1 . Marian Bechtel sits at West Palm Beach’s Bar Louie counter by herself, quietly reading her e-book as she waits for her salad. What is she reading? None of your business! Lunch is Bechtel’s “me” time. And like more Americans, she’s not alone.
A new report found 46 percent of meals are eaten alone in America. More than half(53 percent) have breakfast alone and nearly half(46 percent) have lunch by themselves. Only at dinnertime are we eating together anymore, 74 percent, according to statistics from the report.
“I prefer to go out and be out. Alone, but together, you know?” Bechtel said, looking up from her book. Bechtel, who works in downtown West Palm Beach, has lunch with coworkers sometimes, but like many of us, too often works through lunch at her desk. A lunchtime escape allows her to keep a boss from tapping her on the shoulder. She returns to work feeling energized. “Today, I just wanted some time to myself,” she said.
Just two seats over, Andrew Mazoleny, a local videographer, is finishing his lunch at the bar. He likes that he can sit and check his phone in peace or chat up the barkeeper with whom he’s on a first-name basis if he wants to have a little interaction(交流). “I reflect on how my day’s gone and think about the rest of the week,” he said. “It’s a chance for self-reflection. You return to work recharged and with a plan.”
That freedom to choose is one reason more people like to eat alone. There was a time when people may have felt awkward about asking for a table for one, but those days are over. Now, we have our smartphones to keep us company at the table. “It doesn’t feel as alone as it may have before all the advances in technology,” said Laurie Demeritt, whose company provided the statistics for the report.
1. What are the statistics in paragraph 2 about?| A．Food variety. | B．Eating habits. |
| C．Table manners. | D．Restaurant service. |
| A．He makes videos for the bar. | B．He’s fond of the food at the bar. |
| C．He interviews customers at the bar. | D．He’s familiar with the barkeeper. |
| A．The trend of having meals alone. | B．The importance of self-reflection. |
| C．The stress from working overtime. | D．The advantage of wireless technology. |
2 . Imagine driving down a country road past a huge, open field where goats are eating grass. Suddenly a truck breaks down and makes a loud noise. Just as suddenly, the goats fall to the ground.
A few moments pass. The goats are back on their feet. What just happened? Well, the goats were very frightened and dropped to the ground, but not all goats act like this. There is only one kind of goat that behaves this way when it is surprised. It is called a Tennessee Fainting Goat.
In the 1800s, a farmer arrived in Marshall County, Tennessee, with a few goats and a cow. People say he came from Nova Scotia, Canada. Since the man did not talk much, no one knew where he got these goats. When he left, he took the cow, but he sold the goats.
The behavior of one of the goats was different from most others. Being frightened caused the goat’s body to go stiff and sometimes fall over. No one had seen goats do this before. They began to call this new goat a Tennessee Fainting Goat.
This special kind of goat does not actually faint. They just look like they do. The fainting goats stay awake. The baby goats, however, usually do fall over, but the good thing is that they do not have far to fall. Some older ones learn to stand near something like a fence or a tree, just in case they are frightened.
Now there are about three thousand fainting goats in the United States. People enjoy raising them, because goats of this kind are gentle, smart, and playful. They just get scared stiff now and then. The moment of stiffness only lasts about ten or fifteen seconds. Then the goats walk and act like any other goat.
1. What happens to the goats that fall to the ground a few moments later?| A．They fall asleep. | B．They eat much more. |
| C．They stand up again. | D．They are taken away by the truck. |
| A．Green fields. | B．A light wind. | C．Loud thunder. | D．Pleasant smells. |
| A．No one likes to raise them. | B．Not all of them really fall over. |
| C．Their stiffness lasts a long time. | D．Not all of them stay awake when they faint. |
| A．likes eating outside | B．sleeps during the day |
| C．comes from Canada | D．acts in a strange way |
3 . The Internet plays a big part in human life. We use it for work and pleasure. We use it to learn a new language. We find advice on it. We use it to connect with family and friends. We use it to stay in touch with events we care about. The list goes on and on.
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, researchers say. A new study finds that heavy Internet use may be connected to high blood pressure in an unlikely group: teenagers.
High blood pressure makes your heart and blood vessels work too hard. Over time, this extra pressure increases your risk of a heart attack. High blood pressure can also cause heart and kidney disease. It is also closely linked to a brain disease.
The Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan did the study. 335 young people, from 14 to 17 years old , took part in it. 134 of the teens were described as “heavy Internet users.” And researchers found that out of these 134 teens,26 had high blood pressure. The researchers say the study is the first to connect heavy web use with high blood pressure. Other research has connected heavy Internet use with anxiety, depression and obesity.
The lead researcher is Andrea Cassidy Bushrow. She said, “Using the Internet is part of our daily life, but it shouldn’t ruin us.” Ms. Cassidy Bushrow adds that it is important for teens to take regular breaks from their computers or smartphones and do some kind of physical activity. She also suggests that parents limit their children’s use of the Internet to two hours a day, five days a week.
1. The expression “that train has left the station” in Para. 2 is used to show________.| A．the Internet develops rapidly | B．no one can escape from the Internet |
| C．the Internet can provide whatever we want | D．there is no going back to an Internet free life |
| A．Causes of high blood pressure. | B．The harm of high blood pressure. |
| C．The disadvantages of Internet use. | D．Ways to prevent high blood pressure. |
| A．teenagers shouldn’t use the Internet |
| B．the Internet will ruin human life in the future |
| C．smartphones are more harmful than computers |
| D．regular breaks are necessary when using the Internet |
| A．Heavy Internet users are mostly teenagers | B．How to prevent teenagers from the Internet |
| C．Too much Internet use may be bad for teenagers | D．Every coin has two sides—so does the Internet |
4 . What should I eat for breakfast? Who should I go out with on weekends? What should I do if I miss the bus to school? What colleges should I apply for? Again and again Chinese kids ask these questions to their teachers and parents. They can't make their own choices.
Kids in America would be very surprised to hear how much Chinese children depend on adults.When they are ten years old, kids decide what clothes they want to wear and buy.By twelve they know what classes to take for middle school.Thirteen years old is the beginning of being what Americans call a “teenager”.Now the child makes almost all his/her decisions — what to do after school;who are his/her friends, sometimes even when to come home at night. Finally at sixteen the kid usually gets a car from his/her parents. Now he or she can come and go when he/she likes.The only rule is when they come home at night.
Why should kids be independent? Think about it. After high school most of us will be by ourselves. Will our parents be able to tell us what to eat for breakfast in college? Can our teachers decide what we should do at work?
Making our own choices can be quite hard and scary. But we can start with making small choices,and then slowly make bigger and more important choices. Before we know it we will become independent, confident and able to make our own decisions! And we will have a lot more fun!
1. The first paragraph tries to tell the readers ________.| A．Chinese kids don't know what to do |
| B．Chinese kids always have many questions |
| C．Chinese kids believe in their teachers and parents |
| D．Chinese kids depend on adults very much |
| A．Ten. | B．Eleven. |
| C．Twelve. | D．Thirteen. |
| A．Generally, American kids are more independent than their Chinese fellows. |
| B．Chinese kids will more easily adapt (适应) themselves to society. |
| C．American parents don't care for their children. |
| D．A seventeen American young can do what he likes. |
| A．dependence on adults is shameful in China |
| B．independence from adults is worth encouraging |
| C．kids have no ability to make a real choice |
| D．making decisions is rather easy |
5 . Day Trip: Van Gogh Alive at The Dali Museum
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step inside an artistic masterpiece, Van Gogh Alive at The Dali in St. Pete is a must-do experience. The Dali is the first museum in North America to host this hilly immersive (浸入式) art experience.
Read on for all the details, on display through June 21, 2021.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Book your timed ticket and your timed entry at thedali.org in advance. This includes Dali members, out of concern for social distance. Face mask wearing is required.
NEW HOURS AT THE DALI
Open 10:00 a. m. — 6:00 p. m. daily and until 8:00 p. m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Admission is half off on Thursday nights.
DOWNLOAD THE APP
The Dali has a fantastic app worth downloading, which takes you on a deeper dive about the art you’ll experience and more about the artist himself. You’ll also get the augmented reality (AR) experience with Dali’s works, too.
THE EXHIBIT
The exhibit has three areas — there’s a smaller open room, a larger open gallery, and lying in between is a bedroom sized room. You are surrounded by enormous screens on the wall and even a few on the floor. High-definition projections (高清投影) of his paintings like ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘starry Night’. sketches, and even quotes pulled from the numerous letters he wrote during his lifetime fill the giant screens on the walls and floor, making you feel as if you’ve stepped inside Van Gogh’s masterpieces. In a way, you have.
It’s not just the images, but the sound that makes this a multi - sensory experience. The classical music soundtrack of Van Gogh Alive helps bring the works to life by tugging at your heartstrings, connecting you to the misterpieces in a way you’ve probably never felt before.
1. Who is the text intended for?| A．Van Gogh Art lovers. | B．Fans of Dali Art. |
| C．Museum working staff. | D．Photography enthusiasts. |
| A．Download the Dali app. | B．Booked timed tickets online. |
| C．Wear face masks and gloves. | D．Learn about the artist in advance. |
| A．To advertise more coming exhibits. |
| B．To introduce a unique experience. |
| C．To tell about the life of an artistic genius. |
| D．To present details of some masterpiece. |
6 . When I was about twelve, I headed to a restaurant for dinner with my family. It was a windy winter night. As my mom and I headed towards the restaurant from our car, a girl about my age and her mother came up to us. They asked if we had any spare dollars. My mom immediately asked where they kept their things. They pointed to an old car in the parking across the street. The girl said there were six of them living in that car, the same size as my own family.
My mom said she had something to do after handing the people a few dollars. She sent me inside the restaurant with my dad and my three siblings(兄弟姐妹). But she didn’t come.
Later, I found out she had gone home and emptied our cupboards into a few bags. Then, she brought that food over to the car and handed the bags to the family. I wasn’t there when that part happened, but I could imagine the joy it brought to their faces.
A few days later, when I actually found out about what she had done, I asked her why she helped those people. She told me that they were not lucky. I remember the face of that girl who had asked us for dollars;she was the same age as me, yet our lives were so different.
Here I stood, dressed in almost new clothes, headed to a restaurant and then back home to the bedroom I shared with my younger sister. I remembered thinking that the girl didn’t have any food to eat and that she was heading back to a cold car shared with five other people.
After painting this picture in my mind, I understood my mom. I will never forget what she did that night. And that night I also learned one of the best lessons she taught me.
1. We learn from the passage that the girl about the writer’s age_____.| A．lived a hard life |
| B．had her own bedroom |
| C．received a good education |
| D．made friends with the writer |
a. My mom gave the girl a few dollars.
b. My family was on the way to a restaurant.
c. My mom went home and brought some food.
d. We met with a girl and her mother asking for dollars.
| A．b, d, a, c |
| B．b, a, c, d |
| C．d, a, c, b |
| D．d, c, b, a |
| A．Patient. |
| B．Strict. |
| C．Proud. |
| D．Kind. |
7 . When I was six, Dad brought home a dog one day, who was called “Brownie”. My brothers and I all loved Brownie and did different things with her. One of us would walk her, another would feed her, then there were baths, playing catch and many other games. Brownie, in return, loved each and every one of us. One thing that most touched my heart was that she would go to whoever was sick and just be with them. We always felt better when she was around.
One day, as I was getting her food, she chewed up one of my Dad’s shoes, which had to be thrown away in the end. I knew Dad would be mad and I had to let her know what she did was wrong. When I looked at her and said, “Bad girl, ” she looked down at the ground and then went and hid. I saw a tear in her eyes.
Brownie turned out to be more than just our family pet. She went everywhere with us. People would stop and ask if they could pet her. Of course she’d let anyone pet her. She was just the most lovable dog. There were many times when we’d be out walking and a small child would come over and pull on her hair. She never barked or tried to get away. Funny thing is that she would smile. This frightened people because they thought she was showing her teeth. Far from the truth, she loved everyone.
Now many years have passed since Brownie died of old age. I still miss the days when she was with us.
1. What would Brownie do when someone was ill in the family?| A．Look at them sadly. |
| B．Play games with them. |
| C．Keep them company. |
| D．Touch them gently. |
| A．She was treated as a member of the family. |
| B．She played games with anyone she liked. |
| C．She went everywhere with the family. |
| D．She was loved by everybody she met. |
| A．Caring. |
| B．Polite. |
| C．Brave. |
| D．Shy. |
8 . Traveling to a foreign country can make you frightened if you don't know the local language.Mr.Thibault has a number of tips to help travelers manage in a destination when they don't speak the native tongue, based on his own experience.Here are a few of them.
Download a Language Translation App
Mr.Thibault tends to rely on Google Translate and suggests that travelers find an app that works for them.Ideally, find one that specializes in the language you need to translate especially if the language uses a character set you’re not familiar with, or have difficulty pronouncing.
Speak with Your Hands and Head
Pointing with your hands and nodding or shaking your head, Mr.Thibault said, are easy ways to communicate with locals in the country you’re in.“Gestures are all universally understood，” he said.
Learn a Few Key Words
Knowing basic words and phrases like "hello""thank you” and “I’m sorry，I don’t speak your language.Do you speak English?” is a must, Mr.Thibault said.Showing that you care enough to learn some of the language before you go, and at least enough to acknowledge that you don’t know more, is a form of respect and will make you go a long way to be liked by locals.
Work with a Local Travel Agent
If you feel particularly uncomfortable in the country you’re heading to, and you have to go anyway, relying on a local travel agent who knows both your and your destination's languages can be incredibly useful.
Hire a Local Tour Guide
A tour guide can help you get a better grasp of the local language and is a good person to practice words and phrases with.Whenever Mr.Thibault visits a new country, he books a sightseeing tour with a guide on the first day of his trip.“I use this day to learn about my destination and get familiar with the language,”he said.
1. In what situation should a language translation app be applied while traveling abroad?| A．When you have trouble pronouncing the words. |
| B．When you want to acknowledge your ignorance. |
| C．When you want to practice the local language. |
| D．When you feel uncomfortable in the country. |
| A．Downloading a language translation app. |
| B．Learning a few key words. |
| C．Using body language. |
| D．Working with a guide. |
| A．By speaking with your hands and head. |
| B．By learning a few key words. |
| C．By downloading a language translation app. |
| D．By hiring a local tour guide. |
9 . Obviously television has both advantages and disadvantages.
In the first place, television is not only a convenient source of entertainment, but also a comparatively cheap one. With a TV set in the family people don’t have to pay for expensive seats at the theatre, the cinema, or the opera .All they have to do is to push a button or turn a knob, and they can see plays, films, operas and shows of every kind. Some people, however, think that this is where the danger lies. The television viewers need do nothing. He does not even have to use his legs if the has a remote control. He makes no choice and exercises, no judgment. He is completely passive and has everything presented to him without any effort in his part.
Television, it is often said, keeps one informed about current events and the latest developments in science and politics. The most distant countries and the strangest customs are brought right into one’s sitting room. It could be argued that the radio performs this service as well; but on television everything is much more living, much more real. Yet here again there is a danger. The television screen itself has a terrible, almost physical charm for us. We get so used to looking at the movements on it, so dependent on its pictures, that it begins to control our lives. People are often heard to say that their television sets have broken down and that they have suddenly found that they have far more time to do things and the they have actually begin to talk to each other again. It makes one think, doesn’t it?
There are many other arguments for and against television. We must realize that television itself is neither good nor bad. It is the uses that it is put to that determine its value to society.
1. Television, as a source of entertainment, is ______.| A．not very convenient | B．very expensive |
| C．quite dangerous | D．relatively cheap |
| A．Because TV programs are not interesting | B．Because TV viewers are totally passive |
| C．Because TV prices are very high. | D．Because TV has both advantages and disadvantages |
| A．it keeps us informed | B．it is very cheap |
| C．it enables us to have a rest | D．it controls our lives |
| A．its quality | B．people ’s attitude towards it |
| C．how we use it | D．when we use it |
10 . A simple project to help a family in need stopped Luck Mickelson in his tracks. In 2012, he and his family were inspired to build and donate a bunk bed, one bed on top of the other, after learning there were local children who slept on the floor. Shocked to discover how widespread this need was in his community, Mickelson founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds to children in need.
Born and raised in Idaho, Mickelson, now 41, had a thriving career. He coached his kids' sports teams and fished in the nearby river. But when he met children who were sleeping on the floor, his peaceful life changed course.
Using safety guidelines and his daughter’s bunk bed as a model, Mickelson started buying wood and supplies to build beds with his own money. He recruited friends and family members to help around the holidays. As the word spread, interest and involvement from his and other communities flooded-along with Mickelson's bunk bed output. "That first project, we built 11 bunk beds in my garage, "he said. "The next year, we did 15. Then it doubled every year. In 2017, we built 612 bunk beds.”
With the motto "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town”, the nonprofit and its more than 65 branches have built and delivered more than 1,500 free beds to children across America. But along with the rapid growth, Mickelson was faced with a tough choice: advancing his career or his nonprofit. He chose the latter and went from making "great money to zero money". He's never looked back. "I found that the need I have isn't financial, "he said. “The need I have is seeing the joy on kids’ faces, knowing that I can make a difference.”
1. Why did Mickelson set up Sleep in Heavenly Peace?| A．To get more donations. | B．To make a big fortune. |
| C．To inspire his community. | D．To donate beds to kids in need. |
| A．He originally had a very good career. | B．He changed his career from time to time. |
| C．He used to sleep on the floor when he was a kid. | D．He had his own fish farm. |
| A．They showed little interest in it. |
| B．They were supportive and involved in it. |
| C．They were doubtful about the safety of the bunk bed. |
| D．They volunteered to buy beds with their own money. |
| A．Ambiguous | B．Defensive. | C．Positive | D．Cautious |
