Directions: You are going to read a list of headings and a text about what parents are supposed to do to guide their children into adulthood. Choose a heading from the list A-G that best fits the meaning of each numbered part of the text. The first and last paragraphs of the text are not numbered. There are two extra headings that you do not need to use. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET. A. Set a Good Example for Your Kids B. Build Your Kids' Work Skills C. Place Time Limits on Leisure Activities D. Talk about the Future on a Regular Basis E. Help Kids Develop Coping Strategies F. Help Your Kids Figure Out Who They Are G. Build Your Kids' Sense of Responsibility Mothers and fathers can do a lot to ensure a safe landing in early adulthood for their kids. Even if a job's starting salary seems too small to satisfy an emerging adult's need for rapid content, the transition from school to work can be less of a setback if the start-up adult is ready for the move. Here are a few measures, drawn from my book Ready or Not, Here Life Comes, that parents can take to prevent what I call "work-life uneasiness". 1 You can start this process when they are 11 or 12. Periodically review their emerging strengths and weaknesses with them and work together on any shortcomings, like difficulty in communicating well or collaborating. Also, identify the kinds of interests they keep coming back to, as these offer clues to the careers that will fit them best. 1 Kids need a range of authentic role models—as opposed to members of their clique, pop stars and vaunted athletes. Have regular dinner-table discussions about people the family knows and how they got where they are. Discuss the joys and downsides of your own career and encourage your kids to form some ideas about their own future. When asked what they want to do, they should be discouraged from saying "I have no idea." They can change their minds 200 times, but having only a foggy view of the future is of little good. 3 Teachers are responsible for teaching kids how to learn; parents should be responsible for teaching them how to work. Assign responsibilities around the house and make sure homework deadlines are met. Encourage teenagers to take a part-time job. Kids need plenty of practice delaying gratification and deploying effective organizational skills, such as managing time and setting priorities. 4 Playing video games encourages immediate content. And hours of watching TV shows with canned laughter only teaches kids to process information in a passive way. At the same time, listening through earphones to the same monotonous beats for long stretches encourages kids to stay inside their bubble instead of pursuing other endeavors. All these activities can prevent the growth of important communication and thinking skills and make it difficult for kids to develop the kind of sustained concentration they will need for most jobs. 5 They should know how to deal with setbacks, stresses and feelings of inadequacy. They should also learn how to solve problems and resolve conflicts, ways to brainstorm and think critically. Discussions at home can help kids practice doing these things and help them apply these skills to everyday life situations. What about the son or daughter who is grown but seems to be struggling and wandering aimlessly through early adulthood? Parents still have a major role to play, but now it is more delicate. They have to be careful not to come across as disappointed in their child. They should exhibit strong interest and respect for whatever currently interests their fledging adult (as naive or ill conceived as it may seem) while becoming a partner in exploring options for the future. Most of all, these new adults must feel that they are respected and supported by a family that appreciates them.
A. Create a new image of yourself B. Have confidence in yourself C. Decide if the time is right D. Understand the context E. Work with professionals F. Make it efficient G. Know your goals No matter how formal or informal the work environment, the way you present yourself has an impact. This is especially true in first impressions. According to research from Princeton University, people assess your competence, trustworthiness, and likeability in just a tenth of a second, solely based on the way you look. The difference between today's workplace and the "dress for success" era is that the range of options is so much broader. Norms have evolved and fragmented. In some settings, red sneakers or dress T-shirts can convey status; in others not so much. Plus, whatever image we present is magnified by social-media services like LinkedIn. Chances are, your headshots are seen much more often now than a decade or two ago. Millennials, it seems, face the paradox of being the least formal generation yet the most conscious of style and personal branding. It can be confusing. So how do we navigate this? How do we know when to invest in an upgrade? And what's the best way to pull off one that enhances our goals? Here are some tips: 6 As an executive coach, I've seen image upgrades be particularly helpful during transitions—when looking for a new job, stepping into a new or more public role, or changing work environments. If you're in a period of change or just feeling stuck and in a rut, now may be a good time. If you're not sure, ask for honest feedback from trusted friends, colleagues and professionals. Look for cues about how others perceive you. Maybe there's no need for an upgrade and that's OK. 7 Get clear on what impact you're hoping to have. Are you looking to refresh your image or pivot it? For one person, the goal may be to be taken more seriously and enhance their professional image. For another, it may be to be perceived as more approachable, or more modem and stylish. For someone moving from finance to advertising, maybe they want to look more "SoHo." (It's OK to use characterizations like that.) 8 Look at your work environment like an anthropologist. What are the norms of your environment? What conveys status? Who are your most important audiences? How do the people you respect and look up to present themselves? The better you understand the cultural context, the more control you can have over your impact. 9 Enlist the support of professionals and share with them your goals and context. Hire a personal stylist, or use the free styling service of a store like J.Crew. Try a hair stylist instead of a barber. Work with a professional photographer instead of your spouse or friend. It's not as expensive as you might think. 10 The point of a style upgrade isn't to become more vain or to spend more time fussing over what to wear. Instead, use it as an opportunity to reduce decision fatigue. Pick a standard work uniform or a few go-to options. Buy all your clothes at once with a stylist instead of shopping alone, one article of clothing at a time
6.
C
[解析] 该段中出现了表示时间的词汇和短语:during transitions, in a period of, a good time,表示形象升级得看时机是否恰当。浏览小标题发现,只有选项C出现了表示时间的词汇。再次回看原文,本段第二句中的good与小标题中的right也恰好对应,故选C项。
7.
G
[解析] 该段首句Get clear on what impact you're hoping to have提到“弄清楚你希望产生什么影响”,然后以问句形式提出段落主题,接着分两个方面来阐述,目标不同,做法也不同。本段第一句话中的get clear与小标题中的know属于同义表达,并且本段第三句话中the goal与小标题中的goal完全对应,因此正确答案为G项。
8.
D
[解析] 该段第一句话提到“要像人类学家一样来考虑你的工作环境”,接着给出了几个排比的问句,都是针对工作环境的具体细节的发问。最重要的是在结尾部分,作者总结评论道,The better you..., the more control you...,意为“你越了解文化背景,越就控制对你的影响力”。很明显,这句话凸显了context的重要性。因此,答案选D项。
9.
E
[解析] 本段在首句给出两个关键词professionals和share with,即“寻求专业人士的支持,并把你的目标和环境告诉他们”。下文是举例论述,例如去找发型设计师而不是理发师等。紧接着下文就给出work with a professional photographer让专业摄影师而不是你的配偶或朋友为你拍照。因此本段是围绕professionals的重要性来展开的。故选E项。
10.
F
[解析] 该段落主题句出现在转折句Instead, use it as an opportunity to reduce decision fatigue. 之后,其中it指代上一句中的style upgrade。通过前后两句话对比,指出其目的是利用style upgrade来reduce decision fatigue(减少决策疲劳),从而提升效率。后两句话作为论据进一步论证这一观点,因此答案选F项。
A. Analyzing your own taste B. Being cautious when experimenting C. Finding a model to follow D. Getting the final look absolutely right E. Learning to be realistic F. Making regular conscious choices G. How to judge people When we meet people for the first time, we often make decisions about them based entirely on how they look. And, of course it's something that works both ways, for we too are being judged on our appearance. When we look good, we feel good, which in turn leads to a more confident and self-assured manner. People then pick up on this confidence and respond positively towards us. Undoubtedly, it's what's inside that's important, but sometimes we can send out the wrong signals simply by wearing inappropriate clothing or not spending enough time thinking about how others see us. 11 For example, people often make the mistake of trying to look like someone else they've seen in a magazine, but this is usually a disaster as we all have our own characteristics. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and be honest with yourself about what you see. There is no need to dwell on your faults—we all have good points and bad points—but think instead about the best way to emphasize the good ones. 12 When selecting your clothes each day, think about who you're likely to meet, when you're going to be spending most of your time and what tasks you are likely to perform. Clearly, some outfits will be more appropriate to different sorts of activity and this will dictate your choice to an extent. However, there's no need to abandon your individual taste completely. After all, if you dress to please somebody else's idea of what looks good, you may end up feeling uncomfortable and not quite yourself. 13 But to know your own mind, you have to get to know yourself. What do you truly feel good in? There are probably a few favorite items that you wear a lot—most people wear 20 percent of their wardrobe 80 percent of the time. Look at these clothes and ask yourself what they have in common. Are they neat and tidy, loose and flowing? Then look at the things hanging in your wardrobe that you don't wear and ask yourself why. Go through a few magazines and catalogues and mark the things that catch your eye. Is there a common theme? 14 Some colors bring your natural coloring to life and others can give us a washed-out appearance. Try out new colors by all means, but remember that dressing in bright color when you really like subtle neutral tones, or vice versa, will make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. You know deep down where your own taste boundaries lie. And although it's good to challenge those sometimes with new combinations or shades, take care not to go too far all at once. 15 So, you've chosen an outfit that matches your style, your personality, your shape and your coloring. But does it fit? If something is too tight or too loose, you won't achieve the desired effect, and no matter what other qualities it has, it won't improve your appearance or your confidence. Sometimes, we buy things without thinking. Some people who dislike shopping grab the first thing they see, or prefer to use mail-order or the Internet. In all cases, if it doesn't fit perfectly, don't buy it, because the finer details are just as important as the overall style. Reappraising your image isn't selfish because everyone who comes into contact with you will benefit. You'll look better and you'll feel a better person all round. And if in doubt, you only need to read Professor Albert Mehrabian's book Silent Messages to remind yourself how important outward appearances are. His research showed that the impact we make on each other depend 55 percent on how we look and behave, 38 percent on how we speak and only 7 percent on what we actually say. So, whatever stage you are at in your life, whatever role you play, isn't it time you made the most of yourself?
[解析] 本段段首词so起到了承上启下的作用。前面几段中作者提到了如何挑选衣服,如何确定自己的品位,如何谨慎地去尝试。在这一段落的开始,作者指出:现在你已经挑选了从个性、外形、颜色上来说都很适合你的衣服,需要注意的是之后提出的问题But does it fit?(但它适合你吗)。接着作者指出:事实上,如果一件衣服不是完全合适的话,就不应该购买。然后再看文章的最后一段,作者开始泛谈个人形象以及再评价它的重要性,已经不再具体谈如何着装,由此可以推知,此处内容应该是关于如何着装、如何购买服装的最后建议,因此可确定D项为正确答案。
A. Breaking all constraints B. Timeline to execution C. The purpose of the decision D. Known unknowns and unknown unknowns E. Wrong is never permanent F. Resource accessibility G. Playing to self-interest Leadership in any capacity requires a laser-like focus, complete awareness of the problem set, and a willingness to "move the needle" when faced with uncertainty. Leaders must, at any point, be willing to make a split-second decision with potentially long-lasting and profound impacts. Here are five criteria to consider when making your next big decision: 16 In the military, there was (and still is) a pecking order of priority upon which decisions are based. The mission always came first, followed by what would serve the team, and finally, what would serve the individual. The individual always comes last because he or she was always the smallest link in the organization al chain. Playing to self-interest serves little purpose, and that's not what a team or an organization is about. 17 Well, "never" is a strong word, but you get the idea. I've said before that failure is only determined by where you choose to stop, and it also depends on how that particular problem is perceived. The higher one ascends within an organization. For example, the same problem that appears tricky at one level may not necessarily be the right one to solve for at another. Seek as many viewpoints as you can to enhance your understanding of the situation. 18 There are internal and external influences that shape the feasibility of execution along a given timeline. Internal influences refer to the competency of you and your team to execute the decision in the given time, whereas external influences signify the driving forces that impact the deadline that you have no control over, such as weather, the economy or market demand. You want to ask yourself two questions. First, "Is now the right time to decide?" If the answer is yes, then your next question is, "Am I capable of executing the decision?" If the answer is no then ask "why?" 19 These are the constraints surrounding the execution of your decisions. A known unknown is when you realize a specific intangible exists but can't quantify how much, such as traffic. For instance, you're aware that rush hour in Los Angeles never really has an end point, so it could take you from 20 minutes to two hours to travel from A to B. The point is, you know that uncertainty exists but don't know how much. Unknown unknowns are when Murphy likes to throw another wrench in the mix that you simply can't plan for, such as a vehicle accident or engine breakdown. Try to identify all constraints as best you can so you know how to align them towards the purpose of your decision. 20 If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The result of any effort will depend in part on the resources used to execute it, so be sure to identify not only the primary resources available but also secondary ones, too. Every decision should have a contingency plan for when those unknown unknowns arise and deem your primary course of action obsolete. Decision-making can paralyze you if you're not prepared. Tackle your next major dilemma using the aforementioned considerations and feel better about the decisions you come to.
16.
C
[解析] 本段第一句出现了upon which decisions are based,最后一句Playing to self-interest serves little purpose, and that's not what a team or an organization is about. 由此推断出本段中心与decision和purpose有关,与此呼应的只有C项The purpose of the decision(决策的目的)。干扰项为G项Playing to self-interest(为利己主义服务),原文说Playing to self-interest serves little purpose,这恰恰是原文要杜绝的问题。
17.
E
[解析] 本段开头Well, "never" is a strong word, but you get the idea. 与此呼应的只有E项Wrong is never permanent(错误绝非永恒不变)。本段主要讲要换个角度看问题。故E项为正确答案。
18.
B
[解析] 本段开头There are internal and external influences that shape the feasibility of execution along a given timeline. 后面又出现了given time, deadline等词,与此呼应的只有B项Timeline to execution(执行的时间表)。
19.
D
[解析] 本题后面的段落中出现了A known unknown is...Unknown unknowns are...,与此呼应的是D项Known unknowns and unknown unknowns(已知的未知和未知的未知)。干扰项为A项Breaking all constraints(打破所有限制)。虽然下面紧接的段落有constraints,但本题所在的第三段说Try to identify all constraints,原文并没有提到要break all constraints,故不选。
20.
F
[解析] 本题所在的第一段提到了The result of any effort will depend in part on the resources used to execute it,后面又反复出现primary resources, secondary ones,可见本段中心和资源有关,故F项Resource accessibility(资源的可用性)为正确答案。