A
About 10 years ago, I sat in my office, struggling to write an annual progress report for my leader.I enjoy writing scientific papers that engage my creativity and further my research.But report writing doesn't come with any reward apart from the momentary satisfaction of finishing something.Like other routine paperwork, I find it hard to get through.So that day, I offered myself a reward: When I finished the report, I'd give myself 2 hours to examine slides (载玻片) under the microscope—a task I've always loved but never had much time for as a staff member.It's a strategy I call “just for fun”．
The strategy was born out of challenges I experienced in graduate school.I usually delayed putting together reports for university administrators until threatening letters arrived.I never felt that paperwork was advancing my science, but rather sapping my energy and time for research.One of my committee members recognized and understood my difficulties.Then he told me about his strategy of rewarding himself with a fun project when he completed a task that he didn't particularly enjoy.He advised me to think about doing something similar.I immediately liked the idea.
Over the course of my career，this strategy helped me complete and move past the parts of my job that I didn't particularly enjoy.The rewards I gave myself provided a way to relax and reminded me why I love being a scientist.
As for that annual report, I spent an ordinary morning on it but got it done.Then I hurried over to the microscope, eager to inspect a series of slides that my collaborators (合作者) had sent a couple of weeks earlier.To others, it may have looked like work.But to me, it was just for fun.
[语篇解读] 本文是一篇记叙文。作者是一名科学家，在一位委员会成员的启发下学会了在做完乏味的任务时给自己一个奖赏，因而一直享受着自己的职业。
1．Why does the author dislike report writing?
A．He receives too little from it.
B．It is extremely easy to finish.
C．It needs too much creativity.
D．He doesn't major in writing.
解析：细节理解题。根据第一段中的“But report writing doesn't come with any reward apart from the momentary satisfaction of finishing something.(但报告写作没有附带任何报酬除了瞬时完成的满足感)”可知，报告写作除了给作者带来该任务完成的片刻满足外没有任何回报。因此，作者得到的东西很少。故选A项。
答案：A
2．What does the underlined word sapping in Paragraph 2 probably mean?
A．Acquiring. B．Consuming.
C．Lacking. D．Providing.
解析：词义猜测题。本句意为“我感觉写报告这种文书工作不会促进我的科研，而是在消耗我的精力和时间。这和作者第一段中表达不喜欢这种工作意思一致，所以此处sapping意为消耗。A.Acquiring.获得；B.Consuming.消费；C.Lacking.缺乏；D.Providing.提供。故选B项。
答案：B
3．How did the author get his strategy?
A．Through the inspiration of his report writing.
B．Through the reward of his collaborators.
C．Through the instructions of university administrators.
D．Through a committee member's suggestion.
解析：细节理解题。根据第二段中的“One of my committee members...He advised me to think about doing something similar.”可知，是作者的一位委员会成员看到作者这种情况建议作者完成这种任务时给自己一个奖赏。故选D项。
答案：D
4．What can we learn from the author's experience?
A．Choose a career you really like.
B．Seek fun when doing science research.
C．Motivate yourself to finish boring tasks.
D．Reward yourself with a new strategy.
解析：推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“To others, it may have looked like work.But to me, it was just for fun.(对别人来说是一份工作，但是我把它当成了一种享受)”可知，作者通过自己的经历告诉我们，在我们遇到没有多大意义并无趣的工作任务时，我们可以通过给自己一点儿奖赏来刺激自己完成该任务。作者从中受益匪浅。故选C项。
答案：C
