1 . Binge-watching (刷剧) is when a person watches more than one episode of a show in a row. With developments in the speed and connectivity of the Internet, increases in technology and the rise of on-demand entertainment companies, people can now have their favorite shows stream (流播) directly to their television at their convenience.

This behavior is nothing new. In fact, binge-watching has been officially listed in dictionaries since 2015. The entertainment companies recognize this behavior and many take steps to encourage it. Often, instead of releasing each episode on a week-by-week basis, an entire series will become available concurrently. Once the episode finishes, many platforms will display pop-ups with “you might like” suggestions, or will automatically play the next episode.

However, recent research suggests that out of the more than half of British adults who watch more than one episode of a show back-to-back (一集接一集地), almost a third have admitted missing sleep or becoming tired as a result; and 25% have neglected their household chores (家务活). Next we’ll be missing work!

Bingeing has other connections — binge eating, binge drinking and binge smoking. All of them are often associated with a lack of control and a possible route to addiction. Lindsey Fussell, consumer group director, said, “The days of waiting a week for the next episode are largely gone, with people finding it hard to resist (抗拒) watching multiple episodes around the house or on the move.” If people find binge-watching hard to resist, are we witnessing the birth of a new type of addiction?

The countless number of information and entertainment that television and online media can bring us is, many would say, a good thing. However, when the activity begins to bleed into other areas, causing us to stop functioning, then it becomes a problem. So, what’s the answer? Moderation! Neither a tiny amount, nor too much. After all, as the old proverb says, “A little of what you fancy does you good.”

In my community, there is a little boy who suffered from congenital muscle disease. He always considered himself the most unfortunate person in the world. Although he looked no different from ordinary people, it’s difficult for him to do some delicate movements. He often lost control of his hands and dropped things on the ground. Even after a short run, he would easily get out of breath. Depression and inferiority made him almost always alone. All of these make his mother very worried.

Then one spring, the boy’s mother bought some saplings (树苗) from a nearby market. She intended to plant them in the forecourt. She told her children to plant a sapling each person. The mother said to her three children, “Whose seedling grows best, I will buy him or her a favorite gift.” The boy also wanted to get his mother’s gift. But seeing his brothers and sisters carrying water to water the trees happily, anyhow, an idea hit him: he hoped the tree he planted would die soon. So watering it once or twice, he never attended to it.

Several days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was surprised to find it grew some fresh leaves instead of withering (枯萎), and compared with the trees of his brother and sister, his appeared greener and more vital. He wondered what on earth had happened. As expected, his mother kept her promise, bought the little boy his favorite gift and said to him, “From the tree you plant, you will become an outstanding botanist (植物学家) when you grow up.”

Since then, the little boy slowly became optimistic. One day, the little boy lay on the bed but couldn’t sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly recalled what the bi ology teacher once said, plants generally grow at night.

“Why not go to the forecourt and take a look at my tree?” he said to himself.

From that night on, he understood what his mother meant and decided to change himself.

Amanda had been trying for Auditions (试演) for All-State Band. Then, the day before the audition. she met into Janet Jacobs. “So, Amanda, I hear you are auditioning for All-State. Do you really want to embarrass yourself?” Janet said snottily (自负的). Janet and Amanda had been fighting for first chair in the school band ever since Amanda had gotten it. “Janet, I’m still first chair,” Amanda replied.

That afternoon, Mr, Johnson, the   school   band director, stood   up   to make   an announcement. “Kids.” he said, “today Janet Jacobs would like to challenge Amanda Foster for first chair.”Amanda wasn’t worried; Janet had challenged her four times and nothing had come of it. However, Amanda hit the note wrong, and her sound was not good at all. Janet, on the other hand, played perfectly. Amanda was shameful. It was one of the band pieces she should have known. Janet was given first chair and Amanda left the band room with tears. She went through the rest of her classes in a haze.

“We’re leaving for the audition in one hour!” said Mr. Foster the next morning. “I don’t feel well. Maybe next year, ”said Amanda. Then she burst into tears and ran from the room.

Her mom followed her into her bedroom and sat on the foot of her bed. “Oh. Amanda. First of all, I’ve heard you play your song, and you’re not going to shame yourself. Bravery isn’t about not being scared — it means doing something despite the fact that you’re afraid. And if you go out there and do your best, we’ll be proud of you, no matter what the outcome.” Amanda’s mom smiled. “So what do you say? Do we have an audition to go to?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Amanda replied. “Good girl! Get dressed now. We still have half an hour.” Amanda sat outside the audition room nervously grasping her flute (笛子). Finally, they called her name.

Paragraph 1: Amanda stepped onto the audition stage.               

Paragraph 2: “Congratulations! You deserve it,” Janet said, sticking out her hands.

Lucy was the only child in her family. She had a quarrel with her mother that afternoon and she ran out of the house angrily. She couldn’t help weeping sorrowfully when she thought of the scolding from her mother. Having wandered aimlessly in the street for hours, she felt a little hungry and wished for something to eat. She stood beside a stand for a while, watching the middle-aged seller busy doing his business. However, with no money in hand, she gave a sigh and had to leave.

The seller behind the stand noticed the young girl and asked, “Hey, girl, you want to have the noodles?”

“Oh, yes, but I don’t have money on me,” she replied.

“That’s nothing. I’ll treat you today,” said the man. “Come in.”

The seller brought her a bowl of noodles, the smell so attractive. As she was eating, Lucy cried silently.

“What is it?” asked the man kindly.

“Nothing. Actually, I was just touched by your kindness!” said Lucy as she wiped her tears. “Even a stranger on the street will give me a bowl of noodles, while my mother drove me out of the house. She showed no care for me. She is so merciless compared to a stranger!” Hearing the words, the seller smiled, “Girl, do you really think so? I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you thanked me a lot. But it is your mother who has raised you since you were a baby. Can you number the times she cooked for you? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?”

Lucy sat there, speechless and numb with shock; she remembered her mother’s familiar face and weathered hands. “Why didn’t I think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel grateful. Why haven’t I thanked my mum for what she has done for me?”

On the way home, Lucy made up her mind to make an apology to her mother for her rudeness as soon as she arrived home.

Approaching the doorway, Lucy was very nervous and took a deep breath.

A gentle touch on her hair called her mind back.

I’d just returned from a beautiful fall early-morning walk with my dog. At the front door, I dug around in my pockets for the keys. When I discovered I didn’t have them, I decided to return to the paths we’d taken. I would surely spot them in plain sight.

My little dog ran in excitement that we would do a repeat of our just-finished outing. I spent an hour looking but the keys remained lost. I was beginning to get upset as I thought of the consequences of losing them, so I continued to retrace our steps, but in vain.

At home again, I pulled the backup key from its hiding place, let myself in the house, and fell on the couch in exhaustion. At my age, one trip is usually plenty! I began to take key inventory(库存). The house key wasn’t that important as I had an extra. I had a spare car key, but it was temperamental(不可靠的), and the key ring would be expensive to replace. The iron heart decoration made by my grandson was precious beyond measure. For some reason, thinking of it being gone forever made tears come to my eyes. But life is too short to agonize(折磨)over these things, I reminded myself.

That night, it turned colder and we had a snow shower. I enjoyed a comfort-food dinner, played soft music, and settled into a peaceful evening.

It was peaceful until I heard the horrible screech of my car alarm bursting from the garage. I rushed to the car, inserted(插入)the temperamental key in the door and finally opened it, and then started it until the alarm stopped.

Back in the house, I waited uneasily, but the next sound was the front doorbell. Assuming it was a neighbor ready to be angry with me, I opened the door slowly and turned on the light with apologies ready.