In the 19th century, there used to be a model of how to be a good person. There
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In the 19th century, there used to be a model of how to be a good person. There are all these torrents of passion flowing through you. Your job, as captain of your soul, is to erect dams to keep these passions in check. Your job is to just say no to laziness, lust, greed, drug use and the other sins.
These days that model is out of fashion. You usually can’t change your behavior by simply resolving to do something. Knowing what to do is not the same as being able to do it. Your willpower is not like a dam that can block the torrent of self-indulgence. It"s more like a muscle, which tires easily. Moreover, you"re a social being. If everybody around you is overeating, you’ll probably do so, too.
The 19th-century character model was based on an understanding of free will. Today, we know that free will is bounded. People can change their lives, but ordering change is not simple because many things, even within ourselves, are beyond our direct control.
Much of our behavior, for example, is guided by unconscious habits. Researchers at Duke University calculated that more than 40 percent of the actions we take are governed by habit, not actual decisions. Researchers have also come to understand the structure of habits—cue, routine, reward.
You can change your own personal habits. If you leave running shorts on the floor at night, that"ll be a cue to go running in the morning. Don’t try to ignore your afternoon snack craving. Every time you feel the cue for a snack, insert another routine. Take a walk.
Their research thus implies a different character model, which is supposed to manipulate the neuralnetworks inside.
To be an effective person, under this model, you are supposed to coolly examine your own unconscious habits, and the habits of those under your care. You are supposed to devise strategies to alter the cues and routines. Every relationship becomes slightly manipulative, including your relationship with yourself. You"re trying to arouse certain responses by implanting certain cues.
This is a bit disturbing, because the important habitual neural networks are not formed by mere routine, nor can they be reversed by clever cues. They are burned in by emotion and strengthened by strong yearnings, like the yearnings for admiration and righteousness.
If you think you can change your life in a clever way, the way an advertiser can get you to buy an air freshener, you’re probably wrong. As the Victorians understood, if you want to change your life, don’t just look for a clever cue. Commit to some larger global belief.
小题1:Which of the following is the first-to-none element in the 19th-century character model?| A．Action. | B．Capacity. | C．Resolution. | D．Enthusiasm. |
小题2:The 19th-century model supposedly does not work on the grounds that ________| A．one’s wished should be pondered before acting. | | B．the comparison of free will to a dam is groundless. | | C．it has been proved impractical and cannot hold true. | | D．there were many other factors beyond one"s control. |
小题3:The research at Duke University indicated that ________| A．One’s behavior is tough to change. | | B．Habit has an unidentified structure. | | C．Habit plays a vital role in one"s behavior. | | D．Both habit and will power are of significance. |
小题4:According to the new character model, personal behavior could be altered through| A．techniques to break old routines. | | B．techniques to provide different physical cues. | | C．cues to change all the former unconscious habits. | | D．cues to manipulate the habitual neural responses. |
小题5:We can learn from the passage that the new character model ________| A．can generate changes in one"s life like what advertisers do. | | B．highlights the neural and psychological aspects of habit change. | | C．has been identified a new method of changing behavior perfectly. | | D．has an advantage over others in dealing with emotional aspects of behavior. |
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答案
小题1: C
小题2: A
小题3: C
小题4: B
小题5: B |
解析
试题分析：文章对比了19世纪的性格典范和现在的新的性格典范之间的差异。
小题1:细节题：从第一段的句子：Your job, as captain of your soul, is to erect dams to keep these passions in check. Your job is to just say no to laziness, lust, greed, drug use and the other sins.可知早19世纪，最首要的性格模范是“决心”选C
小题2:推理题：从第三段的句子：Today, we know that free will is bounded. People can change their lives, but ordering change is not simple because many things, even within ourselves, are beyond our direct control.可知一个人的行为在行动前要仔细考虑，选A
小题3: 细节题：从第四段的句子：Much of our behavior, for example, is guided by unconscious habits. 可知很多的行为都是行为导致的，选C
小题4: 细节题：从第三段的句子：You are supposed to devise strategies to alter the cues and routines.可知新的性格典范是通过方法提供线索改变自己的行为，选 B
小题5:细节题：从倒数第二段的句子：because the important habitual neural networks are not formed by mere routine, nor can they be reversed by clever cues. They are burned in by emotion and strengthened by strong yearnings,可知新的性格典范重视习惯改变的神经和心理的方面，选B |
举一反三
If you’re among the millions of Americans packing their vocation bags for summer trips, don’t forget, however, that as soon as you step off the plane, you’re expected to follow that country’s laws. We took a look at one of the top countries Americans are most likely to visit and what might happen if you got caught.
Mexico
Smoking marijuana(大麻): If police find you smoking a cigarette which contains marijuana, they will most likely detain you overnight and you will get a fine.
Carrying a firearm: You might be able to walk around with a gun in Texas, but that isn’t so in Mexico, so leave your gun behind. If you wish to go hunting in Mexico, you can apply for a gun permit but are expected to be charged $5,000. If you are caught bringing a firearm, Mexican policeman may take away your car and arrest you. An arrested American may spend months in prison while his or her case is being looked into.
Driving 70 mph on the highway: Speed limits are on the lower side. Depending on what type of highway you’re driving on, you shouldn’t go faster than 60mph. The police enforce (执行) the speed limit, but most local police don’t have radars(无线电探测器). The maximum fine for speeding is about $40. To scare (吓得某人做……) tourists into paying the fine “on the spot”, sometimes police will threaten to keep your driver’s license (驾照). This is illegal.
小题1:Which of the following statements are not true?| A．The laws in Texas are different from the ones in Mexico. | | B．People will be fined if they smoke marijuana. | | C．People will be arrested if they are caught bringing a gun. | | D．The police in Mexico have the right to keep the drivers’ license. |
小题2:If the travelers want to drive in Mexico, they should _______.| A．drive on the lower side of the street | | B．keep an eye out on the radars | | C．limit their car speed | | D．pay the fine on the spot. |
小题3:The word “detain” in the second paragraph means： ____ ．| A．arrest | B．fine | C．punish | D．destroy |
小题4:What can we know from the passage?| A．Different countries have different regulations． | | B．Different countries have the same regulations． | | C．Americans like to visit other countries． | | D．Mexico police aren"t friendly． |
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Interest in pursuing international careers has soared (increased sharply) in recent years, enhanced by chronic (lasting) personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talents.
Professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. They may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. They may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity and initiative. Or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language.
When applying for a job, one usually has to submit (present—v.) a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The two terms generally mean the same thing: a one-or two-page document describing one"s educational qualifications and professional experience. However, guidelines for preparing a resume are constantly changing. The best advice is to find out what is appropriate regarding the corporate (company) culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to embrace (include) two or more cultures in one document. The following list is a good place to start.
● "Educational requirements differ from country to country. In almost every case of "cross-border" job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not mean adequate description. Provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience."
●Pay attention to the resume format you use—chronological or reverse-chronological order. Chronological order means listing your "oldest" work experience first. Reverse-chronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. Most countries have preferences about which format is most acceptable. If you find no specific guidelines, the general preference is for the reverse-chronological format.
●If you are submitting your resume in English, find out if the recipient uses British English or American English because there are variations between the two versions. For example, university education is often referred to as "tertiary education" in the United Kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the United States. A reader who is unfamiliar with these variations may assume that your resume contains errors.
小题1:Companies are hiring more foreign employees because ________. | A．they have difficulty finding qualified personnel at home | | B．they find foreign employees are usually more talented | | C．they need original ideas from employees hired overseas | | D．they want to expand their business beyond home borders |
小题2:The author believes that an individual who applies to work overseas ________.
A. is usually creative and full of initiative
B. aims to improve his foreign language skills
C. seeks either his own or his children"s development
D is dissatisfied with his own life at home
小题3:When it comes to resume writing, it is best to ________. | A．learn about the company"s hiring process | | B．follow appropriate guidelines for job hunting | | C．take cultural factors into consideration | | D．know the employer"s personal likes and dislikes |
小题4:According to the author"s last piece of advice, the applicants should be aware of ________.| A．the different educational systems in the US and the UK | | B．the recipient"s preference with regard to the format | | C．the distinctive features of American and British cultures | | D．the differences between the varieties of English |
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Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you’ve visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen --- the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it"s important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times.But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收费站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acauisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (优惠卷).
But privacy does matter - at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.
小题1:What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked” (Lines 3-4, Para. 2)?| A．People"s personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge. | | B．In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’ secrets. | | C．People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age. | | D．Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology. |
小题2:What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?| A．Friends should open their hearts to each other. | | B．Friends should always be faithful to each other. | | C．There should be a distance even between friends. | | D．There should be fewer disputes between friends. |
小题3:Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” ( Line5, para. 3)?| A．Modern society has finally evolved into an open society. | | B．People leave traces around when using modern technology. | | C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs. | | D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities. |
小题4:What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?| A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity. | | B．They use various loyalty cards for business transactions. | | C．They rely most and more on electronic devices. | | D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it. |
小题5:According to the passage, privacy is like health in that .| A．people will make every effort to keep it | | B．its importance is rarely understood | | C．it is something that can easily be lost | | D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it |
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In business, there’s a speed difference: It’s the difference between how important a firm’s leaders say speed is to their competitive(竞争的) strategy(策略) and how fast the company actually moves.The difference is important regardless of industry and company size. Companies fearful of losing their competitive advantage spend much time and money looking for ways to pick up the speed.
In our study of 343 businesses, the companies that chose to go, go, go to try to gain an edge ended up with lower sales and operating incomes than those that paused at key moments to make sure they were on the right track.What"s more, the firms that “slowed down to speed up” improved their top and bottom lines, averaging 40% higher sales and 52% higher operating incomes over a three-year period.
How did they disobey the laws of business physics, taking more time than competitors yet performing better? They thought differently about what “slower” and “faster” mean.Firms sometimes fail to understand the difference between operational speed (moving quickly) and strategic speed (reducing the time it takes to deliver value)．Simply increasing the speed of production, for example, may be one way to try to reduce the speed difference.But that often leads to reduced value over time, in the form of lower-quality products and services.
In our study, higher-performing companies with strategic speed always made changes when necessary. They became more open to ideas and discussion.They encouraged new ways of thinking.And they allowed time to look back and learn.By contrast (相比而言), performance suffered at firms that moved fast all the time, paid too much attention to improving efficiency, stuck to tested methods, didn"t develop team spirit among their employees, and had little time thinking
about changes.
Strategic speed serves as a kind of leadership.Teams that regularly take time to get things right, rather than plough ahead full bore, are more successful in meeting their business goals.That kind of strategy must come from the top.
小题1:What does the underlined part “gain an edge” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．Increase the speed. | B．Reach the limit. | | C．Get an advantage. | D．Set a goal. |
小题2:The underlined part “the laws of business physics” in Paragraph 3 means ________.| A．spending more time and performing worse | | B．spending more time and performing better | | C．spending less time and performing worse | | D．spending less time and performing better |
小题3:What can we learn from the text?| A．How fast a firm moves depends on how big it is. | | B．How competitive a firm is depends on what it produces. | | C．Firms guided by strategic speed take time to make necessary changes. | | D．Firms guided by operational speed take time to develop necessary team spirit. |
小题4:Which could be the best title for the text?| A．Improve quality? Serve better. | B．Deliver value? Plough ahead. | | C．Reduce time? Move faster. | D．Need speed? Slow down. |
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Some people believe that a Robin Hood is at work，others that a wealthy person simply wants to distribute (分配) his or her fortune before dying. But the donator who started sending envelopes with cash to deserving causes，accompanied by an article from the local paper, has made a northern German city believe in fairytales (童话).
The first envelope was sent to a victim support group. It contained €10, 000 with a cutting from the Braunschiveiger Zeitung about how the group supported a woman who was robbed of her handbag; similar plain white anonymous (匿名) envelopes, each containing €10, 000, then arrived at a kindergarten and a church.
The envelopes keep coming, and; so far at least €190, 000 has been distributed. Last month, one of them was sent to the newspaper’s own office. It came after a story it published about Tom, a 14-year-old boy who was severely disabled in a swimming accident. The receptionist at the Braunschiveiger Zeitung opened an anonymous white envelope to find 20 notes of € 500 inside with a copy of the article. The name of the family was underlined.
“I was driving when I heard the news," Claudia Neumann, the boy"s mother, told Der Spiegel magazine. “I had to park on the side of the road; I was speechless."
The money will be used to make the entrance to their house wheelchair-accessible and for a course of treatment that their insurance company refused to pay for.
"For someone to act so selflessly, for this to happen in such a society in which everyone thinks of himself, was astonishing," Mrs. Neumann said. Her family wonder whether the donator is a Robin Hood character, taking from banks to give to the needy.
Henning Noske，the editor of the Braunschiveiger Zeitung, said: "Maybe it is an old person who is about to die. We just do not know." However, he has told his reporters not to look for the city"s hero, for fear that discovery may stop the donations.
小题1:The Braunschiveiger Zeitung is the name of ______.| A．a church | B．a bank | C．a newspaper | D．a magazine |
小题2:Which of the following is TRUE about the donation to Tom?| A．The donation amounted to €190, 000. | | B．The donation was sent directly to his house. | | C．The money will be used for his education. | | D．His mother felt astonished at the donation. |
小题3:It can be inferred from the passage that _____.| A．the donator is a rich old man | | B．the donation will continue to come | | C．the donation comes from the newspaper | | D．the donator will soon be found out |
小题4: What would be the best title for the passage?| A．Money Is Raised by the Newspaper. | | B．Newspaper Distributes Money to the Needy. | | C．Unknown Hero Spreads Love in Envelopes | | D．Robin Hood Returns to the City |
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