Not all 11 is bad for us. A small amount before a test sharpens the mind and pushes a student to prepare. Trouble starts when the feeling never switches off. Muscles stay 12, sleep gets shorter, and even a friendly question can start an argument. The body, doctors explain, was built for danger lasting minutes, not months. The oldest cure is still the best: move, breathe slowly, and talk. Students who talk about their worries out loud report far greater 13 with their own work, and many notice that a heavy 14 lifts once someone listens without 15.
Questions 11–15
11
Apressure
Biceberg
Cmist
Drumor
✔ 正確答案:(A) pressure
解析下文談的是考試前的緊繃與關不掉的感覺,主題字是「壓力 pressure」。mist 薄霧、iceberg 冰山、rumor 謠言都無法接 is bad for us 表達這個概念。
At Ming-de High School, a small group meets every Thursday after class. There is no teacher, only six students and one rule: whoever speaks is never interrupted. Some arrive shaking with 16 two days before an exam; others come because a parent is ill. The rest listen, and then simply say that they 17. That short sentence often matters more than advice. Members admit the first visit is frightening, and a few need real 18 just to open the door. Teachers now report that 19 in the classroom has clearly dropped, and the school calls the group its most 20 experiment in years.
Questions 16–20
16
Apanic
Bparagraph
Cvase
Dbingo
✔ 正確答案:(A) panic
解析shaking with ____ two days before an exam 指考前的「驚慌 panic」。paragraph 段落、vase 花瓶、bingo 賓果遊戲都不是情緒,無法讓人發抖。
17
Aseal
Bclarify
Cexpand
Dsympathize
✔ 正確答案:(D) sympathize
解析聽完之後只說一句話,內容是表達「我同情、我懂 sympathize」,下句 That short sentence 也印證。clarify 澄清、expand 擴大、seal 密封都無法單獨構成安慰的話。
18
Amist
Bnerve
Cjelly
Dbrook
✔ 正確答案:(B) nerve
解析need real ____ just to open the door 指需要「勇氣 nerve」,呼應前一句 the first visit is frightening。jelly 果凍、mist 薄霧、brook 小溪都不合。
I am writing before I lose my nerve. For the past month I have not slept well, and in class my mind goes blank the moment you call my name. I know my last two papers were late, and I am sorry.
My parents believe the pressure comes only from me. Perhaps they are right, but I cannot switch it off alone. The school nurse suggested that I speak to you first.
Could I come to your office on Friday after four? I do not want extra time for the tests. I would just like to plan the rest of the term with someone who has seen this before.
解析依據 Could I come to your office on Friday after four?,目的是約時間見面談他的狀況。
22What problem does the student describe in class?
AHis mind goes blank when called on
BHe cannot hear the teacher
CHe falls asleep at his desk
DHe argues with his classmates
✔ 正確答案:(A) His mind goes blank when called on
中譯這位學生描述上課時遇到什麼問題?
解析依據 in class my mind goes blank the moment you call my name。
23Who suggested that he talk to Ms. Chen?
AHis parents
BA classmate
CThe school nurse
DHis older sister
✔ 正確答案:(C) The school nurse
中譯是誰建議他去找陳老師談?
解析依據 The school nurse suggested that I speak to you first。
24What does the student say he does NOT want?
AA plan for the term
BExtra time for the tests
CHelp from an adult
DA meeting on Friday
✔ 正確答案:(B) Extra time for the tests
中譯這位學生說他不想要什麼?
解析依據 I do not want extra time for the tests。
AD
Breathe: A Free Evening Course
Breathe — a free four-week evening course
Week 1: Why the body treats a deadline like a tiger
Week 2: Sleep first, everything else second
Week 3: Saying no without guilt
Week 4: Building a routine you will actually keep
Tuesdays, 19:00 to 20:30, Community Center, Room B. The first week surprises most people: they simply sleep better. Bring nothing but a notebook. Classes are limited to twenty adults; register online before 5 May. Anyone who misses two evenings cannot receive the certificate.
全文中譯
呼吸 —— 免費四週晚間課程
第一週:身體為何把截止日當成一隻老虎
第二週:睡眠第一,其他其次
第三週:說不而不必內疚
第四週:建立一套你真的做得到的作息
每週二 19:00 至 20:30,社區中心 B 室。第一週就讓多數人意外:他們單純就是睡得更好了。除了筆記本什麼都不用帶。名額限二十位成人;請於五月五日前線上報名。缺席兩個晚上者無法取得結業證書。
Questions 25–28
25How long does each evening class last?
AHalf an hour
BOne hour
CTwo hours
DNinety minutes
✔ 正確答案:(D) Ninety minutes
中譯每一堂晚間課程持續多久?
解析依據 19:00 to 20:30,每堂課共九十分鐘。
26What does Week 3 teach?
AHow to build a daily routine
BHow to sleep more deeply
CHow to refuse without feeling guilty
DWhy deadlines feel dangerous
✔ 正確答案:(C) How to refuse without feeling guilty
中譯第三週教什麼?
解析依據 Week 3: Saying no without guilt。
27What are participants told to bring?
AA notebook
BA laptop
CA course fee
DA blanket
✔ 正確答案:(A) A notebook
中譯參加者被告知要帶什麼?
解析依據 Bring nothing but a notebook。
28Who cannot receive the certificate?
AAnyone who registers on 5 May
BAnyone who misses two evenings
CAnyone over twenty years old
DAnyone without a notebook
✔ 正確答案:(B) Anyone who misses two evenings
中譯哪些人拿不到結業證書?
解析依據 Anyone who misses two evenings cannot receive the certificate。
ARTICLE
The Loop Between Worry and Sleep
Sleep is the first thing a busy mind gives up and the last thing it can afford to lose. In one study, healthy adults who slept five hours a night for a week became slower at simple tasks and much quicker to anger.
The link works in both directions. Worry keeps people awake, and a short night then makes every problem look bigger the next morning. Researchers call this a loop rather than a chain.
Breaking the loop rarely requires medicine. Fixed wake-up times, darker rooms and no screens after ten helped most volunteers within two weeks. A short message of sympathy from a friend, the study noted, helped almost as much.