Even when you're extremely busy, you aren't using your time with 100% efficiency.There are gaps in everyone's schedule where they aren't doing anything important.Even if your schedule has no gaps, there is probably lots of time where you aren't working as fast or as effectively as you possibly could.
Why aren't you completely efficient? It's because time isn't the limiting factor.If it were the limiting factor, people could work non-stop without breaks or any unproductive distractions(消遣).Instead, people, even those who are highly productive, need to take breaks, occasionally procrastinate(拖延)and slow down on tasks throughout the day.
The real and most important limiting factor for productivity is your energy levels to pay attention.Energy levels limit your productivity because when you're tired, you can have ample time and still not get everything done.Your attention ability is also limited, because even if there are a million things that need to be done, you can only focus on one or two at a time.
You might not be able to insert another 4-5 hours into your schedule without making some sacrifices(牺牲).But even extremely busy people can add an hour or two into their schedule without cancelling anything.The reason it's hard to “find time” isn't a lack of time.It's because you don't have enough energy left to focus on something else that needs to fit into your day.
I first suspected time wasn't the real problem during an extremely busy period in my life over a year ago.I was insanely busy, but at that time I still exercised regularly.I had daily to-do lists with over twenty items, and I still found time to exercise.However, after a few weeks off, due to illness, I stopped exercising.I was not busy by any standards, in fact, my schedule was incredibly light.Despite this free time, I found it hard to find time to exercise.It seemed to get pushed later and later into my schedule until it was gone.How can I explain this odd experience? I believe you have known it.
(1)
If someone can't work with 100% efficiency, the most important limiting factor is ________.
[ ]
A.
a schedule without gaps
B.
breaks and distractions
C.
the limited time
D.
the limited energy
(2)
According to paragraph 4, everyone, including the extremely busy people, can ________.
[ ]
A.
work without any rest
B.
focus on many things at a time
C.
find some more time in a day
D.
do some exercise regularly
(3)
After a few weeks off, what was the change of the writer's life?
[ ]
A.
He had a longer daily to-do lists with over twenty items.
B.
He stopped doing exercise because of the lack of energy.
C.
He found it hard to find time to exercise because he was busier.
D.
He pushed most of the things later and later in his schedule.
(4)
The writer gives the example of himself in the last paragraph in order to ________.
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?