There’s a huge difference between outer beauty and inner beauty, and both of them have their place. In our youth-driven culture, external attractiveness is often put at the forefront of desirability in others. 【小题1】 . Let’s take a look at some truths about inner beauty vs outer beauty.

● 【小题2】

Physical beauty varies greatly among individuals, with different people finding different features attractive. In contrast, inner beauty is often widely appreciated. Take Princess Diana, for example. While opinions on her physical attractiveness differed, everyone was impressed by her willingness to help others.

● Largely uncontrollable outer beauty, cultivable inner beauty

Outer beauty can be achieved with money through plastic surgery, makeup, hair dye, exercise, and wardrobe adjustments. 【小题3】 . You can read and educate yourself in all manner of different subjects for free via libraries, online videos, or academic resources. Getting involved in charitable works or nonprofit organizations is another great way to get that inner beauty growing. A giving heart and sincere care for others are two unparalleled qualities. 【小题4】 .

●Traits (特征) that people love most

When asked what traits they most look for in a couple or a life partner, the vast majority of people name things that have absolutely nothing to do with outer beauty. Some of the top responses that make the average list are the following: kindness, loyalty, a good sense of humor, trustworthiness, a supportive nature, generosity, integrity, understanding and compassion.

【小题5】 . They coexist in a complex, beautiful dance that varies from person to person. True beauty surpasses appearance, rooted in the human spirit. It is subjective and cherished for who we are, not how we look.

A．Great outer beauty, striking inner beauty

B．However, inner beauty can be earned effortlessly

C．Subjective outer beauty, universally visible inner beauty

D．In contrast, you don’t need a cent to cultivate inner beauty

E．Yet, we often adore the people most for their personality traits

F．Inner beauty and outer beauty are not enemies but companions

G．Even better, they can be developed by anyone in any circumstances

In psychology, the word “prove” is used carefully, much like a painter applies each brushstroke (笔触) with great care. Unlike the strong conclusions in physical sciences, psychological research builds a bigger picture through many small studies. 【小题1】 His discovery was not a sudden breakthrough but the result of hard and detailed work.

Similarly, Elizabeth Loftus’s research doubts how accurate witness reports are. Instead of calling it “unreliable,” researchers use terms like “potential unreliability.” 【小题2】 So, they use words like “demonstrate” and “suggest” to show the uncertainty in their conclusions.

【小题3】 Instead, I teach my students to think critically about how to use it, much like a gardener who cares for plants. When students first use the word, I encourage them to think about factors that could challenge their conclusions. For example, I might ask them, “How do we know that not all participants had false memories?” Or, for French students, “Why might these findings not apply to French culture?”

This approach helps students grasp the complexity of psychological research and develop critical thinking skills. It encourages them to reflect and analyze, helping them communicate their findings with accuracy. 【小题4】

In psychology, “proving” something is like building a symphony. 【小题5】 In education, teaching critical thinking and clear language use is essential for understanding the core of psychological research.

A．This indicates that findings might change.

B．In my classroom, I do not ban the word “prove.”

C．Each piece of evidence adds to a larger understanding.

D．Psychological theories are often revised as new evidence emerges.

E．As a teacher, I often remind my students to use this word appropriately.

F．This method also builds appreciation for the depth of psychological inquiry.

G．For example, Eric Kandel spent years studying sea animals to learn how memory works.

There has been a very serious decline in the numbers of shallow-water fish as a result of overfishing. People still want to eat fish, so the fishing industry must look at other sources, especially the deep waters of the Atlantic. 【小题1】

Conservation measures will have to be put in place if these deep-sea fish are to survive. Research on five such species shows that numbers have declined by between 87 percent and 98 percent. 【小题2】 Many species could well disappear completely if the present trend continues. These are species that have been swimming in our oceans for hundreds of millions of years.

The problem is emphasized by the fact that the decline in numbers happened in less than twenty years. Deep-sea fish take a long time to reproduce and normally live for many years. 【小题3】 The average size of such fish also declined, with one species showing a 57 percent decline in average size. This is of particular concern, as large fish tend to produce more offspring than small ones.

【小题4】 The deep-sea species have been caught as if they were the fast-breeding (快速繁殖) fish like sardine and herring. It is like killing elephants as if they reproduced at the same rate as rabbits.

The damage done by overfishing goes beyond the sea environment. Millions of people make a living in the fishing industry. 【小题5】 Measures must be taken to not only conserve ecosystems, but also sustain livelihoods and ensure food security.

A．Billions of people rely on fish for protein.

B．Many people now choose not to eat deep-sea fish.

C．Unfortunately, their reproduction rate is very low.

D．This puts them in the category of “critically endangered”.

E．None of these facts has been taken into account by the fishing industry.

F．Overfishing is a major cause of decline in populations of ocean wildlife.

G．This has resulted in a sharp decline in the numbers of many of the species caught.

Kenny Eating House is always crowded from late afternoon until midnight, with so many people surrounding the tables. 【小题1】 The moment customers show any signs of leaving, a few people rush in to take their place. The one who secures the table will stand at the table proudly waving his relatives or friends over, while the losers will be down in the mouth.

【小题2】 You next have to get the attention of the busy waiters rushing about to serve the customers. You will usually hear the words ‘hot water’ being shouted out as they pass, even if they are not holding any such thing! 【小题3】 In between trying to catch the attention of the waiters and looking through the menu, you will hear customers complaining about the slow service.

When the waiter comes to take your order, he is usually impatient. If customers can’t decide, the waiters might just walk away, making it hard for them to get attention again. The waiters often yell the orders to the cooks in the back. 【小题4】

Whenever the crowd gets too thick, the waiters will ask customers to share their tables with those standing. When the tables are shared by two different groups of people, the loudness becomes incredibly deafening. With the noise of clanging plates and loud voices, you must raise your voice to be heard. 【小题5】 The exhausted waiters can finally take a moment to sit down, enjoying a chat or a cigarette. The activity at the eating place winds down, ready to recover before the next day of madness arrives.

A．This is in fact their smart way of clearing the way.

B．They will be watching for a table that might be available soon.

C．Don’t give up.

D．By the midnight the crowd begins to thin and the noise dies down

E．They are occupied around the clock.

F．However, finding a seat doesn’t mean the end of waiting.

G．This behavior makes the place feel very busy.

My senior year at Westfield High School was supposed to be the best year of my life. Instead, it turned into a lesson about friendship that I would never forget.

My best friend, Emily, and I had been inseparable since middle school. But as graduation approached, the stress of exams and college applications began to weigh heavily on us. Emily and I became distant because of the different classes. I was focused on getting into a top university, while Emily was more interested in enjoying our last year together and having a better friend. Our differing goals led to disagreements, and soon enough, we started to argue over the smallest things.

One day, things reached a boiling point. We had a huge fight over a group project. Days turned into weeks, and our friendship seemed beyond repair. We avoided each other at school and stopped sitting together at lunch. Our friends tried to help, but neither of us was willing to make the first move. The silence between us was deafening, and I missed her more than I wanted to admit.

It wasn’t until our English teacher assigned us to work together on a final presentation that we were forced to confront each other. At first, we worked in tense silence. But as we spent more time together, the ice began to melt. One evening, as we were finishing up our project, Emily broke the silence. “I miss us,” she said softly. “I miss you, too,” I admitted, feeling a lump in my throat. “I’m sorry for being so hard on you. I just wanted everything to be perfect.” “I’m sorry too,” Emily replied. “I should have been more understanding.   We’re both stressed, but we shouldn’t let it ruin our friendship.” We hugged, and at that moment, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

On the graduation day, we stood side by side, proud of what we had accomplished and grateful to each other. The experience made our bond stronger, and we knew that no matter where life took us, we would always be there for each other. Time will help you screen the right people. The true bonds won’t be changed by anything. If you don’t value it, countless regret will come to you some day when you can’t get it again.

【小题1】What caused the initial tension between the author and Emily?

A．Conflicts over college applications.

B．Differences in academic performance.

C．Different approaches to their group project.

D．Varied priorities about their final year.

【小题2】What made them restore their friendship?

A．Their friends’ assistance.	B．A school teacher’s intervention.
C．Working on a school project together.	D．Taking a timely break from each other.

【小题3】How did the author feel after making up with Emily?

A．Anxious.

B．Relieved.

C．Stressed.

D．Uncertain.

【小题4】Which of the following suits the story best?

A．A friend is easier lost than found.

B．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

C．True friendship can stand the test of huge conflicts or quarrels.

D．Friendship, once broken, will never be the same again.

Forget privacy, young internet users want to be tracked

On every smartphone there sits a tracker’s paradise (乐园) of location data ready to be shared. 【小题1】 And this tech is marketed as convenient, not frightening.

What is an acceptable level of online surveillance (监视)? I had assumed we all agreed that the ideal was none. 【小题2】 A quick enquiry on my friends found that those who were, like me, in their 40s and older either had no idea they could use their phone in this way or had relatively little interest in doing so. But friends a decade or so younger all seem to be tracking one another at will. They don’t find the idea of monitoring or being monitored in this way upsetting. They say it makes them feel safer.

【小题3】 It is just that they are realistic about the privacy that is available. They know that if you own a smartphone and don’t want to disable useful things like maps, then your location is already being watched. If app creators, smartphone makers and ad companies are already tracking your location, then why not share the information with people you know?

If you want to start tracking the people you know, then there are some rules involved. It’s fine to use tracking to check that a friend has got home safely at the end of a night out, for example, but not to surprise them on the street. And think carefully about whom you share data with. 【小题4】

Location tracking as a safety measure, particularly for elderly parents and children, is appealing. 【小题5】 Once you grow comfortable sharing your location with your family and friends, perhaps one day you’ll be happy to share it with your employer or even government agencies.

A．It is for family and close friends only, not new dates.

B．But the truth is how popular it is depends on your age.

C．Location sharing has been around for more than a decade.

D．The risk is that if you do it too often, it will be hard to turn around.

E．After all, no one will find it comfortable to be watched all the time.

F．This is not because they are blind to the importance of online privacy.

G．Location tracking is so precise that it can locate one person in a crowd.