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A lesson from my sister

My elder sister was different. She was socially awkward. She could not look at people in the eye. She would mumble (嘟哝) to herself and repeat the words she had just said. The child psychologist had termed it as "Asperger Syndrome".

She, however, was academically capable. Therefore, we attended the same primary school. Despite this, I never, ever admitted in public that she was my sister. There was one incident, however, that changed how I viewed my sister. It was the incident that changed me.

Being in primary six, about to graduate, the school had made it a must for everyone to perform. Due to my sister's inability to work together with others, she had to do it individually. 

"I'll sing," my sister told my parents confidently. Hearing that, I was completely shocked. How could my sister, who was socially awkward, sing in front of the school? I knew so well that if this happened, she would surely embarrass me.

Silently I prayed I would not have to watch my sister disgrace herself. It is fine. No one knows she is your sister. I remember telling myself these exact lines as I sat in the hall, waiting for the performances to start.

The lights dimmed and the curtains parted to reveal the only solo — my sister. It took about a whole minute for her to speak out her name and class and by that time, whispers were heard in the audience. "Why is she taking so long?" People around me asked. I sat nervously in my seat, wishing I were somewhere else.

注意：

1. 所续写短文的总词数应为120左右;

2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好。

Paragraph 1

Finally my sister started to sing. 

Paragraph 2

Guilt (内疚) and shame filled my heart as I listened to my sister's wonderful singing.

1. 劳动的内容和过程;

2. 你的感受与收获。

注意：

1. 词数80左右;

2. 题目已为你写好。

An experience of doing housework

As the Year of the Dragon approached, sales of products with dragon elements have seen explosive  (grow) on major e-commerce platforms. Dragon, or long in Chinese,  (consider) as an important symbol of Chinese traditional culture, is believed to bring good luck and fortune.

Since January, products with dragon-themed elements, such as clothing, daily necessities and gold jewelry  (gain) popularity. Items such as red envelopes, mobile phone cases designed for the Chinese Year of the Dragon have also been favored by consumers, and (they) sales have surpassed those in the Year of the Rabbit last year. 

Chinese consumers who buy dragon-themed goods are hoping  (live) a better life in the new year and displaying a strong sense  national pride and confidence in Chinese culture. The rich cultural meanings and the good wishes  the dragon carries have not only stimulated people's passion for buying, but also satisfied their rising demand for personalized and  (create) products with unique cultural symbols.

Spring Festival is the traditional festival Chinese people attach the most importance to, and it's also  peak season for consumption. The shopping craze for dragon-related products ahead of Lunar New Year is essential for  (promote) the recovery of the consumer market.

The doorbell rang one mid-December evening. I frequently had unexpected visitors in those early days after my husband's 1 . But when my 6-year-old son opened the door, nobody was there. 2 , on the doormat was a box, tied with a silver 3 and a note that said "On the First Day of Christmas..." A mystery.

Sam had died that fall, 4 me the single parent of our two boys, 6 and 8. My sons and I had already 5 to deal with Halloween, and Thanksgiving without Daddy. Still, I was afraid of Christmas. How could December have 6 without my husband?

The next night, the doorbell rang again. Another 7 came, decorated with the same silver ribbon (带子) and 8 the same card reading "On the Second Day of Christmas..."

For the next couple of nights, my boys waited near the front door to see who was leaving the gifts, but the bearer would always choose the moment they left to 9 .

I didn't know who the secret Santa was. But there was one thing I did know. In those dark days of 10 , somebody was shining a light our way with a simple but 11 message: "You are loved." It was such a strange feeling, to be left in darkness on the one hand and drawn so firmly toward 12 on the other. I believe hope will make a(n) 13 .

After 11 days of offerings, we weren't sure what to 14 when we approached home on that 12th night. I trusted there would be 15 .

Practical ways to improve your problem solving skills

Problem solving skills are increasingly valuable in the workplace. . Here's how to improve your strategy.

Train creativity

Problem-solving at its best requires a mixture of structured analysis and out-of-the-box thinking. To train creativity, individuals must engage in activities that stimulate their imagination and encourage new perspectives (视角). Have free-flowing brainstorming meetings that allow for the exploration of various ideas without immediate judgment. .

Improve communication skills

Clear and brief communication is the key to effective problem-solving, acting as the bridge that connects various perspectives and makes individuals toward a common goal.. Clearly defining the problem statement, its influences and the desired outcomes lays a solid foundation for collaborative efforts. Active listening, on the other hand, is the skill of receiving information with intent and focus. It involves not just hearing words but understanding the differences, emotions and underlying messages.

Use technology

. Whether it's data analysis, artificial intelligence or project management software, putting technology into your problem-solving toolbox can simplify processes and offer innovative solutions. By embracing technology as an enabler rather than a replacement for human decision-making, individuals can use the power of innovation to address complex challenges effectively.
   

Mistakes are not failures but help you become better. Each misstep provides an opportunity for reflection, learning and refining one's approach to challenges. Analyse what went wrong, identify areas for improvement and use this knowledge to inform your future problem-solving efforts. Creating a culture that removes mistakes within a team or organization trains an environment where individuals feel comfortable admitting errors.

A．Stay informed

B．Learn from mistakes

C．Encourage yourself to think beyond the obvious

D．They could help you achieve more in your personal life too

E．Effective communication begins with expressing yourself well

F．Using tools and technology can really help solve problems better

G．Building trust among team members contributes to problem-solving

The Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week held in Ethiopia in November attracted over 5,000 visitors. Though the number is not extremely high, the continent is becoming a new global fashion leader, according to a UNESCO report.

Although most African fashion businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (企业), the report identified a growing number of high-fashion brands concentrated in key markets on the continent. What makes African fashion unique is its authenticity (真实性), according to Kenyan designer Aulga Nato. "If you check most fashion houses elsewhere in the world, they have done so much that they have less creativity in what they are putting out now. Africa, on the other hand, is rich in cloth. We are huge cotton growers, and we are rich in every single way. That's our fashion," she explained. 

Africa is a major producer of raw materials (原材料) for the fashion industry, with 37 out of 54 African countries producing cotton and textile exports from the continent averaging $15.5 billion (about 110.2 billion yuan) a year. The continent also has a huge animal population from which it sources animal skins. However, there's a huge shortage of chemicals to make the materials needed to treat the leather (皮革) from animals used in the clothing industry. And the continent still faces challenges related to the movement of people.

Despite these challenges, African designers are giving their best to their work and leading the world in sustainable fashion and practices. African governments have also taken measures to help designers in achieving their aims. It seems that their efforts have paid off. After checking clothing exhibits at a fashion event, Ghanaian exhibitor Solomon Dodoo noticed that every single cloth is unique and there are no two pieces of cloth that look alike.

Take a period of limited rainfall. Add heat. And you have what scientists call a ‘hot drought' — dry conditions made more intense by the evaporative power of hotter temperatures.

A new study, published in the journal Science Advances, Wednesday, finds that hot droughts have become more common and severe across the western U.S. as a result of human-caused climate change. "The frequency of compound warm and dry summers particularly in the last 20 years is unprecedented," said Karen King, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

For much of the last 20 years, western North America has been under the control of a huge drought that has strained crop producers, city planners and water managers. Scientists believe it to be the driest period in the region in at least 1,200 years. They reached that determination, in part, by studying the rings of trees collected from thousands of sites across the Western U.S..

Cross-sections or cores of trees, both living and dead, can offer scientists windows into climate conditions of the past. Dark scars can show where fires have burned. Pale rings can indicate insect outbreaks. "Narrow rings mean less water," said King, a dendrochronologist, who specialized in tree ring dating. "Fatter rings, more water." Scientists have looked at tree ring widths to understand how much water was in the soil at a given time. King and fellow researchers did something different. They wanted to investigate the density (密度) of individual rings to get a picture of historical temperatures. In hotter years, trees build thick walls to protect their water.

By combining that temperature data with another tree-ring-sourced dataset looking at soil moisture (湿度), the researchers showed that today's hotter temperatures have made the current western huge drought different from its past ones.

It also suggests that future droughts will be worsened by higher temperatures, particularly in the Great Plains, home to one of the world's largest aquifers, and the Colorado River Basin, the source of water for some 40 million people.

Adding to the achievements of a remarkable year, Taylor Swift has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2023. 

Already a superstar before 2023, Swift's career has reached new heights thanks to the beginning of her Eras Tour that brought her 3.5-hour performance to 66 shows in 23 cities across North America, Argentina and Brazil. Promoted by her tour, Swift has been named the most-streamed female artist in the history of Spotify and Apple Music. According to Billboard, the tour made about $900 million (about 6.4 billion yuan) in 2023. In addition, the tour's movie Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour became the biggest concert movie of all time, taking more than $250 million globally.

As she was declared (宣布) a billionaire by Bloomberg in November, a hidden "Taylor Swift economy" also promoted sales for business owners across the US. From soaps to a cruise inspired by her different "eras", interest in Swift-related products went way up.

Apart from her financial contributions, Swift made a significant cultural impact by taking back control of her music. In 2019, her old record label, Big Machine, sold the master tapes of her first six albums (专辑) to Scooter Braun. The sale meant that she didn't have the rights to the albums. In response to this, Swift began re-recording her first six albums, tagging (加标签于) them "Taylor's Version". This move stressed her belief that artists deserve to own their work. "It's all in how you deal with loss," she told Time. "I respond to extreme pain by resisting." 

Heading into 2024, Swift will start the Eras Tour again in Japan and Australia. As USA Today noted, "Her current top has been a long time coming, but it may also be just beginning."

Must-See Destinations in 2024

Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.

Spain

Throw yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there's so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife. 

Montenegro

Despite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia's jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic. 

Croatia

Discover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city's defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia's Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...

South Africa

Explore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route's nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the "Big Five" on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.

With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader's Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.

The notice was posted next to the mailboxes in the apartment building I had just moved into. "A Mitzvah (善行) for Mrs. Green," it read, "Sign up to drive Mrs. Green in 3B home from her chemotherapy (化疗) treatments twice a month."

Since I wasn't a driver, I couldn't add my name, but the word "mitzvah" was always wandering in my thoughts after I went upstairs. It's a Hebrew word that means "to do a good deed". But according to my grandma, it also had another meaning. This was the one she was always pointing out to me because she noticed that I thought it a shame to let people do things for me. "Linda, it's a blessing to do a mitzvah for someone else, but sometimes it's a blessing to let another person do something for you."

One evening, snowflakes had been falling past my window for several hours when the time to leave for class came. I labored to the bus stop, reaching it just as a bus went by. For an hour, I prayed desperately that a bus would come. Then I gave up. The wind at my back pushed me towards home. Even if I wanted to ask someone for a good deed, which I did not, there wasn't a soul on the street.

But as I pushed the door of my apartment open, I found myself face to face with a woman at the mailbox with a set of keys in her hand. Obviously she had a car and was going out. In that split second, desperation overcame my pride and I blurted (脱口而出), "Could you possibly give me a lift?" An odd look crossed her face and she agreed without hesitation.

On our way to my school, she spoke so warmly that I felt comfortable. "You remind me of my grandmother." I said. A slight smile crossed her lips. "Just call me Grandma Alice as my grandchildren do." When she dropped me off, I thanked her again and again.

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。

Back home I heard a neighbor saying "Good night, Mrs Green." to Grandma Alice on the stairs.

Mrs. Green visited me later and said, "May I tell you something?"

注意：1. 写作词数应为80左右；2. 可以适当增加细节以使行文连贯；3. 不能出现真实姓名与学校名称；4. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, has been officially listed as a UN floating holiday in its calendar of conferences from 2024. The UN General Assembly, in a resolution, acknowledges the  (significant) of the Lunar New Year and invites the UN bodies at headquarters and other duty stations to avoid  (hold) meetings on the Lunar New Year.

The resolution encourages the arrangement  (take) into account when drafting future calendars of conferences. The United Nations identifies  (globe) observed holidays as floating holidays and refrains from scheduling meetings  such occasions.

China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations said the Spring Festival, as a traditional Chinese holiday features family reunion and good wishes for the coming year, not only (bear) the idea s of the Chinese civilization of peace and harmony but becomes the common values of humanity such as (harmony) family, social inclusion and sound relationship between man and nature.

The resolution serves as a showcase of the influence of Chinese civilization and aims at tolerance and interactions between diverse civilizations worldwide.  also reflects the values of diversity and inclusion promoted by the United Nations. The deputy added that the listing of the Spring Festival as a UN holiday  (welcome) among member states and staff members of the UN Secretary.

Medha Gupta sometimes felt worried making the 20-minute walk from the corner where the school bus dropped her off to her home in Herndon, Virginia—especially during the colder months in winter.

Her mother, Divya Gupta had a 1 : write an app. She was half-kidding, but Medha took the challenge 2 . So she went to work.

The result was Safe Travel, an app 3 by Medha to help walkers feel more 4 when travelling alone. Using the iPhone, a person can programme it to send a warning to someone he or she trusts if he or she 5 to arrive at a destination within a certain time.

It was the first IOS app that Medha had created. While she didn't think much would come from the project, her6 caught the eye of judges for the annual Congressional App Challenge, who selected her as the winner for Virginia's 10th District.

The App Challenge is designed to encourage 7 to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths by 8 coding and computer science. Winning students are 9 to attend a reception on Capitol Hill in April and also received $ 250 in Amazon Web Service credits.

Medha said it took her about 40 hours to design,10 and test the app. As for her next app, Medha's not certain. She11 has her app-development tasks on hold because she's12 teaching herself AI to help deal with improper words on Facebook. Yes, she knows that there are teams of13 probably doing the same thing. But she14 it can't hurt her own part, too.

"If we see something15 with the world, we should do something about it," she said. "After all, the only one stopping us from doing something is ourselves."

How to be more productive

Getting things done isn't working all day at 100 miles an hour.. And the following tips can definitely help you.

Smaller tasks like answering emails are "shallow work". Try to be more conscious of what your shallow tasks are, and give yourself permission to block them out for a while so you can focus on the important tasks that require "deep work".

Call it a day

For good productivity, be strict about when your working day is over, and when you get to the end of your planned work session, ease yourself into a more relaxed state. Look through your unfinished work.. Then close that textbook or laptop and say something out loud like "Shutdown complete!" After that? Have some fun. Give your mind the rest it's earned.

Find your top level goal

. Find the big thing that we could call your life's purpose, like inspiring others, or helping people in society. Put that at the top. On the next level you'll have mid-level goals like passing an exam. The goals below-it-should all feed into your top-level. They'll be smaller, more practical things — perhaps writing an email, or doing some research. If they don't help with achieving your top goal, then get rid of them!

Make your breaks smarter

Time-management master Francesco Cirillo says that for every 25 minutes of intense concentration, you should take five off to do nothing at all, which gives the brain time to recover and keeps your productivity high. . Move around, stare out of a window.

A. Shut out the shallow

B. Make out the shallow

C. Find some pictures of kittens and puppies first

D. Organise your priorities by making a pyramid of goals

E. In the five-minute breaks, don't jump on your phone

F. Write a short plan of how you'll tackle it tomorrow

G. Looking for ways to do less and get more done actually makes more sense

The sporty all-electric car from the Netherlands resembles a BMW car, but is unique: It captures more carbon than it emits. "Our end goal is to create a more sustainable future," said Jens Lahaije, finance manager for TU/ecomotive, the Eindhoven University of Technology student team that created the car. Called ZEM, for zero emission mobility, the two-seater houses a Cleantron lithium-ion battery (锂电池) pack, and most of its parts are 3D-printed from recycled plastics, Lahaije said. The target is to minimize carbon dioxide emitted during the car's full lifespan, from manufacturing to recycling, he added.

Battery electric vehicles emit virtually no CO₂ during operation compared with combustion-engine (燃烧式发动机) vehicles, but battery cell production can create so much pollution that it can take EVs tens of thousands of miles to achieve "carbon parity (相同)" with comparable fossil-fueled models.

"Direct air capture is a fairly new method of cleaning the air by capturing CO₂ into a filter (过滤器). We have made use of this innovative technology and implemented this in our car. The idea is very simple: while driving, air will move through our self-designed filters and the CO₂ will be captured and stored." ZEM uses two filters that can capture up to 2 kilograms (4.41 lb) of CO₂ over 20,000 miles of driving, the Eindhoven team estimated. They imagine a future when filters can be emptied at charging stations, based on the fact that there are a nationwide charging infrastructure, which includes residential, commercial and public chargers across the country installed by the Energy Department, automakers and private businesses.

The students are showing their vehicle on a US promotional tour to universities and companies from the East Coast to Silicon Valley, hoping to attract more financial support.

It is hard to tell where the future will take the electric vehicles, but it is clear that they hold a lot of potential for creating a more sustainable future. In the end, only time will tell what road electric vehicles will take in the future.