“There’s no place like home.” This English saying has much truth in it: the best place to be is surrounded by our treasured possessions and our loved ones and with a roof over our head. And for many young adults, it’s the only affordable place to stay; some place where they can receive first- class service from mum and dad. But this comes at a price!
In some countries, it’s quite traditional for people in their late teens and early 20s to live at home with their parents, but in other places, flying away the nest to start their own independent life is very desirable. But there’s been a growing trend, in the UK at least, for young people to return home to live —or not to leave home at all.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, about a quarter of young adults aged 20-34 live at home, and that figure has been growing. A survey by a price comparison website found that 18% of adult children in the UK said they were moving back home because of debt, compared with 8% last year. More young people had lost their jobs, and others couldn't afford their rent compared with the previous year. So, it’s easy to see why they’re increasingly becoming home birds.
The BBC’s Lucy Hooker explains that many returning adult children enjoy home comforts. These include cooked meals, a full fridge and cleaning, as well as their bills being covered by what is commonly called “the hotel of mum and dad”. But for the “hoteliers”, that’s mum and dad, the survey found the average cost to them has gone up sharply, and that they are sacrificing luxuries and holidays to look after their “big kids”. Emma Craig from Moneysupermarket says “they’re trying to look after their children more. If your child comes home and you see them struggling financially, you feel more awkward asking them for rent or lo contribute.
With parents splashing out（花费）around ￡l,886 on takeaway food, buying new furniture and upgrading their Wi-Fi for the benefit of their children, it’s easy for the returning children to put their feet up and make themselves at home. That's before they learn a home truth that one day it might be their own kids who'll be checking into the hotel of mum and dad!
1. Which of the following statements is true according to the text?| A．The main reason for their moving back home lies in parents' service. |
| B．Different countries have different traditions. |
| C．More and more young people live with parents in the UK. |
| D．Young people desire to live independently in all countries. |
| A．They are struggling financially. |
| B．They want to keep their parents company. |
| C．They can't afford to buy their own house. |
| D．They want to enjoy home comforts |
| A．They have difficulty making ends meet. |
| B．They feel happy with their children around. |
| C．They feel awkward asking their children for rent. |
| D．They give up their own life to take care of their kids. |
| A．A new trend in the UK. |
| B．The hotel of mum and dad. |
| C．There’s no place like home. |
| D．Everything comes at a price. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】How to Say Anything
Could you use some advice? Or has something big happened? Our tips can help you say anything to your parents.
Pick the right time. You need your parents’ full attention in order to have a good talk. Try not to bring up something when it’s past your bedtime or when your parent is in a rush.
Go slowly. What you need to say probably isn’t simple, so don’t try to get it all out in one breath. Give your parents the details they need to make a decision before you start trying to bargain with them. Besides, another thing is also of great importance.
Be honest. Your parents will respond better if you believe that you’re telling the truth and not trying to avoid blame. Take responsibility for your part in getting into trouble or earning a bad grade.
Try, try again. When you fly off the handle, your parents have a hard time seeing your point of view. If you’re angry or frustrated, take a break from the conversation. Excuse yourself, and go somewhere to cool off.
Be brave.
| A．If you’ve done something wrong, admit it. |
| B．After all, details determine success or failure. |
| C．Remember that conversation is about give and take. |
| D．If your parents are occupied, make an “appointment”. |
| E．Your conversation will be reduced to a terrible quarrel. |
| F．Gather your thoughts and try talking to your parents again. |
| G．You might have a question for long before you get up the courage to let it out. |
【推荐2】John Reid lost his son Dakota following a deadly car crash last year. The 16-year-old had been a passenger in a car when it was struck by another vehicle and John took the decision to donate his son’s organs to help save others.
Dakota's family had no idea where his organs would be going, but recently a box turned up at their door addressed to John. Opening it, John discovered a toy bear sent from a man named Robert who had received his son's heart, with a note reading, “I would have preferred to give this to you in person, but not sure when that would happen.”
The bear was dressed in a “Best Dad Ever” T-shirt and John pressed the bear's paw to hear the tear-jerking(催人泪下的) audio recording, his son's heart beating inside the man he had saved, John's wife Stephanie recorded the moving moment the dad was left in tears by the unbelievable gesture, sharing the video on a social platform with the caption: “The gentleman who received Dakota's heart sent John a bear with Dakota’s heartbeat, Thank you!”
Robert wasn't the only person the Virginia family’s selfless decision helped, John said he had also been contacted by a farmer who received his son's kidney, and a 21-year-old man who can now see thanks to Dakota’s eyes.
“When I got the bear, my heart was filled with joy. I did not expect any of this,” John said. “Thanks to Bob, I can listen to his heartbeat again,” John hopes the moving video helps spread the word of the importance of organ donation, adding: “It was so comforting and satisfying to know he lives on. It has helped us so much to know he helped save lives. It is the best cure and comfort I could ever ask for.”
1. How did John feel when hearing the recording?| A．Satisfied. | B．Heart-broken. |
| C．Touched. | D．Unbelievable. |
| A．Four people have benefited from Dakota. |
| B．Robert sent the box to John by himself, |
| C．John attaches great value to organ donation. |
| D．Stephanie’s video became popular online. |
| A．A Terrible Traffic Accident | B．A Decision that Pays Off |
| C．A Dear Gift from a Stranger | D．A Heart that Keeps Beating |
【推荐3】Our mother didn’t trust us, my sister and me, to manage our own appearance when we were young. As a result, there were rules, and trends were largely ignored.
A few years ago, I was home for a visit when my mom, now in her early70s, called me into her bedroom. We were about ready to leave for dinner. “I don’t know what to wear,” she complained from her seat. “You girls always look so good.”
I paused in the doorway and looked at her, wondering if I’d misheard. “What do you mean?” I asked her. “You know what to wear.”
“No,” she answered. “I don’t. Can you pick something?”
I was so surprised.
This was the same woman who, in 1989, told my younger sister she wasn’t allowed to leave the house wearing a pair of ripped (有破洞的) jeans; the same woman who, in high school, called me while I was out at a party to ask if my hair was up. “You look better with it down.” she told me before I could answer.
I realized, suddenly, that my mother—always so strong—not only wanted my opinion, but needed my care.
I pulled a pair of blue jeans from the closet and a light blue sweater from her drawer. “Wear this with your black shoes.” I told her. She did.
My mother certainly doesn’t need anyone to take care of her. In fact, she still cares for my grandmother who lives with her. But with that one question, my mother and I started the role reversal (改变) that happens with all parents and all children, from caregiver to receiver.
Now, if I’m visiting or we’re together, it’s rare for her to wear anything without checking with me first.
I’m still always a bit surprised by her admission of the uncertainty.
But every so often, it seems like she asks me just to be able to disagree with my answer and pick out something on her own. And when she does, I just tell her what I think of the way she looks. Sometimes it’s “great” and sometimes it’s “awful”.
1. When the author was young, she ________.| A．could never know what to wear |
| B．always wore trendy clothes and hairstyles |
| C．was not allowed to go to parties at night |
| D．had to pick her clothes according to her mother’s rules |
| A．came to realize that her mother needed her care |
| B．was happy to do something for her mother |
| C．was worried that her mother was too old to live alone |
| D．had no idea what was suitable for her mother |
| A．always accepts her suggestions happily |
| B．sometimes chooses to follow her own ideas |
| C．is often surprised by what the author says |
| D．still shows uncertainty about what to wear |
| A．show what it is like to have a strict mother |
| B．remind readers to visit their parents often |
| C．show how the role of parents and their children can change |
| D．stress her mother’s great influence on her clothes and hairstyles. |
【推荐1】Dancing with your grandma for 15 minutes a week promotes positive feelings and improves her state of mind, a study says. Doctors from Israel are urging younger family members to have a regular visit to their grandmas and have a dance with their grandmas.
And they found a 15 minute boogie (布吉舞) once a week lifted the spirits of elderly family members and helped strengthen the family bond. In fact, it is called Dance Movement Therapy (DMT). DMT across the generations, complete with eye contact, was found to promote positive feelings and improve mood for the elderly.
The grandparents reported a bright state of mind, happy memories and uplifted spirits. Dancing has also previously been connected with improved muscle strength, balance and endurance (耐力). For the grandchildren in the study, the weekly boogie changed how they view ageing and allowed them to come to accept the eventual death of their elderly relative.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, assessed how dance affected the well-being of 16 dance movement therapists (治疗师)and their grandmothers. Dance movement therapy was paid attention due to the fact it is easily accessible and does not cost more to practice. The researchers were eager to examine a low-cost method to treat issues commonly faced by an ageing population-such as limited mobility and depression. Grandchildren were instructed to make eye contact and encourage playfulness and touch. They were also told to mirror their grandmothers’ movements and give them time and space to rest when needed.
The sessions were recorded and then analysed while diaries and interviews recorded the opinions and feelings of the participants. As well as the benefits to the health of the senior, the experiment also changed the idea of the younger family members.
1. What should the young people do when dancing with their grandmas?| A．Follow the grandmas’ eyes. |
| B．Look at the grandmas’ eyes. |
| C．Move the bodies as long as possible. |
| D．Talk with their grandmas in gentle voice. |
| A．The young should dance every week. |
| B．The senior were happy about being old. |
| C．The old need parctise the special dance. |
| D．The young were once unwilling to accept the final leaving. |
| A．Cheap. | B．Relaxing. | C．Common. | D．Influential. |
| A．What does DMT Mean? |
| B．Dancing: A Good Way to Stop Being Senior. |
| C．Why Don’t You Dance l5 Minutes Every Week? |
| D．Dancing with Grandparents is Good for Health and Family Ties. |
【推荐2】Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most successful, influential and beloved women in American history, once said that she had one regret: she wished she had been prettier. Who hasn’t felt the same way?
Why do we care so much about how we look? Because it matters. Because beauty is powerful. Because even when we learn to value people mostly for being kind and wise and funny, we are still moved by beauty. No matter how much we argue against it, beauty has great influence on us.
Aristotle said, “Beauty is a greater recommendation than any letter of introduction.”
Our sensitivity to physical beauty is not something we can control at will.
| A．We are born with it. |
| B．It’s not fair, but it’s true. |
| C．There is simply no escape. |
| D．It actually does not make any sense. |
| E．We are all proud of our achievements. |
| F．We are all too aware of our physical imperfections. |
| G．However, there are more important things in life than beauty. |
【推荐3】Farmers in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh are now growing herbs(草药) instead of traditional crops such as rice, wheat and corn. They are trying to save their farms from monkeys eating their crops.
For years, farmers have fought a losing battle with increasing number of monkeys. The animals invade farms in several northern Indian states, searching for food and destroying crops worth millions of dollars. Many have given up on farming because of the monkey problem. Officials estimate that 40 percent of the farmland in the area is unplanted.
Agriculture experts say switching to herbs will protect farmers’ crops and bring higher profits. Monkeys do not attack herbs with medicinal properties. Farmers can make more money as demand for herbsboostsfrom Indian companies making medicinal and personal care products. India's herbal product industry is worth $4 billion and growing quickly. Some farmers have already started planting herbs with help from the medicinal plants board.
Experts have listed about 100 herbs that can be grown on the empty farmland where villagers stopped growing crops. So far, nearly 4,000 farmers have switched to growing herbs in seven North Indian states. In Himachal Pradesh, the number is 300.
An expert says the most successful farmers have strong business sense and are willing to innovate. His organization also links farmers in distant villages with possible buyers to make sure they can market their crops.
Monkeys are also becoming problems in cities, including India's capital New Delhi. They are famous for stealing food and even mobile phones.
In December, experts gave lawmakers advice on dealing with monkeys often seen around parliament (议会) . The experts advised leaving the animals alone and not making eye contact. The monkey population has increased since India banned their export for biomedical research in 1978. But many in Hindu-majority India respect and feed the animals. They link the monkeys to the Hindu god Hanuman, who takes the form of a monkey.
1. What results from the growing number of monkeys?| A．The price of crops increases. |
| B．More traditional crops are grown. |
| C．Quite a few farms are not grown. |
| D．Farmers are easy to suffer from attack. |
| A．Lacks. |
| B．Changes. |
| C．Reduces. |
| D．Increases. |
| A．Leave them alone. |
| B．Cover their eyes. |
| C．Avoid feeding them. |
| D．Comforting them. |
| A．Farmers Switch to Herbs to Stop Monkeys |
| B．Effective Measures to Deal with Monkeys |
| C．Battle Between Farmers and Monkeys |
| D．Ways to Avoid Being Attacked by Monkeys |
【推荐1】Interest in pursuing international careers has risen in recent years strengthened by permanent personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talent.
Professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. They may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. They may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity. Or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language.
When applying for a job, one usually has to submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The two terms generally mean the same thing: a one- or two-page document describing one’s educational qualifications and professional experience. However, guidelines for preparing a resume are constantly changing. The best advice is to find out what is appropriate regarding the company culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to include two or more cultures in one document. The following list is a good place to start.
“Educational requirements differ from country to country. In almost every case of ‘cross—border’ job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not be an adequate description. Provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience.”
Pay attention to the resume format you use—chronological or reverse-chronological order. Chronological order means listing your ‘oldest’ work experience first. Reverse-chronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. Most countries have preferences about which format is most acceptable. If you find no specific guidelines, the general preference is for the reverse-chronological format.
If you are submitting your resume in English, find out if the receiver uses British English or American English because there are changes between the two versions. For example, university education is often referred to as ‘tertiary education’ in the United Kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the United States. A reader who is unfamiliar with these changes may assume that your resume contains errors.
1. Companies are hiring more foreign employees because ________.| A．they find foreign employees are usually more talented |
| B．they need original ideas from employees hired overseas |
| C．they want to expand their business beyond home borders |
| D．they have difficulty finding qualified personnel at home |
| A．is usually creative |
| B．aims to improve his foreign language skills |
| C．is dissatisfied with his own life at home |
| D．seeks either his own or his children’s development |
| A．take cultural factors into consideration |
| B．learn about the company’s hiring process |
| C．follow appropriate guidelines for job hunting |
| D．know the employer’s personal likes and dislikes |
| A．the different educational systems in the US and the UK |
| B．the differences between the changes of English |
| C．the receiver’s preference with regard to the format |
| D．the special characteristics of American and British cultures |
【推荐2】You are supposed to be our future, a new chapter in the story of our lives, but I can't help being angry with you. Only a few weeks old, you're demanding and unreasoning and I'm struggling to see the good that you bring.
To start with, we got on with it, settling into a routine as we were trapped in nappies and nights when you wouldn't settle, but it started to wear me down. You hear about mothers with postnatal depression, but no one talks about the challenges a father has to face: working to put food on the table and a roof over our heads is tough when you've had only a couple of hours to sleep, and we're not supposed to need a break. Men are supposed to never cry. I hope that I can teach you a better way, my son. You're allowed to have weakness, and not keep everything locked up until it bursts.
It came to a head one night, when your mother found me in tears beside your bed. I'd never want to hurt you, but I was terrified by the thoughts I had. I'm doing the best I can for you, and I've gone and got the help I need. Your mother has been so strong, using your grandmother, uncles and friends to help keep our family together while I work through these feelings. The worst part for me is feeling that I'm failing your mother, and that I'm putting all of your needs on her. at a time when she needs help.
There's hope for the future, but it's a slow process. One day I hope you get to read this, and look at me with questioning eyes, because you can't see the man I am right now in the man I'll be in the future.
1. Who is the passage probably written for?| A．A depressed new dad. | B．A clever student. |
| C．A would-be mother. | D．A newly-born baby. |
| A．The challenges a father faces. | B．The social problems a baby brings. |
| C．The money pressure a family faces. | D．The way a father educates a child. |
| A．Not supporting his family. | B．Making his wife disappointed. |
| C．Not preparing well for being a father. | D．Bursting out crying beside his son's bed. |
| A．The author's child is a little and clever daughter. |
| B．The author feels delighted about his child's coming. |
| C．His wife does well in looking after her family. |
| D．The child brings much good to the author's family. |
【推荐3】These days a green building means more than just the colour of the paint. Green buildings can also refer to environmentally friendly houses, factories and offices. “Green building means reducing the effect of the building on the land,” Taryn Holowka of the US Green Building Council in Washington, DC, said.
According to Holowka, buildings account for 65 percent of total US electricity use. But green buildings can reduce energy and water use. Also, the buildings are often located near public transportation, such as buses and subways, so that people can drive their cars less. That could be good for the environment, because cars use lots of natural resources, such as gasoline, and give off pollution.
Green buildings are often built on developed land, so that the buildings don’t destroy forests or other wild habitats. Marty Dettling is project manager for a building that puts these ideas into action. The Solaire has been called the country’s first green residential high-rise (高层的) building.
According to Dettling, “We’ve reduced our energy consumption (消耗量) by one-third and our water by 50 percent.”
The Solaire cuts energy in part by using solar power. The Solaire also has lights that automatically (自动地) turn off when people leave the room. Plus, the building has lots of windows. This allows people to use the sun for light instead of lamps during the day.
1. Green buildings are ________.| A．far away from public transportation | B．built in the forests |
| C．earth-friendly | D．often built on developing land |
| A．taking buses or subways easily | B．saving natural resources |
| C．driving private cars less | D．protecting the environment |
| A．locates near a forest | B．lies close to stores |
| C．reduces energy and water use | D．was built with green materials |
| A．Closing windows as long as possible | B．Reducing the time of using lights |
| C．Recycling solar power | D．Using natural resources |
【推荐1】Picture yourself at a crowded airport departure gate. Your flight is 20 minutes late. The woman on your left is noisily eating something that smells awful.The man to your right is still braying into his cellphone, and the traveler next to him is preparing to kill time with...wait, is that a toenail clipper?
Unless you are saintly or unconscious, a few things in that description-on many things, or all the things-are likely to really bug you. We know an annoyance when we experience it. But what makes something annoying? And does research of from any advice for prevent life's annoyances from making our heads explode? The answers to those questions are: no. Did even one university create a Department of Annoyance Science...or offer a major in this universal emotion? No. Nothing.
Then what makes something annoying? It must be harmful but not physically. A housefly buzzing around your head is unpleasant but it won't kill you. Also, it must be unpredictable and intermittent. The loud ticking of an a arm clock or the odor of a cat litter box may at first be annoying, but with constant exposure overtime, it ceases to be noticeable. Psychologists' term for this gradual tolerance of a stimulus is habituation.Yet when an unpleasant noise or smell comes and goes, it becomes annoying each time it shows up.
Finally, to be truly annoying, something has to persist for an uncertain period of time.A fight that's delayed an hour is a bother, but tolerable, so long as it really is just an hour. A fight that's delayed and delayed and delayed, with no explanation and no end in sight, is extremely annoying. The intermittent nature of annoyances makes them hard(if not impossible) to anticipate and thus to prepare a defense against.If you know you're going to best stuck in traffic, you might be able to accept it or bring along a distraction. But when the slowdown is unexpected, it gets to you before you can stop yourself.
An interesting thing about annoyances is how they appear to change over time. A decade ago, our research led us to conclude that one of the most annoying things in the world was listening to someone else's loud cell phone conversation. We hypothesized that the reason it was so annoying is that our brains naturally tend to paint a complete picture of reality, but when you only hear half of a conversation, that's not possible. Then, cell phone conversations seemed annoying only to the people not on the phone. Today it's the call recipients that seem to be getting annoyed. I'm not talking about receiving a robocall. I'm talking about the 20-something who recently told me that an unexpected call, even from a close friend; is annoying, The thinking seems to be, Why call when a text will do? Or even, You should have, texted to ask if you could call...
I've thought a lot about what makes people, things, and situations annoying, and what any of us might do to immunize ourselves against becoming annoyed. The answer's actually surprisingly simple: All you have to do is
Editor's Note: The contract for this article set a strict word limit. The writer exceeded the limit; the magazine feels, obliged to enforce it. We regret any annoyance this might cause,dear readers.
1. According to the passage, which of the flowing is NOT really annoying?| A．Noisy eating in crowded pubic places. |
| B．A buzzing housefly around you head. |
| C．The constant ticking of an alarm clock. |
| D．A delayed flight without definite arrival time. |
| A．Annoyances can be easily avoided if people are conscious of them. |
| B．Annoyance may be the most widely experienced and least studied emotion. |
| C．Annoyances change as phone calls are the last choice for young people. |
| D．Annoyance happens when people poke their nose into others' affairs. |
| A．To inform the readers of the strict rules of the magazine. |
| B．To apologize to the readers for missing the last sentence. |
| C．To vaguely criticize the author for failing to observe the contract. |
| D．To humorously echo the theme that annoyances are universal. |
| A．Explore/ The future | B．Explore/ Nature |
| C．Explore/ The big idea. | D．Explore/ Fashion |
【推荐2】From children who have only recently learned to walk to teens, preschoolers to even parents, these backyard water toys and games will keep everyone occupied outside for hours on end this summer, and they will probably turn your backyard into a mini park.
Note: All children's water toys should be played with under the guidance and protection of parents or other adults.
Unicorn Sprinkler Standing 6 feet tall and shooting water out of its long straight horn (角) on its head once you connect a water pipe, this thing will delight kids of all ages. Ages: 1 and up Buy It! $ 54(originally $ 60): JC. Penney | Fish Print Wading Pool For a simple way to keep the kids happy this summer, fill this cute 59-inch fish — and — turtle — printed pool with water or sand and let them play for hours. Ages: 1 and up Buy it! $15; Value |
Fish and Splash Water Table From a fishbowl and a spinning leaf, to a water launcher and many animals for fishing, this activity table has plenty of clever bells to keep children amused for the afternoon. Ages: 2 and up Buy it! $40; tesco. com | Bubble (泡泡) Making Tool Your child's interest in bubbles is not limited to the small floating kinds. With the bubble tool, kids can make bubbles so big in size that they can even stand inside them! Ages: 6 and up Buy it! $ 55 (originally $79); tesco. com |
1. What should parents focus on when kids are playing with the products?
| A．Time. | B．Space. | C．Strength. | D．Safety. |
| A．Unicorn Sprinkler. | B．Fish Print Wading Pool. |
| C．Fish and Splash Water Table. | D．Bubble Making Tool. |
| A．They are available online. | B．They offer a discount. |
| C．They need a water pipe. | D．They are targeted at youths. |
【推荐3】Teens For Planet Earth
This is a social networking site for teenagers who want to get involved in protecting our planet. They can connect with other green-minded teens, choose a project or create their own. Teens For Planet Earth encourages young folks to get busy in their own communities. They offer guidance on local projects with categories such as habitats, animals, water and education. Awards are given to active members.
Meez
At Meez, teens can create their own avatars(头像), rooms and virtual pets. It is a social community of creative people that combines avatars, virtual worlds and games. Meez offers contests and chat as well as homework help, a fashion central and a writers’ corner. A chat area for younger teens is available. Other areas are music, geek(极客)central, art and sports.
Cyberteens
Cyberteens is another cool site that celebrates the teen years. Here teenagers can find community, games, and news. There is a link called “creativity” where teens can share their poems, stories, photos and artwork. The “cool links” section offers a huge variety of options to the curious teens. This site also has surveys and helps with jobs and school work.
Student.com
Student.com is a resource site for teens and high school students. Its social network has over 900,000 members. Members earn points to win prizes just by browsing and they offer several multi-player games. Points are used to buy items at auction(拍卖会). Student.com is filled with useful information and articles.
1. What is Teens For Planet Earth aimed to?| A．Set up a project. |
| B．Give awards to teens. |
| C．Get young folks busy. |
| D．Give advice on local projects. |
| A．It has the most members. |
| B．Teens can read articles on it. |
| C．It offers help on school work. |
| D．Teens can make purchases on it. |
| A．They provide game platforms. |
| B．They benefit teens in their social life. |
| C．They award outstanding teens. |
| D．They offer various study guidance. |
