【推荐1】We lead very busy lives and we too easily forget how hard it was for us to focus on homework when we were in school. Now that we have jobs to do, food to buy and cook and other errands(差事) to run, even I sometimes think it would be a welcome change to have to sit down and quietly read and write with no distractions. But, in case you don’t remember - homework is pretty much every child’s least favorite thing to do. In the age of Netflix, Snapchat and wifi, the distractions are almost endless. It can sometimes almost be too hard to even keep up with all the new tech advances our kids are using, so how can we make sure that those advances take a back seat to our children’s education? Here are some ideas.

There’s no point in stopping the reality that young people are going to focus on their phones and tablets instead of other things at times. Your best way is to accept, actually the tech sector continues to be the most profitable and fast-growing industries and that’s unlikely to change fast. There are ways to use technology to help your kid do homework. Ask your teacher and school staff what apps and websites they’re using to teach lessons and supplements(补充) them with at-home activities as well.

Even though technology has changed, the basics haven’t. If you want to read, write and think properly, you need to have peace and quiet and the ability to focus, right? Well, your kids are just the same.Try and find a space in your home to enable your kids to do work away from televisions, the Internet or other distractions. Let me be clear: this shouldn’t be a prison.I feel like I’m my most productive working alone in an office or at a busy cafe with my headphones on. Getting lost in other realities helps my creativity grow. Placing kids in isolation(独处) can often have a harmful effect and doesn’t always equal being more productive.

I feel like “getting engaged( 参 与 )” is always a big part of my advice for parents on just about everything. How can you make sure your children are being successful if you have no idea what they’re doing? How can you be sure they’re doing it right if you don’t know what is the correct answer? What do they need? You should be in touch with their teachers, have a sense of where the lessons are going, what kinds of tasks are being given and what success looks like in the classroom.

Knowing all of that is key to your child’s success, especially when matched with some encouraging praise and helpful tips on how he can keep going. Thinking about how your child is best motivated(激励) by other things and using those methods here reasonably isn’t a bad idea.

And if by chance you’re having trouble solving that Math problems or understanding a sentence, don’t fear – you’re not alone. Use the school staff, other parents or friends as your support. Better to seek help than do nothing.

We all know that homework isn’t exactly the most entertaining way anyone spends their time. And sometimes we can’t help but feel that since we left school, we’re done with homework forever. But the circle of life plays out in all times and it’s up to us to make sure that we pass on the lessons we’ve picked up and that while homework might seem dull, it’s how we build skills, learn real lessons and get on the road to greatness. That greatness is on the inside, it’s up to us as adults to enable the young people to bring it out. The key to achieving greatness is to take a lifelong learning.

1. What is the author’s attitude towards new tech?

A．It affects parents’ everyday life.

B．It should be kept out of children’s reach.

C．It can benefit student’s education.

D．It makes homework easier.

2. Which of the following ideas might the author agree with?

A．Homework should be made entertaining.

B．Parents should know what motivates their children best.

C．Students should do their homework independently.

D．School staff should help parents on new tech.

3. While parents engaged in their children’s homework, they________.

A．must be better at all the lessons

B．needn’t make sure that their children are being successful

C．can teach their children by themselves

D．should know as much as possible about it

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Children should achieve greatness on their own.

B．Parents and their children should learn from each other.

C．Children can hardly succeed without parents’ efforts.

D．Parents can only obtain skills by helping their children.

【推荐2】I have dreamed of taking a trip to Hawaii since I graduated, but the best thing always needs waiting.

I took a trip with my friends to Haleakala National Park, which lies in Hawaii.

When we arrived at Haleakala National Park, we were advised to watch the early morning sunrise. I was lost in the sightseeing (观光) that afternoon, so I could hardly wait to see the sunrise. The next morning, we all got out of bed very early and got to the seaside at 3 o’clock. In the first half an hour, we imagined how wonderful it would be when the first light came out through the thick clouds and how soft it would be when the light touched our skin, so we waited and waited. However, another half an hour later, I gradually lost my patience since there was nothing but the chilly darkness, and I felt that I was frozen to death. (冻死) But my friends were still extremely cheerful.

Nearly another one hour later, “Amazing!” Judy burst out and we all shouted to welcome the light, which was really unbelievable. Until today, I dare say that it is the most impressive sunrise in my life. However, waiting in the morning darkness is also one memory I can’t forget forever.

Waiting sometimes is really a hard thing for most of us as it needs patience and strong-willed determination (决心) , but what about the result after that? It might turn out to be pleasing and unbelievable. So, it is really worth (值得的) waiting for the best.

1. What can we learn from the passage?

A．he author’s friends and the author took a trip to China.

B．Hawaii is a good place to enjoy the sunrise.

C．Sometimes, it is worth waiting for the best.

D．The author enjoyed the worst sunrise in his life.

2. When did they see the first light of the sunrise?

A．About 3 o’clock.	B．About 4 o’clock.
C．About 5 o’clock.	D．About 6 o’clock.

3. What’s the meaning of the underlined word in Paragraph 2?

A．Total.

B．Cold.

C．Terrible.

D．Interesting.

4. How did the author feel when waiting for the sunrise?

A．Excited all the time.	B．Afraid all the time.
C．Firstly excited then afraid.	D．Firstly excited then impatient.

【推荐3】Common phrases like “ no pains, no gains” give the impression that we ought to be suffering while we study. It’s almost as though the only way to know if we’re putting in enough work is the sense of hardship we bear.
When we haven’t taken the time to come up with another idea, all we know how to do is shut ourselves in a room with a book. It’s no surprise that we find revision boring and difficult. Just as children learn from playing, we can learn from doing, or at least from study techniques that interest us, rather than make us switch off.
Shutting yourself away can make you learn to hate studying. This leads to a situation where instead of being able to concentrate on your work, you are troubled by how unfair it is that you must study.
When you hate your work it’s very difficult to make yourself star, or approach it with any kind of structure or enthusiasm. This can be part of a vicious cycle(恶性循环) that traps you into ineffective revision, your poor progress fuelling further annoyance.
Just being around other people really helps fight against feelings of loneliness and, thankfully, it’s perfectly possible to work in the company of other people. We just need to learn how to deal with distractions(使人分心的事物).
It’s not necessary to avoid all company, just idle(懒散的) company. Studying in the same room as someone who is ironing or working out is perfectly possible. People who are bored and looking to be distracted, however, are terrible to work around. They constantly try to keep others in conversation.
It’s also a good idea to avoid the company of people involved in activities that you would rather be doing than studying. _________________________________________________________________________.
If being around others means working in a noisy environment, a pair of headphones and some background music can block out even noisy children. They also act as a psychological barrier, so that people think twice before interrupting you.
When you’re studying for a big exam, it seems like your whole life is taken up with study. Friends and family can lessen feelings of isolation(孤立). And connecting with other people makes us happy, so it’s important not to give that up and to make sure that we take the time to socialize.
1. The author might believe that the phrase “no pains, no gains” ______.

A．best describes how to study well

B．makes people treat study as a habit

C．encourages people to learn step by step

D．is not a good inspirational phrase for study

2. Which saying about study might the author prefer?

A．There is no royal road to learning.

B．It’s better to work behind closed door.

C．A positive motivation leads to good study results.

D．He who is ashamed of asking is ashamed of learning.

3. Which might lead to an effective study based on this text?

A．A correct goal.	B．A good teacher.
C．A favorable interest.	D．A hard task.

4. The underlined sentence in Paragraph 7 implies that ______.

A．playing video games is helpful for an effective study

B．one shouldn’t let a video player to be his / her company

C．one should study from certain activities that he / she is interested in

D．the more time one spends in playing games, the higher marks he / she will get

5. If you are studying in a noisy environment, you’d better ______.

A．give indication of not wanting to be interrupted

B．give up others’ company at one

C．think twice before taking any action

D．force yourself to be accustomed to the environment

【推荐1】For Cruz, who grew up in Peru’s mountainous region of Cuzco, fog represents a massive opportunity. As a boy, he had to hike for more than an hour every day across rough hills to collect water from the nearest source. But over time, he realized that during the rainy season, drops of water would gather in the large leaves of banana trees. One day, he and his father built a canal system with the leaves to collect water. He moved to Lima at the age of 25.

Shocked by the water shortages and expensive water supply that some of the city’s poorest residents were suffering, Cruz set up EI Movimiento Peruanos sin Agua in 2005. The idea was to deploy the method he learned in his hometown on a larger, better-adapted scale, which would provide free, independently sourced and easily accessible water to those who needed it most. He began installing (安装) a traditional fog catcher model developed in the 1980s. The nonprofit provided the materials for free, and the community built the infrastructure (基础设施) themselves.

At the highest point of Los Tres Miradores, there is a curious set of large structures that is like a fleet of ships in the sky. They are so-called “fog catchers”. The 40 fog catchers there provide enough water for 180 families, whether to bathe, clean, drink (after being filtered at home) or to irrigate crops on small garden patches.

Supporters believe that fog catchers have the potential to improve water supply for communities around the world amid ever-challenging conditions. German researcher Lummerich says, “They are cheap, easy to construct. In a world searching for water supply systems, it is one important approach that can make an essential difference locally. It could make the difference between having water and not having water available.” There are some issues, however. For one, fog catchers require space, which is not always easy to come by in cities. At the same time, fog catchers must be properly cleaned and maintained to stay effective. Most crucially, appropriate climate conditions are required. Fog isn’t everywhere.

1. Why did Cruz set up EI Movimiento Peruanos sin Agua in 2005?

A．To raise money for the poorest residents.	B．To construct the infrastructure for the city.
C．To build a canal system for his hometown.	D．To offer water to people who need it badly.

2. What does the underlined word “deploy” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Employ.

B．Abandon.

C．Design.

D．Explore.

3. What is the problem with fog catchers in urban areas?

A．High expenses.

B．Public opposition.

C．Technical faults.

D．Space limitation.

4. Which of the following would be a suitable title for the text?

A．A practical application of fog catchers in cities	B．The development of a climate organization
C．A creative method of improving water supply	D．The importance of infrastructure construction

【推荐1】Good health is the most valuable thing a person can have, but one cannot take good health for granted. It is important to remember that the body needs proper care in order to be healthy. There are three things that a person can do to help stay in good shape: eat right food, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.

Proper nutrition (营养) is important for good health. Your body cannot work well unless it receives the proper kind of “fuel” (燃料). Don’t eat too much food with lots of sugar and fat. Eat plenty of foods high in protein (蛋白质), like meat, fish, eggs and nuts. Vegetables and fruits are very important because they provide necessary vitamins (维他命) and minerals. However, don’t overeat. It is not helpful to be overweight.

Getting the proper amount of sleep is also important. If you don’t get enough sleep, you feel tired and easily get angry. You have no energy. Over a long period of time a little a amount of sleep may even result in a change of personality (人的个性). Be sure to allow yourself from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you do, your body will feel strong and refreshed, and your mind will be sharp.

Finally, get plenty of exercise. Exercise firms the body, strengthens the muscles, and prevents you from gaining weight. It also improves your heart and lungs. If you follow a regular exercise program, you will probably increase your life-span (寿命). Any kind of exercise is good. Most sports are excellent for keeping the body in good shapes: basketball, swimming, bicycling, running and so on are good examples. Sports are not only good for your body, but they are enjoyable and interesting, too.

If everybody, were to eat the right foods, get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly, the world would be a happier and healthier place. We would all live to be much older and wiser.

1. According to the passage,_________.

A．we should always keep fit

B．if we were healthy, we could spend our days in doing things with less sleep

C．one can eat a lot to stay in good shape

D．one needn’t take any exercise if he is healthy

2. In order to keep good health, ___________ .

A．we should eat a lot of sweets	B．one needs a large amount of fat
C．people should eat according to the foods nutrition	D．we must try to sleep now and then

3. Eating more and sleeping less________.

A．can keep healthy	B．is no good for you
C．gets you more energy	D．will keep your personality

4. The writer explains ________in this passage.

A．how to eat	B．the importance of doing exercise
C．how to keep healthy	D．what to eat

5. The title of the article should be___________ .

A．Eating and Exercising	B．How Vitamins Work in Man's Body
C．Staying Healthy	D．Sleeping Well

【推荐2】Pokemon GO has become the most successful mobile game. It is now played in about 70 countries. While the game clearly has many fans, not everyone thinks the latest Pokemon fever is a good thing.

To play Pokemon GO, users follow maps on their phones that show virtual (虚拟的) animals, called Pokemon, in real-life places. Players have to walk around those places in search of Pokemon and try to catch as many as possible, which attracts kids most.

Fans of the game say it gets kids off the sofas and encourages them to play in new places and make new friends. That’s what Christine Elgersma, a senior app editor (编辑), thinks about it. And some educators are finding that Pokemon GO can also improve kids’ map skills.

Brain scientist Kristen Race says that kids pay so much attention to their phones that it doesn’t matter that they are outside. She warns that Pokemon GO gets in the way of real imaginative play. She argues that “even though a child may be playing this game outside, his brain is working in the same way it would as if he were spending hours inside. ”

There are some risks in playing Pokemon GO as well. Being distracted because of the game is one of the biggest dangers. People have walked into things, fallen down, and even been hit by cars while playing.

Elgersma says there are plenty of things kids can do to stay safe while playing Pokemon GO. She advises kids to discuss with their parents what they are allowed to do before playing. They should also pay careful attention to their surroundings (环境)and avoid talking to strangers. Finally, they should limit the amount of time they spend playing.

“Just like every other game, Pokemon GO should be used in balance with other things,” says Elgersma. “If it is, it can be a really great way for a family to have fun together.”

1. The greatest joy of playing Pokemon GO for kids is           .

A．to learn knowledge of geography on maps

B．to look for Pokemon here and there and catch them

C．to hide themselves and not to be found by Pokemon

D．to travel around the world without going out of their rooms

2. In the opinion of the Kristen Race,            .

A．kids had better play Pokemon GO outside

B．Pokemon GO is a big disaster for a family

C．parents should encourage kids to play Pokemon GO

D．Pokemon GO can’t really develop kids’ imagination

3. The underlined word“distracted”in Paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to“           .”

A．unfocused

B．intelligent

C．amazed

D．foolish

4. What do we know about Pokemon GO?

A．It is only popular with adults.

B．It can make kids fond of taking exercise.

C．It is dangerous for players in some way.

D．It probably sets up a home in people’s garden.