2026年真题14

Listen to a talk in a creative writing class (woman) Have you ever started at a blank page trying to come up with an idea of what to write about? Waiting for inspiration? Storytelling dice are a simple way to breakthrough that creative block. Yes, I’m talking about dice similar to ones you roll in some common board games to generate random numbers. But instead of numbers, each die is covered with pictorial symbols like a tree, a key, or a lightning bolt. A typical set could have nine six-sided dice. The magic lies in their unpredictability. You might roll a dragon, a locked door, and a storm. Suddenly you’re weaving a tale of, say, hidden rooms and daring escapes. Storytelling dice are not just for writers. They can also serve as ice breakers at social gatherings. Imagine this. The party feels a little stiff, so you pull out the dice and say, “everyone roll three.” Someone gets a dragon, a ladder, and a smiley face. Another rolls a spaceship, shoes, and a storm cloud. Soon people are laughing as they connect these random images into a wild story. The dragon was stuck on a ladder during a thunderstorm and then a spaceship landed to rescue it. It’s silly, spontaneous, and gets everyone talking. But now let’s get back to creative writing and talk about a short story that a previous student of mine wrote last semester. While reading the story, try to guess what three images she rolled on her dice that inspired her to write it.

Listen to a talk in a history class (woman) The age of exploration extended from the fifteenth century to the seventeenth century. But long before this, seafarers were venturing into unfamiliar waters using remarkably sophisticated technologies. One notable example is Pytheas of Massalia, a Greek explorer from the fourth century BCE. He sailed from the Mediterranean to the northern reaches of Europe, possibly reaching Britain and even Iceland. Without modern instruments, Pytheas relied on coastal landmarks, the position of the sun and stars, and careful observation of ocean tides and daylight patterns. His journey demonstrated that long-distance navigation was possible through keen environmental awareness and methodical planning. Centuries later, European explorers expanded on these early achievements with the help of new technologies. Among the most transformative was the magnetic compass, which used a magnetized needle to indicate direction. Originally developed in China and later adopted in Europe, the compass allowed sailors to maintain a heading even when celestial bodies were obscured by clouds or fog. This innovation enable mariners to venture into open seas with greater confidence and precision. Historians note that the compass didn’t just improve navigation, it transformed it. It allowed explorers like Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan to chart new maritime routes across vast oceans, connecting continents and reshaping global trade. Combined with other tools like the astrolabe and improved ship designs, the compass helped usher in the age of exploration.

Listen to a talk in a marketing class (man) One of the most effective strategies in modern marketing is the use of storytelling. Storytelling involves crafting a narrative around a brand or product that engages consumers on an emotional level. Instead of simply listing features and benefits, marketers use stories to create a connection with their audience, making the brand memorable and relatable. This method has been especially powerful in the age of social media, where personal stories and viral content can significantly boost brand awareness and loyalty. Successful storytelling and marketing often includes elements like a compelling character, a relatable conflict, and a satisfying resolution. For example, a company selling eco-friendly products might tell the story of a family striving to reduce their environmental footprint. This narrative not only highlights the product’s benefits but also resonates with consumers who share similar values. Another aspect of storytelling and marketing is authenticity. Consumers are more likely to trust and engage with brands that appear genuine and transparent. This means that the story should reflect the brand’s real values and mission, avoiding exaggeration or false claims. Visuals also play a crucial role in storytelling. High quality images and videos can bring the narrative to life, making it more impactful and easier to share. Of course, measuring the success of storytelling campaigns can be difficult, as traditional metrics like sales figures don’t always capture the full impact of a well-told story.

Listen to a talk in an anthropology class (man) In the first half of the twentieth century, an anthropological movement emerged called the Culture and Personality school. According to the Culture and Personality school, people’s personalities are a result of the culture they live in, and not just based on biology, like not just inherited from their biological parents. For example, how children in a culture experience food, the foods they eat, how it’s prepared. This shapes their individual tastes and preferences. One of the anthropologists most associated with this movement was Ruth Benedict. Benedict studied and embraced the principle of cultural relativism. So according to cultural relativism, all cultures should be studied on their own terms and not judged against some external measure. So cultures in, say, Egypt belong to Egypt and shouldn’t be the standard of what all cultures should try to be. Ruth Benedict refuted the dominant anthropology theory at the time, which stated that there was a hierarchy of cultures, some advanced, others not. Rejecting that took courage, and I think the field is better for it. Benedict was also influenced by psychology, especially Gestalt ideas. According to Gestalt’s psychology, a personality is an integrated whole, not just a list of traits. Like if you see a painting of a landscape, you’re looking at a whole landscape and not just, say, a hill, trees, and a farmhouse. Benedict said that cultures were the same way, a whole coherent system with patterns of values and behaviors and more than just a set of characteristics.