Do you enjoy working out a difficult maths problem or solving a puzzle? But for some people, solving problems is not just a hobby — it’s their job. Here are four professionals who love facing a challenge.

Turning Ideas into Code

Kendra Claiborne is a senior software engineer at YouTube. Her job is to keep the video platform running smoothly. She spends her days writing code, improving software, and working with other engineers. A big part of her work is debugging—finding and fixing errors in computer programs. She believes an engineer should be curious and ready to deal with problems that don’t always have a clear answer.

Keeping Young Patients Safe

Amy Maya has an unusual job. She is a doctor who helps children sleep peacefully during dental treatment, so they feel no pain and stay relaxed. During an operation, she carefully watches all the signs from the patient. If something starts to go wrong, she notices it immediately and fixes it before it becomes more serious. Her training and calm, watchful eye keep every child safe.

Creating Puzzles for Others

Paolo Pasco loved puzzles from a very young age. When he was four, he tried to solve Sudoku(数独) on the kitchen floor with a crayon. Today, he makes puzzles as the games editor at TED, the organization behind TED Talks. He has even written a crossword book for kids. Pasco says solving puzzles doesn’t have to be a lonely activity. In fact, it is a great way to spend time with friends because it is very collaborative.

Planning Better Cities

Nathan Causman grew up playing a city-building video game. Now he solves problems in real life as a city planner. His work focuses on big challenges such as heavy traffic, lack of housing, and the effects of climate change. To find answers, he works with engineers and scientists. He then turns their ideas into plans for the city’s future. For example, he designs safer and greener streets for walkers and cyclists.

1.1. The underlined word “debugging” probably means ________.

A writing a new program

B watching the website speed

C correcting computer errors

D designing a video platform

解析：选C。C词义猜测题。原文第二段对debugging做出了直接解释：“finding and fixing errors in computer programs”（查找并修复计算机程序中的错误），因此C项“纠正计算机错误”与此意思一致。A项“编写新程序”，原文虽提到写代码，但那不是debugging的含义；B项“观察网站速度”原文未提及；D项“设计视频平台”是对她所在公司的过度推理。故选C。

2.2. What is the key to Amy Maya’s job?

A Using advanced medical tools.

B Keeping patients fast asleep.

C Watching closely and acting fast.

D Letting parents stay with the child.

解析：选C。C细节理解题。原文第三段指出：“she carefully watches all the signs from the patient. If something starts to go wrong, she notices it immediately and fixes it before it becomes more serious.”这句话说明Amy Maya工作的关键在于密切观察并迅速采取行动，因此C项“密切观察并快速行动”正确。A项“使用先进的医疗工具”未提及；B项“让病人快速入睡”，睡眠只是手段，并非关键；D项“让父母陪在孩子身边”未提及。故选C。

3.3. What does Paolo Pasco emphasize in his work?

A The pleasure of working alone.

B The value of working together.

C The speed of making a new puzzle.

D The use of the latest technology.

解析：选B。B观点态度题。原文第四段中Paolo Pasco明确表示解谜“very collaborative”，并指出“it is a great way to spend time with friends”，由此可知他强调合作的价值，故B项“合作的价值”正确。A项“独自工作的乐趣”与原文“doesn’t have to be a lonely activity”意思相反；C项“制作新谜题的速度”未提及；D项“使用最新科技”未提及。故选B。

4.4. What does the last paragraph mainly talk about?

A The fun of playing a city game.

B The biggest problem facing cities.

C The ways to fight climate change.

D The role that a city planner plays.

解析：选D。D段落大意题。原文最后一段围绕城市规划师Nathan Causman展开，介绍他“works with engineers and scientists”并将专家意见“turns their ideas into plans for the city’s future”，还举例说他“designs safer and greener streets”，整段都在说明城市规划师的工作职责，故D项“城市规划师扮演的角色”最能概括段落大意。A项“玩城市游戏的乐趣”仅为引入；B项“城市面临的最大问题”和C项“应对气候变化的方法”都只是文中提到的个别方面。故选D。