Handing your baby a phone or a tablet to play with may seem like a harmless solution when you’re busy, but it could actually affect their development, a new study has found.
Having anywhere from one to four hours of screen time per day at age l is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication skills, fine motor skills, personal and social skills,and problem-solving skills by age 2, according to a study of 7,097 children published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The study measured how many hours children used screens per day at age 1 and how they performed in these developmental domains (领域) at ages 2 and 4. Both measures were according to the mothers’ self-reports.
By age 2, those who had had up to four hours of screen time per day were up to 3 times more likely to experience developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills. Those who had spent four or more hours with screens were 4.78 times more likely to have underdeveloped communication skills, 1.74 times more likely to have poor performances in fine motor skills and two times more likely to have underdeveloped personal and social skills by age2. By age 4, risk remained only in the communication and problem-solving categories.
“One of the areas that is relatively understudied in the whole screen time literature is looking at the impacts of screen exposure on very young kids, especially when screens are introduced to babies,” said Dr. John Hutton, an associate professor of general and community pediatrics (儿科) at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “It’s definitely a global concern, and I think the findings should really be applied to other countries as well.”
“Technology use can take time away from interpersonal relationships that develop social skills since real people are more multidimensional than characters on a screen.” Hutton added. Looking at people’s faces is when our brains turn on to figure out how to interact with them.
1. What does the new study focus on?| A．A baby’s mental health. | B．Children’s developmental skills. |
| C．A kid’s academic performance. | D．Students’ creative abilities. |
| A．Analyzing data. | B．Giving examples. |
| C．Reviewing literature. | D．Doing experiments. |
| A．The impact of screen exposure should be studied. |
| B．The findings should be applied to certain countries. |
| C．Global attention should be paid to kids’ screen hours. |
| D．Screens should be introduced to more and more babies. |
| A．What Faults Can Be Found with Screens |
| B．What Difficulties A Young Kid Will Face |
| C．How Screens Change Academic Performance |
| D．How Screen Time Influences Kids’ Development |
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【推荐1】Can you think of something that has been around for thousands of years and is still used in different cultures around the world? Something that fits this description is makeup.
Even though makeup might seem new, it was an important part of daily life in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago. At that time, both men and women utilized things like eyeshadow, eyeliner and lipstick nearly every day.
For a better make-up result, a wealthier Egyptian woman would first clear her dead skin using salts from the Dead Sea. Then, she would use a milk-and-honey face mask to wet her skin. Taking milk baths was also a way to make the beauty routine (日常) a more luxurious experience. After all of this, the makeup could then be applied.
But people in ancient Egypt didn’t just use makeup to look more attractive. They also used it for rituals (宗教仪式). For example, a black powder called kohl was used around the eyes to protect them from the bright desert sun. In fact, the Egyptian word for “makeup palette” comes from a word that means “to protect”.
These makeup palettes (调色板) were used to mix colored powders with animal fat or vegetable oils to make the different products. They usually had symbols (符号) of animals or goddesses on them. It was believed that the powers of these animals would be put into the makeup when it was mixed together, giving the wearer unusual talents.
Interestingly enough, makeup was also an important part of ancient Egyptian burial rituals. From life into death and beyond, makeup helped to shape ancient Egyptian culture. Even though makeup is still used in modern times, it is interesting to know that it is linked to the ancient world.
1. What does the underlined word “utilized” in Paragraph 2 mean?| A．bought. | B．used. |
| C．removed. | D．changed. |
| A．Go swimming in the Dead Sea. | B．Drink milk to wet their skin. |
| C．Remove the dead skin with honey. | D．Follow a beauty routine. |
| A．They helped deliver messages from goddesses. |
| B．They protected them from bad luck. |
| C．They gave people special abilities. |
| D．They brought the dead back to life. |
| A．Makeup in Ancient Egypt | B．Changes in Ancient Egyptian Culture |
| C．The Rituals in Ancient Egypt | D．The Makeup Palettes in Ancient Egypt |
【推荐2】On March 7, 1907, the English statistician Francis Galton published a paper which illustrated what has come to be known as the “wisdom of crowds” effect. The experiment of estimation he conducted showed that in some cases, the average of a large number of independent estimates could be quite accurate.
This effect capitalizes on the fact that when people make errors, those errors aren’t always the same. Some people will tend to overestimate, and some to underestimate. When enough of these errors are averaged together, they cancel each other out, resulting in a more accurate estimate. If people are similar and tend to make the same errors, then their errors won’t cancel each other out. In more technical terms, the wisdom of crowds requires that people’s estimates be independent. If for whatever reasons, people’s errors become correlated or dependent, the accuracy of the estimate will go down.
But a new study led by Joaquin Navajas offered an interesting twist (转折) on this classic phenomenon. The key finding of the study was that when crowds were further divided into smaller groups that were allowed to have a discussion, the averages from these groups were more accurate than those from an equal number of independent individuals. For instance, the average obtained from the estimates of four discussion groups of five was significantly more accurate than the average obtained from 20 independent individuals.
In a follow-up study with 100 university students, the researchers tried to get a better sense of what the group members actually did in their discussion. Did they tend to go with those most confident about their estimates? Did they follow those least willing to change their minds? This happened some of the time, but it wasn’t the dominant response. Most frequently, the groups reported that they “shared arguments and reasoned together”. Somehow, these arguments and reasoning resulted in a global reduction in error. Although the studies led by Navajas have limitations and many questions remain, the potential implications for group discussion and decision-making are enormous.
1. What is paragraph 2 of the text mainly about?| A．The methods of estimation. | B．The underlying logic of the effect. |
| C．The causes of people’s errors. | D．The design of Galton’s experiment. |
| A．the crowds were relatively small | B．there were occasional underestimates |
| C．individuals did not communicate | D．estimates were not fully independent |
| A．Unclear. | B．Dismissive. | C．Doubtful. | D．Approving. |
Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, organized the first flash mob in Manhattan in May 2003 and the first successful flash mob gathered on June 3, 2003 at Macy’s department store involving 100 people gathering on Macy’s Department Store. Following this, about 200 people flooded the lobby of the Hyatt hotel, applauding in one voice for fifteen seconds, and next participants pretending to be tourists on a trip invaded a shoe shop in Soho. A later mob saw hundreds of people in Central Park making bird noises.
Wasik claimed that he created flash mobs as a social experiment designed to tease hipsters (追逐时尚的人), and highlight the cultural atmosphere of agreement and of being part of “the next big thing”. Many web logs, chat rooms and Web groups are devoted to the craze. Though flash mobs were originally regarded as useless, the concept has already developed for the benefit of political and social events. Flash mobbing takes advantage of the efficiency of communicating information on Websites and by email, and protesters can similarly use the “on and off” concept to be involved in political events. Such flash mob gatherings can sometimes shock or frighten people who are not aware of what is taking place. They also have enormous economic potential, such as using flash mobs to advertise a product.
The flash mob is now becoming more and more popular. People use it to do many things. For example, in 2009, hundreds of Michael Jackson’s fans took part in a flash mob to remember him, gathering outside the railway station in Liverpool, singing and dancing Michael’s famous song, beat it together. In another example, some people took part in a flash mob to warn people against negative words. Flash mobs give people from all walks of life an opportunity to come together to create a memory.
1. A flash mob is most likely to .| A．give out leaflets of a brand bicycle to the passers-by |
| B．gather in public places performing and leave quickly |
| C．plan to go mountaineering on the first day of Horse Year |
| D．sit for days in front of the city hall for higher wages |
| A．Harper’s Magazine | B．the government |
| C．political events | D．digital networks |
| A．to amuse and interest | B．to argue and advise |
| C．to describe and introduce | D．to question and comment |
【推荐1】Teenagers have been regarded as the new “spend, spend, spend” generation, but their spending could put their parents in debt.
A report shows that parents are lavishing cash on their teenagers so they can keep up with all the current fashion. But the report also shows that it is the age of the “kidult” as teenagers are acting older at a younger age and having a bigger say than ever in the clothes they buy and wear.
The majority of teenagers between 15 and 19 receive more than 100 pounds a month, but their plentiful pocket money is leading to many teenagers — particularly girls — becoming addicted to shopping as they spend a huge amount on clothes, make-up and electronic equipment.
Now the report is warning that the generous cash handouts from parents who owe a lot of money means the young people are not being taught important lessons in money management. Latest research from market analysts of Mintel International shows that British teenagers -11 to 19 years old - love to spend but they are not just spending their own money. According to Richard Caines, one of Mintel International Retail analysts, “Parents today are prepared to go well beyond simply satisfying the basic financial needs of their children. So much so that the amount of money parents give to their children significantly outstrips economic growth and will continue so. There is no doubt that in the future teenagers will be hitting the shops even more often than they do already.”
Today teenagers between 11 and 14 are more likely to receive at least 250 pounds a year as pocket money. The amount of pocket money obviously increases with age, so that between 15 and 19 years old the majority receive more than 100 pounds a month, with one in seven receiving 500 pounds or more.
1. Why do parents become indebted?| A．Due to their children’s pocket money. |
| B．Due to their children’s spending habits. |
| C．Because their children are acting older at a younger age. |
| D．Because their children have a bigger say than ever. |
| A．Paying. | B．Loaning. | C．Receiving too much. | D．Giving too much. |
| A．Kids get less when they are an adult. |
| B．7% of 15-19-year-old kids receive 500 pounds or more monthly. |
| C．11-14-year-old kids get 250 pounds a month. |
| D．The older the kids are, the more they get. |
| A．Learn how to handle their money. | B．Stop spending pocket money. |
| C．Hit the shops more often. | D．Be satisfied with the amount of their pocket money. |
【推荐2】Self-image is a mental blueprint or picture of ourselves - our own conception of the sort of person we are. Self-image is built up from our own beliefs about ourselves, the beliefs formed from our past experiences, successes, failures, relationships, etc.
Once a belief about ourselves is programmed into our minds, we act upon it as if it were true. Our positive beliefs are developed when we do something successfully or are recognized by people around us. Our negative beliefs are also developed when we give in to negative ideas. When we fail in something, some of us conclude that we are unsuccessful, unwanted, condemned, etc.
Thus, self-image is the key element in determining whether our internal guidance system functions for success or for failure. It sets the limits of our accomplishments, It determines what we can and cannot do. Self-image creates your character and your personality as well.
You may think the concept of self-image being an internal guidance system was got from the thought of a trained psychologist. In reality, the idea came from Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon who was more interested in helping people by giving them emotional facelifts, rather than just physical ones.
“Expand the self-image and you expand the ‘area of the possible’,” said Dr Maltz.
Maltz determined that the human brain and nervous system function as a kind of goal-seeking device similar to that used to guide airplanes on automatic pilot. Maltz’s idea is simple: each one of us is capable of taking control of our self-image and programming our automatic guidance system for success. According to Maltz, all behavior is defined by the self-image and no real behavioral change can take place unless the self-image is changed.
1. According the passage, our self-image is build up from the following except__________.| A．experiences | B．successes | C．hope | D．failures |
| A．The formation of self-image. | B．The function of self-image. |
| C．The definition of self-image. | D．The advantages of self-image. |
| A．A doctor. | B．A chemist. | C．A psychologist. | D．An environmentalist. |
| A．It is used to guide airplanes. |
| B．It has an effect on our behavior. |
| C．It can be controlled by our nervous system. |
| D．It can serve as a goal-setting device. |
【推荐3】To learn an instrument(乐器) such as the violin or accordion(手风琴)takes years. There are fewer job opportunities and greater competition. Then why are more people than ever before paying a lot of good money to get their children the best music teaching they can afford?
The secret lies in the effect of music on the whole person. It has been found that learning a musical instrument actually increases a person’s IQ over time. Different instruments and different types of music have varying effect, with classical music and the string(弦乐) family coming out on top, potentially increasing your IQ by up to 12 points!
When is a good time to start learning music? Experts have found that even the fetus(胎儿)can benefit from listening to classical music. Surround yourself and your family with good music from the first. The Suzuki Piano Method teaches children from the age of 3 years piano, with two lessons per week. From preschool, children can learn to read music and play from sheet music. Progress in learning your instrument is directly proportional(成比例的)to the amount of practicing.
Is there such a thing as an unmusical child? Shinichi Suzuki says that music is the native home language of all human beings and therefore nobody can be “unmusical”. Of course there are exceptional talents, compared to which others may seem to be slower learners.
Is there any benefit for adults in starting an instrument? Apart from the purely relaxing aspect, yes. Learning an instrument can earn even adults additional IQ points, and as an added benefit in improves your health by reducing your stress levels. Your social life may benefit too, if you are prepared to come out of your box and join occasions such as Ceilidhs (musical get-togethers) or arrange house concerts. It is believed that people who play instruments tend to be more emotionally balanced(平衡) and more patient with themselves, others and life in general.
So go ahead, sign up for that amateur orchestra(业余乐队), dust off your old trombone(长号)or take your first real six-string down from the attic(阁楼); get out there and play!
1. Playing which of the following musical instruments can help increase a person’s IQ most?| A．The piano | B．The violin |
| C．The trombone | D．The accordion |
| A．The progress in learning an instrument depends on natural gifts |
| B．It is too late for an adult to start an instrument |
| C．Every child has a natural talent for music. |
| D．All people can understand and read music. |
| A．Music can balance our life. |
| B．Music can improve our living conditions. |
| C．Playing instruments can make adults keep their IQ points. |
| D．Playing instruments can help us get along well with others. |
| A．persuade us to send our children to music schools |
| B．express his great interest in musical instruments |
| C．tell us the importance of Music in Development |
| D．invite us to attend Ceilidhs |
