2 . We are in the midst of a battle for our attention. Our devices have affected our brains and destroyed our collective ability to concentrate. Journalist Johann Hair’s new book, Stolen Focus, has just joined the voices complaining about the great influence of the digital age. His and other recent books reflect a public perception that our focus is under attack.

Indeed, in our new research, we found some clear concerns. We surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,093 UK adults in 2021. Half of those surveyed felt their attention spans were shorter than they used to be, compared with a quarter who didn't. And three quarters of participants agreed we're living through a time when there's non-stop competition for our attention between a variety of media channels and information outlets (渠道).

There has long been a worry about the threat to attention brought by new cultural forms, whether that’s social media or the cheap paperback sensation novels of the 19th century. Even as far back as ancient Greece, the philosopher Socrates complained that the written words created “forgetfulness in our souls”. There has always been a tendency to fear the effects that new media and technologies will have on our minds.

The reality is that we simply don’t have long-term studies that tell us whether our attention spans have actually shrunk. What we do know from our study is that people overestimate some of the problems. There’s no such thing as an average attention span. Our ability to focus varies hugely depending on the individual and the task at hand.

It’s also important not to ignore the many benefits that technology brings to our life. Much of the public surveyed recognized these, so while half thought big tech and social media were ruining young people’s attention spans, roughly another half felt that being easily distracted was more to do with people’s personalities than any negative influence that technology may or may not have. Also, half of the public believed multitasking at work and switching frequently between emails, phone calls, and other tasks can create a more efficient and satisfactory work experience.

3 . For a long time Gabriel didn't want to be involved in music at all. In his first years of high school, Gabriel would look pityingly at music students, _______ across the campus with their heavy instrument cases. _______ at school for practice hours. _______ anyone else had to be there. He swore to himself to _______ music, as he hated getting to school extra early.

_______ , one day, in the music class that was _______ of his school’s standard curriculum, he was playing idly (随意地) on the piano and found it _______ to pick out tunes. With a sinking feeling, he realized that he actually _______ doing it. He tried to hide his _______ pleasure from the music teacher, who had, ________ over to listen. He might not have done this particularly well, ________ the teacher told Gabriel that he had a good ________ and suggested that Gabriel go into the music store-room to see if any of the instruments there ________ him. There he decided to give the cello (大提琴) a ________ . When he began practicing, he took it very ________. But he quickly found that he loved playing this instrument, and was ________ to practicing it so that within a couple of months he was playing reasonably well.

This ________ , of course, that he arrived at school early in the morning, ________ his heavy instrument case across the campus to the ________ looks of the non-musicians he had left ________.

7 . There were smiling children all the way. Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway, wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang. Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives. This is the simple village people of Malaysia. I was moved.

I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car, so this was the first time I was on a train. I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread. I looked about the train. There was not one familiar face. I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.

It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia. Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore, so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past. As we went beyond the city, I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green. Then the first village came into sight. Immediately I came alive; I decided to wave back.

From then on my journey became interesting. I threw my magazines into the wastebasket and decided to join in Malaysian life. Then everything came alive. The mountains seemed to speak to me. Even the trees were smiling. I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.

The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry. I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm. Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth. I looked at the people all around me. They all looked beautiful. When my uncle arrived with a smile, I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug. I had never done this before. He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile. We walked arm in arm to his car.

I looked forward to the return journey.

My students and I were ready for a challenge — a trip to Costa Rica. As we were waiting at the airport, we talked about our hopes and fears for our ten — day trip. My students worried about homesickness and felt uneasy with their homestay families. But strange foods or meeting new people didn’t concern me. What terrified me was the best part of the trip — a zip lining(滑缆绳) flight over the jungle valley bordering Arenal Volcano. I made a secret pact(协议) with myself to find an excuse to get out of it at the last minute.

When the fateful day arrived, we got to the peak to enjoy the breathtaking view of the volcano. When seeing the activity, my students raised a cheerful shout. How I wished I had had the same feeling as them. However, I was afraid of heights.

My student Eileen sidled up to me. Her face was pale. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “Will you stay back with me?” Here was my chance! I could get out of zip lining and still save face!

“I’m scared, too,” I said quietly.

“Yeah,” she said. “I thought you would be the right person to ask because you are really white, and you are sweating.” Her words woke me up, and something clicked into place. If I couldn’t step outside of my comfort zone, how could I ask the kids to do so?

“Maybe we should give it a try,” I said. I felt a little sick, but I couldn’t believe my body was actually moving toward the launch point.

“Come on,” I said. “OK,” she agreed.

Eileen zipped past me, screaming with fear or delight, which I was not sure of. Once she was across, I followed. The attempt was not as terrible as I had thought. From that moment on, I knew there was nothing to fear as long as I walked out of my comfort zone and had a try.