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 . Four Best Christmas Markets in Italy
BolzanoBolzano market is one of the largest in Italy and one of the first markets in the country. It is the ideal place to join the festive activities. You’ll find a large Christmas tree decorated with lights. Besides, there are little wooden houses filled with traditional gifts, candles, crafts and so much more which can give a medieval (中世纪的) feeling.
TurinThe market in Turin is a traditional Italian Christmas market and one of the first markets in the country. It is decorated with Christmas lights and decorations. Here you’ll find hand-made goods in a typical Piedmontese style as well as famous chocolates from Turin.
VenicePiazza San Marco is home to Venice’s Christmas market. During this time the city turns into a small Christmas village with unique decoration, lights and lots of cheers. There are dozens of Christmas trees as well as little wooden shops and visitors from all around the world. Shops offer the best treats you’ll ever taste, traditional street food and hand-made goods.
MilanOne of the longest running Christmas markets in Milan, is a sight worth seeing. The market dates back to the 1500s when it was once an event to allow locals to pay their respects to Sant’ Ambrogio. Today, there are over 300 stalls (货摊) decorated with lights and selling hand-made goods.
There are so many Christmas markets to enjoy. Start planning your Italy escape today. Are you ready to get into the festive spirit?
1. What do Bolzano and Turin have in common?| A．Both are the earliest created markets in Italy. |
| B．Both make visitors feel in the Middle Ages. |
| C．Both provide hand-made chocolates. |
| D．Both sell gifts in wooden houses. |
| A．Its history. | B．Its decoration. |
| C．Its traditional sea food. | D．Its local people. |
| A．Bolzano. | B．Turin. | C．Venice. | D．Milan. |
3 . How to Express Thanks to Loved Ones
You may feel grateful to your family and friends, but it may not always be easy for you to know how to express that. To truly express your gratitude (感激), you have to be kind and open.
Tell them how much you thank them. You may be taking your family members for granted (想当然) without even realizing it.
Write “thank-you” cards.
Do favors for them. Don’t do favors for your friends just because they’ve helped you out recently or because you want something in return.
| A．Give meaningful gifts |
| B．Thank the person publicly |
| C．When they face troubles and need some help |
| D．It’s one of the easiest ways to show your gratitude |
| E．Remember that a more grateful life is a happier life |
| F．To show how much your family members mean to you |
| G．Instead, help them out just because you care about them |
4 . Want to reduce your risk of dementia (痴呆)? Start counting your steps — you’ll need between 3,800 and 9,800 each day to reduce your risk of mental decline, according to a new study.
People between the ages of 40 and 79 who took 9,826 steps per day were 50% less likely to develop dementia within seven years, the study found. Furthermore, people who walked with “purpose” — at a speed over 40 steps a minute — were able to cut their risk of dementia by 57% with just 6,315 steps a day. Even people who walked about 3,800 steps a day at any speed cut their risk by 25%.
“That would be enough, at first, for sedentary (久坐不动) people,” said Cruz, a senior researcher in health sciences. “In fact, it is a message that doctors could use to inspire sedentary older adults — 4,000 steps is achievable by many, even those less fit,” he added. “Perhaps, more active and fitter people should aim for 10,000, where we see the largest effects.”
But there was an even more interesting result hidden in the study, according to an article entitled “Is 112 the New 10,000?”
The largest reduction (降低) in dementia risk — 62% — was achieved by people who walked at a very easy speed of 112 steps per minute for 30 minutes a day, the study found. Earlier research has marked 100 steps a minute as an easy or middle level of strength.
The article argued that people looking to reduce their risk of dementia should focus on their walking speed over their walking distance.
“We do agree this is a very interesting finding,” said Cruz. “Our take is that strength of stepping matters! Technology could be used to track not only the number of steps but also the speed and so these types of measures can also be applied in commercial watches. More research is needed on this.”
1. What can we learn from Paragraph 2?| A．Old people are more likely to have dementia. |
| B．Young people had better walk 9,826 steps a day. |
| C．It is harmful for people over 40 to walk too fast. |
| D．It is good for people to walk about 3,800 steps a day. |
| A．About 3,800 steps a day at any speed. |
| B．About 100 steps a minute a day. |
| C．At a speed over 40 steps a minute for 30 minutes a day. |
| D．At a speed of 112 steps a minute for half an hour a day. |
| A．The speed. | B．The steps. | C．The reasons. | D．The benefits. |
| A．Those who keep walking are less likely to develop dementia. |
| B．Walking each day can cut your risk of dementia but speed matters. |
| C．Walk a certain number of steps each day to cut your risk of dementia. |
| D．The more steps you take, the less risk of dementia you suffer from. |
5 . When Arsh was a young boy, his parents, Divya Pal and Sanjeev, signed him up for extracurricular activities such as piano, karate (空手道) and gymnastics, but he preferred art. When Arsh turned 8, he received a watercolor paint set as a birthday gift. He spent all his spare time painting. That’s how he started painting.
Around the same time, Arsh often visited a local nursing home, where his mother works. Spending time there inspired him to start selling his art for a good cause. “I want to help people in need through my paintings,” he said.
And so began his fundraising (筹款) program, which he called “Art by Arsh”. He sold his paintings at local art shows, restaurants and libraries, as well as on his Instagram account and Facebook page. He donated his first $1,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2018, and has since reached various other charities.
Arsh, now 12, mostly makes commissioned (委托创作的) pieces, and several of his customers have come back wanting more. That includes his neighbor, Jolene Schaver, who has five of Arsh’s creations hanging in her home and has bought many more for friends and family. “I was amazed at how talented he was at such a young age, without any formal training,” said Schaver.
Along with selling his paintings to benefit nonprofit organizations, Arsh now also teaches art lessons at the local nursing home. And he thought about accessibility, and realized not all people have the resources (资源) to make art—which has the capacity to comfort and heal (治愈). “One of my future goals is to make art accessible for kids who want to express themselves,” Arsh said. He has already started offering free art lessons to local children, and he hopes to expand (扩展) his classes further in the future.
1. What do we know about the young Arsh according to the first paragraph?| A．He received a painting as a birthday gift. | B．He made a living through painting. |
| C．He showed a lively interest in art. | D．He got a place at an art school. |
| A．To raise money by selling his paintings. | B．To introduce his paintings to more people. |
| C．To donate some of his paintings to charities. | D．To decorate local libraries with his paintings. |
| A．Warm-hearted and humorous. | B．Hard-working and honest. |
| C．Gifted and generous. | D．Kind and brave. |
| A．Form more nonprofit organizations. | B．Learn more about the healing power of art. |
| C．Do more voluntary work at the nursing home. | D．Create more opportunities for kids to make art. |
6 . My name is Eivind Trodden, I’m 42 years old and on Svalbard in the North Pole. My background was originally software engineering, and years later I decided to go ahead and get my pilot license. This year I tried my hands at technology and got a job at Svatsat, the northernmost Satellite (卫星) Ground Station in the world. Now I work as a pilot and an operations engineer.
Originally, I moved here for the job. This was the first pilot job I got. After a while, I was attracted by the place, and right now the most important thing for me is to live here.
It is wonderful and full of differences. The polar night is balanced with the midnight sun. Here the year is much like a day. The winter is night. In the morning there is ice, snow and then spring. Then there is the endless day of summer, and finally, the town settles in with the sunset of autumn.
The summer is the most difficult. It is harder to create darkness than light. You have to have good blinds on your bedroom windows. A good trick is to create your own evening. I like to close the blinds and sit down in relative darkness with a good book or a movie before I go to bed.The dark season is the favorite of many people living here. There are fewer tourists, and people have a chance to get together and be social after the busy summer. You have to be self-controlled though, and not start lighting candles in the middle of the day. Don’t underestimate (低估) the cost of living here. You need a large number of tools to experience Svalbard to the fullest.
1. The author’s present work is probably connected with ________.
| A．training the pilots | B．software engineering |
| C．satellite controlling technology | D．researching the coldest place |
| A．The simple lifestyle. | B．His love for the place. |
| C．Better living conditions. | D．Chances to get a job. |
| A．They have spare time to relax. |
| B．There are less rules to follow. |
| C．There are no kids to disturb them. |
| D．They needn’t light candles any longer. |
| A．Busy but boring. | B．Simple but exciting. |
| C．Colorful and comfortable. | D．Great and different. |
7 . Last Monday, I visited Jalan Besar to find a new fan blade (风扇叶片) for a standing fan that my daughters had broken.
I worked in the Jalan Besar area 30 years ago and remembered that there were lots of small hardware shops selling unusual things so I thought that I would have no problem finding a fan blade. However, after walking around for almost an hour, I found out that these shops were no longer around.
When I was ready to give up and go home, I spotted an old-fashioned hardware store. After being greeted by a woman, I explained my predicament. She immediately asked me to show her the broken blade. Out of nowhere, a man who looked to be in his 60s came out.
He asked to see the blade and then disappeared into the shop. He came back with a blade but it did not look the same as what I had in my hand. We compared the two blades and he said that it might work.
I asked him how much it was. He told me that he had taken the blade off an old fan that someone had brought in for repair. He said, “It didn’t cost me anything, so why should I charge you for it?” That really touched me. I took the blade home and it worked perfectly! My daughters got a “new” fan for nothing.
When I told my wife (almost in her 60s) this story, she said this reminded her of the kind aunties and uncles who used to run small shops and were always ready to help others when she was growing up.
1. Why did the author go to Jalan Besar?| A．To visit his old friends. | B．To apply for a job. |
| C．To fix the broken fan. | D．To buy a new fan. |
| A．Nervous mood. | B．Difficult situation. |
| C．Anxious waiting. | D．Boring moments. |
| A．Kind and brave. | B．Honest and helpful. |
| C．Determined and curious. | D．Open-minded and humorous. |
| A．She remembered the old days. | B．She was greatly surprised. |
| C．She couldn’t believe it. | D．She thought little of it. |
8 . Amazing Benefits of Listening to Music
If you love listening to music, you’re in good mood. Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental and physical health.
Music lowers stress (压力).
Music brings happiness.
More than 350 million people are not happy around the world. Music can make people happy, depending on the type of music.
Music can lead people to eat fewer calories and enjoy their meals better. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your weight, try listening to soft music next time you sit down for a meal.
Music raises school performance.
Taking music lessons predicts higher school performance in young children. In one study, children who took singing lessons had learned better than children who took other lessons unrelated to music.
| A．Music helps you eat less |
| B．Popular music lifts people up |
| C．Music gives you hope and confidence |
| D．Listening to music reduces the stress in your body |
| E．Here are some amazing benefits of listening to music |
| F．If you want to help your children get good grades in their studies |
| G．Musical training can help raise our IQs and even keep us sharp in young age |
9 . Children should do housework. That’s a controversial (有争议的) idea, though not everyone will admit it. A few parents will say that their children are too busy for housework. Many more of us believe in our children, but the housework just doesn’t get done.
That’s a problem. For starters, housework is good for kids. Being a part of the routine work of running a household helps children develop an awareness of the needs of others, while at the same time contributing to their emotional well-being.
One small study, done over a period of 25 years, found that the best thing for young adults’ success in their mid-20s was whether they took part in housework at age 3 or 4. Those early shared responsibilities extended to a sense of responsibility in other areas of their lives.
But for all that their help matters, few kids are doing much around the house at all. In a survey of 1,000 American adults, 75 percent said they believed regular housework made kids “more responsible”. Yet only 56 percent of those with children said they required them to do housework.
Sports and homework are not get-out-of-housework-free cards. The goal, after all, is to raise adults who can balance a caring role in their families and communities with whatever lifetime achievement goals they choose. Housework teaches that balance.
What should you do when getting children to do housework? Accept no excuses. Don’t worry if you must repeat yourself again and again. If you’re spending more time getting the child to do this job than it would take to do it yourself, then you’re doing it right. Can a payment help? Maybe. But if you’re trying to teach kids to share the responsibility of a home, paying them for routine housework is not the right message.
1. What can we infer from the first paragraph?| A．Very few children get housework done. | B．Children are very busy with housework. |
| C．Housework is a must-do for parents. | D．Family members should respect each other. |
| A．Housework helps a man live a happy life. | B．A man’s success depends on his housework. |
| C．Housework benefits a sense of responsibility. | D．A child must start doing housework at age 3. |
| A．Balance housework and study. | B．Help the child do housework positively. |
| C．Do housework by themselves. | D．Pay the child for doing housework. |
| A．Adults do less housework at home in the US. | B．It is important for children to do housework. |
| C．Parents should do housework for their children. | D．Children need more time to do sports at home. |
10 . We saw a lot of achievements and breakthroughs in the Internet and related technologies in China. Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting things that went beyond the imagination.
China’s tech giant Huawei officially launched (发布) Huawei Mate X, its first foldable smartphone on Feb 24, 2019. That came just five days after Galaxy Fold, the first foldable smartphone of Samsung. In November, Chinese computer giant Lenovo launched its foldable PC Thinkpad X1.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued commercial licenses for 5G on June 6, 2019. The next-generation tech is expected to be at least 10 times faster than 4G, and its huge capacity to connect things will enable smart factories, self-driving vehicles and other applications, according to a previous China Daily report.
Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp on Aug 5 began the selling of 5G smartphones, the first 5G phone model to hit the market in China. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp launched its latest 5G concept phone, the Mi MIX Alpha, on Sept 24, 2019.
Chinese Internet giant Baidu had a trial run for its Apollo RoboTaxi on roads in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, in September. In the landmark event in China’s intelligent connected car development, 45 self-driving taxis were used. These vehicles, co-produced by Baidu and domestic carmaker FAW Hongqi, are Level 4 driverless vehicles.
Facial recognition has been widely used across China this year, powering the technology to unlock phones, pass security checks at airports and train stations and even purchase goods such as water, coffee, snacks, with a “smile to pay” function. At the same time, China has started to carry out a national standard for facial recognition technology to ensure data security.
1. Which company launched the first foldable smart equipment in 2019?| A．Huawei. | B．Samsung. | C．Lenovo. | D．ZTE. |
| A．Medicine. | B．High-tech. | C．Transport. | D．Communication. |
| A．Send. | B．Borrow. | C．Buy. | D．Find. |
| A．Foldable Smartphone Is Popular |
| B．Self-driving Vehicles Are Smart |
| C．Facial Recognition Is A Big Trend |
| D．Internet and Technology Boom in China |
