2.Years earlier,I'd been a trainee in a lab,which stuck to a traditional format.The lab head would spend much time asking the presenter a series of pointed questions.Presenters would need to know extremely small details about articles they were citing and present their research using picture-perfect analyses and graphs.So the presentation was an
untoward thing to almost anyone.
When I started my own lab,I decided to change the routine by being friendly and welcome while asking my trainees challenging questions about their science.But for 6 years,I felt I hadn't created the lab environment I wanted.
The turning point came during the pandemic.It hit home to me that one's life isn't endless and that I need to make the most of the time I have.I decided that I wanted to become a better professor—to make a mark by training the next generation of scientists.
In my personal life,I had benefited from listening to talks by motivational speakers.So I decided to start there.At the next lab meeting,I showed my students a video about happiness,hoping it would help them in their personal life and give us something light to discuss.I wasn't sure how they'd respond,but I was pleased to discover that they were interested in discussing the advice in the video afterward.In the end,I asked them whether they'd like to do similar activities in future meetings,and they said yes.
From then on,I began every lab meeting with a 20-minute team building session.My lab members and I do many activities—including analyzing and appreciating poetry.These sessions have eased tensions and opened minds,helping foster more participation later in the meeting.
So far,I have been hopeful about the lab environment we're creating.My greatest wish is to see my trainees become their best selves,understand who they are and what they want as well as reach their career goals.I am proud of the change and the difference I've made.
(1)What does the underlined word"untoward"in paragraph 1 probably mean?
A.Harmonious.
B.Embarrassing.
C.Stressful.
D.Appealing.
(2)How did the pandemic affect the author?
A.He no longer wasted his time.
B.He decided to become a professor.
C.He realized the benefit of inspiring talks.
D.He wanted to make more contributions.
(3)What is paragraph 4 mainly about?
A.The change the author made.
B.A video the students liked.
C.The benefit the author got from others.
D.A proposal the students put forward.
(4)What message does the author mainly want to deliver?
A.Team building sessions can bring unexpected benefits.
B.One should have the courage to make a change.
C.Professors are responsible for teamwork.
D.Motivational talks are the origin of inspiration.