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5 living in the Arizona desert, my grandmother maintained a garden of herbs and vegetables. I would help harvest the food to make dishes from6 found in one of her treasured cookbooks. I still remember the happy memories and life lessons taught to me by my grandmother, many of which took place in the7.

My grandmother used to try to tell me about8 and how to be a good human being. She'd get all the ingredients for a stew (炖菜) and she'd look at it and she'd go, "Now see honey, this is how the9 works: some people are cucumbers; some people are tomatoes. It would be a really10 stew if you just put cucumbers in there. But if you11 them with eggs or some pork, then you make this wonderful thing. And all these different people come together to make this wonderful thing called our world".

Those happy memories and life lessons were12 on my mind. My grandmother used to tell me the sky is black velvet and those twinkling stars are the13 of those who have left the world. They watch over us and their light is a14 reminder of their love and presence. So, every time I15 at the sky, my grandmother is there.

In one example, the names Elizabeth and Misty were studied. Those called Elizabeth came across as warm and competent, while Mistys were seen as low on both of these traits (特性). Such viewpoints may lead to real-world consequences, potentially affecting everything from job applications to dating.

Interestingly, names may also shape our personalities. Zhu's research found that CEOs with unique names often pursued more distinctive business strategies. "CEOs with a unique name tend to develop a self-conception of being different from peers (同辈), motivating them to pursue untraditional strategies," Zhu explained.

Names may also lead to life choices. People with unique names were viewed as better suited to creative jobs, according to Psychology Today. They discovered Chinese film directors with distinctive names received higher ratings for their work. This suggests that accepting the uniqueness of names could potentially unlock creative potential. People with more common names may experience greater social acceptance and likability in the short term.

As both unique names and common names have their advantages, perhaps finding the middle road is a solution when naming a child. But meanwhile, also call the child by a special and unique nickname. Anyway, your name is your story — make it a great one!

A. Names may influence how others view us.

B. Actually, common names also have their advantages.

C. Choosing the best name is of importance, according to Zhu.

D. People with unique names might develop a stronger sense of individuality.

E. A name is used to identify an individual and communicate with the individual.

F. Zhu recommends giving a child a more common name to get social acceptance.

G. Whether your name is common or rare, it is an important part of your identity.

At the University of Chicago's Human Nature and Potentials Lab, research has shown that children over the age of four can perceive and respond to awe-inspiring experiences. This early sense of awe influences their motivation for learning and self-perception. When exposed to awe-inspiring visuals, such as vast natural scenes or natural disasters, children feel a "small self" compared to their feelings after viewing everyday nature imagery, which makes them more motivated to explore things that interest them and to understand things in the world that they hadn't learned much about yet.

While awe is a highly personal experience, evidence suggests that it has significant social effects. In one experiment, participants who were asked to stand staring at tall trees for a minute were more likely to help others than those who looked at a building, suggesting that being in an awe-inspiring environment increases morality and reduces feelings of self-centeredness.

"This is especially critical in the age of social media," said Dr. Keltner. "We are at this cultural moment of self-center, criticism, and entitlement (优越感); awe gets us out of that. It does this by helping us get out of our own heads and realize our place in the larger context, our communities," he explained. "Might awe cause people to become more invested in the greater good, giving more to charity, volunteering to help others, or doing more to reduce their impact on the environment? Our research would suggest that the answer is yes."

Lithium-ion (锂离子) batteries have become the industry standard for electronic devices and electric vehicles and are expected to play a major role in the conversion to green power. But lithium is expensive, which has led multiple teams across the globe to look for alternatives. In this new effort, the research team looked for ways to reduce the amount of lithium used in batteries.

This would normally take a long time because of the detailed approach required. To reduce the workload and the time needed to process millions of alternatives, the researchers turned to AI. Noting that AI applications are good at using massive amounts of data to learn how to do things, the researchers designed one that could study millions of materials that might be added to a lithium battery to replace some amount of the lithium and test the results for factors such as stability and how a battery using a given material would behave.

Using this approach, the research team reduced the list of possible alternatives to just a few hundred possibilities. They then turned to materials scientists at PNNL for advice on how to reduce the possibilities even further. The scientists suggested adding more specific screening criteria and more elimination rounds. After adopting that advice, the team arrived at a promising alternative and an approach that involved replacing approximately half of the lithium atoms in a battery with sodium (钠) atoms.

After using the new approach to build a working battery, the researchers found it had lower conductivity than was needed — but they also believe that there is room for improvement. They plan to continue working on the approach and the process they used to find their solution, which they suggest could eventually solve other types of material processing problems.

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The smell of roasted chicken filled the kitchen as we gathered for our usual Friday dinner. Having swallowed a big mouthful of chicken, I took a deep breath and began, "Could I invite some friends over tomorrow? Just for the afternoon?"

My parents exchanged a glance, then nodded readily. But beside me, my younger sister, Lily, froze. Her wide eyes locked onto mine. "But... what about Miracle? She'll be terrified, Ethan."

Miracle was a cat Lily rescued on a rainy day last winter. True to her name, the cat had survived. Yet, it remained a creature of profound shyness: Loud voices sent her trembling under beds; sudden movements made her jump. She wasn't just a pet; she was a fragile soul Lily fiercely protected.

"I promise, Lily," I insisted, leaning forward, meeting her worried gaze(凝视). "We'll stay in the living room. No loud music, no shouting games. I'll keep the back door shut tight, and I'll warn everyone to be quiet. Miracle won't even know they're here." I saw the conflict in her eyes — her desire to be supportive warring with her deep concern for the poor cat. After a tense silence, she finally gave a small, reluctant nod.

Saturday arrived with sunshine and laughter as my friends piled in. True to my word, I guided them straight to the living room, reminding them firmly about Miracle's sensitivity.Initially, we chatted, played cards quietly. Glancing around, I spotted Miracle sliding silently down the hallway towards Lily's room. Good, she's keeping her distance, I thought, relieved.

As the afternoon wore on, however, the initial caution disappeared. A competitive board game led to enthusiastic cheers and laughter. Lost in the sheer fun of being with my friends, I forgot everything - he promise, the fragile creature.

After friends departed with cheerful goodbyes, I began tidying empty glasses, still lost in the happy scenes when Lily burst through the front door into her room. Then came her scream, "Ethan, Miracle is gone."

注意：

1.续写词数应为150左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

A cold wave of fear rushed through me.

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Luckily, we finally found Miracle in the backyard.

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(1)你的参赛作品；

(2)感受和收获。

注意：

(1)写作词数应为80个左右；

(2)请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Dear Frank,

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Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

Over the past few years, a fascinating cultural phenomenon (emerge) across China: a growing number of foreign tourists are (enthusiastic) embracing traditional Chinese clothing like Hanfu. At iconic sites such as the Forbidden City, visitors can (see) dressed in exquisite Hanfu, posing for photos against historic backdrops. This trend reflects a deeper appreciation for profound cultural heritage rather than mere curiosity.

This stylish wave is also taking over short video platforms like TikTok,, observers say, is a symbol of China's booming national confidence. On TikTok, the Hanfu hashtag (话题标签) has collected billions of views, foreigners sharing their photoshots and expressing how wearing Hanfu makes them feel like super stars in Chinese dramas. Meanwhile, Chinese content creators and bloggers have been actively promoting Hanfu overseas, organizing activities (introduce) the stories behind the clothing.

This exchange is mutually enriching: foreigners gain meaningful immersion into Chinese traditions, Chinese youth find creative channels to share their heritage. The (blend) of traditional clothing with modern fashion and media has not only boosted cultural confidence but also created new consumption scenarios, turning Hanfu into a dynamic symbol of (China) soft power.

I learned this lesson from a drive to a picturesque mountain range that lies just an hour from my city. However, the road there is dangerously2, with sharp turns every few seconds. Driving through it was once a3. My child often got carsick, while4 local drivers followed closely on my tail. The short journey always left me exhausted, and my motivation to visit5.

One day, I tried a new approach: I drove really6. It helped my child, but the line of cars in my mirror still7 me out. Feeling pressured, I would speed up again. So then I made one small adjustment: I tilted the rearview mirror up,8 the view behind me.

That simple method9 everything. I could finally enjoy the drive at my own10, appreciating the scenery. While cars occasionally pulled ahead whenever they could, they were no longer my main11. Each crossing of the mountains has now become a journey of peace.

I've reflected a lot since then. I've realized that we are often demotivated by12 pressures — be they social media, distracting environments, or13 voices, much like those cars filling up my mirror. Learning to occasionally "tilt the mirror" — to consciously tune out the14 of others — is essential to protecting our drive and15 at our own pace.

Practice in low-stakes settings

Before attending a major event, try initiating brief chats with waiters or neighbors. "Smaller, manageable social interactions don't carry as much emotional weight," Hall-Baldwin says. "so it's just trying to practice without feeling overwhelming pressure." Over time, you'll gain a sense of comfort and confidence as you step into larger social settings.

Use the echo technique

Another powerful technique is to "echo" the speaker. Paraphrase what they've said and encourage them to clarify. For example, if they mention they're struggling at work, repeat back their words with a question in your voice: "Struggling?" Not only does this make them feel heard but also shifts the conversational burden away from you, reducing pressure.

Find an anchor

When feeling anxious, find a physical anchor (锚). Holding a cold drink, pressing your feet firmly into the floor, or touching a small object can give your nervous system something to anchor to when you're feeling anxious. Research indicates that such physical sensations can pull you back to the present and signal safety to your brain, thereby curbing anxiety.

The good news about social events is that they all eventually end — and your departure can arrive as soon as you'd like. Informing friends beforehand of a hard leave time, or having a polite excuse to end a conversation (e.g., "It was really nice talking to you — I'm going to check in with Jane.") can significantly reduce the fear of being trapped.

A. Avoid social events politely

B. Have an exit strategy ready

C. This simple response often leads them to share more.

D. This fear can trigger various physical and emotional symptoms.

E. It ensures you can keep the dialogue flowing without needing to flee.

F. These short interactions can be a low-pressure way to build self-esteem.

G. The core principle is to engage your senses to stabilize yourself in the moment.

"Everyone I speak to in Canada and the US complains about poor sleep," says Leela McKinnon from the University of Toronto Mississauga. "But the data doesn't support that." It is commonly believed that the rise of devices like smartphones has resulted in reduced sleep — often referred to as a sleep-loss epidemic. Yet, many studies reporting a decline in sleep duration rely on self-reported data, which is an unreliable measure.

Research using more reliable methods, such as activity monitors or brainwave tracking, has not indicated a decrease in sleep over recent decades. For instance, a 2023 review of 168 studies found no significant drop in sleep duration over the past 50 years. However, these studies primarily focused on industrialized nations, leaving the question of whether sleep patterns were different before industrialization unanswered. The availability of wrist-based activity monitors made it easier to study sleep in non-industrial societies. Such studies have revealed short sleep durations. For instance, among hunter-gatherers, the San peoples in southern Africa sleep for 6.7 hours a night on average.

McKinnon and her colleague David Samson, also from the University of Toronto Mississauga, have participated in several relevant studies. They compared sleep habits in industrialized nations — like the US and Australia — with those in smaller, non-industrial communities, including local groups in the Amazon, Madagascar, and Tanna Island in the Pacific. Their analysis, the most comprehensive to date, involved direct measurements of sleep in 866 participants aged 18 and older with no serious health issues. They discovered that individuals in non-industrial societies averaged 6.4 hours of sleep, while those in industrial societies averaged 7.1 hours. Additionally, people in non-industrial societies were asleep for 74% of their time in bed, compared to 88% in industrialized areas, a concept known as sleep efficiency.

Samson believes that people in industrialized societies sleep longer and better because their environment is more suitable for sleep. "We see that we've made some real gains in the safety and security of our sleep sites," he says, "We no longer need to worry about rival groups or predators at night."

About 10% of the detected plastic particles were micro-plastics, and the other 90% were nanoplastic. Micro-plastics are between 5 millimeters and 1 micrometer; nanoplastic are particles less than 1 micrometer in size. For context, a human hair is about 70 micrometers thick. Micro-plastics have already been found in people's lungs and blood.

Nanoplastic could be even more dangerous than micro-plastics because when inside the human body, "the smaller it goes, the easier for it to be misidentified as the natural component of the cell," says Wei Min, a professor of chemistry at Columbia University.

The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) said in a statement that it has had "very limited notice and time" to review the study. But the group said the new detection method "needs to be fully reviewed by the scientific community and more research needs to be done to develop standardized methods for measuring and quantifying nanoplastic in our environment." The association said there is "no scientific agreement on the potential health impacts of nano-and micro-plastic particles."

The particles they could identify accounted for only 10% of total particles they found — the rest could be minerals, other types of plastics, or something else, says Beizhan Yan, a research professor and co-author on the study. They hope the research will lead to a better understanding of how much plastic humans are regularly putting into their bodies and its effects.

Yan says they plan future research employing the same technology to look at plastic particles in tap water, in the air, in food and in human tissues. "This is basically just to open a new window for us to see what was this invisible world before."

Later as the sun came up over the mountains and I drank my morning coffee, I looked out my kitchen window and saw a robin sitting on the fence near my home. She had a long piece of grass in her mouth. She looked back at me before flying up into the upper branches of my maple tree to work on her nest. I stepped out of my back door to see if I could see her again but stopped in my tracks.

Only fifteen feet away was a deer eating the freshly grown grass behind my house. I raised my coffee cup to him to show him I meant him no harm then eased back into my house to let him finish his breakfast. As I did so, I was filled with a wonderful sense of peace in my soul. I could feel the love around me, not only from my pets but from the wild animals in my backyard. I could feel my oneness with nature, with life, and with love. And I could say was ‌"Thank you!"

This life is so glorious. Hug this life then. Value it. Feel your oneness with it. Know that you are loved. Know that you can love. Then go out, sharing all of your love, your joy, and your light with everyone everywhere.

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·Have a competitive edge in application for Master's, PhD. and post-doctoral programs at USTC by developing relationships with faculty and students.

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2. Non-Chinese citizens with a foreign passport.

3. Currently enrolled full-time students in undergraduate Year 3/4, Master's, or doctoral programs.

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I had always thought language was just a subject in school until I stepped into college. Growing up in Kolkata, I studied at a government-aided secondary school. Though English was part of the curriculum, it never felt important. I could pass exams with minimal effort, so I never took it seriously.

That changed the moment I began my first term of engineering. All the lectures were in English. I sat in class, trying to grasp what the professors were saying, but all my efforts were fruitless. I couldn't follow the lessons, ask questions, or join in discussions. Outside the classroom, things were no better. My classmates quickly realized I struggled with English. Some laughed at me, while others simply ignored me. Slowly, I backed off. I avoided group outings and kept to myself for fear that I'd embarrass myself if I spoke.

At the end of the term, I failed almost every subject. I stared at my school report in silence. My chest felt heavy, but I knew I had two choices— either giving up or fighting back. I chose the latter. I started small. I read English newspapers daily, carried an English dictionary in my backpack, and watched English videos with subtitles (字幕). Bit by bit, I improved. By the second term,I could finally understand lectures.

But speaking was still a challenge. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't express myself fluently. By my final year, I had gained knowledge in my field but still failed in every campus interview — always rejected in the communication round. My parents were disappointed. My brother thought I hadn't worked hard enough. I was stuck in a sense of helplessness.

Then, one day, my cousin visited. He asked what was wrong and listened patiently. "You've done your part," he said. "Now let someone help you." He advised me to attend a spoken English class. I was hesitant. What if people found out? What if I failed again?

注意：1.续写词数应为150个左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Still, I signed up for the class.

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A month later, I stood before an employer, nervous but prepared.

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