1 . Which is more important for parents, making more money to give the kids a better life or spending more time with them? It is a problem for parents and it is not easy to decide. A new study shows that today’s parents are spending more time with their children than parents in the past. According to the study, today’s college-educated mothers spend about 21.2 hours a week taking care of their children. But women with less education spend about 15.9 hours. Before 1995, it was only 12 hours.
Dads are spending more time on ball games. Before 1995, fathers with college educations only spent about 4.5 hours a week playing with their children. Today, it increases to 9.6 hours a week. For fathers with high school education, the time goes up from 3.7 hours to 6.8.
These days, parents don’t care more about the cleaning or the cooking. They are trying their best to spend time with their families. As for the kids, they don’t mind how much time their parents spend with them. They just want to enjoy the time their parents do be with them.
So, take part in the kids’ activities when you are with them, such as helping with homework or playing soccer with them.
1. How long do college-educated mothers spend taking care of their kids a week?| A．About 9.6 hours. | B．About 12 hours. |
| C．About 15.9 hours. | D．About 21.2 hours. |
| A．Women with less education spend about12 hours staying with their kids, |
| B．Mothers in the past spent less time staying with kids than mothers these days. |
| C．Mothers with college education are lazier than those with less education. |
| D．Dads spend more time staying with their kids than mothers do. |
| A．About 4.5 hours. | B．Less than 9 hours. |
| C．About 13.5 hours. | D．About 18 hours. |
| A．They care about how much money their parents can make. |
| B．They care about how much time their parents spend with them. |
| C．They care if their parents are really with them. |
| D．They care if their parents can give them a better life. |
2 . New research from the University of Portsmouth has shown a marked increase in shipping in the North East Atlantic. Scientists now warn that more monitoring is required to help protect sea life.
Researchers at the University of Ponsmouth have discovered that rates (率) of shipping in the North East Atlantic area rose by 34 per cent in a five-year period. The research is the first detailed survey of shipping activity in the North East Atlantic. Researchers used data from over 530 million vessel (船) positions recorded by Automatic Identification System(AIS). They looked at the change in shipping between 2013 and 2017 across ten different vessel types. In total the study area covered 1.1 million km², including waters off Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,Iceland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal. Spain, and the UK.
Lead author, James Robbins said: “This change is likely to put more pressure on the marine (海洋的) environment, and may influence the protection of at-risk species. Renewed monitoring effort is needed to make sure that protective measures are enough to save species under threat in a changing environment.”
Some of the greatest shipping increases were found in areas close to the Spanish coast. The Espacio Marino de la Costa da Morte saw a rise of 413 percent in vessel activity. It is an area used to protect seabirds.
Dr. Sarah Marley, Visiting Researcher at the University of Portsmouth, said: “Shipping is the most widespread human activity in our oceans, carrying a set of threats-from unnoticeable effects like underwater noise pollution to serious results when ships hit whales.”
Professor Alex Ford. from the University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “Given the well-documented effects that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is necessary that this situation continues to be monitored-particularly in areas used to protect vulnerable (脆弱的) species which may already be under pressure.”
1. What can we say about the new research?| A．It started in 2013. | B．It is the first of its kind. |
| C．It was carried out by AIS. | D．It covers the whole Atlantic. |
| A．Rapid population growth. |
| B．Rising global temperatures. |
| C．The huge increase in shipping. |
| D．The disappearance of marine life. |
| A．Shipping plays an important role in the local economy. |
| B．Shipping can be a danger to the marine environment. |
| C．Noise pollution is closely related to human activity. |
| D．Marine areas should be monitored more carefully. |
| A．New waterways across the Atlantic |
| B．The shipping industry in the North East Atlantic |
| C．New research opens windows into life under the water |
| D．Sea life needs better protection from an increase in shipping |
3 . “Looking good, feeling good” is a common phrase, but for many middle school students, it brings up the issue of appearance anxiety. In a world where social media often sets unrealistic beauty standards, teenagers can feel pressured to look a certain way. This pressure can lead to a lack of confidence and happiness.
Dressing in a style that reflects personal taste, rather than simply following fashion trends, can be a step towards overcoming this anxiety. Wearing clothes that make one feel comfortable and confident can help boost self-esteem. It’s important for students to understand that fashion is a way to express themselves, not a standard they must meet.
Healthy eating is also crucial. A balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains, helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Sometimes, teens worry too much about their weight, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. Learning about nutrition and understanding that healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes can help alleviate these concerns.
Physical activity plays a significant role in mental well-being. Regular exercise, like playing a sport or going for a walk, not only keeps the body fit but also releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress. It's a natural way to fight the anxiety that comes with appearance concerns.
Finally, it's essential for middle school students to focus on mental health. Engaging in hobbies, spending time with friends, and seeking support when needed can contribute to a more positive self-image. Understanding that everyone's unique and that real beauty comes from within is vital. Feeling good about oneself should come from personal achievements and qualities, not just from outward appearance.
1. What is the main concern addressed in the article regarding middle school students?| A．Choosing the right fashion trends. |
| B．Coping with appearance anxiety. |
| C．Learning about nutrition and exercise. |
| D．Finding comfortable clothing. |
| A．It can lead to unrealistic beauty standards. |
| B．It can help in overcoming appearance anxiety. |
| C．It pressures students to follow fashion trends. |
| D．It results in a lack of interest in fashion. |
| A．It sets beauty standards for students. |
| B．It mainly helps in weight management. |
| C．It improves mood and reduces stress. |
| D．It has no significant impact on mental well-being. |
| A．It helps in achieving academic success. |
| B．It contributes to a more positive self-image. |
| C．It encourages following social media trends. |
| D．It increases interest in fashion and style. |
1. What are the speakers talking about?
| A．A fire accident. | B．A traffic accident. | C．A riding accident. |
| A．A: truck driver. | B．A waiter. | C．A policeman. |
| A．At noon. | B．At daybreak. | C．At midnight. |
| A．Four. | B．Five. | C．Seven. |
5 . Hundreds of children are being treated for sleep problems in Wales every year, in some cases, babies, infants and teenagers have been admitted to hospital while in north Wales alone.
The Children’s Sleep Charity said many children were suffering from lack of sleep mainly because of technology use. Public Health Wales said sleep was as important to a child’s health as healthy eating and exercise, and children with poor sleep patterns were more likely to be fat.
Statistics obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by BBC Wales found at least 408 children have been admitted to hospitals across Wales suffering from sleep disorders since March 2013.
Children aged between 0 and 4 made up the highest number of inpatients, with some newborns being treated for sleep-related problems from the day of birth.
Vicki Dawson, who set up the Children’s Sleep Charity (CSC), said sleepless nights were putting both children and parents in anxiety. “Their weight and growth may also be affected as well as their mental health,” she said.
Teachers said children showing signs of sleep shortage and tiredness in class were a concern as they couldn’t concentrate for long periods.
Psychologist Amy McClelland, of Sleep Wales, said a common problem was children being “over excited” and “not having the chance to relax properly” before bed and families should get back to basics. “Think 1950s family home. Dinner as a family, read, chat, a film maybe, lights off and then bed.” She added.
1. What’s the main reason why children are short of sleep?| A．Less exercise. | B．Eating habits. | C．Sleep patterns. | D．Technology use. |
| A．Teenagers. | B．Infants. | C．Teachers. | D．Parents. |
| A．Relaxation has a bad effect on children. | B．Chatting and films make children sleep more. |
| C．Being too excited is good for sleep habits. | D．It is difficult for children to read before bed. |
| A．Ways to Treat Sleep Problems | B．Sleep Habits of Welsh Children |
| C．Sleep Problems of Welsh Children | D．The Problems of Welsh Children |
6 . People are so busy these days that many people have no time to cook. This becomes a problem, because most families love home cooking! The food tastes good and warm, and a family meal brings everyone together. In some families, meals are often the only times everyone sees one another at the same time.
Another reason people enjoy home cooking is that it is often a way of showing love. A parent who makes some cookies is not just satisfying a child’s sweet tooth. She or he is sending a message. The message says, “I care about you enough to spend an hour making cookies that you will eat up in 15 minutes if I let you.”
There is also something about the smell of home cooking. The smell of home cooking pleases people of all ages. It makes most of us feel good and loved, even if we are the ones doing the cooking! Next time you smell a cake making, stop for a moment and pay attention to your mood(心情).
1. Why do fewer people cook now?| A．They don’t like family meals. | B．They are lazy. |
| C．They are too busy. | D．Many people don’t like cooking. |
| A．often to show her or his love | B．just to satisfy her or his child’s sweet tooth |
| C．only to send a message | D．to let a child eat up in 15 minutes |
| A．makes us love others | B．makes us happy |
| C．makes us be interested in cooking | D．makes us pay attention to our mood |
| A．Homemade cookies taste better | B．Family meals are important. |
| C．How to make cookies. | D．People are too busy to cook. |
7 . E-sports describes the world of competitive, organized video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams compete in the same video games: Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, to name a few. These gamers are watched and followed by millions of their fans all over the world, who attend live events or watch on TV or online. Streaming services, like Twitch, allow viewers to watch their favorite gamers playing in real time.
According to a report from Newzoo, a market analytics (分析) company, 380 million people worldwide will watch e-sports this year. Most of these e-sports lovers will watch from North America, China and South Korea.
Colleges have even got in on the action. More than 50 colleges in America have e-sports programs, recognized by a governing body called the National Association of Collegiate E-sports. NACE tournaments (锦标赛) give out thousands of dollars in prize money, which is put to scholarships for the winners.
E-sports players, like traditional athletes, can make big money. Tournaments can provide millions of dollars in prize money, which is typically divided among the players on the winning teams. That means a world’s very tip-top player can easily earn up to seven figures of money in a year. Teams and event organizers also earn money from ticket sales for these competitions. The popular League of Legends Tournament from 2017 brought in $5.5 million in ticket sales.
At the end of 2018, 1.6 billion people had some knowledge of e-sports — that’s more than one fifth of the entire world’s population. E-sports will continue to grow as an industry in the foreseeable future. So if you haven’t heard much about e-sports yet, give it time. Its spread, both globally and culturally, is certain to happen.
1. How do e-sports players compete against each other?| A．By watching videos games. | B．By designing e-sports programs. |
| C．By playing in the same video games | D．By going to the gym. |
| A．Scholarships. | B．Cars. | C．Houses. | D．Tickets. |
| A．$1.000. | B．$10,000. | C．$100,000. | D．$1,000,000. |
| A．E-sports is popular with a few people. |
| B．E-sports is likely to develop well. |
| C．People all over the world have some knowledge of e-sports. |
| D．People are curious about e-sports. |
8 . In 2012, an iPhone fell into my hands. This smart technology seemed like the entrance to only fun and positive things like chatting with friends and blogging.
However, seven years later, I had become horribly limited to it. Recent reports show that I’m not alone. According to a study, the average American spends five hours a day on smart devices (装置) and about 2.5 of those hours are spent on social, messaging, media and entertainment apps.
It’s hard to explain when the love and joy I felt for my iPhone turned into a dependency. I fell asleep to my phone every night and woke to it each morning. I checked the weather app every morning before I chose how to dress for the day. I used it to help me find my way through a city I should know well enough on my own. I updated my email box every time I picked my phone up.
Just like with any addiction, my phone dependency began to influence my life. While spending time with family, I’d stare into a small screen on my lap instead of being involved in communicating with my loved ones. At work, my productivity levels dropped. And then, my four-year relationship came to an end. Eventually, I was left with years of memories and a mobile phone that couldn’t provide enjoyable company across a dinner table, share in the joys of experiencing a concert or kiss me goodnight before bed.
Now, I move through life with more purpose and intention. I’ve cut back on carelessly giving away my limited time and attention to my phone. Instead, I focus my efforts on being as present as possible. Truly training the mind to stay present is a long and challenging road, but it’s important to start somewhere.
I hope you’ll take a deep look at your own phone habits and reevaluate how important a role you are letting it play in your life. Whether or not you’ve reached a place in your life where your screen time feels problematic, there’s no harm in mindfully giving your current practices some thought.
1. What does the author mean by saying “I’m not alone” underlined in Paragraph 2?| A．He takes his iPhone for company. |
| B．He has many friends around him. |
| C．There’re many Americans like him. |
| D．Blogging brings him great pleasure. |
| A．was quite confused about some apps |
| B．became hopelessly addicted to his iPhone |
| C．was afraid of spending more time on his iPhone |
| D．never dressed himself by checking the weather app |
| A．Why the author’s productivity levels dropped. |
| B．Why the author finally had phone dependency. |
| C．How the author bravely corrected his mistakes. |
| D．How the author’s life was negatively affected. |
| A．Persuade people to live a no-phone life. |
| B．Advise people to use their phones reasonably. |
| C．Inspire people to consider their roles in life again. |
| D．Urge people to devote their spare time to screens. |
1. Where did the accident happen?
| A．On a highway | B．On a freeway | C．On a road |
| A．Two people got hurt | B．The truck turned over | C．No one was killed |
10 . Family of a Sydney father sticking to life following a New year’s Eve fireworks explosion (燃放鞭炮) say the incident was an “unexpected accident”. Adrian Alafaci, 28, from Sans Souci, was in a dangerous condition on Thursday afternoon after a firework exploded in his face when he tried to light it just after midnight.
Adrian was ringing in the new year with a small group of friends on a beach near river-side Drive at Sans Souci. The explosion left him with serious face and head injuries and he was taken to St George Hospital without any delay. His daughter was not with him at the time. No one else was injured during the incident, police said.
People around San Souci and Brighton Le Sands said fireworks were going off in the streets for hours with some even thrown from passing cars.
Whitney Pitman posted online that someone threw a cracker at her car from a unit block as she was driving. Luckily, it was only knocked off her car. “Imagine if my window was down,” she said. “Seriously, how stupid are people these days.”
Another woman said one was let off under her son’s window in Ramsgate. “We were up all night, too,” she said.
Colleen Euston, who lives in Sans Souci, posted online that fireworks were going off in her street from 9 p.m to 2 a.m and some were thrown from a passing car.
In New South Wales it is never legal to use fireworks without a license. Only “toy fire works” such as sparklers, party poppers and toy pistol caps, can be used without a license.
1. From the first paragraph we can learn that_________.| A．a fireworks explosion means a disaster |
| B．a Sydney father got injured by a firework |
| C．a Sydney family were injured in an accident |
| D．accidents cannot be avoided at New Year’s Eve |
| A．was on a street | B．was with his family |
| C．was celebrating Christmas | D．lit a firework himself |
| A．Throwing fireworks at passing cars. | B．Throwing fireworks from passing cars. |
| C．Letting off fireworks under the window. | D．Fireworks going off from 9 p.m to 2 a.m. |
| A．always against the law | B．limited to toy fireworks |
| C．not permitted without a license | D．the main cause of human injuries |
