Task 1
Task 1: Making Films. Match questions 1-12 with people A-F; example 0→A.
Task 2
Task 2: Crop Circles – Messages in the Fields. Questions 13-18.
Crop Circles – Messages in the Fields
In the 1980s, farmers found enormous elaborate motifs in fields of wheat, barley and oats. Crop circles were concentrated near ancient sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury. The crops sprang back intact, but farmers objected to the disruption and UFO watchers trampling their fields. New-age travellers briefly profited, but newspaper editors made the greatest use of their beauty and mystery in summer articles. In 1991, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley admitted making more than 200 circles. The article reads the circles as anonymous land-based protest art, questioning ownership and access to English land; their short-lived, uncommercialisable form is presented as a tradition of great art.
Task 3
Task 3: How to Stop Overthinking. For questions 19-24 choose the sentence A-H that best fits the gap.
How to Stop Overthinking
You finally have a few quiet moments to yourself, only to immediately start wondering if you forgot to send that thank-you email or whether you’ve overestimated your chances of getting that promotion. Does this sound familiar to you? (0) _. If, however, they are left unchecked, they can take a toll on your well-being.
Sometimes we can find ourselves stuck in repetitive, unhelpful thought patterns that make us feel overwhelmed. (19) _. Also, other areas of our lives can be affected, as well as our relationships.
The unproductive process of overthinking often leads to ‘mind reading’ in which someone believes they know what someone else is thinking. (20) _. Our negative, critical, internal running commentary therefore analyses behaviours or words by others and concludes that someone’s intention was negative. Focusing on the worst-case outcome, the ‘what ifs’ of situations instead of being in the present, and constantly assessing for potential danger – wondering when the next bad thing will happen – can keep us in a spiral of negative thoughts in which problem solving seems impossible. Not to mention the lack of sleep, chronic stress etc.
When you fall into the overthinking trap, it can feel difficult to pull yourself out. However, there are strategies that can help you stop overthinking. (21) _. You will first need to be aware of your overthinking. Then, take the time to label what you are feeling. This can make the situation less frightening. By saying, “I am feeling anxious about what will happen tomorrow. I know that this feeling will pass”, you are giving yourself an opportunity to feel your emotion, and you are reminding yourself that emotions don’t last forever.
The next step is to challenge or reframe your thoughts because it is quite evident that our thoughts are not facts. When you find yourself focused on a negative thought, ask yourself, “Is this thought 100% true? Is there an alternate possibility? Is this thought helpful and constructive?” Focus on possible solutions – dwelling on the problem is not helpful and gets us further from problem solving. (22) _. Write it down. Putting our thoughts, worries and concerns on paper can be helpful to create distance and objectivity from negative thoughts. Write down what is worrying you and tell yourself you will revisit this in 24 hours. (23) _. This is the actual process of finding practical solutions to difficult or complex issues that you are experiencing.
In addition, you can try engaging in healthy distraction. Constantly avoiding our thoughts or emotions is not healthy, but engaging in healthy and strategic distraction can help us minimise overthinking. (24) _. There are so many other things that you can do to take your mind off your obsessions and help you weather the storm.
Finally, if you cannot seem to step outside of your overthinking and the rumination is interfering with aspects of your life, speak to a professional. A life coach or therapist can help you determine why you are overthinking and how to address the issues at their core.
Task 4
Task 4: How Dogs Understand Us. Complete questions 25-32.
How Dogs Understand Us
The relationship between dogs and humans is a fascinating topic for scientists. Studies suggest that dogs have a remarkable ability to understand both the words and emotions we convey, (0) _ interpret non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions.
Recent studies reveal that dogs (25) _ process the meaning of words but also pick up on the emotional tone of human speech. Furthermore, dogs are (26) _ at understanding non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, and are particularly skilled at interpreting gestures like pointing. However, the degree (27) _ which a dog can understand these cues may vary based on the situation and their relationship with the person.
Genetics may also play a role in a dog’s ability to comprehend human communication, as (28) _ in studies on puppies’ responses to pointing gestures. Researchers found that puppies as young as eight weeks old with little exposure to humans can understand pointing. But despite these findings, the topic (29) _ actively debated among researchers.
It’s important to recognise that animal intelligence differs from ours, (30) _ each species having unique cognitive abilities. Ongoing research sheds light on the intricate dynamics of communication between humans and their canine companions, highlighting the remarkable bond (31) _ between our two species.
Moreover, understanding the complexities of canine cognition can have practical applications in various fields, including animal training, therapy, and even the development of assistive (32) _ for people with disabilities. By unravelling the mysteries of how dogs understand us, we can deepen our appreciation for these loyal and intelligent companions, strengthening our bond with them in the process.
The study of canine communication offers valuable insights into the cognitive abilities and emotional intelligence of dogs, enhancing our understanding of the unique bond between humans and their four-legged friends.
Task 5
Task 5: What Is Intuitive Design? Complete questions 33-40 with options A-M.
What Is Intuitive Design?
Experts cannot agree (0) _ the definition of the term ‘intuitive design’. Intuitive design, (33) _, is often used informally to describe designs that are easy to use. So, when a user is able to understand and use a design (34) _, or rather, without consciously thinking about how to do it, we describe the design as ‘intuitive’.
While there is (35) _ standard definition, some research groups (36) _ worked towards building a clearer understanding of the term ‘intuitive design’. Members of the interdisciplinary research group Intuitive Use of User Interfaces (37) _ that intuition is not a feature of design – instead, intuitive use is a characteristic of the interaction process between a specific user and the design.
So, if we want to (38) _ how intuitive a design is, we must also take into consideration who will use the design. Users will feel that a design is intuitive when it is based on principles from some (39) _ domains that are well known to them and that they use regularly. Designs can therefore provide experiences that seem intuitive to some users but not to others. Of course, intuitive design can come in many different forms. For example, intuitive-design principles can help physical products as well, enabling them to be user-friendly, with strategic controls and features that meet users’ expectations, thus minimising the use of large and complicated manuals. This is particularly relevant in today’s highly dynamic digital environment where consumers (40) _ that they have instant access to whatever they need. A good example is Google’s minimalist search interface, presenting users with a clean, uncluttered page that focuses on the primary function of searching without unnecessary distractions.
Finally, successful design is produced by those who not just understand the current situation but also predict future needs and create products that retain their value over time.