When did you last write a letter? Properly write one—by hand? In a digital world, sending a text or email is far more convenient than using traditional mail. Well, some people claim that writing still has many benefits, so maybe it’s not time to throw away your ballpoint or fountain pen yet.
These days, when people request things in writing, a typed, electronic document will be accepted. Doing this on a computer means it could be saved, edited, copied and sent via email. But doing a handwritten document is unique: it requires planning and thought, and, as well as practicing your handwriting, it helps you to remember selling and punctuation.
Some experts believe your brain benefits from using old-fashioned pen and paper. This is particularly related to students, because typing notes into a laptop is thought to lack the “tactile feedback” (触觉回馈) to the brain. They think taking note by hand involve cognitive engagement (认知参与) in summarizing, paraphrasing organizing, concept and vocabulary mapping. They also agree that handwriting may improve fine movement skills in your hands and fingers.
There are everyday benefits to using pen and paper too. Writing notes, shopping lists or messages on the back of an envelope can still be useful, quick and convenient. But putting pen to paper in a letter to a friend or loved one can probably have the most influence. Pen pal writer Katherine Moller told the BBC: “In a word where it is so easy to get online email or to send a fast text, it is so personal and so precious to know someone choose to turn off the virtual world to spend some time with you.”
So, while digital skills remain important, don’t get rid of your pens and pencils yet-especially if your smartphone, tablet or laptop runs out of power!
1. Two questions are asked in paragraph 1 to ________.A.offer background information | B.ask for opinions |
C.show disagreement | D.lead to the topic |
A.Because it involves planning, thought and handwriting. |
B.Because it creates spelling and punctuation. |
C.Because it does harm to hands and fingers. |
D.Because it helps the brain recover from disease. |
A.There are everyday benefits to using pen and paper. |
B.Writing by hand to someone shows true emotion. |
C.It is not easy to email or to send a fast text today. |
D.Digital sills are always important and necessary. |
A.It’s Time to Throw Away Your Pens |
B.A World with Writing by Hand |
C.Do We Still Need to Write by Hand? |
D.The Birth of Writing by Hand |
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【推荐1】There are jobs you take because you may find them fulfilling, or a stepping stone to your career. And then there are jobs you take for the money. The new book, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, is about the latter. It’s from Kate Beaton, a best-selling cartoonist. With her first graphic narrative, Ducks, Beaton examines her own life, specifically the years she spent working at the oil sands of Fort McMurray, in Alberta, Canada.
The book starts on Cape Breton Island, Beaton’s hometown. Once it was home to various industries, and then it wasn’t. So the island started sending its people out to wherever jobs were. This idea that you have to leave home to make a life for yourself is deeply rooted in the culture of Cape Breton. Her parents try to convince her to go into teaching, but she heads west, to the oil sands of Fort McMurray. It’s an oil boomtown populated mostly by men who are away from their homes and likely to fall into the traps of boomtowns-drugs, alcohol and loneliness.
The book follows Beaton as she tackles her own sense of isolation, while having to bear constant sexism. But she describes small moments of tenderness too, from people looking out for her in their own ways to those who are simply putting their heads down, just trying to get by.
In the book, a Cree elder talks about the impacts the oil companies have had on their community. “Everything’s ruined, our lives, our water, the air...as long as they get their money.” When the companies first came in, the locals weren’t given much say. And now they are economically tied up to the industries that are polluting their land, and leaving them with higher rates of cancer. But what choice did they have but to be involved, or be completely crushed?
Ducks is truly an untold story of Canada: a country that prides itself on its equality and natural beauty while exploiting both the riches of its land and the humanity of its people.
1. Which factor leads Beaton to Fort McMurray?A.The appeal of oil sands. |
B.Her thirst for freedom. |
C.The influence of her culture. |
D.Her parents’ encouragement. |
A.Depressing and unfair. |
B.Helpless and aimless. |
C.Miserable yet fulfilling. |
D.Lonely yet still with warmth. |
A.Because they can find no better place to go. |
B.Because they are illegally trapped in oil sands. |
C.Because their life is totally ruined by the oil mining. |
D.Because they are financially dependent on the industries. |
A.A novel. | B.A book review. |
C.A biography. | D.A news story. |
【推荐2】Gleaning (拾穗,拾遗) is not a new concept. It dates back to ancient times, when farmers would leave the edges of their fields unharvested or leave produce looking imperfect for the poor which was either to rot in the field, or was rolled over.
Gleaning offers fresh, healthy food to food insecure people. That is where gleaners come in. Gleaning addresses farm waste and food poverty by providing free healthy food donated straight from farm to table. Interest in gleaning is growing; in 2017,there were five gleaning groups in the UK, while today there are 25.
Holly Whitelaw, an organizer for the Cornwall Gleaning Network, reported to Positive.News that her volunteers send around 300 boxes a week to food banks and community kitchens in her area. The boxes come complete with recipe (食谱) ideas and the kitchens love the fact that this fresh food is so highly nutritious.
Gleaners find the work very fulfilling. “It’s a really jolly atmosphere,” Whitelaw told Positive. News.”Any time I go gleaning, I am lifted up. For the volunteers, it’s so good for mental health, getting outside and doing something practical that’s good for the needy people.”
Adding technology to this age-old practice, a digital map of the 734 fruit trees available for gleaning was provided. This produce is going to the Orcas Island Food Bank which has witnessed a 227 percent increase in demand since the pandemic (疫情), with numbers still on the rise.
To assist the increasing amount of hungry people, produce is being rescued from fields around the world. A prime example of a successful organization is Leket Israel. In 2021, Leket rescued 40,758,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables from farmers’ fields and packing houses.
Hopes are that awareness will continue to grow. To make this happen, more unions need to be established with farmers and more people need to volunteer their time to help. This form of helping may soon become as commonplace as local charity walks, predicts Positive.News.
1. How does the author introduce the topic?A.By telling a story. | B.By giving a definition. |
C.By raising a question. | D.By making a comparison. |
A.The highly nutritious food is good for mental health. |
B.He fulfilled his dream of building a gleaning network. |
C.New recipes create a happy atmosphere in the kitchen. |
D.Gleaning offers benefits to both givers and receivers. |
A.To show the growing success of gleaning. | B.To praise the help of a new technology. |
C.To stress the problem of food wasting. | D.To tell the number of hungry people. |
A.Optimistic. | B.Doubtful. | C.Negative. | D.Unclear. |
【推荐3】It’s rare that you see the words “shyness” and “leader” in the same sentence. After all, the common opinion is that those outgoing and sociable guys make great public speakers and excellent net-workers and that those shy people are not.
A survey conducted by USA Today referred to 65 percent of managers who believed shyness to be a barrier to leadership. Interestingly, the same article stresses that roughly 40 percent of leaders actually are quite shy — they’re just better at adapting themselves to situational demands. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Charles Schwab are just a few “innies”.
Shy people take a cautious approach to chance. They listen attentively to what others say and absorb it before they speak. They’re listening so they can learn what to say. Along the same lines, shy people share a common love of learning. They are intrinsically (内在地) motivated and therefore seek content regardless of achieving an outside standard.
Being shy can also bring other benefits. Remember being in school and hearing the same kids contribute, until shy little Johnny, who almost never said a word, cut in? Then what happened? Everyone turned around to look with great respect at little Johnny actually talking. This is how shy people made good use of their power of presence: they “own” the moment by speaking calmly and purposefully, which translate to a positive image.
Shyness is often related to modesty. Not to say that limelight-seekers (引人注目的人) aren’t modest, but shy people tend to have an accurate sense of their abilities and achievements. As a result, they are able to recognize mistakes, imperfections, knowledge gaps and limitations.
Since shy people have a lower desire for outside rewards than outgoing ones, they’re more comfortable working with little information and sticking to their inner desires. Shy people are also more likely to insist on finding solutions that aren’t primarily apparent. Albert Einstein once said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s that I stay with problems longer.” Obviously, finding certainty where uncertainty is typically popular is a huge plus for any successful person.
1. What is the traditional belief to the shy people?A.They are good at making friends. |
B.They are not popular with people. |
C.They like making speeches in public. |
D.They are unlikely to become leaders. |
A.Shy people. | B.Public speakers. |
C.Net-workers. | D.Survey conductor. |
A.They focus on achieving themselves outside rewards. |
B.They make the best of the power of presence actively. |
C.They realize their abilities and imperfections clearly. |
D.They perform more confidently than outgoing people. |
A.By making contrasts and giving examples. |
B.By quoting authorities and making evaluations. |
C.By explaining problems and providing solutions. |
D.By giving definitions and presenting research results. |
【推荐1】In recent years China has made great efforts to make the best use of local conditions to help rural residents boost their incomes. Let’s have a look at some regional products that have helped to revive (振兴) the rural economy. Maybe here is one project that appeals to you.
Woodblock printing
With a history of more than 1, 000 years, woodblock printing was adopted by ancient Chinese as a way to keep written records. The process is very complicated, including painting, engraving (雕刻) on a woodblock and printing. Sibao town in Fujian province is famous for the preservation of traditional Chinese woodblock printing. The town now has 50 ancient bookshops and many cultural relics. It also invited tourists and students to learn from artisans.
Bark paintings
Bark paintings, a form of intangible cultural heritage of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, is made from bark chippings scaling off white birch trees. The painting has helped many villagers overcome poverty in White Wolf town, as the town is rich in forest resources and making such paintings is environmentally friendly and also beneficial by providing employment for some locals.
Handicraft weaving and tie-dyeing
Experiencing traditional handicraft dyeing and weaving techniques is a special cultural and creative endeavor in Pingtian village of Sidu town in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province. It is also an effort to protect and carry forward traditional handicraft intangible cultural heritage. All the dyes used are produced from plants and tea leaves in the mountains around the village.
Oilpaper umbrella
Oilpaper umbrella is a kind of traditional Chinese handicraft made of bamboo and paper coated in the oil of the tung nut for waterproofing. It has been around for at least 1, 000 years and was eventually adopted in other parts of the planet. Both ceremonial and practical, the oilpaper umbrella was used on rainy days, as well as during many ceremonies and festivals.
1. What can people do in Sibao town?A.Visit cultural relics. | B.Engrave old woodblocks. |
C.Unearth ancient books. | D.Learn traditional painting. |
A.Changing modern social life. | B.Being in an autonomous region. |
C.Reviving with high technology. | D.Making use of natural materials. |
A.Finance. | B.Science. | C.Sports | D.Education. |
【推荐2】The Internet plays a big part in human life. We use it for work and entertainment. We can find new recipes on the Internet or advice on staying healthy. We can even use it to learn a new language and connect with family and friends.
As far as the Internet being a part of our lives —well, that train has left the station. This expression means there is no going back to an Internet-free life. But can using the Internet too much be bad for our health? It might be, say researchers.
A new study finds that heavy Internet use may be connected to high blood pressure in an unlikely group— teenagers. The study results show that teens who spend at least 14 hours a week online were more likely to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause heart and kidney (肾) disease. It is also closely linked to some forms of dementia (痴呆), a brain disease. Dementia is marked by memory disorders, personality changes, and a reduced ability to reason.
The Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan did the study. 335 young people from 14 to 17 years old participated in it. One hundred and thirty-four of the teens were described as “heavy Internet users.” Researchers found that out of these 134 teens, 26 had high blood pressure.
The lead researcher of the study is Andrea Cassidy-Bushrow. In a statement she said, “Using the Internet is part of our daily life but it shouldn’t consume us.” For the purpose of the study, she explains, teens considered heavy Internet users were online on “average 25 hours a week.” Ms. Cassidy-Bushrow adds that it is important for teens to take “regular breaks from their computers or smartphones” and to do some “kind of physical activity.”
1. Which of the following statements is closest in the meaning to the underlined sentence in Paragraph 2?A.The train has stopped at the wrong station. |
B.There is something wrong with the train. |
C.Life without the Internet is nowhere to be found. |
D.The train has changed its course. |
A.will remember everything clearly | B.will change his character |
C.will develop a brain cancer | D.can do analysis accurately |
A.40% | B.19% | C.25% | D.7% |
A.The Internet Does Harm to the Study. |
B.Too Much Internet May Be Bad for Teenagers. |
C.We Should Stop Using the Internet. |
D.High Blood Pressure Is around the Comer. |
【推荐3】More than ever, kids today have given up reading for activities like watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Internet, but recently a new trend (趋势) has been catching on that will hopefully change that.
In fact, book clubs are becoming more popular among American kids. 11-year-old Kenya Debarros read about singer Lena Horne. “It was just amazing to see a black woman as the star and not just a mammy or a maid,” she says. But did all these kids come enthusiastically (热情地)? No, not exactly.
“I like book club, uh, I don’t know, but I am just trying it out. My mom didn’t make me, but I just tried it out,” says 16-year-old Antonio Nash.
And if they’ll try it, the experts say, there are ways to get them to come back. Make it fun, serve pizza, serve chocolate cakes and have door prizes (门票对号奖). It also helps to connect books to the real world. They talk about things that are happening in the community, so they can relate whatever they’ve read in the book to what’s happening now.
Here they have long talks about the books they have selected, which most kids don’t get to do when they’re in school, and these kids say, in book clubs they’re learning to love books and love reading.
“I feel like I’m actually in the book and doing what the actual main character is doing,” says 13-year-old Justin Woodard.
16-year-old Antonia McManus says reading gives her a nice break from the day, “Sitting down and reading a book gives me some time to get away from the world, and get my mind straight.”
1. What does the underlined phrase “catching on” in Paragraph 1 mean?A.Happening. | B.Realizing. | C.Becoming popular. | D.Bringing in. |
A.Book clubs develop very fast in America. |
B.Book clubs are popular among American kids. |
C.American kids’ habits are changing towards reading. |
D.A new trend helps change children in America. |
A.book clubs are designed to improve kids’ study |
B.book clubs are mainly to help kids forget the reality |
C.kids like to go there for the silent surroundings |
D.kids may get unexpected rewards in book clubs |
A.She finds reading restful. | B.She could get some sound sleep. |
C.She likes the noisy conditions there. | D.She can deal with her problems there. |