Shen Yinjing, a therapist in Shanghai, volunteered to help distressed people in the coronavirus-stricken cities by offering counselling over the phone or by text. Before long she was running an online support group for people being treated in the hospitals for COVID-19 patients. Now Ms. Shen wonders how she should assist those losing their beloved ones because of the disease.
Ms. Shen is among a small group of mental-health professionals who have provided support during the coronavirus outbreak. Hundreds of universities and charities have set up “psychological hotlines” for people suffering from depression.
Such attention reflects a profound change in official and public attitudes. In recent years, the government has begun to stress the importance of mental health in the country’s long-term development goals.
At the same time, mental-health counseling has become more widely available, particularly for those willing to pay for private treatment.
| A．She says shame still surrounds those who seek help from mental-health professionals. |
| B．A mental-health law, passed in 2012, advised against the previously common practice of confining people in psychiatric wards against their will. |
| C．Its members provide psychological support for nearly 30 people who lost loved ones to the virus. |
| D．She worries many people won’t seek help though losing loved ones causes lasting mental pain. |
| E．Their efforts have enjoyed backing from the government, which has issued many instructions to guide the mental-health response to the disease. |
| F．These days many Chinese recognize that mental-health problems are common. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Are people less or more happy when they get older? A study in 2018 found that people generally become/happier and experience less worry after age 50. In fact, it found that by the age of 85, people are happier with their life than they were at 18.
Arthur Stone in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University in New York led the-study. His team found that levels of stress were the highest among adults between the ages of 22 and 25.
Happiness was the highest among the youngest adults and those in their early 70s. But the people least likely to report feeling negative emotions were those in their 70s and 80s.
The survey also found that men and women have similar emotional patterns as they grow older.
The researchers also considered possible influences like having young children, being unemployed or being single. But, they found that influences like these did not affect the levels of happiness and well-being related to age.
| A．Stress levels dropped sharply after people reached their 50s. |
| B．So why will happiness increase with age? |
| C．Researchers surveyed more than 150,000 American adults. |
| D．At that time, the people were between the ages of 18 and 85. |
| E．However, women at all ages reported more sadness, stress and worry than men. |
| F．Happiness is not the only thing that apparently improves with age. |
| G．The survey did find an increase during middle age, especially in women. |
【推荐2】Welcome to the tour bus that helps you catch up on sleep. A new Hong Kong Sleeping Bus Tour is letting people get some much-needed extra sleep. The bus tour is a 76-kilometer, five hour ride around Hong Kong on a double-decker bus. Tickets for the Sleeping Bus Tour quickly sold out, passengers had to wait in the long line in front of the ticket office.
So how did the idea of the tour come out about? “When we were trying to develop new tours, I was stressed out by my work, and I couldn’t sleep at night. So I once suddenly passed out in my office because I had suffered from lack of sleep,” said Kenneth Kong of Ulu Travel, the organizer of the bus tours. “But when I was travelling on the bus, I was able to sleep well. So I create this tour that lets passengers just sleep on the bus.”
Dr. Shirley Li, who researches sleep at the University of Hong Kong, said, “People in Hong Kong don’t have enough time to sleep. Some people may tend to connect public transport with their sleep. And that’s why they found it easier to fall sleep on the bus. People can sleep on the bus at any time. So the Sleeping Bus Tour can really help them. And this tour also reminds the public about the drop in people’s healthy lifestyles.”
“I have been suffering from insomnia, so I am here to try and get some sleep. I know it is just for a moment, because I don’t want to move my comfortable bedroom into a bus and sleep in the sunshine,” said 25-year-old Anson Kong, one of the passengers on the first bus tour.
1. Which word can best describe the Sleeping Bus Tour?| A．Thorough. | B．Popular. | C．Quick. | D．Awkward. |
| A．He once fainted at work. | B．He went to work by bus. |
| C．He was the driver of the bus. | D．He was a passager of the tour. |
| A．Original but boring. | B．Flexible but expensive. |
| C．Effective but worrying. | D．Comfortable but unhealthy. |
| A．He wants to live in a bus. | B．He wants to enjoy the sunshine. |
| C．He wants to change his sleeping habit. | D．He wants to have a comfortable bedroom. |
【推荐3】Influenced by their families and society, many youths are infatuated with expensive famous brands. But not every youth is as rich as a millionaire and people are getting worried about this.
According to a recent survey, one out of five pupils wears clothes of well-known brands, including a belt worth 560 Yuan, more than an ordinary worker’s salary. Among the 100 middle school students surveyed, as many as 70 own famous-brand clothes, 60 have famous-brand watches and 45 possess famous-brand bicycles. Two of them even wear over 1500 Yuan worth of suits.
Most young people who come from ordinary families will try to steal money to have better food and clothing if their parents don’t satisfy their needs. A boy named Chen even killed another boy simply for 500 Yuan and was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.
People wonder how these teenagers can be independent in the future, while parents are calling for help from schools, governments and the society.
1. Which of the following is not true according to the passage?| A．More than 50 percent of the students surveyed possess things of famous brands. |
| B．An ordinary worker owns less than 560 Yuan each month. |
| C．Suits may cost as much as 1500 Yuan. |
| D．Young people now are as rich as millionaires. |
| A．steal money for better food and clothing |
| B．kill another boy for 500 Yuan |
| C．stay in prison for nine years |
| D．ask his parents to satisfy his needs |
| A．The governments | B．The schools |
| C．The society | D．All the above |
| A．Youths Run After Famous Brands. |
| B．Youths Should Own More Money |
| C．Youths As Rich As Millionaires |
| D．Youths Must Be Taken Good Care of |
•________ A number of studies have shown playing video games can lead to structural changes in the brain, including increasing the size of some regions, or to functional changes, such as activating areas responsible for attention or visual-spatial skills. New research from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya has gone further, showing how cognitive changes can take place even years after people stop playing. According to Marc Palaus, the author of the study, what most video games have in common are elements that make people want to continue playing, and that they gradually get harder and present a constant challenge. “These two things are enough to make it an attractive and motivating activity, which, in turn, requires constant and intense use of our brain’s resources. Video games are a perfect recipe for strengthening our cognitive skills, almost without our noticing.” |
·Birds sing softly in pandemic San Francisco birds started singing differently in the quiet of the coronavirus lockdown, according to a study in Science. Before, the urban white-crowned sparrow’s breeding territories were almost three times as loud as rural territories, the study found. But during the pandemic, researchers noted noise levels in urban areas were drastically lower. In fact, they were consistent with traffic flow in the mid-1950s. “We found birds sang more softly when noise levels were lower,” researchers said. Even though the birds were singing more softly, the study found communication distances nearly doubled, elevating species fitness and increasing mating potential. “In addition, the signal-to- noise ratio doubled, which helps explain media reports suggesting bird songs sounded louder during the shutdown,” the researchers said. |
·Visitor sued over negative review An American has been sued by an island resort in Thailand over a negative TripAdvisor review and could face up to two years in prison if found guilty. A recent visit to the Resort on Koh Chang Island landed Wesley Barnes in trouble after he wrote unflattering online reviews about his holiday. Barnes was accused of causing “damage to the reputation of the hotel”, and of quarrelling with staff over not paying a corkage fee for alcohol brought to the hotel. According to the review Barnes posted in July, he encountered “unfriendly staff“ who “act like they don’t want anyone here”. The Sea View Resort said legal action was only taken because Barnes penned multiple reviews on different sites over the past few weeks. |
| A．Playing games improves memory. | B．Playing games enhances brain structure. |
| C．Playing games attracts everyone. | D．Playing games faces a great challenge. |
| A．The noises of traffic flow. |
| B．The influence of pandemic. |
| C．The quietness because of the coronavirus lockdown. |
| D．The signals in the urban areas. |
| A．neutral | B．negative | C．subjective | D．favourable |
【推荐2】France announced on Sunday that it has implemented a 48-hour ban on travel to Britain, joining a growing number of European countries halting travel to Britain after a new strain of the coronavirus was detected in that country. At least six European countries have announced flights will cease if they haven’t done so already, while France and Belgium have banned train travel.
French officials said the 48-hour stoppage would give them time to find a “common doctrine” to stop the spread of the new COVID-19 variant. French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday.
Germany, which holds the EU presidency, called a special crisis meeting for Monday to coordinate a response.
Top health officials in Britain say a new, fast-moving variant of the coronavirus could be up to 70% more transmissible than previous ones. This strain appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England. But there is no evidence the new strain is deadlier or would react differently to the vaccine, according to BBC News.
As a result of the new strain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Saturday a new tier of coronavirus restrictions, the strictest yet, and canceled the planned five-day Christmas relaxation period that had been planned from December 23 through 27.
“I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren,” Johnson said Saturday. “But when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defense.”
1. Why did France implement a 48-hour ban on travel to Britain?| A．Because the country was going to have a holiday. |
| B．Because people in France couldn’t afford it. |
| C．Because coronavirus broke out in France. |
| D．Because a new strain of coronavirus was detected in that country. |
| A．France was the only European country which banned traveling to Britain because of coronavirus. |
| B．The new variant of the coronavirus is more dangerous. |
| C．In Britain, the 5-day Christmas relaxation period was cancelled. |
| D．People in Britain don’t care much about Christmas holiday |
| A．It could be up more transmissible than previous ones. |
| B．It appears to be driving the rapid spread in the whole Britain. |
| C．It would react differently to the vaccine. |
| D．It’s not as deadly as the previous ones. |
| A．Pleased. | B．Regretful. | C．Doubtful. | D．Indifferent. |
【推荐3】To keep social distancing and work at home during the pandemic (流行病) has led to less time moving around, and more time sitting and looking at screens. For many office workers, working at home means spending hours sitting at our desk.
Start small
People trying to start exercising often get caught up in an “all or nothing” thinking which means either I do zero or I do two hours. And if I don’t get two hours, then it doesn’t count, or it’s not good enough.
Part of developing a good exercise habit is to know yourself well. Knowing what’s possible and what’s not realistic for you. For instance, if you’re not a morning person, don’t plan to exercise in the morning. And if you hate running, don’t run just because someone tells you it’s good for you.
Walk whenever you can
Sitting less and walking more will make a big difference. Use your stairs instead of an elevator. And if you don’t have to go out, just walk room to room back and forth to get those extra steps. If you have a meeting, use the break of that meeting to walk around.
| A．Make sure to know yourself well |
| B．Choose a suitable time for yourself |
| C．All these steps will count and be helpful |
| D．That’s a great place for everybody to walk |
| E．But five minutes is believed to be better than none |
| F．And it is ruining our health physically and mentally |
| G．You can think of possible ways for you to start or stick to |
About five years ago, I was part of a pilot group tasked with helping the disabled be successful inside the organization. My boss decided to be the sponsor for the pilot and he was very kind. Until then we had only hired people with visually challenged disability.
I led the interview process and hired a candidate with autism (自闭症). The candidate had the qualifications but our interview panel felt the disability would prevent him from learning the skills and being competent for a job. I convinced my peers(同伴)to give him a role, and try out. He finally was hired as a temporary contractor.
I gave the candidate a lot of encouragement and became one of his mentors(导师). He slowly and surely blossomed in the workplace. There were many difficulties and barriers along the way. But he tried his best to overcome all the challenges his disability brought him with my help, which deeply moved his colleagues and leadership. Gradually, he came to be accepted by them. He too won many friends and admiration at the workplace.
Fast forward five years, he called me last night to let me know that he got a formal offer yesterday from his manager as a regular employee with a job title. I congratulated him and told him my joy. He went on to say “Sir, without your support all these years, I would not be here.” I told him “Your success is the reward of your hard work and persistence. You are an inspiration to a lot of people with similar disabilities.”
Isn’t it wonderful that a person with disability is becoming very successful in a workplace and makes his family so proud?
1. What was the task of the pilot group?2. Why didn’t the interviewers want to hire the candidate?
3. Please decide which part is false in the following statement, then underline it and explain why.
▶The candidate gradually came to be accepted by his colleagues and leadership because he managed to make friends with them.
4. Among the qualities of “I”, which one(s)do you think will be important for us? Why?(In about 40 words)
【推荐2】When Michelle Brenner left her retail job in March, she began grocery shopping for the people who are most at risk for contracting COVID-19.
The 45-year-old Gig Harbor, Washington resident was happy to offer her services free of charge. After a few days, Brenner noticed that she was getting a lot of requests for lasagna, a dish she grew up making in her Italian grandmother’s kitchen.
“If any of you wants some fresh homemade, no calorie counting lasagna, please let me know and I will gladly prepare it,” Brenner wrote on her community Facebook page. “Within a day or two, I had a few orders.”
The single mom used her entire $1,200 check to buy ingredients. But a week later, Brenner, who is now known in her town as the “Lasagna Lady,” could barely keep up with the demand. She prepared 60 lasagnas over Easter weekend in her 10-by-10-foot kitchen with no assistance.
Since March, Brenner has whipped up roughly 1,200 lasagnas. The majority of the people Brenner serves are elderly or low-income — but not all.
“It’s everybody and anybody,” she explained. “Some people just don’t want to cook. Some are afraid to leave their house. One man came by who had just lost his father and his young son.”
For the past five weeks, Brenner has been working out of a commercial kitchen at the Gig Harbor Sportsman’s Club. When the club’s president, Le Rodenberg, got word about what Brenner was doing, he offered her the space. Besides, Rodenberg has received over $22,000 in donations.
1. What did Brenner first do for free?| A．Her retail job. | B．Grocery shopping. |
| C．Buying lasagna. | D．Answering questions. |
| A．It tasted delicious. |
| B．It was nutritious and free. |
| C．It was delivered home. |
| D．It made her famous overnight. |
| A．Made. | B．Posted. | C．Consumed. | D．Sold. |
| A．A Lady Comforts Her Community with Free Food |
| B．Michelle Brenner Becomes Famous Overnight |
| C．A Dish Makes People Comfortable in Washington |
| D．People React Well to a Kind Lady’s Behaviour |
【推荐3】Music is a great connector; it brings people happiness. That’s why during the 2020 lockdowns (封闭) in the UK, when work for musicians dried up, singer Chloe Edwards-Wood came up with the idea of singing for people who were isolated (隔离) and struggling. That’s where Give a Song comes in.
Today, after 480 musical visits to over 8,000 people who need to isolate or live in care homes, the organisation is still spreading wellbeing and happiness.
At first, Edwards-Wood posted on Facebook about her idea and 15 people reached out to her including a leader from the Goldsmith Community Centre in Lewisham. She teamed up with the Goldsmith and Give a Song became a reality.
The first time Edwards-Wood performed on a stranger’s doorstep, she did so near her home along with another musician. “It was really terrific,” she said. “As soon as we started that first song, the barriers (障碍) came down. I remember thinking: ‘This is it! It works!’. The person loved it and people stopped to watch and listen. ”
Visits are organised through an online form. Usually 2-4 musicians go to the person’s home to perform a few songs with instruments. The visits usually last 15 minutes.
Edwards-Wood said, “I feel like music brings people together in some way, and it’s a way of communicating,” she said. “If you don’t have a common ground to have a conversation with someone, there’s always a song that can do it for you. ”
It’s not just the people that receive the concerts who benefit from them. It has also been life changing for Edwards-Wood. “I don’t know what my life would have looked like without this,” she said. “Being able to share all these moments of musical joy, I feel very lucky. ”
1. What do we know about Give a Song?| A．It encourages people to enjoy music. |
| B．It tries to communicate with people. |
| C．It has made much money. |
| D．It is quite well received. |
| A．By teaming up with a lot of organisations. |
| B．By singing for isolated people door to door. |
| C．By sharing her idea online. |
| D．By looking for a leader. |
| A．Challenging. | B．Alarming. |
| C．Wonderful. | D．Common. |
| A．Listening to music right at home |
| B．Bringing music to people’s front door |
| C．The great contribution of Give a Song |
| D．The best way to connect people together |
