Are you addicted to computer games? Do you stay up all night playing them? Do you feel happy after you play computer games?
There’s no doubt that the excitement and appealing of games these days makes them hard to put down. We are attracted by the choice when it comes to gaming: You can role play—creating your own fantasy characters and stories, giving you a chance to step out of everyday life into an imaginary world. And there are shooting games where you can let out your anger and depression in violent situations where you kill people with guns. You can get excited from the games.
However, can these kinds of games really be fun and can being absorbed in virtual reality be good for us? Should we worry about their effects on our health? Popular games like Grand Theft Auto have been blamed for everything from falling results at school to causing acts of extreme violence. Internet safety adviser, Alan MacKenzie, thinks “any people understandably will just think that a game is just a game and not realizing the exact content that’s in there”. He gives an example of the violence, which he says is “wholly inappropriate for anybody, not to mention children.”
Others will argue that gaming is a harmless form of entertainment. There is evidence that playing video games could actually be good for us. Some games like Game of Thrones and World of Warcraft are educational and using games certainly can help children learn good qualities. Studies have also shown that the skills used in playing games can cause growth in certain areas of the brain, the ability to think in 3D and even improve our eyesight.
Video game players are also no longer just simple creatures. For some, gaming is having a positive effect on their social lives with games like Halo and World of Warcraft often being played in groups. When your group works together to win the game, your sense of achievement is higher than when winning by yourself.
So every coin has two sides. It seems today, gaming isn’t just for game fans and if used in a proper way, we can all take part. If video games have two sides, what side do you stand by?
1. The writer used a lot of questions at the beginning to _______.| A．show his worries about the effect on health |
| B．lead into the topic of the passage |
| C．ask the reader for their own opinions about games |
| D．doubt the advantage of playing computer games |
| A．the contents of the game are complex |
| B．games contain extreme violence |
| C．popular games lead to students’ falling results at school |
| D．gaming is a harmful form of entertainment |
| A．Han Meimei passed the exam after playing the games. |
| B．Li Hua leant many English words from playing games. |
| C．Sunyan worked well with his teammates |
| D．Yang Li let out his anger and expressions. |
| A．by giving some examples |
| B．with descriptive words |
| C．by providing some numbers |
| D．with some research results |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Have you ever played a computer game for a long time and then kept seeing the game’s images afterward? This happened to me with the classic shape-falling game Tetris (俄罗斯方块), created in 1985 by Alexey Pajitnov.
Feeling stressed one evening, I turned on my Switch to find a game to play and relax with. That’s when I discovered Tetris. Before I knew it, I was obsessed. Even when I stopped, my brain was still playing, with the blocks falling in my mind. I started looking at objects in the real world and thinking about how they could be moved and stacked (堆叠) together. I even dreamed about Tetris. I was experiencing the common “Tetris effect”.
Introduced by journalist Jeffrey Goldsmith in his 1994 Wired magazine article called “This Is Your Brain on Tetris”, the effect has been observed by psychologists and researchers. The lasting images of Tetris are due to the “Zeigarnik effect”, in which people have better memories of uncompleted tasks than those of completed ones. Tetris, being a game that technically never ends, keeps you thinking of the game’s unfinished task, reported Tech Times. And the catchy music stays with you, too.
There are also positives to the Tetris Effect. In his 1991 study, psychologist Richard Haier at the University of California found that continuously playing Tetris resulted in the thickness of the cerebral cortex (大脑皮层) increasing, which improves brain efficiency (效率), reported psychology website Practical Pie. Haier’s discovery got Tetris put into the Guinness World Records Video Gamer’s Edition 2008, as the “first video game to be proven to improve brain functioning and efficiency”.
Tetris has also been researched for use as a treatment for people suffering from trauma (创伤). The Yale Scientific Magazine reported that researchers at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK, found that playing Tetris appeared to reduce intrusive (侵入性的) memories in the short term for individuals affected by motor vehicle accidents.
So, the next time you want to play a computer game, why not try the classic Tetris and see if it improves your brain function? But he warned, you’ll likely be seeing falling blocks everywhere.
1. What does the underlined word “obsessed” in paragraph 2 probably mean?| A．Quite shocked. | B．Extremely interested. |
| C．Highly satisfied. | D．Very curious. |
| A．It is related to how our memory works. | B．It is an uncommon among Tetris players. |
| C．It can result in the “Zeigarnik effect”. | D．It is mainly related to the game’s music. |
| A．Improved memory. | B．Lifted study efficiency. |
| C．Better brain function. | D．Physical recovery. |
| A．Serious. | B．Humorous. | C．Worried. | D．Doubtful. |
【推荐2】Children love playing outdoors. They usually get muddy, with no regard for the colour of their clothing. “Don’t get dirty!” was once a constant family warning, as parents watched their children ruin their best clothes. They were happy running through farmer’s fields or climbing trees.
According to the experts, parents don’t have to concern too much about it. Recent research shows that the dirt outside can develop resistance to a range of illnesses. Certain natural materials, such as mud, contain surprisingly powerful microorganisms (微生物群) whose positive impact on children’s health we are only beginning to fully understand.
Many of the psychological benefits of outdoor play are established as well. Our brains evolved in beautiful landscapes, and the way we perceive the world is particularly suited to wild outdoor spaces. This means that natural scenes provide the perfect level of stimulation (刺激).
Outdoor play can also offer valuable learning experiences.
Today, with the attraction of video games and social media, contact with nature is rarer than in the past. More and more parents begin to recognize the importance of outdoor play.
| A．Outdoor play does better to children’s physical growth, compared with getting muddy. |
| B．For many, it is simply an opportunity to get close to nature. |
| C．They may secretly wish their children had the chance to pick up a bit of dirt. |
| D．They recommend using nature as an accessible way of interacting with others. |
| E．It helps children develop the way their senses and movement interact. |
| F．It helps refresh the brain and even reduce depression and anxiety. |
| G．It was obvious that children’s whites would turn brown before the day was over. |
Why play games? Because they are fun, of course, and a lot more besides. Following the rules...planning your next move...acting as a team member...these are all “game” ideas that you will run into throughout your life.
Think about some of the games you played as a young child, such as hopscotch and hide-and-go-seek. These games are more than a hundred years old, and children all over the world play them.
The games of children’s cultures are entertaining and fun. But perhaps more importantly, they translate life into exciting dramas that teach children some of the basic rules they will be expected to follow the rest of their lives, such as taking turns and working together.
Many children’s games have a practical side. Children around the world play games that prepare them for work they will do as grown-ups. For example, some Saudi Arabian children live in the desert. They play a game called bones, which sharpens the hand-eye coordination (协调) needed in hunting.
Many sports encourage national or local pride. The most famous games of all, the Olympic Games, bring athletes from around the world together to take part in friendly competition. Audience wave flags, knowing that a gold medal is a win for an entire country, not just the athlete who earned it.
Sports are also a unifying event. Football is the most popular sport in the world. People on all continents play the game--some for fun and some for a living. Nicolette Iribarne, a football player from California, has discovered a way to spread hope through football. Iribarne created Futbol 4 Refugees after joining in an international football match. The aim of the group is to provide children living in refugee camps with footballs. Other groups such as Playing for Peace and Right to Play provide opportunities for children who otherwise might never play football or throw a Frisbee.
The next time you play your favorite game or sport, think about why you enjoy it. What skills are needed in your favorite game or sport? Do you think these skills will help you in other aspects of your life? But most importantly, the next time you play, have fun.
1. What can games teach children? (不超过5个词)2. What is the value of the Olympic Games? (不超过8个词)
3. According to the author, what is most important when we play games? (不超过5个词)
4. Please give a title to this passage. (不超过8个词)
You'll learn how to make your serious classes fun, how to ensure everyone gets better grades, how to help stimulate(刺激) the brighter kids while nurturing the slower ones, and how to associate fun with learning by teaching vocabulary grammar through language games. Earn even more appreciation, love and respect from your students and their parents for your teaching.
The games presented here work for ESL (English as a Second Language) pupils aged 4 to 12. These games are most suitable for beginners to intermediate(中级的) students.
Don't take my word for it; read evidence from teachers and parents：
| I found it valuable right away! Although I only bought your book on Monday, and today is Wednesday, I want you to know how valuable I have found it to be. I have used a couple of the games in school already and the children loved them. Most importantly, they were learning and reviewing English at the same time. Can I admit that I also enjoyed my lessons more? Gila Goldberg, Jerusalem |
| The games help with learning difficulties! My daughter Aurore has learning difficulties and since coming to your classes she has gained confidence and has improved in all subjects at school. Mrs. J. Brown, Canterbury, Kent, the UK |
Click here to order now with our secure server. Remember, if you are not satisfied, just let us know and we will refund(退款) you in full. You still get to keep the essential bonus material for free, and that's a rare timesaving gain, plus a value of 25 dollars.
1. The passage is mainly written for ________.
| A．students | B．girls | C．teachers | D．doctors |
| A．Teachers should make their classes serious. |
| B．A good class should associate fun with learning. |
| C．Only smart children can learn from the games. |
| D．Only pupils aged 2 can make good use of the games. |
| A．you can complain to a local newspaper or Shelley Ann Vernon |
| B．you can get half your money back and keep the material |
| C．you can get 25 dollars back, but you have to return the product first |
| D．you will get your money back without returning the essential bonus material |
| A．tell teachers how to teach |
| B．recommend games to kids |
| C．persuade teachers to buy a book |
| D．show her students' good performance |
●New labels to show calories
The US government ruled that all food establishments(场所) should put the calorie information of their foods on their menus. Within a year chain restaurants, like fast food KFC, will have to say clearly on their menus how many calories their fried chicken wings, fries, and other items contain. Amusement parks, movie theaters and supermarkets will also have to follow the rules. The move is designed to fight against the problem of obesity(肥胖) in the US.
● Antibiotics leading to world problem
The entire world is facing this problem: antibiotic resistance. And the resistance will lead to the deaths of 10 million people across the world by 2025, predicted a new report released by the UK government. Antibiotics are used to destroy or slow the growth of harmful bacteria in our bodies. But overuse and misuse of them can encourage bacteria to develop new ways of overcoming antibiotics, which makes it increasingly difficult for humans to fight diseases.
●___________________________________
Australia is the world's most expensive destination for international students, according to a study done by Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). They have to spend an average of $ 42,000 ( about 258 ,000 yuan) a year to study at Australian universities. Singapore is not far behind, with an average yearly cost of $ 39,229, followed by the US at $ 36,564 and the UK at 35,045. However, Australia's education quality only ranks joint fourth with Canada, well below the US, the UK, and Germany. In addition, international students studying in Germany only have to pay about one-sixth the cost of studying in Australia.
● New Games sports may be added
The International Olympic Committee has canceled the 28-sportcap for future summer Olympics But each summer Games will still only be allowed 10, 500 athletes and 310 events. Countries that could host the games will discuss plans with the committee during a new invitation stage before bidding. They are also allowed to hold events outside their own countries and get financial support from the committee. No changes will be introduced for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
1. The news brief covers ______________.
| A．medicine, disaster, finance, events |
| B．business, medicine, economy, sports |
| C．service, health, education, events |
| D．health, medicine, education, sports |
| A．serious diseases | B．medical drugs |
| C．harmful bacteria | D．varieties of resistance |
| A．The cost of studying overseas |
| B．Australian study most expensive |
| C．International students in Australia |
| D．Australia's education quality |
| A．Some events may be held outside the host country in future summer Olympics |
| B．It is Australia's best education quality that will cause students to make a wise choice. |
| C．It is necessary for the UK government to try hard to encourage using lots of antibiotics. |
| D．Popcorn sold in cinemas in the world will soon have calorie information labels. |
【推荐3】Every year, runner all over the world challenge themselves in marathons(马 拉松)long running events that go on for tens of kilometers. On October 12, Eliud Kipchoge ran a record-breaking marathon. He finished a42. 2-kilometer-long marathon in just 1 hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds. The 34-year-old Olympic champion from Kenya became the first person to run a marathon of the full length in less than two hours.
I can tell people that no human is limited. I expect more people all over the world to run under two hours after today, “Kipchoge told Live Sports.
Besides Kipchoge’s hard work, a few science and technology tricks also helped him make history.
Hills and turns slow runners down. Kipchoge’s team picked a course in Vienna for its gentle curves(弯曲度). The city’s cool and dry weather also helped keep Kipchoge’s body running more efficiently. A special pair of shoes also played a big part. The shoes are made of a new material, which can take in a runner’s energy when his et meet the ground. Then it returns part of the energy to the runner, which helped Kipchoge run faster.
What’s more, Kipchoge had a dream team of 41 members. Five runners formed a V-shape ahead of Kipchoge, which reduced drag. Two runners followed directly behind to push him forward. The team took turns running every 5 kilometers. Kipchoge stayed under a two-hour pace for almost the whole race. A pace car drove in front of everyone and cast (投射) a laser beam(激光束)on the road, keeping the team at the right pace. ”Few world records today are technology-free, “ the Xinhua News Agency said.
1. According to the passage, Kipchoge was the first person to __________.| A．run a full-length marathon in Kenya |
| B．use technology in an Olympic marathon |
| C．finish a full-length marathon in two hours |
| D．win an Olympic marathon championship |
| A．His team chose a course in Kenya for his training. |
| B．Cool and dry weather kept him from running efficiently. |
| C．He trained to deal with sharp hills and turns in Vienna. |
| D．His record was partly because of the specially-designed shoes. |
| A．Kipchoge worked harder than other runners. |
| B．Kipchoge’s new record was a result of free technology. |
| C．Science and technology played a role in Kipchoge’s win. |
| D．Keeping the right pace was the key to Kipchoge’s success. |
| A．A diary. | B．A newspaper. |
| C．A guidebook. | D．A novel. |
【推荐1】Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil all the year or for different periods of time during the year. Wetlands vary widely because of differences in soils, climate, water and others. Wetlands can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Two types of wetlands are recognized on Earth: coastal wetlands and inland wetlands.
Coastal wetlands, as their name suggests, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific and coasts. They are closely linked to the estuaries (河口)where sea water mixes with fresh water to form a special environment. The salt water and the fresh water mix to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Therefore, many coastal areas aren’t suitable for plenty of plants. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the conditions form coastal wetlands.
Inland wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams that are surrounded by dry land. Certain types of inland wetlands are common to particular areas of the country. Many of these wetlands are seasonal. The amount of water and the time of its presence partly affect the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year often provide important living places for wildlife in these areas.
The value of a wetland to human society depends on a set of relationships between the wetland and the other ecosystems. Wetlands play an important role in the ecosystem. Many species of birds and animals rely on wetlands for food, water and shelter. The plants and wildlife in wetlands are part of global cycles for water. Besides, scientists are beginning to realize that atmospheric maintenance (大气维护)may be another wetlands’ function. Wetlands store carbon within their plant communities and soil instead of giving it out to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Thus, wetlands help to improve global climate conditions.
1. How many kinds of wetlands are mentioned in the text?| A．Two. | B．Three. | C．Four. | D．Five. |
| A．Off the coasts. | B．On Antarctica. |
| C．Near the estuaries. | D．Along the rivers. |
| A．A wetland’s. | B．Water’s. | C．Wildlife’s. | D．A stream’s. |
| A．The importance of the ecosystem. | B．The functions of the atmosphere. |
| C．The global climate conditions. | D．The value of wetlands. |
【推荐2】Waste heat is a worldwide energy problem most people have probably never heard about. Every machine and power station, even renewable energy like wind and solar, creates heat that is simply lost in the atmosphere. Thankfully, scientists and engineers are devoted to capturing heat and transforming it into useful electricity.
Thermophotovoltaic devices (热光电设备) are one promising way to use this waste heat. University of Michigan engineers have created a precisely machined thermophotovoltaic cell that could be used to generate electricity from surplus renewable power. The cells would use heat stored in molten salt and turn it into electricity on demand, in a form that is much cheaper than batteries, say its creators.
One of the factors important to any device’s thermoelectric efficiency is its material. If higher electrical energy can be created with smaller temperature differences, then the materials are said to have a high ZT value. And a new material created by scientists in Vienna has broken the ZT value world record.
Any new thermoelectric material has to have a distinct advantage, and research is identifying a number of promising products. Pyroelectric films (热电薄膜) are aimed at waste heat emitted at less than 100 degrees Celsius (212 F) and can generate electricity when a material is either heated or cooled.
Low-temperature generation includes computers and cars, making pyroelectrics particularly useful for squeezing more energy out of electronic systems.
Another relative advantage is inexpensive materials. More abundant elements like tin, selenium, and magnesium are cheap and abundant, with high ZT values when combined in the right way. Their use could lead to greener car engines and industrial facilities.
And when it comes to personal electronics, thermoelectric could eventually see off traditional charging hardware. Chinese researchers have built a wristband that gathers body heat to power a LED and may be able to power smartwatches or other mobile devices in the future.
1. Where is waste heat probably from?| A．Running cars. | B．Burning heaters. | C．The shining moon. | D．Living plants. |
| A．They are a renewable power. | B．They can produce waste heat. |
| C．They help capture waste heat. | D．They have similar ZT values. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Hopeful. | C．Cautious. | D．Neutral. |
| A．Health. | B．Education. | C．Nature. | D．Science. |
【推荐3】Researchers have been looking into silicon carbide(碳化硅), a promising alternative material for the semiconductor (半导体) industry, for several years now. Size, weight and efficiency are three important factors for power electronic to fit in e-cars. Silion carbide meets all three factors. It is more efficient but leaves a smaller footprint than conventional semiconductors such as silicon.
Even so, silicon carbide isn’t to be found in any e-cars on the road today. This semiconductor material is still limited to research labs. To shift it from the lab to the factory, the Si on Carbide Module (模块) project has taken into consideration all the conditions of industrial production. The module's design is a good case: researchers at the Fraunhofer IZM are basing it on the structure of the classic printed circuit board that the industry has long favored. This should speed up its first display.
The module is also benefiting from the latest scientific advances. Instead of wire-bonding the semiconductor to the package, the researchers decided to put it directly in the circuit. The team also brought the potential customers on board for this development effort. In the project’s first year, they drew up a specification (规格) sheet illustrating the requirements for the module and semiconductor. The researchers worked closely with users, catering to their wishes when they determined the product specification.
Automakers, component suppliers and OEMS were directly involved in the effort to map out the power-electronic module’s size, layout and electrical circuits. The group sought to make the most of the space available in the vehicle’s power train. Lars Bottcher, group leader at the Fraunhofer IZM and head of the SiC sub-project, says, “The major goal is to advance the new semiconductor material silicon carbide to mass production.”
1. What do we know about silicon carbide?| A．It is larger than silicon. | B．It is still under research. |
| C．It has been used in some e-cars. | D．It has been shifted to the factory. |
| A．To draw up a formal agreement. |
| B．To adjust the module accordingly. |
| C．To witness their effort and success. |
| D．To wire-bond the semiconductor to the package. |
| A．To mass-produce silicon carbide. |
| B．To change the shape of the module. |
| C．To increase the volume of the module. |
| D．To expand the production of powered vehicles. |
