1 . More parental investment; slower children’s growth
Are teenagers less likely to participate in activities associated with adulthood because they’re busier with homework and extracurricular activities? Researchers found that time spent on homework and extracurricular activities has declined among 10th graders. It’s remained relatively steady among 12th graders.
The study researchers also found an association between a slower developmental trajectory and smaller family size, higher parental age at first birth, and higher median income. With fewer children and more money, parents can invest more time and resources in their kids.
There are also economic factors. With shifts in the economy, more people go to college and are dependent on their parents for longer.
| A．There are benefits and drawbacks to the decline in adult activities among adolescents. |
| B．It helps children enjoy a life with more material richness. |
| C．On the other hand, Internet usage has increased. |
| D．This may allow them to follow a slower developmental path. |
| E．On the downside, it poses an obstacle to teens’ all-round deveolopment. |
| F．More money is needed to cover their education. |
| G．That also gives rise to more careful parenting with the idea that education will last longer. |
2 . Why is a compliment so impactful? One of the most important things to humans is to feel valued and respected by others, says Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist, who has researched compliments. According to her research, people feel “significantly better” after both giving and receiving a compliment.
“You handled that situation so well.”
Bohns recently used her favorite compliment when she saw a server address a difficult situation with a customer at the bar. “I like it so much because you use it in anxious moments where the other person is often unsure of whether they handled a situation OK,” she says. In situations that call for a compliment, don’t second-guess yourself. Give your compliments generously.
“
This compliment — one of Bohns’ favorites — works well among romantic partners and close family members. “It’s a beautiful way to highlight how their presence turns life into something meaningful, despite boring routines of our everyday lives,” she says. If you’re afraid that giving a compliment like this will feel strange, you’re not alone.
“Hey, great dress!”
Feel free to compliment strangers. In Bohns’ research, students on a college campus were told to approach a stranger of the same gender and compliment them-about, for example, their nice shirt. Before heading out, the study participants tended to underestimate their positive effect while overestimating how annoying it would be. Across all contexts, strangers are more likely to be pleased than confused. Plus, who knows?
| A．I love the way you bring out the best in people. |
| B．Respect is essential when you deliver compliments. |
| C．One way to overcome this fear is to do a practice run. |
| D．You make even ordinary moments feel extraordinary. |
| E．You might make a new friend in addition to making someone’s day. |
| F．With that in mind, we asked her to share some of her favorite compliments. |
| G．People sometimes worry that they’re going over and will start to sound insincere. |
3 . The best science books inspire a sense of wonder and make you amazed at the incredible world we live in. Here are four of them to feed your imagination.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
How did it all begin? And how did we get here? Combining history and science, the book offers a comprehensive yet entertaining answer to these questions. Bill Bryson takes the reader on an impressive journey through the greatest scientific discoveries in history. It explains scientific topics in a vivid way, but it’s quite a long read.
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe
How do helicopters work? Or cells? Randall Munroe explains how things work using illustrations and only the most common 1,000 words in English. It will shift your approach to explanation. So, next time explain how something works rather than merely call it by its name. However, additionally providing more technical terms might have enhanced the understanding and learning experience.
Ask an Astronaut by Tim Peake
What does it feel like to fly into space? How do you prepare for it? Astronaut Tim Peake answers all the questions you never knew about going into space. The book gives insights into the cutting-edge science, as well as the day-to-day life on board of the International Space Station. Its question and answer format makes it easy to quickly find answers, but it can become less appealing due to the lack of descriptive language.
Deep Time by Riley Black
Want to know the story of our planet? Riley Black takes us on a journey, in the order of time, through the geological (地质的) events that have shaped our planet. The fascinating high-quality images are supported by easily digestible explanations of key historical moments. It also expands on key concepts in geology, astronomy and biology. Yet, measuring the size of some objects on the photos is difficult due to the lack of a scale bar (比例尺).
1. Which book is organized in the format of question and answer?| A．A Short History of Nearly Everything. | B．Thing Explainer. |
| C．Ask an Astronaut. | D．Deep Time. |
| A．It is rather too long. | B．It is written in plain language. |
| C．It lacks technical terms. | D．It fails to include clear images. |
| A．They combine science and history. | B．They feature vivid illustrations. |
| C．They introduce astronauts’ daily life. | D．They entertain readers of all ages. |
4 . On many travelers’ lists of things to do before they die, you’ll find “See the northern lights” written down. Rightfully so these lights are one of nature’s most jaw-dropping views.
In Sweden, the northern lights usually appear from late March or early April. Your best chance of catching a glimpse of them is on cold winter nights when the sky is clear, dark with little to no moonlight, and cloudless. You need to be away from city lights and go to the countryside. For those willing to brave the cold on winter nights, here are some of the best locations.
Abisko National Park
Abisko Natinal Park is a main location. The scientifically confirmed “blue hole”, a piece of sky over the Tornetrask lake that usually remains clear despite cloudy weather nearby, gives Abisko its own microclimate (局部地区气候), which is suitable for catching the lights.
Jukkasjarvi
The village of Jukkasjarvi only has about 550 people. But don’t let the small population size fool you: Jukkasjarvi owns the world’s first ice hotel and is one of the best places to view the northern lights. The ice hotel organizes guided tours for guests to the Esrange Space Center. There you can eat at a camp outside and see the Arctic winter sky for aurora borealis (北极光). Or why not try to get closer to the northern lights and watch them through an aeroplane window? The ice hotel arranges flights for the amazing northern lights experience.
Gallivare
You can drive a snowmobile to the mountain top in Gallivare for a private light show, or head a few kilometers to nearby villages to watch those lights shining across the dark winter sky. But remember if you do get the chance to see the northern lights in person, never whistle to them. According to ancient Sumi fairy, it brings you bad luck.
1. When are you likely to best enjoy the northern lights in Swede?| A．On cold winter nights with clear sky and a little moonlight. |
| B．On freezing winter nights in the rural area without moonlight or cloud. |
| C．On chilly winter nights in the city center with few lights and little cloud. |
| D．On winter nights when the sky is dark with little moonlight and no cloud. |
| A．It has up to 550 people. |
| B．It owns the world’s first hotel. |
| C．It is among the best places to view the northern lights. |
| D．You can eat at a camp inside and see the aurora borealis. |
| A．A science report. | B．An art magazine. | C．A travel guide. | D．A botanical book. |
5 . Dragons, a famous imaginary beast born from fantasy, are often present in stories in the west and east. In both cultures, dragons are generally recognized as massive creatures capable of flight. They have great power and are often associated with magical abilities. However, due to their different cultural roots and images, there exist significant differences in the way dragons are regarded in the west and east, particularly in China.
Chinese dragons most resemble snakes, and have four claws and no wings. They often have features of other animals, including carp, tigers, and eagles. In the contrast, Western dragons look like huge lizards with big claws and large bat-like wings, and are often shown with spines or rough scales.
In traditional Chinese culture, a dragon is a symbol of luck, power and high status. They can cause weather changes and bring rainfall to the fields to ensure rich harvests. They are considered divine (神圣的) creatures, which hold an important position as the head of the four spirits. Therefore, to symbolize their power, ancient Chinese emperors decorated their clothes with dragon patterns. These clothes are known as dragon robes. Many Chinese view the dragon as a national symbol, proudly referring to themselves as “descendants of the dragon”. In the west, however, a dragon symbolizes an evil creature that spreads violence and terror throughout the land. They are believed to be transformed by the devil, with the ability to breathe fire or spit poison. Many western tales show dragons being defeated and killed to protect people from danger.
Today, dragons continue to evolve, exceeding traditional boundaries and finding new significance in global culture. They are no longer associated with evil or good, but rather as complex characters with their own unique personalities and motivations. For example, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon begins as a dangerous dragon but evolves into a misunderstood being with love and compassion. This challenges the idea of dragons as naturally evil, presenting them as complex beings with emotions and motivations.
1. What do western dragons and eastern dragons have in common?| A．They have rough skin. | B．They are huge and powerful. |
| C．They are in the shape of snakes. | D．They have big claws and wings. |
| A．Western dragons are a symbol of authority. |
| B．Dragons in China can protect people from danger. |
| C．Chinese dragons can control rainfall and breathe fire. |
| D．Dragons are believed to cause chaos in western culture. |
| A．They are regarded as adventurous creatures. |
| B．They are closely associated with evil or good. |
| C．They have more diverse emotions and personalities. |
| D．They tend to represent human spirits facing challenges. |
| A．The Dragon Elements in Global Culture |
| B．The Origin of Dragons in Chinese History |
| C．The Magical Animals in Different Countries |
| D．The Images of Dragons in Western Traditions |
6 . The International Consumer Electronics Show CES is known as the place where many companies across the globe show their latest technology offerings. Here is a look at some of the top products presented at CES 2023.
AirSelfie camera
Electronics maker AirSelfie launched its latest self-flying camera designed to take “selfie” pictures. The new device, called Air Pix, is a small, light camera that flies through the air and takes high-quality photographs and videos. A video on the company’s website explains that Air Pix can fly, frame and take pictures all by itself before landing back on the user’s hand.
Labrador’s assistive robot
Robot maker Labrador announced the launch of its Retriever robot. The small, self-driving machine is designed to hold things and, as its name suggests, also retrieve (取回) things. The robot can be controlled by voice commands or from an app on a phone. It can also be programmed based on an exact map of a user’s home. The company says the Retriever is designed “to serve as an extra pair of hands and lighten the load of everyday tasks in the home.”
Self-driving tractor
American-based farm equipment producer John Deere presented a fully self-driving tractor. The company says the vehicle is equipped with six different cameras and a series of sensors to guide the tractor through the fields. Farmers can control the vehicle and see the tractor’s progress in real time through a mobile device. John Deere says the concept is to help farmers do more work with fewer tools and other people.
1. Who are most likely to be interested in Labrador’s assistive robot?| A．Photographers. | B．Cleaners. | C．Housewives. | D．Farmers. |
| A．They both have voice control. | B．They both are really very smart. |
| C．They both help with housework. | D．They come from the same producer. |
| A．To show the wide popularity of CES. |
| B．To advertise some famous technology companies. |
| C．To predict some future electronic products. |
| D．To introduce some technology products from CES. |
7 . Innovative Ideas by Students
Oxygen / carbon dioxide level indicator
S R-Valava, Aftab English Higher Secondary School
The system can detect levels of oxygen / carbon dioxide in the closed car and open windows when the oxygen level drops or carbon dioxide level rises, thereby preventing accidental deaths of children or pets locked inside the car.
New serving tray (托盘)
Alok Singh, Shah Faiz Public School
This serving tray has a release mechanism that can put cups / glasses on the table along with a coaster (玻璃杯垫) without touching it. Once while serving tea to a guest, Alok spilled (洒出) hot tea over him resulting in some burns to his hands. After this incident he came up with this idea to make serving easy and “stylish”.
Posture (姿势) correcting chair
Kulsoom Rizavi, La Martiniere Girls’ College
With sensors at appropriate places, the chair alarms the user when their sitting posture is wrong. Kulsoom dreamed up this idea after being regularly criticized by her mother for her bad posture. She thought that while it may not be possible to be reminded again and again by someone for sitting wrongly, this task can be done by the chair itself.
Sudden fall detector
Soumya Ranjan Behera, BTTS Upper Primary School.
The wearable device alarms others when the user falls suddenly. It is useful for old people and those suffering from fits, epilepsy (癫痫), etc. It will help keep an electronic eye on one’s loved ones. The idea struck Soumya Ranjan when his grandma suffered an epileptic attack and fell down. He wondered, what if she wasn't around?
1. Where does the student designing the system available for cars come from?| A．Shah Faiz Public School. | B．La Martiniere Girls College. |
| C．BTTS Upper Primary School. | D．Aftab English Higher Secondary School. |
| A．Warn users against sitting improperly. | B．Correct users’ poor standing posture. |
| C．Make users sit still more comfortably. | D．Alarm users about falling off a chair. |
| A．New serving tray. | B．Sudden fall detector. |
| C．Posture correcting chair. | D．Oxygen / carbon dioxide level indicator. |
8 . First impressions can set a lasting tone, but there is often something doubtful. Psychologists have documented a phenomenon known as the liking gap, by which two people meeting for the first time routinely underestimate how much their counterparts (对应方) like them. A new study finds that the liking gap occurs in group settings too and hinders how well groups function.
In one experiment, the researchers divided 159 participants into groups of three and asked them to have a conversation. They then surveyed the participants individually about how much they liked each of their partners, how much they thought each partner liked them, and how much they thought their partners liked each other. On average, people liked their partners more than they believed their partners liked them, and thought themselves to be the least liked in the group.
In a subsequent experiment, the researchers asked similar questions of engineering students who had worked together in design competitions for varying lengths of time. Here, too, people tended to underestimate the degree to which they were liked, regardless of how long they had known their teammates — and their dim views of their own likability reduced their willingness to ask others for help, give honest feedback, and work together in the future.
A final experiment involving a broad sample of workers showed that the misperceptions (误解) were strongest among teammates and that they decreased team effectiveness and job satisfaction. It also found a possible explanation for the liking gap: People tend to focus on positive thoughts when reflecting on how much they like someone else (“I’m happy that she got a promotion”) but fall victim to more negative ones when considering how others view them (“I got a promotion, so she might be green with envy”).
Managers should think carefully not just about how teammates regard one another but about how team members think they themselves are regarded, the researchers say; correcting misperceptions could boost team satisfaction and performance. “If only people knew how positively their teammates actually felt about them, they might communicate better, feel more included on their teams, and be happier overall with their jobs,” they write.
1. What does the liking gap refer to?| A．Misjudging others’ opinions on us. |
| B．Approval among different age groups. |
| C．A type of common social anxiety disorder. |
| D．Preventing others’ evaluations of us. |
| A．People were shy to give honest comments. |
| B．People tended to think little of their partners. |
| C．People were quite demanding towards others. |
| D．People were not very confident about themselves. |
| A．Employees’ viewpoints on themselves. |
| B．The relationship between team members. |
| C．Employee performance and job satisfaction. |
| D．Communication between leaders and members. |
| A．How Much Counterparts Like Us |
| B．Why First Impressions Can Last Long |
| C．What Perceptions Teammates Correct |
| D．How the “Liking Gap” Affects Group Work |
9 . America is one of the best travelling options for everyone. Here the Good Hotel Guide shares some of the top American hotels for travelers to choose from.
The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort
If you want a quiet, stress-free getaway, The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort might be just the place. Sitting right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, this hotel is a destination unto itself. Meanwhile, staff goes out of their way to attend to their guests’ needs. However, if you are hoping to explore urban areas, be warned this hotel is located approximately 25 miles south of the city.
The Peninsula Chicago
Travelers describe the guest rooms as comfortable thanks to their modern techie touches, like a bedside remote command station that controls the lights, television and room temperatures. During your stay, guests recommend making time for the tasty Cantonese dishes served in the Shanghai Terrace restaurant. However, for many travelers, it was The Peninsula Chicago’s friendly service staff that convinced them to stay here again.
Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX
Located just 1,312 feet from Los Angeles International Airport, this hotel offers free 24-hour airport shuttles, easy access to the city center. With nearby motorways, Hollywood is just 12 miles away from Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX. Couples in particular like the location — they rated it 8.5 for a two-person trip because of its convenience and the welcoming staff.
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel
This modern hotel provides free 24-hour dedicated shuttle service to Los Angeles International Airport, just 3 minutes’ drive away. Guests can relax in the outdoor heated pool. Recent guests give the courteous and professional staff high praise. Couples like the location best — they rated it 8.7 for a two-person trip.
1. If you want to relieve your tension, which hotel would you like to choose?| A．Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX. |
| B．The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. |
| C．The Peninsula Chicago. |
| D．Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. |
| A．The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. |
| B．The Peninsula Chicago. |
| C．Sonesta Los Angeles Airport LAX. |
| D．Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. |
| A．They offer convenient access to the downtown area. |
| B．They have quality customer service. |
| C．They are popular among couples. |
| D．They are located near the airport. |
10 . Hotels Where Wild Animals Wander Free
Check in to one of these hotels where wild animals wander free, and you could be sharing your breakfast table with giraffes, relaxing poolside with elephants, or viewing out from your hotel room window penguins.
Makanyane Safari Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
Located within the Madikwe Game Reserve, the Makanyane Safari Lodge offers guests up close views of the surrounding bush and the wildlife that resides within it. The suites have floor- to-ceiling glass windows perfect for watching passing elephants, and the main lodge is conveniently located next to a water hole visited by a variety of wildlife.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort
Orlando, Florida
A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort in Orlando will feel more like a visit to Africa than Florida. Take a walk around the grounds, and you’re likely to spot more than 30 species of African wildlife. The lodge is home to 200 resident animals and birds, including gazelles, flamingos, zebras, and giraffes.
Giraffe Manor
Nairobi, Kenya
This hotel outside of Nairobi lets you get up close and personal with Rothschild giraffes. The original place was built in 1932 and has served as a giraffe shelter since the 1970s. Today, Giraffe Manor has six bedrooms and offers guests the chance to share their breakfast table with the eight resident giraffes. All of the hotel’s profits go to support the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife.
Sea Lion Lodge
Sea Lion Island, Falkland Islands
Despite the name, it isn’t sea lions you should look out for here: A group of Gentoo penguins has been known to set up camp next to Sea Lion Lodge, a comfortable 3-star hotel in the Falkland Islands. Aside from penguin spotting, the lodge offers expansive views of the South Atlantic Ocean where nothing but water separates you from Antarctica.
1. In which hotel can you view elephants through the windows?| A．Makanyane Safari Lodge. | B．Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. |
| C．Giraffe Manor. | D．Sea Lion Lodge. |
| A．It offers guests free breakfasts. | B．It is home to varieties of wildlife. |
| C．It has been doing charity for wildlife. | D．It provides a stay like a visit to Africa. |
| A．Giraffes. | B．Penguins. | C．Sea lions. | D．Elephants. |
