2021 年 12 月大学英语六级考试真题（第 3 套）

If you think life is wonderful and expect it to stay that way, then you may have a good chance of living to a ripe old age, at least that is what the findings of a new study suggest. That study found that participants who reported the highest levels of optimism were far more likely to live to age 85 or __26__. This was compared to those participants who reported the lowest levels of optimism. It is __27__ that the findings held even after the researchers considered factors that could __28__ the link, including whether participants had health conditions, such as heart disease or cancer, or whether they experienced depression.

The results add to a growing body of evidence that certain psychological factors may predict a longer life __29__. For example, previous studies have found that more optimistic people have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases, and a lower risk of __30__ death. However, the new study appears to be the first to __31__ look at the relationship between optimism and longevity. The researchers __32__ that the link found in the new study was not as strong when they factored in the effects of certain health behaviors, including exercise levels, sleep habits and diet. This suggests that these behaviors may, at least in part, explain the link. In other words, optimism may __33__ good habits that bolster health.

It is also important to note that the study found only a __34__, as researchers did not prove for certain that optimism leads to a longer life. However, if the findings are true, they suggest that optimism could serve as a psychological __35__ that promotes health and a longer life.

The trend toward rationality and enlightenment was endangered long before the advent of the World Wide Web. As Neil Postman noted in his 1985 book Amusing Ourselves to Death, the rise of television introduced not just a new medium but a new discourse: a gradual shift from a typographic culture to a photographic one, which in turn meant a shift from rationality to emotions, exposition to entertainment. In an image-centered and pleasure-driven world, Postman noted, there is no place for rational thinking because you simply cannot think with images. It is text that enables us to "uncover lies, confusions and overgeneralizations, and to detect abuses of logic and common sense. It also means to weigh ideas, to compare and contrast assertions, to connect one generalization to another."

The dominance of television was not confined to our living rooms. It overturned all of those habits of mind, fundamentally changing our experience of the world. Conduct of politics, religion, business, and culture was reduced to entertainment, sensationalism, and commerce. "Americans don't talk to each other; we entertain each other," Postman wrote. "They don't exchange ideas; they exchange images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks, celebrities, and commercials."

At first, the web seemed to push against this trend. When it emerged towards the end of the 1980s as a purely text-based medium, it was seen as a tool to pursue knowledge, not pleasure. Reason and thought were most valued in this garden—all derived from the project of the Enlightenment. Universities around the world were among the first to connect to this new medium, which hosted discussion groups, informative personal or group blogs, electronic magazines, and academic mailing lists and forums. It was an intellectual project, not about commerce or control, created in a scientific research center in Switzerland. For more than a decade, the web created an alternative space that threatened television's grip on society.

A recent study reveals a small but growing proportion of the workforce is affected to some degree by a sense of entitlement. Work is less about what they can contribute and more about what they can take. This can lead to workplace dysfunction and diminish job satisfaction. I'm not referring to employees who are legitimately dissatisfied due to issues like unfair pay; I'm talking about those who believe they deserve special treatment regardless of their abilities or performance.

As a result of the discrepancy between the privileges they feel entitled to and their inflated sense of self-worth, they tend to slack off instead of working hard for their employer. Many scholars believe this tendency begins in childhood, due to overindulgent parents, leading these individuals to expect the same kind of treatment throughout their adult lives. Despite their feelings, it's crucial for managers to find ways to keep them motivated.

The research team from several American universities surveyed over 240 individuals, including managers and team members. Employee entitlement was measured through statements like "I honestly feel I'm just more deserving than others," while employee engagement was assessed with statements like "I really throw myself into my work." The findings revealed that ethical leadership alleviates the negative effects of employee entitlement. Ethical leaders communicate clear expectations, hold employees accountable, and are committed to doing the right thing.

When confronted by an entitled team member, an ethical leader is disinclined to accommodate their demands. Instead, they point out the specific, objective criteria that must be met to receive rewards. This shift away from unrealistic expectations is successful because entitled employees feel more confident that ethical leaders will deliver on their promises, as they are perceived to be fair and trustworthy.

However, researchers caution that there is no single perfect remedy. While ethical leadership is a critical step in the right direction, it is essential to recognize that individual beliefs and motivations can vary greatly.