-
（阅读理解题） When you’ve read the same paragraph 10 times and you still make little of it as you are reading ancient Egyptian, and you’re not studying ancient Egyptian, it’s time for you to put the books down. Experts say good breaks are a critical part of exam preparation and actually make your brain work better.
Debbie Bruckner, the director of the Student Union Wellness Centre at the University of Calgary, says an overburdened brain stops processing new information. "You’ve got to put it into your short-term memory and then move it into your long-term memory," she says. To do that, you need to stop cramming new knowledge into your head.
Psychologist Joanne Mills says most people can concentrate for 45 minutes to an hour at a time, but then need 15 minutes to rest. She suggests picking your break activity—taking a walk, listening to music—and setting a timer for 15 minutes. "It’s a cue to your mind" she says.
Mills also suggests setting targets and stopping when you’ve reached them. "Some students will take that break even if they haven’t finished what they set out to do and then they don’t really relax or enjoy it because their mind is racing with ʻ I must, I should, I have to.’ “If you’re in the flow, ride the momentum until you come to a natural break in the material, then set the timer again and walk to the corner store.
Alternating which books you’re hitting also helps. Work on English for an hour, then switch to math. It’s like exercising multiple muscles at the gym, as different parts of your brain work for different subjects.
Bruckner says that to maintain a healthy mind-body-spirit temperament in the heat of exam season, sit down with your calendar.
"Make a schedule for a month—when your assignments are due, when your final exams are, what the weighting is for each," she says.1. The author uses “ancient Egyptian” to infer to that the reading is _______. A. very interesting B. hard to understand C. very boring D. of different culture 2. According to Debbie Bruckner, to learn new knowledge well __________. A. you need to stop learning new information B. you need to process it as quick as possible C. you should put it into your long-term memory D. you don’t need to put it into your short-term memory 3. The word “cram” in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to _____. A. put something into a container, especially in a hurry B. put many things into a place at one time that makes it completely full C. teach students as much as possible in a short time before the examination D. put too much knowledge into the brain, although there is hardly enough room for it. 4. If you haven’t finished the target you set, you should __________. A. still take the break in every 45 minutes B. wait until you come to a natural break in the material C. set the timer again and walk to the corner store D. stop thinking “I must, I should, I have to” 5. By saying “what the weighting is for each” the author means that you will know__________. A. which exam is the most important B. what time each exam is C. how to balance your time D. what is the most important task each time
-
-
（阅读理解题）If you want to stay young, sit down and have a good think. This is the research finding of a team of Japanese doctors, who say that most of our brains are not getting enough exercise-and as a result, we are ageing unnecessarily soon. Professor Taiju Matsuzawa wanted to find out why otherwise healthy farmers in northern Japan appeared to be losing their ability to think and reason at a relatively early age, and how the process of ageing could be slowed down. With a team of colleagues at Tokyo National University, he set about measuring brain volumes of a thousand people of different ages and varying occupations. Computer technology enabled the researchers to obtain precise measurements of the volume of the front and side sections of the brain, which relate to intellect and emotion, and determine the human character. (The rear section of the brain, which controls functions like eating and breathing, does not contract with age, and one can continue living without intellectual or emotional faculties.) Contraction of front and side parts was observed in some subjects in their thirties, but it was still not evident in some sixty-and-seventy-year-olds. Matsuzawa concluded from his tests that there is a simple remedy to the contraction normally associated with age-using the head. The findings show in general terms that contraction of the brain begins sooner in people in the country than in the towns. Those least at risk, says Matsuzawa, are lawyers, followed by university professors and doctors. White collar workers doing routine work in government offices are, however, as likely to have shrinking brains as the farm worker, bus driver and shop assistant. Matsuzawa’s findings show that thinking can prevent the brain from shrinking. Blood must circulate properly in the head to supply the fresh oxygen the brain cells need. “The best way to maintain good blood circulation is through using the brain,” he says. “Think hard and engage in conversation. Don’t rely on pocket calculators.”1. The team of doctors wanted to find out __________. A. why certain people age sooner than others B. how to make people live longer C. the size of certain people’s brains D. which people are most intelligent 2. What are their research findings based on? A. A survey of farmers in northern Japan. B. Tests performed on a thousand old people. C. The study of brain volumes of different people. D. The latest development of computer technology. 3. The doctor’s tests show that __________. A. our brains shrink as we grow older B. the front section of the brain does not shrink C. sixty-year-olds have better brains than thirty-year-olds D. some people’s brains have contracted more than other people’s 4. The word “subjects” in paragraph 5 means__________. A. something to be considered B. branches of knowledge studied C. persons chosen to be studied in an experiment D. any member of a state except the supreme ruler 5. According to the passage, which people seem to age slower than the others? A. Lawyers. B. Farmers. C. Clerks. D. Shop assistants.
-
-
（阅读理解题）Successful and happy distance learners have a few characteristics in common. Compare yourself to the following list to determine whether or not online classes are a good fit for your personality and habits. 1. Successful distance learners do just as well, if not better, without people looking over their shoulder. While some people need teachers to keep them motivated and on-task, distance learners are able to motivate themselves. They realize that they will never be face-to-face with the people who give them assignments and grade their work, but they don’t need others to encourage them. The most successful students are self-motivated and set their own goals. 2. Successful distance learners never (or at least rarely) put off their assignments or wait until the last moment to write their papers. These students enjoy the freedom of working at their own pace and appreciate the ability to complete their work in as much time as it takes them, instead of waiting for an entire class. However, they understand that putting off their work too often can end up adding months, if not years, to their studies. 3. Successful distance learners have good reading comprehension skills. While most people learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, the majority of distance learners are expected to master material through reading alone. Although some distance learning courses offer video recordings and audio clips, most programs require that students understand a large amount of information that is only available through written text. These students are able to comprehend texts at the college level without the direct guidance of a teacher. 4. Successful distance learners can resist constant distractions. Whether it’s the phone ringing off the hook, the kids screaming in the kitchen, or the temptation of TV programs, everyone faces distractions. Successful students know how to filter out the constant disturbances that threaten their progress. They feel comfortable turning down an invitation or letting the machine pick up the phone when they know there is work to be done.1. Which of the following is NOT included in the successful distance learners’ characteristics? A. Being self-motivated. B. Being self-disciplined. C. Being with good reading comprehension skills. D. Being easy to distract attention. 2. If putting off his work too often, what will happen to this student? A. An entire class will wait for him. B. The professor will punish him. C. He has to postpone his graduation. D. Nothing will happen to him. 3. The phrase “filter out” in the last paragraph means __________. A. choosing something to learn B. getting rid of the disturbances C. working out a plan D. solving the problem 4. What we can infer from this passage is that __________. A. distance learners will never refuse the invitation for coming out because they are free B. only with written texts provided by online class, reading comprehension skills are very important to distance learners C. traditional learners can enjoy the freedom of working at their own pace D. even without good reading comprehension, traditional learners still can make progress with the help of teacher 5. Based on this passage, the author intends to tell us that __________. A. online learning is the perfect option for everyone B. no one would like to enroll at a traditional school C. learners must consider whether they have the qualities to attend online classes before making their decision D. online learning will take the place of traditional school in future
-
-
（阅读理解题）Online degree programs have come a long way since their early days. Traditional colleges and universities have developed distance learning programs to accommodate individuals who would not otherwise have the time or funds to earn an advanced degree. Online programs require the same amount of study and work as a classroom program. If you are under the impression that courses offered online will be a walk in the park, think again! Online degree programs are often more difficult than traditional university programs due to the fact the work and study is left up to the student. Time management skills are crucial, since there is not a particular time of the day set aside specifically for study. It may take some time to become accustomed to this method of scholarship, but the pros of online classes may outweigh the cons in your situation. The main difference between online degree programs and traditional higher education is the location of learning. Instead of being confined to a stuffy classroom filled with students, these online classes have a more personal feeling. While many students would be hesitant to speak one to one with a class instructor, online programs find their students more willing to contact their professors via e-mail. This great participation encourages better understanding of the course material. Of course, not attending a class also comes with additional barriers. A student must be equipped with time management skills in order to succeed in an online class. Students that lack the proper time management skills may find themselves overwhelmed with course work at the end of the semester or falling behind in their studies. Whether you choose to attend a traditional college or university or enroll in an online higher education program, the chances of success are equal. In the end, it is up to you in order to complete the course of study and earn your degree. For busy individuals or students wishing to return to school without greatly affecting their everyday lives, an online degree program may be the best option.1. According to the passage, the main difference between online degree programs and traditional higher education is __________. A. the requirement for time management skills B. the place where students choose to study C. the tuition students have to pay D. the knowledge students learn from the class 2. Which of the following is TRUE about online degree programs? A. Online degree programs are very easy for most of the students. B. The students in online classes are shy to communicate with the professors. C. Online degree programs can help students make progress in understanding the course material. D. Online degree programs are better than traditional higher education. 3. Which of the following is NOT the advantage of online degree programs? A. Students can benefit from the flexible time-tables provided by online degree programs. B. Students can enjoy more personal feeling from online degree programs. C. Students have to stay in the classroom for a whole day. D. It’s much easier for students to exchange ideas with the teachers via e-mail. 4. To succeed in online degree programs, it is necessary for the students to __________. A. make a plan on how to use their time B. communicate with the classmates C. listen carefully to the teachers D. finish their homework 5. Online degree programs are most appropriate to __________. A. the people who are unemployed B. the people who lack time management skills C. the people who have more free time D. the people who want to earn an advanced degree but busy with their own business
-
-
-
