Researchers at the University of Kansas say that people can accurately judge 90 percent of a stranger's personality simply by looking at the person’s shoes.“Shoes convey useful information about their wearers,’’the authors wrote in the new study published in the Journal of Research in Personality.
Lead researcher Omri Gillath said the judgments were based on the style,cost,color and condition of someone’s shoes.In the study,63 University of Kansas researchers looked at pictures showing 208 different pairs of shoes worn by the study’s participants.Volunteers in the study were photographed in their most commonly worn shoes,and then filled out a personality questionnaire.
Some of the results were expected:People with higher incomes most commonly wore expensive shoes,and flashier shoes were typically worn by outgoing people.However,some of the more specific results are strange enough.For example,“practical and functional’’ shoes were generally worn by more “pleasant" people,while ankle boots were more linked with ‘‘aggressive’’ personalities.The strangest of all may be that those who wore ‘‘uncomfortable looking” shoes tend to have “calm” personalities.And if you have several pairs of new shoes or take extreme care of them,you may suffer from “attachment anxiety",spending lots of time worrying about what other people think of your appearance.There was even a political calculation in the mix with more liberal(主张变革的)types wearing “shabbier and less expensive” shoes.
The researchers noted that some people will choose shoe styles to mask their actual personalities,but researchers noted that volunteers were also likely to be unaware that their footwear choices were showing the deep side of their personalities.What does this text mainly tell us?
A.The richer you are , the more expensive shoes you will wear. |
B.Shoes convey false information about the wearer. |
C.People’s personalities can be judged by their shoes. |
D.People know little about their personalities. |
Which of the results is beyond people’s expectations?
A.Wealthy people often wear expensive shoes. |
B.Pleasant people like wearing uncomfortable shoes. |
C.Aggressive people are likely to wear ankle boots. |
D.Flashier shoes are typically worn by outgoing people. |
People suffering from“attachment anxiety” tend to
A.wear strange shoes |
B.worry about their appearance |
C.have a calm character |
D.become a political leader |
The author wrote the text in order to
A.inform us of a new study |
B.introduce a research method |
C.teach how to choose shoes |
D.describe different personalities |
Young Chinese travelers are also looking to experience something different.Rather than join package tours to tourist attractions, they are getting to know the locals by combining travel with work and study.Let's explore some unconventional ways of travelling.
Homestay
Visitors pay their host family for the accommodation in return for an unforgettable cultural experience.You should respect the house rules.You will participate fully in the family's daily life and improve your language.Students arrange homestays through their university or reputable agencies.
Check homestayfinder.com or homestaybooking.com.
Laboring on a farm
This is a way to learn about sustainable living and meet local farmers.In return for volunteer work on organic farms, your hosts offer free food and accommodation.You usually work for at least four hours a day and tasks range from composting (堆制肥料) to building with mud bricks.Willing Workers On Organic Farms (www.finternational.org) is the main organization which facilitates these experiences.For more projects, visit: pickyourown.org/jobsonfarms.htm
Volunteering
Volunteering gives you a sense of satisfaction as you improve the lives of those less fortunate.You can work in a hospital, help build schools, or volunteer at an orphanage in Africa.Do not expect to live in luxury and be prepared to get your hands dirty.Volunteers pay for their own airfares.
For more info, visit: worldwidehelper.org, and isvonline.com
Intern (实习) overseas
Organizations such as ALESEC (aiesec.org) arrange paid internships with different companies.They partner with companies to offer work.The length of an internship ranges from six weeks to 18 months.Check: nextstepconnections.comWhich way of travelling should you experience if you want to know about a different culture and improve your foreign language?
A.Homestay | B.Laboring on a farm | C.Volunteering | D.Intern |
overseasWho may help you to work on a farm?
A.Reputable agency | B.University |
C.Willing Workers On Organic Farms | D.ALESEC |
What should you do if you want to help the less fortunate?
A.Live in a host family | B.Volunteer at an orphanage |
C.Work in a company | D.Work on organic farms |
Where can you get information on internship in different companies?
A.Homestayfinder.com |
B.Pickyourown.org/jobsonfarms.htm |
C.Worldwidehelper.org,and isvonline.com |
D.Nextstepconnections.com |
Scientists made a great break through this year in England when the first "test tube" baby was born.The birth was the result of many years of research by doctors.The doctors did the research in groups to help the women who cannot conceive a baby in the normal way.
What happened when the baby was born "from a test tube"? Well, the baby did not literally grow in a test tube.The first stage of the process was that the egg from the woman and the sperm from the man were put together in the test tube.After all, the embryo was put into the womb of a woman.This process was difficult.But it was successful, so the baby was eventually born, like any other, from a woman, only the woman wasn't the baby's real mother, but a sort of "carrier" of a baby produced by another couple.
Obviously, this method is to help to couples who can't have children because of physical problems in the woman.But very difficult moral problems arise in the kind of situation.Take it for instance, a case that happened this year.A couple who wanted a baby advertised for a woman to have a child by the father of the couple.They offered the woman a lot of money.The woman was made pregnant by artificial insemination; in this case, the woman "employed" to bear the child was its real mother.When the baby was born, the woman refused to give it back to the couple.But, in the eyes of the law, the woman had a right to keep the children because she was its biological mother.
You could argue that we should change the law to deal with this kind of situation.In earlier times, there were always healthy babies needing adoption, because family planning methods were not so effective as they are now.These days, however, most of the children who can be adopted are over six years old, often handicapped in some way.So a couple who want a young healthy baby cannot always adopt one, this is why the "test tube" baby is in demand.But is it normally right to use this method? Should we temper with nature in this way? Even if we change the law, would this be the right step to take ?
The birth of the first "test-tube" baby is a great advance _____.
A.on medical science |
B.in birth control |
C.on the research for babies |
D.in the lives of married women |
When we say a baby was born "from a test-tube", we mean_____ .
A.the baby didn't develop in the womb of a woman |
B.the baby has no biological parents |
C.the embryo was formed in the test tube |
D.the baby grew in the test-tube before it was born |
According to the law, who has right to keep the baby produced by the artificial method?
A.The couple who want a baby. |
B.T![]() |
C.The person who pays the money to the real mother. |
D.The father who advertises for a biological mother. |
According to the passage, people need "test-tube baby" because_____ .
A.family planning methods are not effective. |
B.they can't always adopt a young healthy baby |
C.they are unwilling to adopt a child. |
D.there are so many babies needing adoption. |
We have all heard the old phrase “attitude is everything”, and that phrase is certainly true.Your attitude can have a great impact on your personal motivation, so it is important to keep a positive attitude no matter what challenges you face.
As a matter of fact, keeping your attitude positive in the face of difficulties is the motivation tip that most successful business owners will tell you.The most successful business owners, from Sam Walton to Bill Gates, have all been able to triumph in the face of unpleasant situations.It is those successful business owners who tell you that attitude is everything.But how you deal with that knowledge will determine your level of success.
One of the most important ways to carry out “attitude is everything” is to observe who you associate with and who you surround yourself with.That is because when you surround yourself with negative people, their negative attitudes will infect you.So keeping your associates, colleagues, co-workers and friends as positive as possible is a great way to put the phrase “attitude is everything” into practice.
Whatever you decide to do in life, your attitude will have a great effect on the success you achieve.Success , whether in the world of business or in your personal life, is directly related to your attitude, and the attitude you bring to your work.A
positive attitude will help you achieve greater success in your job, no
matter what your current level of employment.
According to the text, Sam Walton __________.
A.is more successful than Bill Gates |
B.has given readers some tips about success |
C.has never dealt with unpleasant situations |
D.is one of the most successful businessmen |
One useful way of carrying out “attitude is everything” is__________.
A.not letting others affect your decisions |
B.not making friends with people who are unsuccessful |
C.keeping the people who surround you positive |
D.getting some advice from successful business owners |
What’s the best title for the text ?
A.Attitude Determines Your Success |
B.Motivation Tips From Successful People |
C.Ways To Deal With Unpleasant Situations |
D.Making Friends With Positive People |
Sports is not only physically challenging, but it can also mentally challenging. Criticism(批评)from coaches(trainers), parents, and other teammates, as well as pressure to win can create too much anxiety or stress for young athletes. Stress can be physical, emotional, or psychological, and research has showed that it can lead to burnout. Burnout has been described as dropping or quitting of an activity that was at one time enjoyable.
The early years of development are critical years for learning about oneself. The sport setting is one where valuable experiences can take place. Young athletes can, for example, learn how to cooperate with others, make friends, and gain other social skills that will be used throughout their lives. Coaches and parents should be aware(realize), at all times, that their feedback(反馈)to youngsters can greatly affect their children. Youngsters may take their parents’ and coaches’ criticisms to heart and find a flaw(缺陷) in themselves.
Coaches and parents should also be cautious(careful) that youth sport participation does not become work for children. The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons. In today’s youth sport setting, young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport. Following a game, many parents and coaches focus on(pay more attention to) the outcome and find fault with youngsters’ performances. Positive reinforcement should be provided in spite of the outcome. Research shows that positive reinforcement motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism. Again, criticism can create high levels of stress(pressure), which can lead to burnout.According to the passage sport is positive for young people in that
A.it can help them learn more about society |
B.it teaches them how to set realistic goals for themselves |
C.it enables them to find flaws in themselves |
D.it can provide them with valuable experiences |
According to the passage parents and coaches should
A.help children to win every game |
B.pay more attention to letting children enjoy sports |
C.enable children to understand the positive aspect of sports |
D.train children to deal with stress |
The author’s purpose in writing the passage is
A.to persuade young children not to worry about criticism |
B.to emphasize the importance of positive reinforcement to children |
C.to discuss the skill of combing criticism with encouragement |
D.to teach young athletes how to avoid burnout |
It is true that shyness can be a disadvantage socially for those who suffer from it seriously. I mean real shyness, not somebody who is simply quiet. Quiet people could be shy, but on the other hand, they may just be observing because they are unsure of you or others in your company. They may be capable of being extrovert (性格外向的) and sociable, but on some particular occasions, they are quiet.
I have learnt from my experience that those who observe and listen more and talk less can gain a position of strength. This means that even a very shy person, the type who is reluctant to talk in company (在交际场合) , especially new company, can become a strong person in just about anything they choose. Remember, knowledge is power, and a shy introvert (性格内向的人) is in a better position to gain knowledge than an extrovert. Introverted people can give great attention to learning, and as good listeners they can take in an enormous amount from others. Over time, people can come to respect them far more than the extrovert who speaks a lot. Usually about themselves.
What does it take , then for a very shy person to be that successful person they have always wanted to be ? They may only need one more thing to push themselves on their way. They need to dare themselves to take the leap; and when they do , they will probably find all the knowledge they have gained over the years will help them on their way to the top in their chosen field.What does the first paragraph mainly want to tell us?
A.A person who is quiet may not be shy. | B.A shy person may not be a calm one. |
C.Quiet people are usually doubtful![]() |
D.Shyness is sometimes a bad feature. |
The underlined word “reluctant” in paragraph 2 probably means ________.
A.lazy | B.careful | C.eager | D.unwilling |
According to the author, introverted people can be successful because they usually ________.
A.have a strong will | B.talk less and show off less |
C.learn more than extroverts | D.have a good attitude to learning |
It can be learned from the last paragraph that “one more thing” probably refers to ________.
A.energy | B.courage | C.quietness | D.knowledge |