1 . Do you really want to spend your life looking at you phone?

Most time-consuming apps are invented to appeal to us.     1     These apps are part of the “attention economy”, where our awareness and data about what we are likely to concentrate on rather than goods or services are being sold.

And we are in fact, the product operated into giving our most valuable attention away for free.     2     Instead, advertisers are.

App designers draw on users by imitating techniques used by gacha (游戏抽卡), which are widely considered to be some of the most addictive online games ever to be invented. Gacha is devised to trigger the release of dopamine. The latter is a neurotransmitter in our brains that records when behaviour is worth repeating and motivates us to taste it one more time.

The tricky thing about our dopamine systems is that they are non-discriminatory.     3     We may be inspired to recount that behaviour, whichever is good for us, like exercise, or harmful, like wasting an hour scrolling on TikTok.

In fact, our smartphones and apps are wrapped with considerable dopamine triggers (诱因). Glowing colours are one of them.     4     The more often online activities trigger the release of dopamine, the more likely it is for those leisure entertainments to become a habit or even an addiction.

Rewards are also influential triggers. Some of the most common rewards on our phones come as social affirmation, such as a thumbs-up or a comment on a post. This is why apps such as social media, the news, email, games and shopping are so effortless to lose time on.     5     So, if we don’t recognize, don’t consciously fight back, we can be easily conditioned to seek out dopamine hits from our mobile devices like lab rats trained to press a lever to get food.

A．So are novel video clips and various live-streaming with melodies.

B．They’re the ones with the most dopamine triggers on our bright screen.

C．There are many reasons that we are attached to our phones.

D．This is how their creators make a profit from the click and usage ratio.

E．Suppose specific behaviour sets off the release of dopamine.

F．We only experience what we pay attention to.

G．We are not the actual customers of these apps.

2 . Have you ever sent a text or shared something online that you immediately regretted? Most of us have. Now a growing number of apps and services are offering users the attractive ability to edit those messages.

In September alone, Twitter and Apple introduced editing features. Twitter kicked off September by announcing it would test an edit button (按钮). Within two weeks of that move, Apple introduced its new iOS 16 operating system, which lets users-for the first time-edit and unsend iMessages.

Users can now edit an iMessage up to five times within 15 minutes after sending it and unsend any message up to two minutes after it’s sent. To do this, users need only tap and hold their sent message, then choose “edit” or “undo send.” On Twitter, the edit button will give people a “generous” time, says Christina Wodtke, a lecturer in computer science at Stanford University. Users will be able to edit a tweet (推文信息) up to five times in the 30 minutes after it’s posted. Once a change is made, a tweet will be marked with a time stamp, and a label (标签) that says “Last Edited.”

“What they’re doing is creating an edit button that allows the Twitter audience to be your personal editor,” Wodtke says. “So if you say something that is difficult to believe, you could quickly change it to be clearer or less open to being misunderstood.” Wodtke does warn that especially on Twitter, editing could be used for harmful purposes. Someone looking to spread disinformation, for example, could edit their originally harmless tweet to make it false or harmful after it’s already started reaching an audience.

To ensure edit tools are used for good purposes, experts say, tech companies must take certain safety measures. “The importance of an ‘edit trail (痕迹)’ that prevents the spread of mis-and disinformation can’t be overstated,” says Wodtke, “especially when the information is part of the public record.”

Twitter says the feature was designed to be transparent (透明的) and protect the integrity (完整性) of the conversation. “We’re purposely starting this test with a smaller group to learn and deal with possible issues before bringing it to more people,” a Twitter spokesperson says.

1. How is Apple’s edit button different from Twitter’s?

A．It offers its users less time to regret.

B．It offers its users fewer chances to edit.

C．It allows its users to tap more words into a message.

D．It allows its users to label the message they have edited.

2. What does Wodtke think of Twitter’s edit button?

A．It can make its users more organized.	B．It can be used to spread wrong messages.
C．It can help messages reach more audiences.	D．It can cause people to take messages lightly.

3. What can we learn about Twitter’s editing feature from the last paragraph?

A．It is still being tested.	B．It will add more functions.
C．It should be more transparent.	D．It has led to unexpected issues.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A growing need for an edit button	B．The deep thinking behind the edit button
C．The past and present of the edit button	D．Promises and risks of a new edit button

3 . 我校上周举办了以网络安全为主题的活动，旨在增强学生的网络安全意识，促进安全文明上网。请你以Being safe online为题为校报写一篇新闻报道。内容包括：1.活动内容；2.活动反响。词数80左右。

Being safe online

By xxx
2024.5.31
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4 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. Why is the woman dissatisfied with the man?

A．He didn’t talk with her.

B．He came here late again.

C．He ignored her messages.

2. What’s the biggest problem of having a mobile phone in the woman’s view?

A．Wasting much time.

B．Doing harm to our health.

C．Distracting us from real life.

3. What does the one who uses the phone first need to do?

A．Take a photo.

B．Send a message.

C．Buy some coffee.

4. How does the man feel about keeping off the phone?

A．Nervous.

B．Relaxed.

C．Painful.

5 . It’s difficult to determine whether social media is safe enough for children’s mental health, according to a new report from Dr. Vivek Murthy.

Although there are some benefits, social media use brings “a great risk of harm” to kids. “We’re in the middle of a youth mental health crisis, and I’m concerned that technology companies are contributing to it,” Dr. Murthy said.

“It is generally believed that parents and kids should be responsible for managing social media, despite the fact that these platforms are designed to increase the amount of time that our kids spend on them,” he said. “So that is not a fair fight. It’s time for us to support parents and kids.”

Up to 95% of kids aged 13 to 17 report using social media, with more than a third saying they use it “frequently”. And although 13 is commonly the minimum(最小的) age to use social media sites in the US, the report notes that nearly 40% of kids aged 8 to 12 use the platforms, as well.

One study of 6,595 US adolescents between ages 12 and 15 found that those who spent more than three hours a day on social media had twice the risk of symptoms(症状) of depression and anxiety as non-users, the report notes. It also cites(引用) studies that found reducing social media use led to improvements in mental health.

Murthy says he hopes the report will encourage measures before it is too late. “Independent researchers tell us that they have a hard time getting the information they need from technology companies about the health effects on kids,” he said. “Social media companies should be responsible for protecting children as other industries are. As to other products that kids use, we take the approach of safety first. We need to do it here, too.”

1. What causes children’s mental problems according to Murthy?

A．Risk of addiction.	B．Parents’ management.
C．Technology companies.	D．Children’s learning stress.

2. How does the author prove the children’s heavy use of social media?

A．By listing data.

B．By providing facts.

C．By giving examples.

D．By explaining causes.

3. What is the report based on?

A．Public opinions.

B．Previous studies.

C．Field observation.

D．Family relationships.

4. What does Muthy want to stress in the last paragraph?

A．Health effects of social media on kids.	B．Safely for kids concerning all products.
C．Immediate action to protect the children.	D．Difficulty in getting the needed information.

6 . Cyber-bullying (网络欺凌) may take place in the online world, but it is no less damaging than in the real world. The Internet has become a kindness desert, a place where few flowers bloom. Bullying is pretty common.     1     According to those bullied, they’re usually seen as being different from the crowd. They are unique.

Being bullied is a frustrating and painful experience. Online bullying can really hurt others, and it can have serious consequences.     2     Some people have even committed suicide because they were harassed (侵扰) online and didn’t think it would ever stop. Here are some valuable tips to help you address a bully and protect yourself in a safe way.

Don’t blame yourself.     3     It’s only the bully’s fault, so don’t blame yourself for his or her shortcomings.

Stay away from bullies. Bullies hope you interact with them so that they have an excuse to keep picking on you. When the bully starts orally attacking you, remove yourself from the situation if you can, simply by walking away.

    4     Try as you might to ignore the bullies when they are saying ugly things about you. Remind yourself that you are a great person and that nothing the bullies say matters.

Speak out. Nobody has the right to make you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or unhappy. Find someone you can talk to, your teacher or your parent and tell them what’s going on.     5     Follow these tips and you should feel well-equipped to deal with your bullies the next time they attack.

A．Keep track of bullies.

B．Be sure you’re wonderful.

C．Adults can offer help if they know about the problem.

D．Being bullied can make you feel alone, scared, and hopeless.

E．Your parents are willing to help you when recognizing your problem.

F．If you are being bullied, it’s essential to know that it is never your fault.

G．Studies have found that nearly one-third of all students are bullied each year.

7 . Users should reduce their screen time

According to the researchers from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), long and consistent use of social media can lead to depression, stress, and anxiety among users of all ages.     1     This effect is driven by a constant urge to check and interact with the content on these platforms.

However, if you reduce the time you spend on your phone every day, you can spare a few more hours for outdoor activity.     2     Reducing your screen time also allows you to develop better in-person relationships. Positive social interactions release mood-boosting neurochemicals that promote overall happiness.

Here are a few tips to reduce your screen time:

Set limits. Many mobile devices and apps can record the amount of time you spend on your device. You might decide you only want to spend three hours online each day. From there, you can track your time to ensure you don’t go beyond the limit.

Remove distractions (使人分心的事物). Whenever you’re working on something else, try placing your phone in another room or closing your laptop.     3     You might also be less likely to conduct an Internet search that turns into an extended browsing (浏览) session.

    4     Accessing the Internet takes seconds, which can easily become a convenient habit. However, making specific plans to see friends or go outside can help you deliberately break away from the screen.

Create a habit.     5     For example, instead of grabbing your phone first thing in the morning, leave a pen and paper beside your bed and spend a few minutes journaling when you wake up. This way, you can train your brain to enjoy alternative forms of happiness and lessen the urge to log on to social media immediately.

A．Plan activities.

B．Develop friendships.

C．The process takes continuous effort.

D．Many users even experience social media addiction.

E．It means reminding yourself of other sources of entertainment.

F．Research shows many positive effects, such as lower blood pressure and stress.

G．This way, you will have less desire to pick up your phone each time the screen lights up.

8 . 网络已成为人们生活中必不可少的一部分, 由此而产生的青少年网瘾现象引起了人们的关注。假设你是李华，请你以学生会的名义写一篇倡议书，号召全校同学合理使用网络。            
内容包括：1. 网瘾现象;2. 网瘾的危害;3. 你的倡议。
注意：1. 词数不少于80字;
2. 开头已为你写好，不计入总词数，可适当增加内容，以使行文连贯。
Dear fellow students,

With the wide application of various digital gadgets, the Internet is finding its way into our daily lives.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Students’ Union

9 . Ways Your Cell Phone Affects Your Body and Mind

First, some good news. Your phone can keep you safer. A study found that 137 more lives were saved per 100,000 patients when people called 911 from a mobile phone rather than from a fixed one.     1    

Scanning your phone right before bed can cause sleep disorder. To avoid that, make a habit of not using your phone for at least 30 minutes before you close your eyes.

    2     People now spend more than five hours a day typing and tapping, and feel eyes achy. About 60 percent of Americans experience discomfort, such as dryness, eye tiredness, and even headaches. Try taking a break from screens every 20 minutes.

When you are awake, a single sound on your phone can signal the coming news. However, this can weaken your ability to focus on a task.     3     It can even encourage creative ideas when you are alone. When you’re bored, four different areas of your brain become active and work together to pull in thoughts and combine them in unique ways.

Memory suffers too.     4     Instead of relying on the instructions from your phone’s GPS, older adults choose the old way, which increases activity in a part of the brain important for memory. Taking pictures with your phone may also harm your memory.

It would be easy to avoid all these problems by simply putting down your phone. The problem: It isn’t so easy.     5     And researches have proved this real. Of course, there are many phone apps to help you control your phone addiction. Or you can just let the battery rundown and forget about it!

A．But there are plenty of worries too.

B．Your phone can do damage to your eyes.

C．Silence your phone or simply put it away can help.

D．Walking with your face in your phone can be dangerous.

E．People may feel painful when separated from their phones.

F．Your hand may feel painful when you hold your phone too long.

G．Using a map and trying to remember it may be better for your brain.

10 . 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.