1 . While video games used to be considered harmful to young people, various studies have also proved the positive effects of computer games, especially action video games.
Angela Pasqualotto from the University of Trento and her team have now tested whether such video games can help primary school children learn to read. They’ve developed such a computer game called Skies of Manawak.
“Reading involves many important skills, including knowing how to move our eyes on the page or how to use our working memory to connect words into a meaningful sentence,” explains Pasqualotto. “It’s known that action video games improve these still, such as vision, general attention, working memory and cognitive (认知的) flexibility.”
For their study, the researchers tested 150 school children between the ages of eight and twelve. Half of them played the game Skies of Manawak two hours a week for six weeks. The other half, the control group, received the educational game Scratch, which is intended to teach children the basics of programming. Both games are basically to train the executive (执行的) functions of the brain.
“We started by examining the children’s ability to read words, non-words and paragraphs and their attention control,” explains Pasqualotto. “After six weeks, these skills were tested again.”
“We found a seven-fold improvement in attention control in the children who played our action video game compared to the control group,” said Pasqualotto. The team also saw significant improvements in reading speed and accuracy among Skies of Manawak players—there were no improvements in the kids who played Scratch. It’s also worth mentioning that the children’s reading skills have improved, although the game itself doesn’t contain any reading exercises.
“For the study, we also carried out three further evaluation tests six, twelve and eighteen months after the training. Each time, the trained children performed better than the control group,” adds Pasqualotto.
Of course, while the study suggests some benefit in action video games, it does not mean that one must do nothing else.
1. What did the 150 school children do in the study?| A．They received training on programming. | B．They finished some reading ability tests. |
| C．They created video games on their own. | D．They played games with reading exercises. |
| A．Its influence on reading skills is not temporary. | B．The study results about it seem to be untrustworthy. |
| C．Reading ability can’t be improved with its assistance. | D．Kids need consistent reading training after playing it. |
| A．They have nothing to do with reading. | B．People shouldn’t get addicted to them. |
| C．School kids are supposed to avoid them. | D．They should be replaced with Scratch. |
| A．Video Games Prove Harmless to Young People at School |
| B．Time for Children to Play Video Games Should Be Limited |
| C．Children Easily Fall in Love With Reading in a Video Game |
| D．Playing Action Video Games Improves Kids’ Reading Skills |
2 . Lonely? You’re hardly alone. That’s the finding of a new study. And that appears throughout industrial nations across the globe. The study linked rising loneliness to a greater use of smartphones and the internet over the same years.
Jean Twenge, a psychologist, took part in the study. Her team has found that since 2012, US teens have been spending less time together face-to-face.
“Smartphones can help keep us connected with friends,” says Twenge. “But they can also make people feel excluded (隔离).” Girls, especially, may feel this way. One reason may be that they like to post more photos and selfies (自拍) than boys. Studies have shown that if those images don’t get a lot of “likes”, it can affect a teen’s mental health.
And there’s “phubbing” a mixture of “phone” and “snubbing (冷落)”. It’s that moment in which a friend or family member takes out a phone and keeps looking at it, paying no attention to everybody else, including you. Phubbing is one way technology can affect you, even when you’re not the one using it.
The new study pulled its data from a survey. Some 1 million 15- and 16-year-old students from 37 countries took this survey in 2000, 2003, 2012, 2015 and 2018. Its questions mostly dealt with education. But they also included six statements about loneliness, such as “I feel awkward and out of place in my school”. Students could strongly disagree, disagree, agree or strongly agree with each statement.
If technology causes loneliness, should we stop using it? “No, not at all,” argues Twenge. “Everybody of all ages is trying to figure out how we can best use these technologies and stay mentally healthy.” Her advice is to “use your smartphone for what it’s good for. Then put it away.” That includes putting it away overnight—ideally in another room.
1. How do girls differ from boys in smartphone use in the study?| A．They need it to stay in style. |
| B．They depend on it to keep in touch. |
| C．They use it as a learning tool. |
| D．They like to post more pictures with it. |
| A．To show the harm of the smartphone. |
| B．To give an example of communication. |
| C．To introduce an embarrassing situation. |
| D．To present a scene with the smartphone. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. |
| C．Uninterested | D．Worried |
| A．The Smartphone—the Focus of a Study |
| B．The Smartphone—a Communication Tool |
| C．The Smartphone—a Friend of Teenagers |
| D．The Smartphone—a Source of Loneliness |
3 . Four Interesting Science Museums
Polytechnic Museum, Russia
For many guests of the capital, some of the most vivid childhood memories are associated with this museum. A variety of technical fields are presented in 65 halls-Mining, Space, Energy, and Transportation, etc. And the exposition（博览会）is the only museum project in Russia about the history of the bike. The interactive division "Technoplay" is open, where you not only can but also need touch most of the exhibits with your hands. In addition to self-experimentation, for personal requests the museum's experts will show many entertaining experiments.
Eureka, England
The Eureka educational center is a huge complex where modern science and technology are becoming clear, even to kids. The main exhibition is devoted to the human body, the laws of physics and natural things. Visitors can obtain energy or create paper with their own hands. On the area of the Eureka educational park there is a botanical garden and a collection of minerals from the rock types of Finland is presented there.
Deutsches Museum, Germany
In this museum you can see more than 100 thousand different items from windmills（风车）to medical equipment. All aspects of industrial production appear before the eyes. Several museum rooms are arranged especially for children-there are exhibits that entertain kids starting from three.
NEMO, the Netherlands
The largest Dutch research centre stands ready to share its secrets with everyone. This immersion（沉浸）in the world of science and technology will not be dull. All significant information is presented in the form of exciting games. All exhibits are interactive; visitors are allowed to touch, pull and press on anything. The museum is for children from 6 to 16, as well as for their parents-it will be interesting to all.
1. What can visitors do at Polytechnic Museum?| A．Learn how the bike developed. | B．Touch all of the exhibits. |
| C．Watch entertaining movies. | D．Show entertaining experiments. |
| A．Polytechnic Museum. | B．Eureka. |
| C．Deutsches Museum. | D．NEMO. |
| A．It is specially designed for children. |
| B．It is the largest museum in the world. |
| C．It shows information of exhibits in games. |
| D．Some exhibits can be touched or pressed. |
4 . For several months, Cara has been working up the courage to ask her mother about what she saw on the Internet. Not long ago, the 11-year-old found out that her mother had been posting her photos in her blog, without her agreement, for much of her life. "There are pictures I don't like of myself. It would be an embarrassment(令人尴尬的事)if my friends see those photos online," she said. "Now I'm even worried anytime someone has a phone out around me. I'm afraid that my photos could be taken and posted somewhere."
Not all kids feel the same when finding out they've been living a life online. Some are happy. In the fourth grade, Nate searched his name and found that he was in a news report about his making a beautiful kite in his third-grade class. He was really happy with that and he decided to search online every few months, hoping to find other things about himself online.
"I was surprised, really surprised," he said. "It made me feel famous."
He even kept saying, "Oh, I'm in a news report online." Although his friends knew that, many of his friends refused to stay close to him.
Like most other kids, Cara and Nate grew up in a society rich with social media. While many kids may not yet have accounts(账户)themselves, their parents, schools, sports teams, and organizations have been building an online presence for them since their birth. According to a study from the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida, 92 percent of kids under the age of 2 already have their own life online.
"The blog posts are sure to follow the children into adulthood," says the study. "Therefore, we have to be careful about putting the children's personal information online."
1. Why does Cara want to stop her mother putting her pictures online?| A．She is not a very pretty girl. | B．Her friends keep laughing at her. |
| C．She does not like being photographed. | D．Some of the pictures are embarrassing. |
| A．They felt really happy for him. | B．Many of them stayed away from him. |
| C．Many of them did not believe him. | D．They also opened their own accounts. |
| A．parents should keep their kids away from the Internet |
| B．pictures should not be put online without kids' agreement |
| C．kids should not tell their stories of success to their friends |
| D．putting kids' information online might lead to some problems |
| A．By giving examples. | B．By reasoning. |
| C．By following time order. | D．By comparing. |
5 . Experts praise the virtues of social connectivity. It’s linked to better resistance to stress and even longer life.
Relationships are often strongest when each person takes time to take care of themselves. Even when it comes to friendships, the old saying may be true. A little absence might really make the heart grow fonder. Having friendships and a strong social support system is important for your mental health and well-being.
| A．Being alone is harmful if it feels like a punishment. |
| B．Being alone gives you time to focus on your interests. |
| C．Being alone, on the other hand, is often associated with loneliness. |
| D．Research has shown that many people actually prefer being on their own. |
| E．However, research is increasingly showing that doing things alone does pay off. |
| F．Brainstorming together is often seen as one of the best ways to generate new ideas. |
| G．But being alone occasionally may make you appreciate those connections even more. |
6 . For students at the Farm School in Hamilton, Virginia, the classroom is outside every day. Jaclyn Jenkins is the founder of the school. “The No.1 question we get immediately from parents is ‘What happens if it rains?’ And we say, ‘Bring an extra set of clothes!’ ” Jenkins adds, “We still educate them. Their brains are working when they’re moving. So unlike other schools, our goal is to always be outside.” The Farm School is a preschool, a place for 3- to 4-year-olds to learn and play.
Alison Huff has taught at other schools. She says the Farm School gives its students more of hands-on learning experiences. For example, children use pumpkins to learn about colors and counting. They learn about measurement by planting seeds 30 centimeters apart. Huff adds, “We can use everything a regular preschool uses, but out in the garden.” In addition to planting vegetables and fruits, children help prepare food and clean up afterwards. The school teaches the children to cook using the food they have grown. “They can see the benefits of what they have in the garden and taste it then instead of going to the grocery store and buying it,” says Huff.
The preschoolers also learn words in languages other than English. Huff speaks in both English and Spanish. Her assistant speaks French and Arabic. A 3-year-old in her class speaks four different languages.
Farm animals are also an important part of the education program. Jenkins says the children learn about a different animal every month. Two months ago, she says, that animal was a cow. “We do actually have a cow that we bring to the school. They get to see what the cow is like, and learn what cows eat. They use little gloves and pretend to actually milk a cow. They make butter and yogurt.” The children spent another month with a large bird — a turkey.
The idea for a school like this started after Jenkins and her husband bought a farm in Hamilton, with a late 18th-century house. They called it “One Day Farm” because years earlier they had hoped that “one day” they would have a farm. “That’s when it started, the spark of a farm school,” said Jenkins.
1. What is the biggest difference between the Farm School and others?| A．There are many plants and animals this school. |
| B．This school is mainly for students to learn farming. |
| C．Almost all the activities take place outside at this school. |
| D．This school is quite popular among parents and children. |
| A．Raise turkeys and cows. | B．Plant vegetables and fruits. |
| C．Prepare food and clean up. | D．Recognize colors and count. |
| A．By listing. | B．By comparison. | C．By logic. | D．By example. |
7 . Four of the Oldest Buildings in the World
Knap of Howar
One of the oldest buildings in the world is the Knap of Howar, which dates back to 3700-3500 BCE.The farmhouse is one of the oldest, still-standing stone houses in Europe. It includes two stone homes linked through a hidden passage and joint walls. Archaeologists say Irish or Scottish monks could be the first builders and residents of the Knap of Howar. Although the house is still standing, these abandoned places around the world are better candidates for restoration.
Ġgantija Temples
The Megalithic Temples of Malta, or the Ġgantija Temples, date back to 3600 to 3200 BCE. The two temples on the island of Malta are UNESCO World Heritage sites. It’s one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world. Archaeologists think the temple was used for ritual animal sacrifices.
Shunet el-Zebib
Shunet el-Zebib is partially standing, but mostly in ruins. It’s still, however, one of the oldest buildings in the world. The Egyptian temple built in 2750 BCE is of mud and brick. It has an underground tomb as well as an above-ground complex. Architecturally, it’s a nod to the Egyptian pyramids soon to come.
Tomb of Cyrus
Built in 530 BCE, the Tomb of Cyrus is one of Iran’s World Heritage Sites and one of the oldest buildings on the planet. It’s also believed to be one of the first earthquake-protected structures in the world, according to Atlas Obscura. The base isolating used on the tomb protects the main structure from moving apart from the foundation.
1. What do the four buildings have in common?| A．All of them are located in Europe. |
| B．All of them are made of stone and mud. |
| C．All of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. |
| D．All of them were built before the birth of Christ. |
| A．Knap of Howar. | B．Ġgantija Temples. |
| C．Shunet el-Zebib. | D．Tomb of Cyrus. |
| A．Shunet el-Zebib is earthquake protected. |
| B．Tomb of Cyrus has an underground tomb. |
| C．Ġgantija Temples are built by Irish monks. |
| D．Knap of Howar may be the oldest building among the four. |
8 . Japanese students work very hard but many are unhappy. They feel heavy pressures from their parents to do well in school. Most students are always being told by their parents to study harder so that they can have a wonderful life. Though this may be good ideas for those very bright students, it can have very bad results for many students who are not quick enough at learning.
Unfortunately, a number of students killed themselves. Others are after comfort in using drugs. Some do bad things with trouble-makers and turn to crime. Many of them have tried very hard at school but have failed in the exams and have disappointed their parents. Such students feel that they are less important and leave school before they have finished their study.
It is surprising that though most Japanese parents are worried about their children, they do not help them in any way. Many parents feel that they are not able to help their children and that it is the teachers’ work to help their children. To make matters worse, a lot of parents send their children to special schools called juku-cram schools. These schools are open during the evening and on weekends, and their only purpose is to prepare students to pass exams; they do not try to educate students in any real sense of the real world. It thus comes as a shock to realize that almost three quarters of the junior or high school population attend these cram school.
Ordinary Japanese schools usually have rules about everything from the students’ hair to their clothes and things in their school bags. Child psychologists now think that such strict rules often lead to a feeling of being unsafe and being unable to fit into society. They regard the rules as being harmful to the development of each student. They believe that no sense of moral values is developed and that students are given neither guidance nor training in becoming good citizens
1. A lot of Japanese students are unhappy at school because_____________| A．they work very hard | B．they find they can’t do well at school |
| C．they feel unimportant | D．they are under too much pressure |
| A．kill themselves | B．seek comfort |
| C．disappoint their parents | D．make trouble |
| A．Students’ Pressure |
| B．Students’ Problems |
| C．The Negative Impact(影响) of Japanese Education |
| D．The Trouble in Japanese schools |
| A．are taken good care of by the teachers | B．feel no pressure |
| C．are trained to pass exams | D．can learn a lot of useful things |
| A．there are strict rules | B．students feel safe |
| C．students can do anything | D．learning is not important |
