1 . While the benefits of Zoom and other videoconferencing tools made them absolutely essential in the pandemic (疫情), the research suggests that heavy reliance on the technology comes at a cost to creative thinking.

Brucks at Columbia University and her team started their investigation when managers reported having trouble innovating with remote workers. Brucks doubted whether videoconferencing was a factor, suspecting that difficulties coordinating (协调) large, global teams online might be to blame instead.

To find out, the researchers analysed ideas for new products generated by 1,490 engineers for a multinational company. The engineers, who were in Finland, Hungary, India, Israel and Portugal, were randomly paired up and given an hour or so to brainstorm products either in person or over videoconferencing. They then selected their best idea.

Writing in Nature, the researchers report that the engineers produced more ideas, and more innovative ideas, when working face to face. “They are not only generating a larger number of creative ideas, but their best idea is better,” Brucks said. Virtual teams were just as good at selecting the best ideas from a bunch as those that met in person.

“Visual focus is a huge component of cognitive (认知) focus. When you’re focused on the screen and ignoring the rest of the environment, that affects how you approach the task,” said Brucks. “It’s uniquely bad for creativity because it’s inhibiting broader exploration.”

Brucks said the impact on the real world “could be huge”, leading to a division of labour between face-to-face and virtual meetings that could “permanently reshape the office and work schedules”. But she urged businesses to be cautious, because if virtual meetings are cheaper than in-person ones, they may still be more cost-effective.

Asked for tips, Brucks said people could save more creative tasks for in-person meetings, or turn off their camera when coming up with ideas. “I think it unlocks more creative thinking,” she said.

1. Why did Brucks conduct the research?

A．To prove her assumption.

B．To clarify a new concept.

C．To make a comparison.

D．To explain a rule.

2. What is the finding of the research?

A．Face-to-face gatherings promote cross-culture ties.	B．Workers think less creatively in virtual meetings.
C．Individual work generates more innovative ideas.	D．Videoconferencing has an irreplaceable role.

3. What does the underlined word “inhibiting” in paragraph 5 mean?

A．Encouraging.

B．Requiring.

C．Beginning.

D．Preventing.

4. What does Brucks say about virtual meetings?

A．They should be used accordingly.	B．They’ll make office workers divided.
C．They’ll give way to in-person meetings.	D．They help businesses run more efficiently.

2 . Thousands of people now use computers for many different things.     1     But have they?

Of course computers are great in that they have improved some people’s lives for the better. However, they also cause problems, too. A large number of people who use computers a lot can get physical problems.     2    . There will be injures in computers users’ hands and arms, as people use the keyboard and the mouse too much. People who have computers are also spending more time sitting down and less time exercising; so many of them are becoming overweight.

    3     One example is stress. Computers, the Internet and email have made many people’s lives much faster. This can be very exciting, but it also means that people feel under a lot of pressure to do everything more quickly, which is stressful.

Addiction is also a problem with more young people. They can spend hours and hours in chat rooms and surfing the net. Sometimes until very late night.     4    .

Some studies in the unites states have suggested that young children and teenagers who spend many hours at computers tend to get lonely and even depressed.

“    5     But parents and teachers used to help children to learn to use computers in responsible and creative ways.” says teacher Jane Shields. “And children should also learn when it is time to log off the computers and head outside to do something different.”

A．Computers can be a really positive part of children’s lives.

B．We often hear that computers have changed our lives for the better.

C．We should have a right attitudes towards the computers.

D．Other problems are psychological.

E．This means they can’t work or study properly and can have problems keeping friends.

F．They find that their eyesight get worse. For example, if they look at the screen for too long .

G．Many people have been addicted to computer games.