including the past tendency of participants to gain weight.
For now there is little evidence that consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis increases one’s risk of becoming obese. What’s more, a study three years ago suggested that reveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine, destroys fat cells.
The passage is mainly for those ______.
| A．who produce wine | B．who are eager to lose weight |
| C．who go on a diet | D．who have a drinking habit |
The underlined phrase “in moderation” in the first paragraph means ______.
| A．properly | B．carefully |
| C．excitedly | D．frequently |
Why has alcohol been thought to cause weight gain?
| A．Because its calories are stored in fat. |
| B．Because it is rich in sugar. |
| C．Because it changes drinking patterns. |
| D．Because it increases the risk of diabetes. |
What can we learn from the passage?
| A．The specific roles of different types of alcoholic drinks are very clear. |
| B．Resveratrol is proved to increase the risk of becoming fat. |
| C．The research found moderate drinking has a strong protective effect. |
| D．Current data clearly show that moderate drinking increases weight. |
What is most likely to be discussed in the paragraph that follows?
| A．How to do some easy experiments. |
| B．How to prove the finding mentioned above. |
| C．How to make wine in a healthy way. |
| D．How to reduce the calories contained in wine. |
In my first week as a graduate student at Cambridge University in 1964 I met with a fellow student, two years ahead of me in his studies; he was unsteady on his feet and spoke with great difficulty. This was Stephen Hawking. I learned that he had a bad disease and might not live long enough even to finish his PhD degree.
But, amazingly, he has reached the age of 73. Even mere survival would have been a medical miracle, but of course, he didn’t merely survive. He has become arguably the most famous scientist in the world for his brilliant research, for his bestselling books, and, above all, for his astonishing victory over hardship.
Stephen received his “death sentence” in 1964, when I thought it was hard for him to go on with his study. Stephen went from Albans School to Oxford University. He was said to be a “lazy” undergraduate, but his brilliance earned him a first-class degree, an “entry ticket” to a research career in Cambridge and a uniquely inspiring achievement. Within a few years of the burst of his disease he was wheelchair-bound, and his speech was so unclear that it could only be understood by those who knew him well. But his scientific career went from strength to strength: he quickly came up with a series of insights into the nature of black holes (then a very new idea) and how the universe began. In 1974 he was elected to the Royal Society at the exceptionally early age of 32.
The great advances in science generally involve discovering a link between phenomena that were previously conceptually unconnected — for instance, Isaac Newton realized that the force making an apple fall to earth was the same as the force that holds the moon and planets in their orbits. Stephen’s revolutionary idea about a link between gravity and quantum(量子) theory has still not been tested. However, it has been hugely influential; indeed, one of the main achievements of string theory(弦理论) has been to confirm and build on his idea. He has undoubtedly done more than anyone else since Einstein to improve our knowledge of gravity and he is one of the top-ten living theoretical physicists.
What impressed the author most about Stephen Hawking?
| A．His brilliant research. |
| B．His bestselling books. |
| C．His serious disease. |
| D．His defeating hardship. |
What made Stephen Hawking start his research career at Cambridge?
| A．His death sentence. |
| B．His “lazy” attitude. |
| C．His above-average talent and ability. |
| D．His rich experience. |
It can be inferred that Stephen Hawking was born ________.
| A．in the early 1940s |
| B．in the late 1940s |
| C．in the early 1930s |
| D．in the late 1930s |
What can we learn from the text?
| A．Hawking’s theory was proved years ago. |
| B．Hawking was not as successful as Newton. |
| C．String theory built on Hawking’s idea. |
| D．Hawking’s theory has had little influence on others. |
Which of the following is Not True according the passage?
| A．He achieved one success after another in his career despite his disease. |
| B．He couldn’t walk when the author first met him at Cambridge. |
| C．He not only survived his disease but contributed greatly to science. |
| D．He is among the greatest scientists to improve the knowledge of gravity. |
Sina Weibo, one of the country’s most popular micro-blogging sites,
has launched a paid service. For a 10 yuan ($ l.57) monthly fee, users get a membership on their Sina Weibo accounts.
According to Xu Yuanyuan, a member of the marketing team at Sina, the
move is to guarantee a more convenient and safer environment for users. But despite the company’s efforts to increase income, it seems that most of its 300 million users still prefer the free version.
The premium membership (高级会员) plans ,announced by the company on Monday, brought about negative comments from its users .
“The current service is good enough for me”, said a Beijing-based micro-blogger. “I don’t really need those value-added services and it might be a waste of money. I might consider paying for it if some more features are added.”
Dong Xu, an analyst with consulting firm Analysys International, said that Sina shouldn’t expect a great increase in income brought by the new services. The free services are enough for most users, Dong said. “The company has been making attempts at different profit models since last year. A potential source of income could be gaming. Games and advertisements are so far the two biggest sources of income.” she said.
Other micro-blogging service providers have not yet followed suit. Fang Gang, vice-president of rival Sohu, said via e-mail on Tuesday that Sohu’s micro-blogging service will never charge users. “It’s good news for us. Users can come to our website if they have to pay for services (at Sina).” Fang said.
Most of Sina Weibo’s users______.
| A．aren’t satisfied with its free version |
| B．show no interest in its paid services |
| C．are looking forward to new services |
| D．think highly of its new paid version |
What’s Dong Xu’s attitude towards Sina Weibo’s new services increasing income?
| A．Negative. | B．Confident. |
| C．Indifferent. | D．Positive . |
Why did Fang Gang consider Sina Weibo’s charging its users good news?
| A．Because Sina will make more money. |
| B．Because Sina will lose the whole Weibo market. |
| C．Because Sohu will attract more users. |
| D．Because Sohu will offer free services. |
What can be inferred from the text?
| A．Most of Weibo websites will charge their users. |
| B．Sina Weibo’s new move will be a great success. |
| C．Sina Weibo’s users will enjoy more services. |
| D．A large number of Weibo users like playing games. |
What can be the best title for the text?
| A．Sina Weibo Faces Great Challenges |
| B．Sina Weibo Launches Paid Services |
| C．Sina Weibo Expects Income Increase |
| D．Sina Weibo Becomes More Convenient |
The Best of Alaska
Nothing evokes(唤起)Alaska like a whale exploding out of the water or an eagle pulling a silver fish from the river. Combine these images with high mountains, brilliant icebergs and wonderful meals and you really do have the Best of Alaska! Join us for an unforgettable 7-day excursion(远足)to the last frontier!
Highlights(集锦)：
JUNEAU: Juneau, the state capital, is rich in culture and scenic beauty. It is here that we start and end our trip.
HAINES: Haines is a small community located along the fjords（峡湾）. The natural beauty and expansive wilderness found here have made Haines a premier center for adventure in Alaska.
ALASKA INDIAN ARTS: Alaska Indian Arts is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation and continuation of traditional native craft and culture of the Northwest Native Tribes. We spend a few hours learning carving, native beading(玻璃珠)and culture from these master artists.
SKAGWAY: Skagway is a lively town, which still reflects its gold rush roots and contains colorful shops. In Skagway, we stop by the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Visitor’s Center and ride the White Pass Yukon Route Railway.
GUSTAVUS: Gustavus is the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. We’ll stay at a comfortable lodge here for two nights. This will be the base for both the whale-watching excursion and a full day cruise(巡游) in Glacier Bay.
DATES/PRICES:
2014: May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15.
7 days—$3,500, including lodging, all meals, excursions, guides, park fees, sales taxes, and transportation between Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Gustavus. Not included: Alcohol, personal items, airfare to and from Juneau.
Contact:
Email: info@alaskamountainguides.com
Call: 18007663396
Write: Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School
P.O. Box 1081, Haines AK 99827You can watch a whale exploding out of the water at ________.
| A．Glacier Bay National Park |
| B．the Klondike Gold Rush National Park |
| C．the White Pass Yukon |
| D．the fjords |
According to the advertisement, the participants of the excursion ________.
| A．will spend one day experiencing the local culture at Alaska Indian Arts |
| B．can contact Alaska Mountain Guides & Climbing School by email or fax |
| C．are able to experience some adventurous activities in Haines |
| D．can get lots of traditional native artwork free of charge |
Which of the following requires a participant to pay additional fees?
| A．Going from Gustavus to Juneau by train. |
| B．A full day cruise in Glacier Bay. |
| C．Having the last supper at Juneau. |
| D．Flying from Juneau to his hometown. |
It is known from the advertisement that________.
| A．the native culture of the Northwest Native Tribes is dying out |
| B．Juneau, as the state capital, is much more beautiful than Haines |
| C．Skagway was the richest town of Alaska in the past |
| D．Alaska is famous for its culture, history and natural beauty |