2 . Traditionally, the number of meaningful social relationships one can maintain is around 150. This concept finds its roots in the natural development of the human brain. However, in the digital age, where our social connections extend far beyond the geographical boundaries (界限), we easily create more connections with the help of the rising online platforms. Then, a question arises: Does the digital age rewrite the rules of social connection?

A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking explored the effect of social media usage on the size of social circles and the closeness of relationships. The researchers found that more time spent on social media made for a larger number of online “friends,” but not a larger number of offline friends. Further, the findings were not linked to feelings of closeness towards online or offline friends.

Another study from the European Journal of Information Systems studied the link between social media usage and “social overload” — the feeling that too much of the energy for socializing is being used up by online relationships. The authors found that social media usage directly contributed to the experience of social overload, related to digital tiredness and dissatisfaction with social media.

With social media platforms rising, one’s ability to connect with people challenges the traditional concept. The brain, used to manage a limited number of relationships, now fights against the difficulties of dealing with a large number of digital connections, leading to a less attention and feeling investment (投入) in a relationship. And the online shallow connections can not develop meaningful, lasting relationships that stand the test of digital distance.

Therefore, in the digital age’s social whirlwind, instead of drowning (淹没) in a sea of weak interaction (互动), choose to engage in meaningful conversations and focus on the handful of relationships that truly fit your heart. Hug the beauty of face-to-face connections, allowing the richness of human interaction to flower beyond the digital world. By doing so, we create digital and physical spaces that truly improve our well-being.

4 . Have you felt annoyed when a cellphone rings during the class? Something must be done to stop this. Now in New York City, USA, a rule is carried out in schools. Students can't even bring cellphones to school. Is it a good thing or not?

Anxious parents say that cellphones are an important tool in holding New York City's families together.

“I worry about it，” said Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, a mother of a middle school kid. “It's necessary in our everyday life. We have a washing machine. We have running water, and we have cellphones.”

“I have her call me when she gets out of school，” said Lindsay Walt, a schoolgirl's mother. “ No one in New York is going to let their child go to school without a cellphone.”

What about the cellphone owners, the students? Most of the students say cellphones are essential and that they are like extra (额外的) hands or feet for them.

“I feel so empty，” said May Chom，14. “There is also no way to listen to music on the way to school without my phone. It will be a really, really boring trip.”

2. 只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

As to the online course, it is extreme convenient and flexible in time to learn from something. However, there are many different courses who are from different teachers or institutions. You can learn them over or again. Then there’re social forums where you can communicate with other learners, helped to improve your understanding.

But on the other hand, you can't see and feel teachers as in traditional classes. You will also fail to enjoy the liveliness in it. And a great quantity of problem will not get solved in no time when meet them. So you can try the online course, and you can also learn in the school in the same time.

6 . A generation ago young people longed to become lawyers and doctors. Now they desire to be the next Oscar winner or famous pop star. But one university psychologist has pointed out that this is damaging our self-image and sense of self-worth. Over recent years people around the world have been suffering from an increasing fear of their own “insignificance”, according to Dr. Strenger of Tel Aviv University.

He began a project on the phenomenon 10 years ago, after noticing an increase of fear in his own patients. His findings note hundreds of research projects that have recorded an unprecedented (前所未有) increase in levels of anxiety and depression. By using a wide-ranging framework Dr. Strenger thinks he has given the accurate cause. “The impact of the global entertainment network on the individual is to blame,” he said. “A new species—global man—is born and we are defined by our close connection to the global entertainment network, which has turned ranking and evaluating people according to wealth and fame into an obsession (狂热).”

As humans we naturally measure ourselves by those around us, but now we live in a “global village” where we are comparing ourselves with the most “significant” people in the world - and finding ourselves not good enough. Today, even high achievers constantly fear that they are insignificant when they compare themselves to success stories in the media. “This creates highly unstable personality and an unstable society,” Dr. Strenger said.

Dr. Strenger says people should stop measuring their achievement through the cultural fantasies of rich and famous people. The remedy (治疗方法) is a process that he calls “active self-acceptance” through a continuing search for self-knowledge through life. The fear of insignificance can only be overcome through strong individual and cultural identity over and above measurable achievement. “People should invest time and thought in their personal growth from different aspects in the same way they invest in medical studies and law school,” Dr. Strenger advises.

7 . Since 1984,Philadelphia has been cleaning up its act.One by one,graffiti（涂鸦）covered walls are being changed into outdoor art.So far,more than 1,800 murals（壁画）have been painted.Philadelphia now has more murals than any other American city.

The walls that were once ugly with graffiti are now covered with beautiful pictures of historical heroes and modern art,thanks to the Mural Arts Program(MAP).Its work makes schools and public places attractive,and its citizens very proud.The program began as part of Philadelphia's Anti-Graffiti Network.Jane Golden is the MAP's artistic director."When people ask me what our program is about,"she says,"I answer them with one word:hope." Each year,the MAP offers youth art programs and workshops.Some onetime graffiti writers even help paint MAP murals.

The MAP's work,says Golden,is all about developing a sense of community（社区）.When a neighborhood requests a mural,the MAP works with the people there to develop a message.Some messages have been "Safe Streets,"Love and Care," and "Peace Walk".

The MAP receives up to 50 requests for murals each week.Last year,the workers painted 140 murals."The making of a mural enters people's collective memory as an extraordinary,pleasant moment in neighborhood history," says Golden,who began as a muralist in Los Angeles.