1 . You can tell a lot about people’s general state of mind based on their social media feeds. Are they always tweeting(发微博)about their biggest annoyances or posting pictures of particularly cute kitties? In a similar fashion, researchers are turning to Twitter for clues about the overall happiness of entire geographic communities.
What they’re finding is that regional variation in the use of common phrases produces predictions that don’t always reflect the local state of well being. But removing from their analyses just three specific terms -- good, love and LOL - greatly improves the accuracy of the methods.
“We’re living in a crazy COVID-19 era. And now more than ever, we’re using social media to adapt to a new normal and reach out to the friends and family that we can’t meet face-to-face.” Kokil Jaidka studies computational linguistics at the National University of Singapore. “But our words aren’t useful just to understand what we, as individuals, think and feel. They’re also useful clues about the community we live in.”
One of the simpler methods that many scientists use to analyze the data involves correlating words with positive or negative emotions. But when those records are compared with phone surveys that assess regional well-being, Jaidka says, they don’t paint an accurate picture of the local zeitgeist(时代精神).
Being able to get an accurate read on the mood of the population is no laughing matter. “That’s particularly important now, in the time of COVID, where we’re expecting a mental health crisis and we’re already seeing in survey data the largest decrease in subjective well-being in 10 years at least, if not ever.”
To find out why , Jaidka and her team analyzed billions of tweets from around the United States. And they found that among the most frequently used terms on Twitter are LOL, love and good. And they actually throw the analysis off. Why the disconnect?
“Internet language is really a different beast than regular spoken language. We’ve adapted words from the English vocabulary to mean different things in different situations.” says Jaidka. “Take, for example, LOL. I’ve tweeted the word LOL to express irony, annoyance and sometimes just pure surprise. When the methods for measuring LOL as a marker of happiness were created in the 1990s, it still meant laughing out loud.”
“There are plenty of terms that are less misleading,” says Jaidka. “Our models tell us that words like excited, fun, great, opportunity, interesting, fantastic and those are better words for measuring subjective well-being.”
1. The researchers turn to social media feeds to ________.A.help with the analysis of people’s subjective well-being |
B.integrate into a mainstreamed lifestyle more quickly |
C.prove the disconnect between language and emotions |
D.collect specific terms associated with specific zeitgeist. |
A.It didn’t reflect the mood of the entire geographic community |
B.It didn’t match the assessment result of the phone surveys. |
C.It didn’t consider the features of Internet language. |
D.It didn’t take the regional variations into account. |
A.Face-to-face communication is never replaced to ensure happiness. |
B.Internet use is to blame for the decrease in subjective well-being. |
C.Internet language should be originally used as a source of scientific analysis. |
D.Less misleading words should be used in assessing subjective well-being. |
A.Internet Shock Need A Break | B.Underlying LOL Never Fade Away |
C.Virtual Mirror Of Era Being | D.Gulf Between Old And New |
2 . Shaine is not your average 16-year-old. In fact, she has turned her love of animals into a
For many pet owners, the cost of buying mobility (移动) equipment is not
“I really had to
Shaine was taking a(n)
Shaine is
A.mission | B.session | C.search 1 | D.burden |
A.used | B.favored | C.abandoned | D.disabled |
A.flexible | B.affordable | C.reasonable | D.logical |
A.held up | B.taken up | C.held down | D.put down |
A.pays | B.prepares | C.charges | D.sends |
A.opened | B.respected | C.assumed | D.convinced |
A.order | B.promise | C.prove | D.insist |
A.discoveries | B.materials | C.benefits | D.advantages |
A.creative | B.direct | C.corrective | D.abundant |
A.commitment | B.excuse | C.responsibility | D.option |
A.home | B.animal | C.plant | D.community |
A.involved | B.tolerated | C.suggested | D.postponed |
A.traditionally | B.professionally | C.originally | D.constantly |
A.training | B.rescue | C.recreation | D.employment |
A.took off | B.dropped off | C.held back | D.fell behind |
A.casually | B.constantly | C.temporarily | D.currently |
A.organizing | B.dotting | C.developing | D.scratching |
A.inferences | B.infections | C.rejections | D.limits |
A.sense | B.appointment | C.start | D.surprise |
A.donations | B.collections | C.designs | D.records |
3 . Different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. We asked some of our friends to explain what happens in their countries. This is what they told us:
France
In France, Christmas is always called Noël. Everyone has a Christmas tree, sometimes decorated in the old way with red ribbons and real white wax candles. Fir trees in the garden are often decorated too with lights on all night.
Father Christmas is called Père Noël. The Christmas meal is an important family gathering with good meat and the best wine. Few people send Christmas cards. More people send New Year cards to wish everyone good luck and joy for the New Year. These days Christmas lunch is a starter of foie gras (a strong tasting pate made from goose liver) followed by lunch of seafood — usually including lobsters and oysters.
New Zealand
Christmas starts for us with gifts under the tree, to be opened on Christmas morning. Then it’s onto a Christmas lunch either at home or at one’s parents place. Turkey or chicken with all the trimmings (佐料) is eaten. Then comes tea time. It is a BBQ for friends and family to get together, and have a few beers or wines with the meal!
Russia
In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time — when “Father Frost” brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old “Julian” calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and “meat dumplings”.
Sweden
The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve — ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans — and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day.
1. Why do people in France send New Year cards?A.To tell their friends the New Year is coming. |
B.To ask for some special presents. |
C.To invite their friends to family gathering. |
D.To send their friends best wishes and happiness for the New Year. |
A.A special meal is prepared. |
B.Everyone has a Christmas tree. |
C.Parents give gifts to their children. |
D.People attend a church gathering. |
A.France. | B.New Zealand. | C.Sweden. | D.Russia. |
The first creature
Humans are explorers since the dawn of civilization. We
Our first steps into space began. Laika
That hasn’t stopped people from signing up and blasting off. NASA’s Apollo program had ended
I’m not Chinese, but I love Chinese New Year. There are many fun New Year
The sound of the drums,
The lion dance
I love all about the lion dance. The other day, I saw a film about a left-behind teenager who insisted on pursuing his dreams despite difficulties and
6 . Skeleton is one of the three sliding sports at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, alongside the luge(单雪橇)and bobsleigh(大雪橇). With only six medals up for grabs, skeleton has the fewest events at the Winter Games—which means competition will be fierce.
The sport of skeleton has its roots in the most popular winter pastime: sleighing. In the mid-19th century, British and American holidaymakers built the first toboggan(平底雪橇)run in Davos in 1882, and thus the sport of sleighing began.
Two years later, in 1884, the famed Cresta Run—a natural ice skeleton racing toboggan track—was built in St. Moritz, Switzerland(the course has hosted the annual Grand National championships since 1885).
In 1892, a new sledge made entirely of steel was introduced, and some claim that its bony appearance gave the sledge and the sport the name ‘skeleton’.
Men’s skeleton was first introduced on the Olympic program in the 1928 Games in St. Moritz. But due to the sport only being available at the Cresta Run at the time, it fell into obscurity(默默无闻)while the luge and bobsleigh grew in popularity. However, in 2002, the skeleton was reintroduced as a men’s and women’s event at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and has remained a part of the Olympic program ever since.
While Great Britain has the most medals(nine)in skeleton competition at the Olympics, the top spot belongs to the United States(eight medals)by virtue of having four silvers to Great Britain’s one(both nations have three golds, while Britain has five bronze medals, and the United States one).
Great Britain is the only nation to have won a medal every time skeleton has featured at the Olympic Games, and has won at least one medal in each of the five contests of women’s skeleton since its introduction.
1. How many events does skeleton have in the Olympics?A.Two. | B.Three. | C.Five. | D.Six. |
A.In 1882. | B.In1885. | C.In1892. | D.In 1928. |
A.Because its material steel was rare. |
B.Because there was only one run for it. |
C.Because only men could take part in it. |
D.Because it was not on the Olympic program. |
A.The number of medals. | B.The composition of medals. |
C.The virtue of the athletes. | D.The times of hosting the Olympics. |
7 . The Best National Parks to Visit in Winter
While most parks tend to draw families in the summer and fall, there are also ideal spots for adventurous winter trips.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The country’s oldest and best-known national park takes on an almost otherworldly atmosphere in winter: the air filled with rolling steam, the strong colors of hot springs, the surrounding white landscapes, let alone the impressive wildlife during this time, like bison, wolves, and playful red foxes. Just book a guided hiking tour to get a ranger’s perspective on the park and local people.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
With its giant red rocks and unique trees, you’ll feel like stepping onto a foreign planet as you spend hours hiking the Panorama Loop or Maze Loop. The park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, featuring virtually zero light pollution and the country’s best views of a starry sky.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
A significantly lower number of visitors in winter means you can take in unblocked views of the South Rim, and get to see the rare beauty of the Grand Canyon dusted with snow. For those adventurous and daring, it is recommended to hike the Bright Angel Trail and take the chance to see the canyon’s wintertime wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and bald eagles.
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Surprise! Not all wintertime national park trips need to involve snow. Virgin Islands National Park is most famous for its white-sand beaches. You can also hike inland to visit old sugar plantations, or venture out to the water to swim along with sea turtles and manta rays. You will definitely enjoy a different winter here.
1. Which park will one choose if he/she is interested in stars?A.Yellowstone National Park. | B.Joshua Tree National Park. |
C.Grand Canyon National Park. | D.Virgin Islands National Park. |
A.We can have a poor view of the South Rim there. | B.It lies in an area with rolling steam and hot springs. |
C.There is a slight decline in visitor numbers in winter. | D.The Bright Angel Trail is challenging in cold weather. |
A.Hiking. | B.Skiing. | C.Swimming. | D.Hunting. |
8 . A 29-year-old woman Chelsea Haley of Marietta, Georgia, who adopted (收养) a former student and his brother, is now celebrating being completely debt-free. She has paid off a total of $ 48,683.41 — the amount she owed in credit cards and student loans with interest. “It doesn’t feel real yet,” Haley, mom of Jerome, 17, and Jace, 6, told the press.
Haley was teaching in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2015, on a two-year commitment to Teach for America, which is an organization that finds recent college graduates to work in low-income schools. Her son, Jerome, was in her 4th-grade class at the time.
When Haley saw Jerome having difficulty in progressing academically, she started spending time with him — going to his football games, buying him school supplies and more. Soon, Haley adopted Jerome together with his brother. “Being their mom is the greatest blessing of my life,” Haley said.
Haley went to all the expense of adopting the two boys. She also borrowed money to afford taking care of them, which increased the difficulty for her to pay their student loans. Determined to rid herself of debt, Haley took on part-time jobs. On top of being a teacher, she was teaching an individual student or a small group in her spare time a couple of days a week. On Fridays, she was paid extra to stay late at the school and work as the building manager. Haley also delivered (送) groceries. She sold her home and moved back to live with her parents on Nov. 6. Her goal is to save money for a new house and prepare Jerome for college. Both boys are doing well in school.
“It allows me to focus on the boys’ future,’’ Haley said. “Earning and saving money for them, and not spending money saved in the past.”
Her advice for making a determined effort to free us of debt is never to ignore your spending and stick to a plan.
1. How did Chelsea Haley feel when she had just paid off the debt?A.Unforgettable. | B.Unbelievable. |
C.Unpredictable. | D.Unacceptable. |
A.As soon as Jerome first became her student at school. |
B.Immediately she came to the school Jerome studied in. |
C.When she found Jerome had difficulty studying further. |
D.After she had decided to adopt Jerome and his brother. |
A.Why Haley returned to live with her parents. |
B.Why Haley kept herself busy making a living. |
C.What part-time jobs Haley did to earn money. |
D.How Haley managed to pay off her debt finally. |
A.Making a practical plan. | B.Relying on your savings. |
C.Getting help from parents. | D.Borrowing friends’ money. |
China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System ( BDS) has functioned effectively in the country’s flood-control operations,and has helped the country fight against floods,
China will attempt to provide legal and policy (政策)
10 . The Bad of Online Communication
Today, online services and products are where most development in communication is happening.
Apart from dependency, there are other objections and worries about the Internet.
A.Actually, going online has good points. |
B.Why do many think going online is worth trying? |
C.Then there is the problem of information being stolen. |
D.they will forget how to get on with people face to face. |
E.there are rules of polite behavior in face-to-face meetings. |
F.Not all people seeking relationships online have innocent intentions. |
G.With all these dangers, is going online to communicate really worthwhile? |