1 . T. S. Eliot wrote of “Distracted from distraction by distraction /Filled with fancies and empty of meaning.” T. S. Eliot never had a smartphone.
Neither did I for a long time. No Facebook account; not even email. But according to my date of manufacture, I’m supposed to be a digital native. Perhaps it’s because by the age of 20 I was living in the Welsh countryside with no signal and no Wi-Fi.
When I finally fell into the digital world, I fell hard. Unlike my friends for whom social media and mobile technology had grown and flowered around them, for me it was a sudden immersion. I got Facebook, Twitter and Gmail accounts at the same time that I got an iPhone 4. I would check my phone; five minutes later I would check my phone again. I was addicted and it started to affect my relationships with friends and family
One night, without a word, I abandoned my iPhone and bought a Nokia 3310 and became the talk of the town. Soon I became aware that not only had I stolen secret time back from the hurried days, but somehow a secret space as well. I could stretch out, free to think again, to be wholly creative and to learn meaningfully.
But, wherever I went I got bloody lost. Wandering blindly around London, only to miss appointments, became a frequent pastime (消遣). What did we do before Google Maps? I was useless. The change was worth it, though. I’ll sound like an overstatement but I think it changed my life. My choices are broader and healthier because I’m not being screamed at all day.
I bought a new Samsung phone last week. I had been scared of the rate of progress, crying: “Stop the train! Stop the madness.” But I want to be part of building the future, and to do that, you’ve got to swim in contemporary waters. Rejecting the modern world doesn’t help anyone. It slows you down and I need to be efficient. Time will tell whether I’ve mastered the wisdom to reject constantly checking my phone.
1. What can be learned about the author when she lived in the Welsh countryside?A.She read a lot of T. S. Eliot. | B.She had no friends to talk with. |
C.She had no access to the Internet. | D.She was afraid of the digital world. |
A.She thought she needed a spare phone. | B.She found her iPhone stopped working. |
C.She wanted to attract people’s attention. | D.She hoped to break her smartphone addiction. |
A.She led a simple and healthy life. | B.She found her life was in a mess. |
C.She spent more time with her friends. | D.She became an example for other people. |
A.To seek wisdom. | B.To stop her madness. |
C.To keep pace with the times. | D.To get back to the real world. |
2 . As the saying goes: The Internet is forever. Once you’ve put something online—a credit card number, a silly photo, a heat-of-the-moment comment on social media—it can come back to disturb you.
But what are the risks, really? “There are two worst-case situations,“ says Richard Klosowski, privacy and security editor of a product-recommendation service.” The most obvious one is a security issue. Everyone’s e-mail address and basic details are let out somewhere online, and if you reuse passwords, that means a criminal or immoral person will have an easier time getting into you accounts.
The problem is getting worse: Identity theft cases more than doubled in 2020, according to a survey conducted by Harvard university, with reported financial losses from fraud(欺诈) overall climbing to $3.3 billion from $1.8 billion in 2019.
“The second worse-case situation is more primal: embarrassment,” says Klosowski. And sometimes the pricks(刺痛) to our pride are far more personal than feeling ashamed over an awful photo. “Many of us store our most intimate thoughts in a digital notes app, draft e-mails we never send, or pour out our private feelings into a direct message to a friend. This is the type of thing that can be disclosed online, either through a provider being ignored or through your own misunderstanding of the often-confusing privacy settings in the software and services.”
With these sorts of slip-ups, the stakes can be high. But you’re not powerless. You can stand up for your privacy and begin to take control, starting right now.
1. The underlined saying “The Internet is forever.” in Paragraph 1 probably means_____A.More and more people can’t live without the Internet. |
B.People use the Internet to solve problems all the time. |
C.The Internet is developing so fast that it will exist forever. |
D.What people used to do on the Internet can be traced back. |
A.By quoting experts. |
B.By analyzing the data. |
C.By providing examples. |
D.By making comparison. |
A.Their private thoughts and feeling get leaked online. |
B.Their private thoughts arc written in an digital notes app. |
C.Their messages are sent with private feeling to their friends. |
D.Their privacy settings are paid no attention to in the software. |
A.The benefits that the Internet bring to people. |
B.The other serious problems people meet online. |
C.More examples of how people feel embarrassed online. |
D.The measures people should take to solve the problems. |
3 . Many cases of online bullying have been making the social media rounds in recent years. Negative moral judgment, cyber threats, and verbal violence(语言暴力) pollute the digital world. Meanwhile, some platforms, attracting network traffic, tend to turn a blind eye to the roaring of verbal violence and so the list continues to cause a great stir on social media from time to time.
There are 43.88 billion people surfing the Internet and spending a weekly average of 28.5 hours online. The question becomes: What measures can help build a good cyber environment and, more importantly, limit online violence?
While providing the public with more room to express and share their ideas, the Internet for some serves as a platform to hurt others. Online anonymity(匿名) makes it possible for some netizens to stop obeying all morals, as well as the related laws and rules. With their identities covered, netizens can be less worried to do what they want to do, thinking that they don’t have to bear legal responsibility. Cyber space is not lawless area. To create a healthy cyber space and limit online violence, real-name registration can prove effective. Law breaker and platforms that refuse to take responsibility should also be punished.
Good laws are what it takes to manage the present situation. To limit cyber bullying and clean the digital space, one key step is to strengthen lawmaking and law enforcement(执行). Prevention is better than cure. Strict law enforcement appears to be more important.
However, some countries still lack special laws targeting cyber violence, and only have a few terms and unsystematic rules in place-too weak to deal with the complicated violence online. At this point, though sometimes illegal acts like verbal violence will lead to a maximum of three years in prison, it can be costly and difficult for sufferers to collect evidence and safeguard their rights. The number of cyber bullying cases published is very low. There are a few technical difficulties here. It is hard to identify who should bear the blame and sufferers have no idea who they should file a complaint against.
1. What does the underlined “the list” in paragraph I refer to?A.Social media. | B.The roaring of verbal violence. |
C.Cases of online bullying. | D.Moral judgment, cyber threats, and verbal violence |
A.They can hide their real identities. |
B.They think they can escape punishment even if they do something wrong. |
C.They want to express and share their ideas secretly. |
D.They want to create a healthy cyber space and limit online violence. |
A.Netizens who cover their identities don’t have to bear legal responsibility. |
B.Verbal violence may result in one or two years in prison. |
C.Sufferers are not good at Internet technology. |
D.Sufferers usually have no idea how to file a complaint. |
A.Some advice for sufferers to collect evidence and safeguard rights. |
B.Current laws against cyber violence. |
C.How to identify different types of cyber bullying cases. |
D.Difficulties in collecting evidence and safeguarding rights. |
4 . As science and technology have developed, our lifestyle experienced changes. From the first telephone to the first medical drug (药物) every invention has significantly affected lifestyle across the world.
The Internet has changed the idea of shopping in our lives. The Internet has made it possible that you can choose and buy a product from different sellers at the same time.
For people who love traveling, the Internet is a friend in need and service. Now, we can make use of the power of the Internet to know more about travel destinations and even organize travel plans online. You can book hotels, tickets, and travel packages online.
With the wide use of the Internet today, even education is now possible from the comforts of your home. If you have an Internet connection and a computer, you can easily join an online education program.
Apart from these examples, there are lots of other areas where the Internet has worked wonders. With the development of science and technology, more and more areas are influenced by the Internet and the boom(繁荣)is expected to continue with the passage of time.
A.And the same is true for the Internet as well. |
B.Just do it at home, sit back, and pack your bags. |
C.Getting a job now has become easier, thanks to the Internet. |
D.It is not possible for you to visit all the places at a single time. |
E.So almost every area of our lifestyle is now impacted by the Internet. |
F.By buying online, you can save lots of time and get the latest products. |
G.Many world-famous schools now offer online education programs in various fields. |
5 . Were We Happier Without Social Media?
Social media is now fully implanted in our daily lives. We spend an average of two hours a day sharing, liking, tweeting, and updating information on social media. Indeed, the wonderful digital platforms enrich our lives with information and entertainment.
Social media and stress
Social media and relationship
Finding people sharing your ideals online might be delightful.
Social media and entertainment
Social media may provide us with excitement, during which dopamine (多巴胺) would be released to keep us entertained. Entertainment has never been so easy with dopamine released so quickly, getting us addicted. For that excitement, we mortgage (抵押) a more meaningful and enjoyable life.
Therefore, the answer to the question should be clear now. The feeling of being loved and being able to count on different people makes us happier. Social media sometimes just cheats us.
A.Thanks to it, we become happier. |
B.People use social media to let off pressure |
C.In return, it traps and takes away our attention. |
D.However, were we happier without social media? |
E.Moreover, we should say goodbye to social media. |
F.Don’t take it for granted that it gives us constant joy. |
G.Can they really end up accompanying you in your real life? |
6 . Internet addiction is a common problem.
Charge your devices in another room at night to prevent bedtime browsing (浏览). Bedtime browsing can impact your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep due to the blue light your smartphone emits.
Remove social media apps from your phone. If you find yourself picking up your phone and going on the Internet every time you get a notification (通知), delete the social media apps on your phone. Make it a rule that you can only check these apps on your computer.
Look at one website at a time instead of having multiple websites open.
Technological tools are meant to serve us, not the other way around. Take action right away to free yourself from Internet dependency and take control of your life.
A.Cut your home Wi-Fi access if it is really necessary. |
B.It can be just as damaging as any other form of addiction. |
C.So stopping bedtime browsing may help you to sleep better. |
D.This may help prevent you from accessing them on and off all day. |
E.Turn off your smartphone, iPad, and computer during social activities. |
F.If you are on a website and it leads you to another one, close the old site. |
G.Developing healthy habits can also help you to cut back on your internet use. |
7 . ZHAO ZHIZHONG, a professor of geography at Hainan Normal University, recently proposed to make the law and forbid pupils below the age of 16 to use smartphones. Beijing Youth Daily comments:
With the prosperity of the economy, many families choose to buy a smartphone for their children at school to search for materials and assist in studying.
In and out of class, the pupils have smartphones in their hands.
It seems the heavy addiction to smartphones is affecting ever more pupils at young ages.
There are certain countries that limit pupils from using smartphones in class but allow them to use them after it.
A.While walking, they hold them in their hands. |
B.So a flexible ban can be considered to avoid the trouble. |
C.They, just like their parents, have become enslaved by smartphones. |
D.However, it remains doubtful whether a simple ban is proper. |
E.Perhaps a child model for smartphones can also be introduced. |
F.The actual effect remains to be seen. |
G.In fact, when children get their smartphones, the situation is different. |
8 . Parents express their sadness that their teenagers always have their noses in their phones. But they might need to rethink their own screen time.
A study came out from the Pew Research Center. It found that two-thirds of parents are concerned about the amount of time their teenage children spend in front of screens. But more than a third of parents expressed concern about their own screen time. Meanwhile, more than half of teens had an observation. They often or sometimes find their parents or caregivers distracted when the teens are trying to have a conversation with them. The study calls teens’ relationship with their phones at times “hyperconnected”. It notes that nearly three-fourths check messages or notifications as soon as they wake up. Parents do the same. But parents do it at a lower rate—57%. This is still substantial.
Big tech companies face a growing strong opposition. There are complaints against the addictive nature of their apps. People complain about the endless notifications and other features. They say they are created to keep people tethered(拴) to their screens.
Many teens are trying to do something about it. 52% of teens have cut back on the time they spend on their phones and 57% have done the same with social media.
Experts say parents have a big role in their kids’ screen habits and setting a good example is a big part of it. “Kids don’t always do what we say but they do as we do,” said Donald Shifrin. He is a professor of pediatrics. He teaches at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He was not involved in the Pew study. “Parents are the door that kids will walk through on their way to the world.” The study surveyed 743 U. S. teens and 1,058 U. S. parents of teens. It was conducted from March 7 to April 10.
1. What did the study find according to paragraph 2?A.Teenagers are eager to observe others’ behavior. |
B.Few parents pay attention to their own screen time. |
C.Many teenagers often distract their patents’ attention. |
D.Most parents are worried about their teenage children’s screen time. |
A.Because of the companies’ useless apps. |
B.Because the companies charge them higher prices. |
C.Because of continuous information and features from their apps. |
D.Because the companies reduce the speed of the network connection. |
A.They’ve commented online. | B.They’ve downloaded many learning apps. |
C.They’ve researched social media’s effects. | D.They’ve reduced their screen time. |
A.Never blame their kids. | B.Behave well before their kids. |
C.Reject their kids’ requests. | D.Praise their kids in time. |
9 . Excessive (过度的) smartphone use is a distinctly 21st century issue, but that doesn’t make it any less problematic. Countless people spend their days endlessly scrolling from one social media feed or app to the next. Many argue there’s an easy solution: place it in silent mode (模式).
Now, however, researchers from Penn State find that this approach can actually backfire for certain people. Study authors report people checked their phones more often when their devices were in silent mode. Notably, participants who scored high in “fear of missing out” and “need to belong” personality tests checked their phones the most after placing them on silent. In some cases, these individuals stayed on their phones for longer as well.
This work is based on data collected from the screen time monitoring tool of 138 iPhone users. Researchers focused on how two distinct psychological traits may influence how people act in response to placing their phones on either silence or vibrate. More specifically, study authors analyzed people who tend to be especially preoccupied (专注) with gathering information from others(fear of missing out, or FOMO), and people with a strong desire to maintain interpersonal relationships(need to belong).
Incredibly, in comparison to audio-alert or vibrate modes, each participant checked their phones more often when it was in silent mode. When the phone’s sound and vibration was on, the groups checked their devices 52.9 times daily on average. When their phones were silent, that average rate nearly doubled to 98.2 times a day. Volunteers identified as having high levels of FOMO checked their phones roughly 50 times daily when their device was on vibrate, while in silent mode, they checked their phones about 120 times daily, and they also tended to keep scrolling significantly longer if their phones were in silent mode.
Participants with high levels of the need-to-belong trait actually didn’t check their phones more in silent mode, however, they did stay on their phones longer if the devices were in either silent or vibration-only mode.
At the end of the day, smartphone use habits come down to the individual. Researchers conclude the first step toward developing healthier tech habits for everyone is understanding that different people react to apps, notifications, and various tech features differently.
1. What can we know about excessive smartphone use?A.It is easy to get rid of. | B.It has existed for centuries. |
C.It is a serious problem. | D.It is no longer considered a problem. |
A.Hardly have any effect. | B.Have the opposite effect. |
C.Bring certain benefits. | D.Cause some trouble. |
A.It may have limitations. |
B.Its researchers collected the data themselves. |
C.It focused on the participants’ psychological traits. |
D.It found silent mode affected participants’ interpersonal relationships. |
A.They checked their phones almost as often as usual. |
B.They showed healthier tech habits than people with the need-to-belong trait did. |
C.They stayed on their phones longer than people with the need-to-belong trait. |
D.They reacted differently from people with the need-to-belong trait. |
10 . Nowadays, people love sharing their personal views and news on the Internet.
Read and understand the privacy (隐私) terms
Make sure you clearly know the privacy terms before signing into any social media.
When using social media platforms you should always check the default (默认) privacy settings on their sites. Most default privacy settings may permit the sharing of your information with other third-party online users. Changing the default privacy settings may limit the amount of information that the social media site can share with other users.
Detailed information
When registering an account with social media platforms, you’ll be required to provide your detailed information such as full name, year of birth or address. Keep these pieces of in-formation to limit what other social media users know about you.
Be careful about posting photos online
A.Change the default privacy settings |
B.Such information can cause you harm |
C.Remove your comments online in case |
D.Every website on the Internet has privacy terms |
E.The default privacy settings bring benefit for you |
F.Before you show any pictures on social media, think twice |
G.Here are some tips to help you protect your privacy on social media |