相关试卷

The city is loud and busy; contrast, the countryside is peaceful.

Whenever I leave the house, I always switch the lights.

The company is cutting staff; other words, many employees will lose their jobs.

After years of hard work, she finally took a position as the head of the department.

When settingon a long walk, always wear suitable boots.

The team consists ten members, each with unique skills.

As far I am concerned, the best way to learn a language is through involvement.

I subscribe this magazine and receive the latest issue every month.

Body language is an essential form of communication, helping us to understand what others are saying and feeling. Observing gestures, such as how people stand, move their hands, or hold their arms, (allow) us to gather information beyond spoken words. To interpret body language (effective), we have to understand cultural differences. For instance, making eye contact can indicate interest in one culture, while could be seen as rude in another. In Middle Eastern countries, it is common for men and women to avoid direct eye contact. In Japan, looking down when (speak) to an older person shows respect.

Gestures often hold various meanings. The "OK" sign, when (use), may mean money in Japan, zero in France, or even be considered impolite in Brazil. Similarly, head (movement) for "yes" and "no" differ; in Bulgaria and Albania, shaking the head means " yes," which contrasts with other parts of the world.

Certain actions, such as moving your hand in circles over your stomach after a meal (represent) "I am full", seem the same everywhere. However, gestures like a smile are multifunctional, being used to greet, apologise, or start a conversation. Smiling, helps build connections and deal with problems, can even improve our mood. Experts recommend smiling oneself in the mirror to feel happier and more confident.

Understanding such slight differences helps us connect (well) with people worldwide, making communication smoother.

On the day before Thanksgiving, I stood with a full cart, waiting to2. Every line was packed with easily annoyed shoppers in a big hurry. And I was3. Then I heard the ladies in front of me talking.

"Being aware of so much I have, I feel some4 in me," one said. "They are poor people. They5 all week, and the food they can afford fits in their two hands." I wasn't sure who she was referring to.

Their conversation shifted to other topics but I started6. I only used a little of my7 even when I planned a feast like Thanksgiving. I bought treats8 and treated myself to luxuries whenever I wanted, but I9 to appreciate how much effort from others went into making these things possible.

How had I10 noticed all these before?

Looking around, I suddenly saw everything11. Everything I had and enjoyed felt12. Reaching the cashier, who looked tired, I thanked her. People13 me, and then I heard them doing the same thing.

Now, whenever I enter a grocery store, I'm14 of how much I have to be thankful for in my life. Going to the grocery store is no longer a15 but rather a gift.

"Many yard and garden tasks require enough effort to count as medium-intensity exercise," says Dr. I-Min Lee, a professor at Harvard Medical School. And the U.S. physical activity guidelines call for doing at least 150 minutes per week of medium-intensity exercise. You can spread it out over the week or focus on just two days during the weekend.

Several yard and garden tasks — digging holes, shoveling soil, or bagging fallen leaves, for example — strengthen various muscles. Besides, gardening or yard work, like walking, swimming, and dancing, has a low rate of injuries when compared with higher-intensity activities such as running. There's even evidence that gardening can reduce stress and anxiety. This makes gardening an effective approach to well-being.

"If you enjoy gardening and yard work, it can be a good way to meet your exercise goals," says Dr. Lee. " In this way, you are more likely to stick to them consistently."

A. The answer is no.

B. They also increased physical activity levels.

C. Such changes help lower the risk of heart disease.

D. You can meet that goal doing garden or yard work.

E. After all, the best rule is to do activities you enjoy.

F. You may collect a few health benefits from doing so.

G. Surprisingly, it adds up to more than you might think.

Last week, I attended a meeting in Hong Kong where about 60 scientists from around the world gathered to discuss how stars like our sun end their lives. It was a small meeting, and what struck me most was that the scientists argued over data gathered by complex machines that watch the skies for us. But these weren't the kind of arguments you see on TV or in a debate club. Instead, they were careful discussions focused on uncovering facts and understanding evidence. They were sharp, focused, and all about getting closer to the truth.

In school, you might have learned about the scientific method: make a guess, test it with an experiment, and decide if the guess is right or wrong based on the results. That sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? But the real world of science is a lot messier because it involves people--and people argue.

At the meeting, we argued about everything. First, we debated whether our telescopes were working as they should. Then, we argued about the data they collected. Did we understand the patterns of light coming from stars correctly? Finally, we debated the theories we used to make sense of the data. Were we missing something important about how stars change over time?

All this arguing might sound futile, as if it is pointless, but it's actually how science moves forward. By challenging each other, scientists help sort out which ideas are worth exploring and which ones don't make sense. No single person has all the answers, but together, scientists can figure out what questions really matter.

Here's the most important thing about science: in the end, it's not about who argues the best. It's about the data. For example, when scientists debated whether the earth orbits the sun, it was the evidence from nature that finally settled the argument. That's why science is so powerful.

Knowing the man owned a rare and valuable book, Franklin asked if he could borrow it for a few days. The man agreed, and Franklin returned it days later with a polite note. "When we next met in the House, he spoke to me, (which he had never done before) and did so politely," Franklin later recalled. "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged (恩惠)."

This idea became known as the Ben Franklin Effect. In 1969, two psychologists, Jon Jecker and David Landy, ran an experiment. They asked 74 volunteers to take part in a competition where they could win money. After the competition, the volunteers were divided into three groups. In the first group, the lead researcher (who acted a bit annoying) personally asked each competitor to return the money to help him out. In the second group, the office assistant asked the competitors to return the money, saying the department needed it. The third group got to keep their money. Later, the volunteers were asked how much they liked the researcher. Those in the first group had a much more positive impression of him than did those in the third group. The result of the second group suggested that an indirect request for a favor does not endear you to others.

But why does this happen? One explanation is cognitive dissonance — the discomfort we feel when we hold two conflicting thoughts. For example, if you think, "I don't like Joe, but I'm doing him a favor," your brain solves the conflict by deciding, "Maybe I do like him after all." Another explanation comes from the desire to build good relationships. Humans are naturally wired to want to help others.

One day, Emily's friends announced their big challenge: a charity 5K race. They were determined to make it a yearly event, a way to give back to the community and to push their limits. As they excitedly discussed their training plans, she wondered what it would be like to experience that sense of achievement they talked about. Then Emily blurted (脱口而出) out, "Count me in." The room fell silent, and then erupted into cheers.

The weeks leading up to the race flew by in a rush of early morning runs and evenings spent learning about running techniques. Emily's friends became her coaches, patiently teaching her how to pace herself and breathe properly. It wasn't easy — her body resisted the new routine, and there were days when every muscle ached, forcing her to collapse onto the sofa. Yet, she never once questioned her decision.

Gradually, things started to change. She began to celebrate small victories: the first time she ran a mile without stopping, the day she finished running without walking. Her friends' constant encouragement kept her going.

Then came the race day. Emily stood at the starting line, feeling a sense of belonging, a sense of being part of something larger than herself. The gun fired. She started to run. She felt alive, truly alive, in a way she had never experienced before.

As she crossed the finish line, she saw her friends waiting, their faces shining with pride. At that moment, Emily understood the charm of running and the joy in it. She understood the power of challenging herself, of achieving what once seemed impossible. The race was over, but for Emily, a new chapter had begun.

But amidst all this chaos,  that refuses to let me give in completely to the darkness. 

The feeling of being lost is often accompanied by loneliness,  navigating in the dark. 

The weight of not knowing  feels like a heavy burden on my shoulders. 

This uncertainty leads me to a deep sense of insecurity,  and doubt my abilities. 

It's  at a crossroads with no visible signposts.