1 . What defines (定义) a generation? Often, experts say, members of a generation are defined by the events that shaped their lives as young adults.
“World events like wars, pandemics (大流行病) and racial unrest can be especially formative,” says Meg Jay, a psychologist and author of “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter — and How to Make the Most of Them Now”. Because our 20s are often when we have our first jobs and first relationships and first moves and first real-world experiences, these big events become important parts of our life stories.
In 2020, it was a pandemic.
For the last three months of 2020, the Monitor followed twelve 2l-year-olds from around the world. We wanted to understand how this global health crisis is encoding itself in the cultural DNA of a generation coming of age in its shadow. Their lives and circumstances as they rolled into 2021 varied wildly. But the lives of the 2l-year-olds we met had many obvious similarities. Separately, for instance, the internet was their collective lifeline to the world. In Mexico, an art student isolating in her family home posted a daily piece of art to Instagram to remind herself that time had not stopped altogether. In Germany, a labor organizer negotiated contracts and planned strikes via Zoom.
By the end of 2020, many of the world’s 21-year-olds had lost jobs; others wondered if they’d ever find one. In the U. S, youth unemployment doubled between July 2019 and July 2020. Also, the pandemic opened fault lines, and stressed old ones. In India, Jordan, and South Africa, our 21-year-olds wondered how they’d collect enough money for mobile data for online studies. In Mexico, Canada, and Germany, 21-year-olds reflected on loneliness as a privilege — that they were alone because they could isolate, their lives not dependent on doing otherwise.
We found a generation suspended (悬停) between the world they’d grown up in and uncertain arrival of their future.
1. According to Meg Jay, what determines the future of the people in their twenties?| A．Their fundamental changes of working circumstances. |
| B．Their great efforts of coping with uncertainties in life. |
| C．Their first experiences of the major events then. |
| D．Their deep reflections on the attitudes to life. |
| A．Significant employment challenges. | B．Potential social problems. |
| C．Special individual privileges. | D．Global health crises. |
| A．Approving. | B．Negative. | C．Critical. | D．Concerned. |
| A．The World Children Have Grown up in Defines a Generation |
| B．A Young Generation Was Suspended But Ready to Start |
| C．A Great Pandemic Has Brought Various Global Crises |
| D．World Events Changed the Lives of Young Adults |
2 . I’m a talker. I am keen on debating, gossiping and teasing when I have people to talk to. Under lockdown, however, I’ve only had my partner, Peter.
We not only lived, worked and travelled together, we mostly socialized together, too. Under the first UK lockdown, our already closeness began to feel uncomfortable. While talking to Peter, I could see his attention drift.
For the first time in our 10 years together, we needed to be alone. I tried to manufacture this by going on walks on my own, but a short walk wasn’t doing the job. I had hiked in remote spaces all over the world but always in a pair or group — for safety reasons. I considered my options and hit upon an idea: the semi-solo hike.
Could we do a circular hike but walk in different directions? This would give us the space and peace of a solo hike — done by a person alone. It felt like a promising way out, and he agreed to give it a try.
We started with a four-mile loop (环路) from Reeth. At the start, we parted ways. At first, I was aware of how close we were, which lessened the appeal. As I gained ground, however, I found myself very much alone. I set my own pace, and I decided to take my time.
I sat on a rock and breathed out. That moment — with the weak sun through the clouds and the breeze blowing — felt extraordinary to me. I was born and raised in London and had never imagined leaving until I met an outdoorsman. Now, my former life as a city girl felt crazy. In remembering what I had gained, I felt the tension leave me. There, in the chilly air, I no longer needed to talk. The semi-solo hike gave us a shared experience with added room to breathe.
I didn’t see Peter on the way but reunited back where we started, both pleased.
The semi-solo hike is admittedly silly in theory, but for me it has been a lifeline. It has given me the gift of time alone and, in a year of constant closeness, the joy of reuniting.
1. What motivated the author to adopt the semi-solo hike?| A．Peter’s disinterest in her words. |
| B．Her habit of venturing into the wild. |
| C．The lack of privacy under lockdown. |
| D．Her desire to engage in outdoor exercise. |
| A．Their routes coincide sometimes during the hike. |
| B．They depart in a separate way to different destinations. |
| C．They hike in each other’s company throughout the journey. |
| D．They start and return to the same place by a different route. |
| A．Fearless and refreshed. | B．Free and relaxed. |
| C．Tense and depressed. | D．Upset and embarrassed. |
| A．An appropriate distance creates beauty. |
| B．There are more solutions than difficulties. |
| C．Access to nature is better than social circles. |
| D．Hiking helps improve interpersonal relationships. |
3 . Welcome here! The Southern Spring Home&Garden Show will be held at the conference center of The Park Expo. This show will last from Wednesday (March 2) to Sunday (March 6, 2022).
Admission: Adults $10.00. Teenagers under 15 free with a paying adult.
Join Lincolnton’s own Tammie Davis as she performs her original country songs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th.
Special Days: The Spring for Kids First Night Gala benefiting the Council for Children’s Rights will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p. m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Tickets are $50 and include an access to Freedom Hall, where you can enjoy delicious food, beverage (饮料) and entertainment free of charge.
Seniors Day (55+): Wednesday is for them. Cost is $ 7.00 but without coupons (优惠券)．
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday&Sunday:10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Friday & Saturday:10 a.m.—9 p.m.
Wheelchairs are available on a first-come-first-served basis for you. The cost is $1.00 and you are required to leave a valid driver’s license or ID.
Parking: All Day Parking $ 6.00; Half Day Parking $ 3.00; Every Hour Parking $ 1.00 For More Information: Come to visit Mardee Woodward in person.
E-mail:mwoodward@southernshows.com Telephone: 704-376-4085
1. We can learn from the text that the show will .| A．take place in a private house | B．offer free parking |
| C．have the only one singer | D．last only five days |
| A．$30. | B．$10. | C．$20. | D．$40. |
| A．old people can visit the show only on Wednesday |
| B．there are not enough wheelchairs for the disabled |
| C．the disabled can use the wheelchairs free of charge |
| D．kids’ tickets on Wednesday don’t include beverage |
4 . Buying sunglasses can leave anyone puzzled by choice. But Bose may have stuck the landing in the style department with its new Bose Frames, designed to pump music directly into your ears and work with apps to deliver walking instructions and more.
Bose Frames look better than most smart glasses already around. The Frames are black, with gold accents on the power button. Those thick arms look like a pair of designer sunglasses you'd get from some pop shops guaranteed to be out of business in a year. More than one person commented on the Frames while I wore them around town, and two of my co-workers thought they looked surprisingly cool. And that was before they knew about the built-it speakers.
The Frames sound as great as they look, at least when you compare them to the headphones that came with your smart phones. In each of the Frames' arms is a mini speaker pumping music directly at your ears without being all up in them like typical earbuds (耳塞). On the outside of each arm is another speaker designed to cancel out what the inside one is playing. The end result: music you can hear, and silence anybody nearby can appreciate. Mostly.
Of course, you shouldn't wear these indoors or in a quiet environment, like a library. Bose Frames are essentially wearable speakers, meaning they leak sound, so people nearby can still hear something.
Bose Frames are not for everyone, nor are they great for every situation-sometimes, regular old headphones are more socially appropriate. But once you get over the astonishment that you're wearing a pair of glasses with built-in speakers, you might find them becoming a seasonal addition to you. If you're in the market for sunglasses, and are willing to drop two hundred dollars on a pair, Bose Frames are a solid option for every fashion forward futurist.
1. What impressed the author's colleagues at first about Bose Frames?| A．The low price. |
| B．The good look. |
| C．The limited edition. |
| D．The mini speakers. |
| A．Avoiding leaking any sound. |
| B．Connecting to smart phones. |
| C．Pumping music directly into ears. |
| D．Decreasing disturbance to people around. |
| A．To give tips on how to choose suitable sunglasses. |
| B．To compare traditional and high-tech sunglasses. |
| C．To introduce the newly designed Bose sunglasses. |
| D．To share the experience of wearing Bose sunglasses. |
5 . By now, most of us have picked up at least one pandemic hobby. And there's a seemingly common pandemic hobby trend: People who haven't been able to go anywhere are making imaginary travel plans. Maybe you're among those who have spent hours researching locations-even though you're not actually planning to travel.
It turns out that you aren't alone. People who seem to be sticking to public safety recommendations are still planning trips they don't intend to book. And, when I suddenly found myself addicted to an imaginary girls' trip to Joshua Tree, I wondered whether this was a healthy distraction.
"It's an escapist imagination," said Regine Galanti, a psychologist, adding that there's nothing wrong with escapism during a global pandemic.
On the one hand, distractions are often beneficial right now. We are a full year into living with COVID-19 as a pandemic, and that means you've probably had to navigate a range of emotions like discomfort, sadness, or even boredom. So any hobby that doesn't harm anyone or endanger your well-being is probably a worthy attempt.
Even if vacation planning is your happy place, Dr. Galanti suggests you "actually think about what you're trying to achieve." Why? "Maybe what you're saying is, I need a vacation from work," Dr. Galanti explains. "Then take three days off even if you are not going anywhere. "When you figure out what you're looking for, you might be able to find a small socially distanced adventure in your backyard or a quiet place. Vacation planning is a good way to spend some time, but there might be an even better way to get what you're desiring.
Anyway, when uncertainty is all around us, creating things to look forward to isn't a terrible idea. And when things are safer, you'll have all your plans in place.
1. Why do people make imaginary travel plans during the pandemic?| A．To develop a new hobby. | B．To stay safe and sound. |
| C．To be distracted from reality. | D．To get ready for future travel. |
| A．Express. | B．Balance. | C．Adapt to. | D．Deal with. |
| A．Objective. | B．Negative. | C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Figures. | B．Lifestyle. |
| C．Food and recipe. | D．Science and technology. |
6 . Albert Einstein’s 1915 masterpiece “The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity” is the first and still the best introduction to the subject, and I recommend it as such to students. But it probably wouldn’t be publishable in a scientific journal today.
Why not? After all, it would pass with flying colours the tests of correctness and significance. And while popular belief holds that the paper was incomprehensible to its first readers, in fact many papers in theoretical physics are much more difficult.
As the physicist Richard Feynman wrote, “There was a time when the newspapers said that only 12 men understood the theory of relativity. I do believe there might have been a time when only one man did, because he was the only guy who caught on, before he wrote his paper. But after people read the paper a lot understood the theory of relativity in some way or other, certainly more than 12.”
No, the problem is its style. It starts with a leisurely philosophical discussion of space and time and then continues with an exposition of known mathematics. Those two sections, which would be considered extraneous today, take up half the paper. Worse, there are zero citations of previous scientists’ work, nor are there any graphics. Those features might make a paper not even get past the first editors.
A similar process of professionalization has transformed other parts of the scientific landscape. Requests for research time at major observatories or national laboratories are more rigidly structured. And anything involving work with human subjects, or putting instruments in space, involves piles of paperwork.
We see it also in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Nobel Prize of high school science competitions. In the early decades of its 78-year history, the winning projects were usually the sort of clever but naive, amateurish efforts one might expect of talented beginners working on their own. Today, polished work coming out of internships(实习) at established laboratories is the norm.
These professionalizing tendencies are a natural consequence of the explosive growth of modern science. Standardization and system make it easier to manage the rapid flow of papers, applications and people. But there are serious downsides. A lot of unproductive effort goes into jumping through bureaucratic hoops(繁文缛节), and outsiders face entry barriers at every turn.
Of course, Einstein would have found his way to meeting modern standards and publishing his results. Its scientific core wouldn’t have changed, but the paper might not be the same taste to read.
1. According to Richard Feynman, Einstein’s 1915 paper ________.| A．was a classic in theoretical physics |
| B．turned out to be comprehensible |
| C．needed further improvement |
| D．attracted few professionals |
| A．Unrealistic. | B．Irrelevant. |
| C．Unattractive. | D．Imprecise. |
| A．The application of research findings. |
| B．The principle of scientific research. |
| C．The selection of young talents. |
| D．The evaluation of laboratories. |
| A．What makes Einstein great? |
| B．Will science be professionalized? |
| C．Could Einstein get published today? |
| D．How will modern science make advances? |
7 . Here's a simple question—answer it honestly, because your response could promote the level of pleasure in your daily life, put off dementia (痴呆), and even help you live longer. How many hours did you spend reading last week?
Recently, when researcher Mathew P. White and his workmates at the Yale School of Public Health dug into 12 years of information about the reading habits and health of more than 3,600 men and women, a hopeful pattern became known. Book readers who report more than three hours of weekly reading are 23 percent less likely to die than those who read only newspapers or magazines.
To understand why and what each of us can do to get the most out of our words, start by asking the same question the Yale team did. What is it about reading books that increases our brain power while reading newspapers doesn't?
For one，the researchers suggest that chapter books encourage “deep reading”. Unlike，say, going through a page of headlines, reading a book forces your brain to think creatively and make connections from one chapter to another, and to the outside world. When you make connections, so does your brain. Over time, these neural (神经的) networks can promote quicker thinking, which provides greater protection against dementia.
Secondly，reading books, especially novels，has been confirmed to increase empathy (共鸣) and emotional intelligence. Developing social tools such as empathy and emotional intelligence can lead to more and more positive human interaction, which in turn can lower stress levels—both of which are proven to help you live longer and healthier.
That’s not to say that magazines, newspapers, and online articles are of no benefit. Reading anything that fills your mind seems to bring about mental benefits. When it comes to words, addiction is encouraged. Because it pays to increase your word power—today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life.
1. How did White carry out the research?| A．By doing experiments. |
| B．By direct observation. |
| C．By interviewing in person. |
| D．By referring to former facts. |
| A．Promoting brain growth. |
| B．Preventing us from ageing. |
| C．Keeping us free from stress. |
| D．Strengthening neural networks. |
| A．Negative. | B．Positive. | C．Uncertain. | D．Unconcerned. |
8 . ◆ What Are We Talking About?
It’s called the Mozzy Watch. It is a stylish and comfortable band that instantly brings peace of mind, for it keeps those annoying mosquitoes away. It is made of a hardened ceramic material, so it is very tough and almost unbreakable. But how this device protects you against annoying insects is truly amazing…
◆ __________________________________________
Mozzy Watch uses ultrasonic sounds to repel (驱除) mosquitoes and flies! These ultrasonic frequencies are completely harmless to humans and pets. At first, we were skeptical about how this device could work without the use of chemicals. So, we decided to test it and the results were amazing. Everyone on our team experienced wonderful results after using Mozzy Watch.
◆ Key Mozzy Watch Features, Facts, and Benefits:
□ Completely safe Everyone can use this device: kids, pregnant women and even pets. It uses no chemicals and the ultrasonic sounds it produces have been proven safe.
□ Comfortable Mozzy Watch is lightweight and stylish.
□ Rechargeable with long battery life It can be charged using a normal USB charger and the battery can last up to one week.
□ Improves quality of sleep No more annoying buzzing mosquito sounds around your ears.
◆ How Much Does the Mozzy Watch Cost?
The Mozzy Watch is just $79.90, which is more than worth it, considering how much you save on the long run.
But it gets even better! If you click on any of the promotional discount coupons below, you’ll get it for $49 AND FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
◆ How Do I Get the Mozzy Watch?
Now that you know about this amazing new product, order one from the official supplier’s website here: https://top.com/mozzywatch
Enjoy peace of mind free from annoying mosquitoes and insects!
1. Which would be the best heading for Paragraph 2?| A．Why Do We Need Mozzy Watch? |
| B．Who Are Suitable To Wear Mozzy Watch? |
| C．How Does Mozzy Watch Work To Protect You? |
| D．How Did Our Team Do the Test On Mozzy Watch? |
| A．By describing its stylish design in detail. |
| B．By highlighting its unique technical features. |
| C．By offering feedback from thousands of users. |
| D．By giving special buy-one-get-one-free discounts. |
| A．Health. | B．Opinion. | C．Entertainment. | D．Sports. |
9 . One day about eight years ago in the departure lounge (休息室) of a flight from New York's LaGuardia airport to O'Hare in Chicago, I found a young boy in tears and his mother at his side also appeared upset, I walked to them and invited them to our VIP lounge.
As it turned out, the boy, Miles and his mom were returning to their home in Kansas City. Miles has had some health problems. Though he had received more than thirty operations in a Jewish Hospital in New York, he would be back for more.
Miles enjoyed spending his time in our VIP lounge looking at the entire wall filled with the pictures of many celebrities (名人) who often came to our office. We soon added Miles' picture to the wall among those celebrities.
Among the celebrities, Miles like the country singer Garth Brooks best. Miles would just sit and stare at Garth's picture,
One day, Mr. Brooks was waiting in the lounge for his flight. As he looked at the collection of photographs, Garth asked about the youngster with the big smile. We told him about Miles. We also told him how much Miles loved and respected (尊重) him. He nodded and left.
About six months later, Garth was going to be performing in Kansas City and he asked our workers to help him get in touch with the family. He wanted Miles to be his guest. That evening, not only did Miles sit in the front row, but he and Garth also had a private meeting after the performance.
Although Miles would receive many more treatments after that special evening, his smile greeted us with every following visit. The face of a sick boy was changed by the joy of a stranger.
1. What does the author probably do?| A．A worker at an airport. | B．A killed photographer. |
| C．A country music singer. | D．A doctor in a Jewish hospital. |
| A．Interviewing celebrities he saw there. |
| B．Seeing pictures of celebrities on the wall. |
| C．Drawing pictures of the celebrities there. |
| D．Singing together with his favorite singer. |
| A．Determined and generous. | B．Proud and selfish. |
| C．Kind and helpful. | D．Powerful and rich. |
| A．Importance of Good Service | B．Kindness from Strangers |
| C．A Serious Health Problem | D．A Helpless Mother |
10 . Upon reflection of the ideal social moral code, within one sentence, it would be: be constructive, not destructive. Though “be constructive, not destructive” sounds sensible, there are many nuances (slight differences). Sometimes it is difficult to determine if an act is exactly constructive or destructive.
We can decide if something is constructive or destructive based on degree, for instance. Say your preschool son is acting up and broke a glass vase, even after you told him to stop grabbing and playing with it several times. You get a thought in your mind to spank him to give a punishment for his naughty action. However, you start to feel confused about whether this would be constructive or destructive. It might show him that not listening to you and breaking things is not welcome, but on the other hand, spanking him is an act of aggression that will hurt him physically and perhaps teach him to use force in situations later in life. There is no exact wrong or right in these moments. However, through your own reasoning, you can decide to what degree it would be beneficial or harmful to him and the situation at hand. Personally, I would not spank my son, as I think it does more destruction than construction. But, that is just me.
Another nuance to consider is the definition we give to construction and destruction. For example, for some people, construction can never involve violence, while for others, it could even be an essential part. Take the example of going back in time and killing Hitler. Killing someone is definitely termed a destructive act. However, in light of the circumstances, I would assume that the majority of people would agree that killing Hitler at the height of his power if they had the chance would be seen as a constructive, thus positive act. Therefore, our definitions often determine our values and how we behave upon those principles.
Additionally, construction and destruction can be filtered through a sociopolitical lens. Construction can be seen as good to some, and bad to others. Take for instance creating new homes in a forested area. Yes, homes for humans are made, but also the habitat for countless animals is being destroyed, or at least altered to an extreme. Construction, if it is true, it should be beneficial to all parties included. That is a tall order, though. Every step we take kills bacteria and other microorganisms—and perhaps plants, insects, and who knows what else. Destruction can be seen as a part of each moment. Plus, what a majority might regard as a constructive might be seen as destructive to a minority. Is there a way to determine which side is correct? It is almost impossible. Being in the majority in terms of a moral outlook does not mean it is correct, or more appropriate. There have been many instances in history when acts were regarded as constructive, but were later seen as destructive with a modern lens.
Though I consider “Be constructive, not destructive” the most solid one-sentence social moral code, it is not without its nuances and problems. For instance, the degree to which we consider something constructive or destructive, definitions of being constructive and destructive, and construction and destruction seen through a sociopolitical lens are all nuances. These differences consist of the confusion that this ideal social moral code causes. However, I cannot imagine a better code than the one stated in this essay in terms of living one’s life in a social context.
1. From the author’s view whether to punish a kid’s wrong doing or not depends on what extent .| A．A. it would bring him benefits or harms |
| B．he would modify his destructive behavior |
| C．his act is constructive or destructive |
| D．his destructive result might bring about |
| A．A. killing someone is definitely termed a destructive act |
| B．the majority of people would agree to kill Hitler |
| C．killing Hitler is seen as a constructive and positive act |
| D．definitions of social code decide our values and principles |
| A．Construction and destruction can advance social developments. |
| B．Construction can be seen as good to some, and bad to others. |
| C．What a majority might regard as a constructive might be seen as destructive. |
| D．Being in the majority in terms of a moral outlook does not mean it is correct. |
| A．A. Wrong or Right of Social Moral Code |
| B．Judgment of Construction or Destruction |
| C．Ideal Social Moral Code |
| D．How to Live One’s Life in a Social Context |
