1 . How We Talk about Fear Matters
Lately, there seems to be plenty to fear in the world. How we talk about what we fear might offer clues to how we perceive that emotion socially and culturally.
Get the root of fear.
Figure out the emotional meaning of fear.
Whether emotions are viewed positively or negatively varies from culture to culture.
Find out a fearful pattern.
In looking at such patterns across the major language families, researchers found that the word “fear” was often associated with anxiety, envy and grief in Indo-European languages. But in Austronesian languages, “fear” more often was associated with surprise.
How we talk about fear changes how we react to it. When we talk about what frightens us, it may be useful to disrupt associated meanings. In addition, how our language categorizes an emotion seems to impact whether we perceive those emotions negatively or positively.
In conclusion, fear is something that can be changed by cultural and linguistic experience.
A.Talk more about fears |
B.Change our perception of fear |
C.The word fear has a long history in English |
D.There seemed a fearful pattern across the major language families |
E.This is based on what people have learned to associate with emotion words |
F.It opens the door to potential ways to change how we talk about and react to it |
G.This makes speakers of the latter languages associate this emotion with a less negative sense |
2 . How to Work out Your Worries by Writing
Something troubling you?
You should write about it.
Research shows that people who write about a difficult situation often show improved mental and physical health.
Hundreds of studies over several decades have looked at the potential benefits of expressive writing. It can strengthen the immune system, including for people with illnesses such as flu, cancer and depression.
Expressive writing works because it allows you to make meaning out of a painful experience, experts say.
But expressive writing isn’t a magical cure-all solution.
Yet it can be a powerful tool for many, in large part because it helps prevent the secrecy people often feel about an injury, as well as their reluctance to face emotions.
A.Why write? |
B.What if you don’t write? |
C.Expressive writing gave people the courage to face fears. |
D.It shouldn’t be used as a replacement for other treatments. |
E.It can also help reduce pain and improve mood, sleep and memory. |
F.The first important step is to recognize what it is that is bothering you. |
G.Psychologists refer to writing about an unpleasant experience as ”expressive writing“. |
3 . A recent study showed that Dutch teens are the happiest in the world. The study surveyed 48 countries that represented nearly 7,000 teenagers. The survey asked a range of questions about body image, life satisfaction, and school environment.
Out of the 48 countries, the U.S. was fairly low on the list for teen happiness. America has experienced an increase in depression rates. So, what exactly makes Dutch teens happier and less anxious about life?
“I think Dutch children have generally positive reactions from their families and schools,” said Dr. Simone de Roos, a researcher. “They have a supportive environment at home, with friends and also at school. Dutch parents give a lot of support and have mild control. There’s a very good climate, teachers accept the feelings of pupils, and pupils trust teachers.”
The study also shows that Dutch teens’ daily habits have a huge effect on their overall health. According to the report, Dutch teens are five times more likely to eat breakfast during the week and have kinder classmates. Dutch teens are less likely to experience bullying (欺凌) and reported fewer rates of obesity. Prof. Ruut Veenhoven, director of World Happiness Day, said that across Europe young people do not feel anxious about living up to high expectations.
“If you look across Europe, the Dutch and the Danes are the most generous and they prefer to have their children develop self-independence rather than force them to obey others,” he said. Children have more freedom to do what they want, and in doing what they want, they develop an idea of what they really like as well as social skills. A happy boy may be sometimes not a very good boy.”
Actually, there are many more benefits to a Dutch childhood: they have comparatively little homework in school and experience regular family meals. Dutch kids are also more likely to be educated than their parents, and grow up in one of the most peaceful countries in the world. Maybe it’s high time that the U.S. took a page out of the Netherlands’ playbook.
1. What do we know about American teens?A.They are satisfied with their school life. | B.They are the most active in the study. |
C.They feel less happy than Dutch teens. | D.They have scored lower than others. |
A.Good social surroundings. | B.Their positive attitudes. |
C.Comfortable living conditions. | D.Their good body images. |
A.Ambitious. | B.Dependent. | C.Creative. | D.Free. |
A.Learn from the Dutch. | B.Play together with kids. |
C.Develop teens’ social skills. | D.Guide kids to live a happy life. |
4 . In 1998, I found myself in need of a lock to use on an exercise room locker where I work. My oldest daughter had one that she had been using for her middle school locker.
On a few occasions I left it unlocked on a locker but it was always there when I returned the next day. Generally, people around here are very honest.
The lock is a small thing, not worth much in monetary terms.
A.It is still in good working order. |
B.My daughter lost her lock somewhere. |
C.Many people ask me where I get my lock. |
D.I hope she will keep it to remember me by. |
E.Some people don’t even lock their lockers. |
F.But it has come to be one of my most prized belongings. |
G.But since it was summer time she didn’t need it and gave it to me. |