1 . We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.
What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all don’t have enough conversational ability. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s embarrassing and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s a valuable social practice that leads to big benefits.
It is easy to consider small talk as unimportant, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t even exist (存在) if there weren’t casual conversations. Small talk is the grease (润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. “Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,” he explains. “The secret to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.”
In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, professor of psychology at UBC, invited people to a coffee shop. One group was asked to interact with its waiter, the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported obviously higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. “It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband,” says Dunn. “But interactions with peripheral (边缘的) members of our social network is important for our happiness and health.”
Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a greater sense of belonging, a link with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. “Small talk is the basis of good manners,” he says.
1. What does the underline word “casual” in paragraph 3mean?| A．Addictive | B．Public | C．Personal | D．Informal |
| A．Showing good manners. | B．Making business deals. |
| C．Focusing on a topic. | D．Keeping in contact with other people. |
| A．It raises people’s confidence. | B．It makes people feel good. |
| C．It improves family relationships. | D．It matters as much as a formal talk. |
| A．Conversation Counts | B．Ways of Making Small Talk |
| C．Importance of Small Talk | D．Uncomfortable Silence |
While there is growing consumer
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With growing calls for sustainability, many brands are announcing to change though it remains
Today, life as a teenager has changed greatly. The growth from childhood to adulthood is effortless for some, but difficult for others. There are many
Being a teenager means we’re no longer a child
Many adults expect us to act just as they did, but they don’t understand that we
The best part of being a teenager is being able to find things at the click of a button(按钮). With the
4 . Social media allow teenagers to create online identities, communicate with others and build social networks. These networks can provide teenagers with valuable support. Teenagers also use social media for entertainment and self-expression. And the platforms can expose teenagers to current events, allow them to communicate across geographic barriers and teach them about different kinds of subjects, including healthy behaviors. However, social media use can also negatively affect teenagers, distracting them, influencing their sleep, and exposing them to bullying (恐吓), rumor (谣言) spreading, untrue views of other people’s lives and peer pressure.
There are steps you can take to encourage responsible use of social media and limit some of its negative effects.
Set reasonable limits. Talk to your teenager about how to avoid letting social media affect his or her activities, sleep, meals or homework. Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cellphones and iPads out of teenagers’ bedrooms. Set an example by following these rules yourself.
Monitor your teenager’s accounts. Let your teenager know that you’ll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts. You might aim to do so once a week or more. And make sure you follow through.
Explain what’s not OK. Discourage your teenager from gossiping, spreading rumors, bullying or damaging someone’s reputation—online or otherwise. Talk to your teenager about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.
Encourage face-to-face contact with friends. This is particularly important for teenagers who are vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.
Talk about social media. Talk about your own social media habits. Ask your teenager how he or she is using social media and how it makes him or her feel. Remind your teenager that social media is full of unrealistic images.
If you think your teenager is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression related to social media use, talk to your child’s health care provider immediately.
1. How does the author mainly develop the first paragraph?| A．By providing reasons. | B．By making comparison. |
| C．By following the order of importance. | D．By raising questions. |
| A．Powering them off. | B．Putting them in the schoolbag. |
| C．Keeping them out of bedroom. | D．Listening to them instead of watching. |
| A．Warm-hearted. | B．Easily hurt. | C．Deeply moved. | D．Hard-working. |
| A．Teenagers. | B．Officials. | C．Teachers. | D．Parents. |
5 . Research shows that isolation（隔绝）is bad for us and associated with certain diseases including depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Yet teenagers seek isolation by using the device of our times—a screen, screens of all kinds. However, in whatever form, screens are addictive（上瘾的）,and addictive from an early age. Research has shown that given the chance, six-month-old babies prefer screens to real human faces.
Hand in hand with this addiction to screens, we are seeing an explosion （增长）of teenage mental health problems. Social media claims to be inclusive（包容的）, keeping you connected. But it’s not. It isolates you from real people. Screens have even been described as being poisonous（有害的）for teenagers.
Psychologist Jean Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University, believes today’s teenagers are “on the edge” of a major mental health problem. The problem is, she claims, children born between 1995 and 2012 have grown up with a smart phone in their hands, and it has “changed every aspect” of their lives. The number of teenagers who actually see their friends frequently has dropped by more than 40% since 2000. In 2015, only 56% of 17-year-old went on a date, down from 85%. Modern teenagers are slower to learn to drive, or earn money and spend more time at home. They’re “on their phone, in their room, alone and often depressed（压抑的）”, she says.
Some critics（评论家）, however, say we should encourage our children to spend more time online. Robert Hannigan, former director of GCHQ, said in August that Britain is badly short of engineers and computer scientists, and urged children to develop cyber skill to compete in the digital economy.
I’m not the first to say that social media is inferior to real human contact, and harms mental health. Studies show teens who spend three hours a day online are 35% more likely to suicide（自杀）.The suicide rate among girls aged 12 to 14 has more than doubled in a decade.
1. Why does Jean Twenge call on teens to surf online less?| A．Social media keeps them connected. |
| B．Social media leads to mental problems. |
| C．Social media does great harm to their eyesight |
| D．Social media has changed every aspect of their lives. |
| A．We should allow teens to isolate themselves from real social contact |
| B．We should call on teens to do anything that doesn’t involve a screen |
| C．Children should be encouraged to contact people face to face instead of online. |
| D．Children should be encouraged to spend more time on the Internet. |
| A．Social media is worse than real human contact. |
| B．Social media is as effective as real human contact. |
| C．Social media is more useful than real human contact. |
| D．Social media is similar to real human contact. |
| A．Teenagers seeking isolation using screens |
| B．Social media causing teenagers health problems |
| C．Teenagers’ heavy addiction to social media |
| D．Different opinions on teenagers surfing online |
6 . We’ve all done it. For many of us, it’s something that happens so naturally every day. After working on an important project or a task for a little while, you decide to take a break-only to pick up your smartphone and start looking through social media, reading emails, checking out the news and maybe getting in a quick round of “Candy Crush Saga”. A break is supposed to be a time to relax so that you can go back to your work feeling fresh. However, a new study finds that cellphone use during a mental break doesn’t really allow the brain to relax and can actually result in a poorer performance.
For the study, a group of 422 undergraduate students at Rutgers were assigned a set of 20 word puzzles to complete. Halfway through the task, the students were separated into three groups: one group took a break and were told to use their cellphones to go shopping online, another group took a break and were instructed to shop either via their computers or using a paper circular (印刷品广告), and the third group didn’t take a break at all.
Interestingly, the group that took a break with their cellphones displayed the highest levels of mental fatigue (疲劳), and had the hardest time solving the word puzzles following their breaks. In all, the cellphone group took 19% longer to finish the puzzle task, and solved 22% fewer problems than participants in the other two groups combined.
“The act of reaching for your phone between tasks, or the mid-task, is becoming more common. We assume it’s no different from any other break-but the phone may carry increasing levels of distraction (使人分心的事) that make it difficult to return focused attention to work tasks,” explains Terri Kurtzberg.
1. Why do people turn to smart phone after a big task?| A．To get relaxed. | B．To keep informed. | C．To achieve help. | D．To make a phone call. |
| A．By asking questions. | B．By interviewing lots of people. |
| C．By studying different lifestyles. | D．By studying different ways of breaks. |
| A．Breaks are unnecessary. | B．Students are addicted to smart phones. |
| C．Smart phones distract people’s attention. | D．Paper circulars improve work efficiency. |
| A．To share a story. | B．To present a finding. | C．To solve a problem. | D．To prove a theory. |
I have observed that Colbie Caillat has a positive influence on pop culture in recent years. Colbie has taken a stand for natural beauty with the release of her hit single, “Try”. The first time I watched the “Try” music video, I felt inspired.
The video shows women of different backgrounds and body types as well as a range of ages. I find the most inspiration in the expressions on all of the women’s faces throughout the video. Each woman has a positive look on her own face as she is shown without make-up.
In today’s society, there is an unbelievable amount of pressure to “look good”. This opening line sets the mood for the video and gives viewers a chance to wonder whether society likes them. The theme of “Try” is that we young women should focus more on our personalities than our looks, contrary to what society wants us to believe.
I have shown this video to both my mother and my grandmother, since the video speaks positive to women of all ages. The inspirational words cause viewers to think deeper about inner beauty, which is quite powerful. My mother and grandmother had similar comments about the video, which inspired further conversation about their opinions of natural beauty in today’s society.
The closing words of the video are: take your make-up off. Let your hair down.Take a breath. Look into the mirror at yourself. Don’t you like you? Because I like you. It is important to focus on ourselves and ask ourselves whether we are pleased with ourselves. Colbie’s efforts break the pop culture rules of make-up.Inspiration and positive self-esteem come from within. Inner beauty makes one look good instead of the outside beauty. Colbie’s efforts should be copied to increase the importance of natural beauty in the pop culture and encourage further inspiration for young women in future generations.
1. The author pays attention to Colbie Caillat because .| A．she is regarded as the best singer |
| B．she makes a big difference to pop culture |
| C．she has released a large number of songs |
| D．her song “Try” has been world-famous |
| A．It shows all kinds of women with make-up. |
| B．It advises everyone not to dress up themselves. |
| C．It helps viewers find who loves them most. |
| D．It focuses on young women’s qualities. |
| A．people shouldn’t make up |
| B．people should only care about themselves |
| C．a woman’s real beauty is from the inside |
| D．positive self-esteem leads to success in the future |
| A．A Famous Performer—Colbie Caillat |
| B．How the Song “Try” Came Out |
| C．Never Pay Attention to Your Appearance |
| D．The True Meaning of Beauty |
8 . For many kids, the Internet is at their fingertips. From computers to smartphones, a web of information is open to them. According to a new report from the Pew Research Centre, about three out of four kids aged 12 to 15 connect the Internet using a mobile device from time to time. Many younger kids are online too.
Julian Zeitlinger, 9, from New Jersey, uses his computer to watch videos and play games. To keep him safe online, his parents monitor his web use and discuss Internet safety with him. “I ask my parents if something is wrong.” Julian says. Mobile devices offer more ways than ever to share personal information. The information can be dangerous in the wrong hands. A study found that 62% of children aged 8 to 17 have had an unpleasant online experience.
Have you ever had to enter a parent’s e-mail address when signing up for a website? That safety measure is there because of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The law says sites for kids under 13 cannot collect personal information, such as a phone number or full name, without a parent’s permission.
This July, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will update COPPA for the first time since the law was created in 1998 when there were no smartphones. “The nature of the way kids get online has changed,” FTC lawyer Phyllis Marcus said. When the changes take effect, COPPA will apply to mobile devices and newer forms of advertising. It will expand what falls under “personal information” to include videos, photographs and services that give out users location.
COPPA doesn’t cover everything that can go wrong online. That’s why kids and parents need to know what to look out for and to stop and think before sharing information online.
“Many people now misunderstand that if a site is following. COPPA, it is totally safe,” says privacy expert Shai Samet. He runs KidSAFE, which checks if a site meets KidSAFE standards and is safe. “It’s important that kids know how useful the Internet is but that it can also be dangerous if you are not careful,” he adds.
1. Julian’s parents check his web use to make sure_________.| A．he doesn’t watch too many videos | B．he doesn’t play computer games |
| C．he controls his online time | D．he stays safe on the Internet |
| A．By describing his own experiences. | B．By showing differences. |
| C．By presenting scientific research. | D．By using examples. |
| A．Formal websites are always safe. |
| B．COPPA can ensure complete safety online. |
| C．The Internet is becoming safer and safer. |
| D．Daily checks prevent future online problems. |
| A．To ask parents to look out for their kids. | B．To offer tips on online safety. |
| C．To tell people to be careful online. | D．To introduce an online law. |
9 . Studies on the importance of sleep for health and the various effects of not having enough sleep have long been well-known. Being short of sleep can lead to poor memory and daytime sleepiness. It’s also been connected to diseases and weakens immune(免疫的)function. However, more than three-quarters of us fall asleep after 11pm and nearly a third stay up until 1am.
The concept(概念)of sleep procrastination was introduced in a 2014 study by Utrecht University in The Netherlands, which explained that it meant “failing to go to bed at the intended time, while nothing prevents a person from doing so”. If so, it will bring terrible results.
Studies have shown that “bedtime procrastination” is connected with a person’s working life during the day. “They feel out of control in their day life and the night is when they can be free,” says Dr Saliha Afridi. “It is full of things they ‘have to do’ rather than what they ‘want to do’. ” Studies have also found that increased working hours and the reduced leisure time may cause much stress and sleep procrastination. On occasion, people have trouble with feelings, concern and loneliness, so they were controlled by using social media, making them stay up late.
So how to avoid it? People should avoid thinking too much before bedtime and stay away from digital devices. Besides, taking a warm shower before bed and going to bed at the intended time are also important.
1. What’s the effect of not having enough sleep?| A．Increasing the risk of injuries. | B．Suffering from much stress. |
| C．Feeling sleepy in the daytime. | D．Losing the previous memory. |
| A．Staying up. | B．Keeping awake. | C．Getting up late. | D．Falling asleep. |
| A．A variety of hobbies. | B．Boring social activities. |
| C．Addiction to digital devices. | D．Working too many hours. |
| A．Form a good sleep habit. | B．Take regular exercise. |
| C．Listen to some soft music. | D．Surf the Internet less. |
10 . Teenagers drink. It’s a known fact among our society. People think that they do it to fit in, or to be cool, or to have fun. Although they may be the case for some, the true causes are much more severe. Many do it to escape, or they have no choice in the matter. Knowing and understanding these true causes will make it easier to deal with and treat.
Alcoholism usually runs in the family. A study done by the University of California, San Francisco, showed that about 25% of children of alcoholic families will become alcohol addicts. Therefore, teenagers who have alcoholic parents are more likely to develop alcohol addiction.
Teens are at a higher risk of drinking alcohol because they are more likely to feel more self-conscious about themselves than adults. They are more anxious to create good impressions on their classmates and friends, therefore turning to alcohol. Also, teens believe that drinking makes them feel better, look smarter, or appear cooler.
Teenagers who use alcohol report that the guidance from their parents is often lacking. There is usually a communication gap between the parents and the child.
But you can deal with it well. Know your teenagers and talk with them. Understand what they are going through at school, and know who their friends are. A simple conversation each day can help; in other words, communication is the key. Allow them to enjoy their risky behavior under your supervision. You don’t have to be an annoying one in your teenager’s life, to be a part of it.
1. According to the study done by the University of California, teenagers are more likely to drink when they ________.| A．suffer from great pressure from study | B．live in the family where parents drink much |
| C．hang out with alcoholic friends | D．are in the dark about the harm of drinking |
| A．show they are wealthy | B．impress them well |
| C．express their certain feelings | D．help them understand each other |
| A．understand what they are thinking | B．share drinking with them |
| C．communicate with them well | D．ask them to be responsible |
| A．teenagers | B．drinkers | C．teachers | D．parents |
