The widespread use of Internet technology has made our lives easier but causes a big challenge to senior citizens(长者), who are not always comfortable with smartphones and so many new apps.
Only a few senior citizens are able to enjoy the benefits that new technologies offer. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of people aged 60 and above was 253.88 million in 2019, about 18.1% of China's population. But only 23%of the senior citizens were able to use the Internet. That means more than three-fourths of the elderly are deprived (剥夺) of the digital benefits.
Many senior citizens who can't use smartphones are facing difficulties during this pandemic (流行病). Even with a smartphone in hand and Internet available, many of them still feel helpless. They don't know how to call a taxi through the apps. There have been reports of many shops turning away elders who don't know how to pay using smartphones, instead of letting them pay with cash. Worse still, as they don't know how to get the Internet-based health code (健康码), they are refused to enter many public places. Presenting individual health code is part of the epidemic prevention (防疫) and control measures.
New technologies become popular because they are often of great use in our daily lives. But many senior citizens, especially those living in the country-side or those whose grown-up children don't live with them, are not able to use the Internet or smart-phones, either because of financial (经济的) problems or because they cannot learn new things beyond a certain point. The digital gap between the elderly and the young is becoming more obvious.
However, the senior citizens should not become a silent group deprived of digital benefits. It is our responsibility to help them bridge the digital gap, and be patient with them when they face difficulties catching up.
1. What do the statistics show in Paragraph 2?| A．There are a small number of senior citizens in China. |
| B．Only 23% of the senior citizens can use the computer. |
| C．Three fourths of the eldly are unwilling to use smartphones. |
| D．Many elders fail to enjoy the convenience of the digital devices. |
| A．Cash is no longer accepted in most shops. | B．It's a must for everyone to have a health code. |
| C．Most elders need guidance on how to use the apps. | D．Many shops now refuse to offer service to the elderly. |
| A．their living areas | B．their financial conditions |
| C．their relationship with children | D．their difficulty in learning new things |
| A．They should not use modern technology. | B．They should keep silent using digital products. |
| C．The young should help them patiently. | D．The young should persuade them to pay with cash. |
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【推荐1】When asked how technology might improve the lives of people with vision impairments(视力障碍) . Joann Becker, a vision impairments tech specialist, presented a misleadingly simple challenge, saying “I’d like to be able to find my bus stop through Be My Eyes”.
Be My Eyes, which went live in 2015, establishes a direct video connection between visually impaired users and sighted volunteers. The assumption is simple: Many people who are blind don't need any actual assistance in completing their daily tasks, but merely need a little help.
A sighted volunteer might be asked to help identify which of two cans contains tomatoes. In this case, the visually impaired user can cook a meal just fine on his/her own- -all he/she needs is a quick confirmation that he/she has the correct can. The model appears to be working; more than 540.000 volunteers and nearly 40.000 people with low vision are registered on the app.
“An elderly woman can now help a visually impaired technician set up his computer.” says founder Hans Wiberg, who has very low vision. “She doesn't need to know a thing about computers. She only needs to read what is presented on the screen. Then he can do the rest. ”
Early assistive technology centered on dedicated devices(专用设备), because of the niche market(小众市场) , which sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But the Smartphone, multipurpose and near-universal, has completely changed the economy of scale. “There are larger market forces driving high-powered computation, high-quality engineering and high-quality battery management in the smartphone market than those in a specialty product.” says Aaron Stcinfeld, a research professor at the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.
“The reality is most sighted people don't know somebody who is bind.” Becker says.” They think the solutions that a blind person needs are far more expansive. It turns out they need to be. “I think these apps are enabling sighted people to see that blind people just need some simple clues to help them do any number of things in their lives.”
1. What is the first paragraph used for in the text?| A．Giving one example. | B．Showing the main idea. |
| C．Making a conclusion. | D．Introducing the topic. |
| A．By creating a video link between the visually disabled and sighted volunteers. |
| B．By recognizing which of two cans has tomatoes that can be cooked. |
| C．By establishing high-quality engineering and computation. |
| D．By flashing the everyday tasks of the technician and volunteers. |
| A．Slight assistance can help the blind free from some troubles. |
| B．Volunteers should be very familiar with high-tech computers. |
| C．Only people with low vision are registered to use the app. |
| D．Joann Becker thinks it hard to find a bus stop using Be My Eyes. |
| A．The smartphone becomes a special app. |
| B．Fine devices have changed the economy. |
| C．Cost matters when it comes to assistive technology. |
| D．Smartphone market has great economic potential. |
【推荐2】Is it important for teenagers to own the latest cell-phone models? There are different ways of looking at this question.
First, why do teenagers need to have the latest models? Often it’s just to show off. The paradox is that there are many teenagers who own the latest cell-phone models but don’t even know how to use them properly. This is true. They just want one because their friends have similar ones, or because they take very good videos and photos.
On the other hand, if they do know how to use them, the latest cell phones are really good. They not only help teens to stay in touch with friends and family, but also help them to access the Internet and download pictures, videos or music they need when studying. These new phones are so powerful that having one is almost like having a whole library in your pocket. It’s an instant (即刻的) source of information that helps young people get the latest news. But many parents, thinking only of such positive sides, do not take into consideration the potential dangers. For example, children may constantly be distracted (分心) during class by sending and receiving text messages.
Each young generation loves the new technologies available — just think back to when you were a kid. But your job as a parent is to make sure your child gets the most out of this technology with the least possible harm.
1. According to the second paragraph, teenagers want to have the latest cell-phone models because ________.| A．they want to show they are fashionable |
| B．they think the latest models help them a lot with study |
| C．they think they can keep in touch with others more easily |
| D．they want to learn how to use new technologies |
| A．fault | B．problem | C．benefit | D．imagination |
| A．a new generation always loves new things |
| B．parents also liked technological products when they were young |
| C．parents should make sure children use the new technologies properly |
| D．parents shouldn’t allow children to own a cell Phone |
【推荐3】We are busy talking about and using the Internet, but how many of us know the history of the Internet?
Many people are surprised when they find that the Internet was set up in the 1960s. At that time, computers were large and expensive. Computer network didn’t work well. If one computer in the network broke down, then the whole network stopped. So a new network system had to be set up. It should be good enough to be used by many different computers. If part of the network was not working, information could be sent through another part. In this way computer network system would keep on working on the time.
At first the Internet was only used by the government, but in the early 1970s, universities, hospitals and banks were allowed to use it too. However, computers were still very expensive and the Internet was difficult to use. By the start of the 1990s, computers became cheaper and easier to use. Scientists had also developed software that made “surfing” in the Internet more convenient.
Today it is easy to get on-line and it is said that millions of people use the Internet every day. Sending e-mail is more and more popular among students.
The Internet has now become one of the most important parts of people’s life.
1. A new network system was set up to _________.| A．make computers cheaper |
| B．make itself keep on working all the time |
| C．break down the whole network |
| D．make computers large and expensive |
| A．Computers | B．Hardware |
| C．Software | D．Information |
| A．In the 1960s, computer network worked well. |
| B．In the early 1970s, the Internet was easy to use. |
| C．Today it’s still not easy to get on-line. |
| D．Sending e-mail is now more popular among students than before. |
【推荐1】The Spring Festival holiday is supposed to be a period of time entirely for family reunion. However, as people’s enthusiasm for digital hongbao increased, the amount of time they spend with family members during the holiday decreases. There has been widespread criticism (批评) over digital hongbao that it has alienated family reunion.
“I used to discuss programs in the Spring Festival Gala (春晚) with my family members, but this year, I barely had time to watch the gala because I was staring at my cellphone all the time,” said Kang, a 30-year-old radio station editor. “I went to karaoke with my cousins during the holiday, and I was grasping digital hongbao the whole time, even when I was singing karaoke.”
“On the last day of the holiday, I started to regret spending too much time on these digital hongbao. Therefore, instead of fighting for hongbao, I watched TV with my morn that night. I left home feeling so sorry! I should have spent more time with my parents.”
But Kang said regret came with a sense of achievement when he managed to bring classmates together. “Next year, I will still play this game, but with less money and for a smaller amount of time,” Kang said.
Dong Chenyu, a teacher from Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it’s unfair to blame hongbao for destroying family reunion.
“When television was invented, people accused it of standing in the way of face-to-face human communication. The same accusation came up on telephone and text message services when they were first invented. The same goes with digital hongbao,” Dong said.
“It does nothing but offers a new way of human communication. The rest is people’s choice. As long as no one expects to earn money from this and takes this as a means of gambling (赌博), it’s a good way to improve human connections,” Dong said.
1. The underlined word “alienated” in Paragraph 1 most probably means ________.| A．improved | B．separated |
| C．encouraged | D．reserved |
| A．He felt regretted spending too much money. |
| B．He was happy to spend too much of his time. |
| C．He had a strong preference for it. |
| D．He felt a sense of guilty in getting it. |
| A．It will bring us trouble in holiday reunion. |
| B．It will be out of fashion in near future. |
| C．Lots of people will use it to earn money. |
| D．Mr. Dong is in favour of digital hongbao. |
| A．Spring Festival Reunion | B．Double-edged Sword |
| C．New Holiday Enthusiasm | D．Family Reunion Destruction |
【推荐2】Do you ever talk to yourself? Although it’s not always a conscious habit, most of us practice self-talk on a daily basis.
Research shows that self-talk can increase productivity, motivation and confidence, and even help manage feelings. “There is solid evidence that self-talk strategies improve learning and performance,” according to sport psychologist Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis, who studies the phenomenon of self-talk.
He explains that there are generally three reasons why we practice self-talk: to instruct, to motivate or to evaluate. Instructional self-talk happens when we need to guide ourselves through a specific task, such as learning a new skill. Motivational self-talk usually is used when we want to prepare ourselves for something challenging; it can help to increase confidence. Evaluative self-talk mostly is related to past events or actions.
Hatzigeorgiadis stresses that if we want to use such self-talk to good advantage, it needs to be short, precise and, most of all, consistent. Of course, self-talk also can be ineffective and even detrimental if it’s not done right.
“It is a matter of personal preference or what works for each person; but generally, it is advised that self-talk be positively rather than negatively phrased and focus on what you should do rather than on what you should avoid,” Hatzigeorgiadis says. So, for example, it would be better to say “stay cool” instead of “don’t get upset”. Although both instructions convey the same meaning, you should use positive words rather than negative ones. In this way you can avoid ill results.
Another thing that can make a difference when practicing self-talk is the way you address yourself. According to the research published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, using “you” rather than “I” when talking to yourself tends to be more effective. The researchers explain that when you think of yourself as another person, it allows you to give more objective and useful feedback (反馈).
1. Why do people talk to themselves in Antonis’s opinion?| A．To recall their past experiences. |
| B．To guide them to find more opportunities. |
| C．To encourage them to overcome difficulties. |
| D．To evaluate their performance when doing a task. |
| A．You shall be brave. | B．Never be afraid. |
| C．I must be brave. | D．You mustn’t be afraid. |
| A．Disturbing. | B．Embarrassing. | C．Useless. | D．Harmful. |
| A．People do self-talk based on rules. |
| B．People do self-talk for good reason. |
| C．People benefit from proper self-talk. |
| D．People should perform positive self-talk. |
【推荐3】A new speciality is available in Wyoming. It is fresh and cheap—but probably a little smelly. Last month it became legal for Wyomingites to collect roadkill that they accidentally hit themselves. Not all animals are fair game. Grizzly bears, some grey wolves and endangered species are forbidden.
Although some may feel embarrassed at the idea of pulling a deer off the road and onto the dinner table, the law has several benefits. First, roadkill is a source of fresh meat for poor rural communities who may not otherwise be able to afford it. PETA, a radical animal-rights group, argues that eating roadkill is healthier and more moral than buying meat raised for slaughter (屠宰). Second, allowing residents to harvest roadkill themselves may cut down on the time the creatures spend on the road.
Not everyone is licking their lips. Some opponents fret that people will end up eating rotten meat. “It’s really the burden of the person who chooses to collect roadkill if they eat it or not,” says Sara DiRienzo, of Wyoming Game and Fish. Others show the concern that the laws will encourage hunters to use the roadkill programme as cover for killing animals they should not.
After almost a decade of failing to pass the bill, Dan Zwonitzer, its frequent sponsor, credits his success to recent support from his colleagues in the legislature (立法机关). State lawmakers from rural Wyoming managed to turn the roadkill-harvest programme into a libertarian cause célèbre. “There were some complaints from people who had hit animals or had seen other people hit animals, says Mr Zwonitzer, “and they were like, ‘Well, heck, it’s dead...I don’t want the government telling me I can’t take something I accidentally hit if the meat is good’.” He adds that he is not about to collect roadkill himself. But for those so willing, there are cookbooks offering ways to serve up moose or mule deer.
1. What can we learn about the new speciality?| A．It is fresh and delicious. | B．It exists for long in Wyoming. |
| C．It can be a goat shot by a hunter. | D．It doesn’t cover all the roadkill. |
| A．Predict. | B．Agree. | C．Worry. | D．Confirm. |
| A．Supportive. | B．Negative. | C．Indifferent. | D．Objective. |
| A．Mr Zwonitzer will not bring roadkill home. |
| B．It has taken great efforts to pass the bill. |
| C．The government should forbid roadkill-harvest. |
| D．People are eager for cookbooks for mule deer. |
“Engagement is not satisfaction or happiness, but the degree to which workers connect to the company emotionally, and the degree to which workers are aware of what they need to do to add value and are willing to take that action," said Julie Gebauer, a managing director of Towers Perrin, a consulting firm, which surveyed almost 90,000 workers in 19 countries.
“Happy employees don't necessarily create better financial results, but there is a definite link between engagement and a company's financial performance,” Gebauer said.
The survey found 21 percent of workers worldwide are engaged, and another 41 percent are “enrolled”, which means they're on the road to engagement.
More than 80 percent of the engaged employees say they contribute to the quality of company products, services and customer satisfaction, while only 40 percent of disengaged workers agree.
Engagement helps retention(留置) too. About 50 percent of engaged employees say they have no plans to leave their company versus 15 percent of the disengaged.
“The fact that almost 80 percent of workers are disengaged is likely costing companies money." Gebauer said.
“The conception of engagement is really a financial issue," said Gebauer. ‘Organizations that have employees that are highly engaged deliver better financial results than those that don't."
In a separate study, Towers Perrin assessed data on 40 global companies over a three-year period, measuring employee engagement at a certain point and then looking at the companies' financial results over the following three years.
Companies with highly motivated workers enjoyed a 3.7 percent increase in profits, while companies with a lower level of worker commitment saw a decrease in profits slightly.
What makes for an engaged employee? It's not necessarily pay. While the level of pay is important, it's not among the top 10 drivers of engagement. Rather than only using the pay, companies should survey their work force, much as they might study their customers, to assess what employees are seeking.
1. The underlined word “enrolled” in Paragraph 4 means ________.
| A．engaged | B．disengaged |
| C．over-engaged | D．not yet but to be engaged |
| A．50. | B．75. | C．250. | D．425. |
| A．The top ten drivers of engagement. |
| B．The reason to encourage engagement. |
| C．The importance of the pay level in engagement. |
| D．The survey of work force in a company. |
【推荐2】When you swim on the beach and sea, have you ever accidentally drunk the seawater? How did it feel? It must have tasted salty. So, why is the seawater salty?
Seawater is water that comes from the ocean. Seawater can be salty because it contains an average salt content of 3.5%. This is also a place for the salt farmers to produce cooking salt and other salt.
Some theories explain that seawater comes from rainwater that falls and flows through rivers and estuaries (河口) where the seawater will be fully filled and again formed clouds because the steam uses the help of the sun. When we talk about this, we talk about the rainwater cycle. But when the rainwater cycle occurs, the water that passes through the river carries mineral salts. These mineral salts are obtained from various places of the land starting from rocks and soils that the rainwater flows through, these remaining mineral salts make seawater salty, so the salinity of seawater is different in each part of the world. But it is certain that seawater is salty or has high salinity.
The saltiest sea in the world is the Red Sea. There the temperature is extremely hot so that evaporation (蒸发) is greatly carried out. High evaporation, coupled with little rainfall and little input of water from the river, causes its highest level of salinity. There is also the Dead Sea, which is nine times saltier. Due to the high salinity, when you swim there, you can float. However, the Dead Sea is not a sea at all which is a lake geographically.
1. What’s the purpose of paragraph 1?| A．To draw a conclusion. |
| B．To make the article interesting. |
| C．To introduce a famous beach. |
| D．To bring in the topic. |
| A．Land. | B．Ocean. | C．Rain. | D．Cloud. |
| A．Its salinity is higher than that of the Dead Sea. |
| B．The climate there causes the highest salt level. |
| C．People are in danger when they swim there. |
| D．The land around it contains the most salt. |
| A．The reason why the seawater tastes salty |
| B．The reason why the Dead Sea is not a sea |
| C．The reason why the rainwater cycle occurs |
| D．The reason why the sea looks blue and green |
【推荐3】Children’s heavy digital media use is associated with a risk of being overweight later in adolescence. A recent study shows that six hours of leisure-time physical activity per week at the age of 11 reduces the risk of being overweight at 14 years of age associated with heavy use of digital media.
Obesity (肥胖) in children and adolescents is one of the most significant health-related challenges globally. A study carried out by the Folkhalsan Research Center investigated whether a link exists between the digital media use of Finnish school-age children and the risk of being overweight later in adolescence. In addition, the study looked into whether children’s physical activity has an effect on this potential link.
The study involved 4,661 children who reported how much time they spent on sedentary (久坐的) digital media use and physical activity outside school hours. The study indicated that heavy use of digital media at 11 years of age was associated with a heightened risk of being overweight at 14 years of age in children who reported taking part in under six hours per week of physical activity in their leisure time. In children who reported being physically active for six or more hours per week, such a link was not observed.
The study also took into account other factors potentially impacting obesity, such as childhood eating habits and the amount of sleep, as well as the amount of digital media use and physical activity in adolescence. In spite of the confounding (混杂的) factors, the protective role of childhood physical activity in the connection between digital media use in childhood and being overweight later in life was successfully confirmed.
“The effect of physical activity on the association between digital media use and being overweight has not been further investigated in follow-up studies so far,” says Postdoctoral Researcher Elina Engberg. “In this study, the amount of physical activity and use of digital media was reported by the children themselves, and the level of their activity was not surveyed, so there is a need for further studies.”
1. The subjects of the study were ________.| A．surveyed three years later after the first one |
| B．those who kept sitting and used digital media a lot |
| C．4,661 school-aged children suffering from obesity |
| D．lacking in sufficient leisure-time physical activity |
| A．Major | B．Particular. |
| C．Increasing. | D．Slight. |
| A．Different factors contributing to kids’ overweight problem. |
| B．The influence of childhood eating habits on children’s obesity. |
| C．The relationship among kids’ exercise, digital media use and obesity. |
| D．Children’s academic challenges resulting from heavy digital media use. |
| A．Reasons for carrying out further studies. |
| B．Guidelines for children and adolescents. |
| C．Approaches to solving teens’ weight problems. |
| D．Connections between obesity and physical activity. |
