1 . Twelve-year-old Catherine has a lot of friends—632, actually, if you count up her online friends. And she spends a lot of time with them.
But is it possible that Catherine’s online friendships could be making her lonely? That’s what some experts believe. Connecting online is a great way to stay in touch, they say. However, some experts worry that many kids are so busy connecting online that they might be missing out on true friendships.
Could this be true? During your parents’ childhoods, connecting with friends usually meant spending time with them in the flesh. Kids played Scrabble around a table, not words with friends on their phones. When friends missed each other, they picked up the telephone. Friends might even write letters to each other.
Today, most communication takes place online. A typical teen sends 2,000 texts a month and spends more than 44 hours per week in front of a screen. Much of this time is spent on social media platform.
In fact, in many ways, online communication can make friendships stronger. “There’s definitely a positive influence. Kids can stay in constant contact, which means they can share more of their feelings with each other,” says Katie Davis, co-author of The App Generation.
Other experts, however, warn that too much online communication can get in the way of forming deep friendships. “If we are constantly checking in with our virtual world, we will have little time for our real-world friendships,” says Larry Rosen, a professor at California State University. Rosen also worries that today’s kids might mistake the “friends” on the social media for true friends in life. However, in tough times, you don’t need anyone to like your picture or share your blogs. You need someone who will keep your secrets and hold your hand. You would like to talk face to face.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?| A．To tell about true friends. | B．To start a discussion. |
| C．To encourage online friendships. | D．To summarize(总结) the text. |
| A．In any case. | B．In public. | C．In person. | D．In advance. |
| A．Unconcerned. | B．Positive. | C．Worried. | D．Confused. |
| A．Teenagers need to focus on real-world friendships. | B．It’s easier to develop friendships in real life. |
| C．It’s wise to turn to friends online. | D．Social media help people stay closely connected. |
2 . Years ago, I bought a blouse. That same day, I considered putting it on, but for no particular reason decided not to. That weekend, I again considered wearing the blouse, but the occasion didn’t seem special enough, so again, I passed. Fast forward to today. I have never worn that blouse.
What happened here? Why do people own so many unused possessions, treating them as though they are too special to use? To find out, I ran an experiment in which participants imagined buying a bottle of wine. We had half of the participants imagine considering opening it one night, but deciding not to. Then when we measured how special the wine seemed, and participants intentions to open it later we found that those who had imagined holding off on opening it were in fact less likely to intend to open it later. When asked the reason, most assumed they were waiting for a future occasion to open it a more special occasion.
Why do people fall into this mental trap? Prior research points to a recipe for what psychologists term “specialness spirals”. When you give up using something, if you believe that you are waiting to use it, the possession will start to feel more special. And as you search for the right occasion day after day it becomes more tempting (吸引人的) to hold out for a future occasion. The less you use it, though, the more special it feels, and the cycle continues. Ultimately, the likelihood (可能性) of using the possession becomes rarer and rarer. The more this happens, the more stuff you have lying around.
How can you fight specialness spirals? Try committing in advance to using an item on a specific occasion. When buying a dress, tell yourself you’ll wear it this weekend. Or when purchasing a candle, plan to light it that day. This strategy encourages you to actually enjoy your possessions.
1. Why has the author’s blouse sat unworn for many years?| A．She forgot where it was put. | B．She soon grew to dislike it. |
| C．She had no other clothes to match it. | D．She failed to find a right occasion to wear it. |
| A．Discuss how to deal with the wine. | B．List reasons for drinking the wine. |
| C．Decide whether to drink the wine. | D．Evaluate the quality of the wine. |
| A．They result from an optimistic attitude to the future. |
| B．They help explain the psychology of delayed rewards. |
| C．They can attract people into shopping traps. |
| D．They can lead to a collection of unused stuff. |
| A．To describe a purchase experience. | B．To explain a psychological phenomenon. |
| C．To criticize a wrong consumption concept. | D．To encourage people to prepare for a rainy day. |
3 . Featured Bike Tours in Italy
Lake Como & the Italian Lake District
Italy’s Lake Como tour is deeply loved by cyclists. Among dramatic hills and waters, riding is relatively easy along flat bike paths and breathtaking valleys. The beautiful waters of three major lakes-Garda, Iseo and Como are never far from sight as you sample good wines in Franciacorta.
Daily Mileage: 7 — 32 miles
Cycling Level: Moderate (中等的)
Cost: $395
Tuscany, Lucca to Siena
On this self-guided bicycling vacation, you’ll ride from Lucca to Siena at your own pace. Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s hometown of Vinci Ride into the famous wine region of Chianti. Stay in welcoming hotels along the way.
Daily Mileage: 3 — 40 miles
Cycling Level: Moderate / Challenging
Cost: $265
Valleys of the Sodomites
Road cycling the Sodomites was never easier, as you ride along mostly flat or downhill bike paths. Along the way, you’ll explore historic cities, and meet an ancient culture found nowhere else on Earth. You’ll also be fueled by local meals and end each day in 4-star accommodations!
Daily Mileage: 4 — 36 miles
Cycling Level: Easy
Cost: $595
Coastal Villages of Tuscany
Tuscany’s amazingly beautiful coast begs to be explored by bicycle Beautiful towns dot (星罗棋布于) the countryside, surrounded by trees that hug the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. At the end of each day, you can relax in the natural pool and springs of an Etruscan caldarium (高温浴室).
Daily Mileage: 8 — 39 miles
Cycling Level: Moderate
Cost: $475
1. What can cyclists do during the cheapest tour?| A．Bathe in natural springs. |
| B．Enjoy beautiful lake scenes. |
| C．Stay in 4-star accommodations. |
| D．Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s hometown. |
| A．Lake Como & the Italian Lake District. |
| B．Tuscany, Lucca to Siena. |
| C．Valleys of the Sodomites. |
| D．Coastal Villages of Tuscany. |
| A．7 — 32 miles. | B．3 — 40 miles. | C．4 — 36 miles. | D．8 — 39 miles. |
1. 尊师重道；
2. 善良、积极向上；
3. 有强烈的责任感；
Hello, everyone! As the class monitor of Class 1, I’m glad to make a speech here. The following is my topic: What are the most important qualities that middle school students today should have?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________1. What did the teacher do to his plants?
| A．He gave them too much attention. |
| B．He never watered them. |
| C．He rarely took care of them. |
| A．The teacher’s plants survived. |
| B．The teacher’s plants were destroyed. |
| C．The baker’s plants were not destroyed. |
| A．Guiding is better than giving. |
| B．No pain, no gain. |
| C．Prevention is better than cure. |
1. What are the speakers mainly doing?
| A．Cleaning the shelf. | B．Looking at some photos. | C．Attending a wedding. |
| A．2 years old. | B．15 years old. | C．17 years old. |
| A．Grandmother and grandson. | B．Mother and son. | C．Husband and wife. |
| A．She is very busy now. |
| B．She misses Lily very much. |
| C．She doesn’t like cats. |
1. Why did the woman come to China?
| A．To take a vacation. | B．To earn school fees. | C．To learn Chinese. |
| A．She speaks Chinese more fluently. |
| B．She depends more on her friends. |
| C．She’s more sure about her future plans. |
| A．Return to her country. | B．Settle down in China. | C．Make some friends. |
1. What does the man say about Mrs. Taylor?
| A．She isn’t very patient. | B．She’s a wise person. | C．She’s strict about exams. |
| A．In America. | B．In France. | C．In Canada. |
| A．For her study. | B．For her work. | C．For her friend. |
1. When does the conversation take place?
| A．On March 15th. | B．On March 12th. | C．On March 9th. |
| A．Attend class. | B．Surf the Internet. | C．Prepare some tools. |
| A．Go to a concert. | B．Work on his paper. | C．Meet Jenny. |
