| 1. 难度：中等 | |
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阅读理解。 It is a familiar scene these days: employees taking newly laidoff (下岗) coworkers out for a drink for comfort. But which side deserves sympathy more, the jobless or the still employed? On March 6, researchers at a conference at the University of Cambridge heard data suggesting it's the latter. Brendan Burchell, a Cambridge sociologist, presented his analysis based on various surveys conducted across Europe. The data suggest that employed people who feel insecure in their jobs show similar levels of anxiety and depression as those who are unemployed. Although a newly jobless person's mental health may “bottom out” after about six months, and then even begin to improve，the mental state of people who are continuously worried about losing their job “just continues to get worse and worse，” Burchell says. Evolutionary psychologists support this theory by arguing that human beings feel more stress during times of insecurity because they sense an immediate but invisible threat. Patients have been known to experience higher levels of anxiety, for example, while waiting for examination results than knowing what they are suffering from — even if the result is cancer. It's better to get the bad news and start doing something about it rather than wait with anxiety. When the uncertainty continues, people stay in a nonstop “fight or flight” response, which leads to damaging stress. But not every employee in insecure industries has such a discouraging view, Burchell says. In general, women get on better. While reporting higher levels of anxiety than men when directly questioned, women scored lower in stress on the GHQ 12, even when they had a job they felt insecure about losing. As Burchell explains, “For women, most studies show that any job — it doesn't matter whether it is secure or insecure — gives psychological improvement over unemployment.” Burchell supposes that the difference in men is that they tend to feel pressure not only to be employed, but also to be the primary breadwinner, and that more of a man's selfworth depends on his job. 1.Why do researchers think the still employed deserve sympathy more? A．They have to do more work since then. B．They have no chance to find better jobs. C．They have to work with inexperienced workers. D．They constantly worry about losing their job. 2.What is most likely to cause a “fight or flight” response？A.Not having a paid job. B．Fierce competition for jobs. C．Not knowing what will happen. D．Pressure to work longer hours. 3.What will the writer talk about following the last paragraph? A．Advice on preparing a job interview. B．Advice to those in insecure industries. C．Some knowledge of psychology. D．Difference in men and women. 4.What could be the best title for the text? A．Is It Less Stressful to Get Laid Off Than Stay On? B．Should Greater Sympathy Be Given to the Jobless? C．Do Employees Bear More Stress Than Ever Before? D．Do Men or Women Show Higher Levels of Anxiety?
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| 2. 难度：中等 | |
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完形填空。 “Mum, you're always on the computer！” Laure complained. “No, I'm not，” I ______. “Every day I come home from school you're working on the computer.” “Well, at least I'm here _______ you！” My daughter was right. Day after day, in my home office, I would stare into space as my ____ typed out the thoughts of a speaker or research completed for an article. It seemed that my work as a writer and speaker _______ my fingers to the keyboard and my mind to valuable ideas. What Laure did not _______ was that during her day away, I'd also be doing a lot of housework. It was only around three in the afternoon that I'd ______ seat myself at my desk for a few _______moments of deep thought. Then she'd come from school. I was ______of myself on being available to my children. After all, I am a speaker on child behavior and parenting. But Laure's observation _____ my heart. In her eyes, I must have been a mom who was ______ but unapproachable. I wouldn't make such an image (形象) before her. My relationship with my children is more _____ than any other work. “Laure，” I called, “come here a minute.” She wandered to my doorway. I had decided to have her _____ me when I was too devoted to work. I wanted her to have the _______ to let me know when she thought I was cold. After I explained my ______ and the fact that I chose home office to be accessible to her and her sister, I offered Laure the following ______. “Whenever you feel I'm ignoring you or you need my _______， I want you to ______ me，” I said. “Just come up and give me a little hug. That'll be our signal that you ______ me.” Years later we still have that _______ sign. I've become much more sensitive to my daughters' comings and goings. _______ she always gives me a little hug to remind me of the real reason why I work at home. 1.A.thought B．refused C．defended D．agreed 2.A.for B．over C．against D．after 3.A.feet B．hands C．eyes D．ears 4.A.connected B．turn C．gave D．added 5.A.admit B．realize C．believe D．recognize 6.A.luckily B．gradually C．instantly D．finally 7.A.anxious B．precious C．busy D．rare 8.A.proud B．ashamed C．afraid D．scared 9.A.filled B．broke C．touched D．mended 10.A.suitable B．available C．acceptable D．reasonable 11.A.important B．funny C．obvious D．wonderful 12.A.warn B．persuade C．encourage D．remind 13.A.patience B．time C．power D．honor 14.A.pattern B．dream C．schedule D．choice 15.A.promise B．chance C．answer D．truth 16.A.help B．attention C．decision D．advice 17.A.hug B．shake C．kiss D．kick 18.A.miss B．hate C．need D．scold 19.A.unknown B．unexpected C．unfinished D．unspoken 20.A.And B．But C．Or D．Yet
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