Jason,a straight-A student from the University of Pennsylvania,uses the term "pseudo-working" to describe how many of us study.The pseudo-worker looks and feels like someone who is working hard —he or she spends a long time in the library and is not afraid to push on late into the night-—but,because of a lack of focus and concentration,he or she doesn't actually accomplish much.
This phenomenon can be seen on most college campuses.For example,Dartmouth there was a section of the main library that was open twenty-four hours a day,and the students I used to see there late at night crowded in groups,drinking coffee,were definitely pseudo-working.The roommate who flips through her chemistry notes on the couch while watching TV is pseudo-working.
By placing themselves in distracting environments and insisting on working long hours,these students are damaging their brain's ability to think clearly and efficiently accomplish the task at hand.In the end they get half the results with twice the effort.
The bigger problem here is that most students don't even realize that they're pseudo-working.To them pseudo-working is work--it's how they've always done it,and it's how all of their friends do it.It never crosses their mind that there might be a better way.Straight-A students,on the other hand,know all about pseudo-working.They fear it.It not only wastes time,but it's also mentally tiring.
In fact,the most important skill in becoming a straight-A student is the ability to get work done quickly and with a minimum of wasted effort.Some cognitive science research concludes that about fifty minutes is the
optimal learning period to maximize the material integrated per time unit.So how do these students achieve this goal?To understand their secret to success,consider the following simple formula(公式):
work accomplished=time spent ×intensity of focus
Pseudo-working features a very low intensity of focus.Therefore,to accomplish something by pseudo-working,you need to spend a lot of time.The straight-A approach on the other hand,increases intensity in order to use less time.
(1)Which of the following phenomenon is pseudo-working?
C
C
A.Tom is busy taking notes while attending a lecture.
B.Mike is sitting at a study lounge in preparation for a final exam quietly.
C.Jack spends a long time in the library on his essay while listening to music.
D.Alice and Sara are sitting on the couch reading their favorite books.
(2)Compared with straight-A students,the major problem of most students is that they
D
D
.
A.want to spend more time on study
B.a(chǎn)re eager to follow their friends' way
C.have got used to their study approach
D.a(chǎn)re unaware of their pseduo-working
(3)What does the underlined word "optimal" mean in paragraph 5?
B
B
A.Possible.
B.Best.
C.Least.
D.Accurate.
(4)What does the author want to stress by mentioning the formula?
B
B
A.The length of time on study counts.
B.Concentration plays a key role in study.
C.Getting work done quickly means everything.
D.Effective study approach is very important.