We think of kids playing video games as being in a sort of loneliness, locked in their darkened bedrooms. In truth, they are usually communicating with other gamers, via audio or text, about the action on the screen. And sometimes the chatter shifts from the world of fantasy to real life.
That’s what happened to 14-year-old Reilly Howard from East Hampton, Connecticut last October. While playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, he noticed that an online friend, a-13-year-old from Florida, was not his normal self. Reilly’s sixth sense was confirmed when the friend messaged him, “Yo, we need to talk.” Reilly immediately called him.
“He starts to open up about what’s going on in his life: ‘I have nothing to live for; I’m going to kill myself.’ Reilly told nbcconnecucut.com. He couldn’t even talk, he was crying so much.” Unable to verbally convey his sufferings, his friend typed out, “Tonight is going to be the night.”
Suicide is a lot to throw at a high school kid, but Reilly, a sophomore(二年级学生)at the time, resolved to stay on the line for as long as he was needed. “I knew he didn’t want to be alone, and I didn’t want him to go.” he told WFSB. “He’s my friend. I didn’t want him to die.”
For two hours, Reilly said everything he could think of to persuade his friend to embrace life. “I just kept comforting him. You’ve got a lot to live for.” says Reilly. “I said, I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m going to be playing with you tomorrow. You promise, nothing is going to happen tonight.”
About that time, Reilly’s parents came home from dinner. He filled them in, and they contacted Florida police, who tracked down the boy.
The troubled teen is doing well now, thanks to a good friend—one he’d never met in person—who was willing to put down the keyboard and lend an ear. Says Reilly’s mother, Sheila Reilly, “You just have to show up and talk to people. And listen.”
5. What do people usually think of kids who are playing video games according to Paragraph 1?
A.They are warmhearted, ready to lend an ear to others. |
B.They are lonely, always immersed (沉迷;陷入) in their games. |
C.They never communicate with anyone when playing video games. |
D.They are not interested in study and get on badly with parents. |
6. Which of the following is the most similar to the underlined sentence in meaning?
A.Suicide is a tough problem for a high school kid to deal with. |
B.Suicide is common among high school kids. |
C.Suicide is a problem a high school kid has to throw away. |
D.Suicide is a problem a high school kid has to live with. |
7. What can we infer from the text?
A.Reilly didn’t notice his online friend behaved in a strange way until his friend messaged him. |
B.Reilly’s mother rang up the police but the police refused to offer help. |
C.Reilly never met his friend in person although they both were familiar online. |
D.Reilly was informed of the reason why his friend wants to commit a suicide. |
8. What does the text mainly talk about?
A.Listening to others has many benefits. |
B.A good relationship with others is important. |
C.A teen saves another teen’s life online. |
D.Good communication skill can helps save a life. |