1 . By now, we are all aware that social media has had a tremendous influence on our culture, in business, on the world-at-large. Social media websites revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. However, aside from seeing your friend’s new baby on Facebook, or reading about Justin Bieber’s latest conflict with the law on Twitter, what are some of the real influences?
Social networks offer the opportunity for people to re-connect with their old friends and acquaintances, make new friends, share ideas and pictures, and many other activities. Users can keep pace with the latest global and local developments, and participate in campaigns and activities of their choices. Professionals use social media sites like LinkedIn to enhance their career and business development. Students can work together with their peers to improve their academic and communication skills.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides too to social networking. If you are not careful, immoral people can target you for cyber bullying and disturbance on social sites. School children, young girls, and women can fall victim to online attacks which can create tension and suffering. If you are a victim of cyber bullying, do not take it lying down, but try to take appropriate legal action against the attacker.
Many companies have blocked social networks as addicted employees can distract themselves on such sites, instead of focusing on work. In fact, studies show that British companies have lost billions of dollars per year in productivity because of social media addiction among employees.
Also, what you carelessly post on the Internet can come back to trouble you. Revealing (泄露) personal information on social sites can make users vulnerable (易受伤害的) to crimes like identity theft, stalking, etc. Many companies perform a background check on the Internet before hiring an employee. If a potential employee has posted something embarrassing on social media, it can greatly affect their chances of getting the job. The same holds true for our relationships too, as our loved ones and friends may get to know if we post something undesirable on social networks.
Social media has its advantages and drawbacks as each coin has two sides. It is up to each user to use social sites wisely to enhance their professional and social life, and exercise caution to ensure they do not fall victim to online dangers.
1. Paragraph 2 mainly shows that social networks ________.| A．help students finish their homework | B．offer professionals good chances |
| C．benefit users in various ways | D．guide users to make right choices |
| A．forbid the use of social networks during work time |
| B．avoid posting embarrassing information |
| C．refuse to hire potential addicted employees |
| D．take legal action against the attackers |
| A．share experiences in using social media | B．remind people to wisely use social media |
| C．provide some advice on social problems | D．raise public awareness of social problems |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
2 . How to Use a Modern Public Library
Has it been a while since your last visit to a public library? If so, you may be surprised to learn that libraries have changed for the better. It’s been years since they were dusty little rooms with books. They have transformed themselves into places where you can develop your love of knowledge, meet interesting people, or find out how to start a business.
Check out a book. While libraries still loan out（出借）books, you’ll find it easier to get a copy of whatever you’re looking for, thanks to a cooperative network of area libraries. Via such networks, libraries share their books with each other through the use of delivery vehicles. Once the book you’ve requested is delivered to the nearest branch, they will inform you by e-mail, so you can pick it up.
Check out other items. The library is now a multimedia zone, loaded with information in many formats（载体形式）. You can borrow movies on DVDs, music on CDs, and popular magazines. Some libraries even loan out toys and games. If a popular magazine you want isn’t offered and the library keeps a list of such requests, they may bring it in when enough interest is shown.
Join targeted reading groups. Libraries will often hold reading-group sessions aimed at various age groups. Perhaps you’d like to learn a language or improve your English. The library may sponsor a language group you could join. If you have difficulties reading, ask about special reading opportunities. Your library might be able to accommodate you. And you might find it relaxing to bring your small kid to a half-hour Story Time while you sit quietly in a corner with a good book.
Start a business using the help of your local library. If you want to have a business of your own, your local library can become a launch space for it. In library books and computers, you can find information on starting a business. Many libraries will help you with locally supplied information about business management shared through chambers of commerce（商会）and government agencies, and they will offer printing, faxing and database services you need.
1. Public libraries connected by a cooperative network benefit readers by______.| A．sharing their books on the Internet |
| B．giving access to online reading at a library branch |
| C．sending a needed book to a library branch nearby |
D．making the checkout procedures diverse |
| A．A magazine and an e-book. | B．A game and an oil painting. |
| C．A music CD and a kid’s toy. | D．A DVD and a video player. |
| A．the kid to learn a new language | B．the parent to enjoy quiet reading |
| C．the kid to overcome reading difficulties | D．the parent to meet their program sponsor |
| A．To point out the importance of public libraries. |
| B．To encourage people to work in public libraries. |
| C．To call for the modernization of public library systems. |
| D．To introduce the improved services of public libraries. |
3 . Forget about the “post-1995 generation”. Young people born in 1995 or later have another name in English — Generation Z. They are entering adulthood and will soon shape our future, which is why policy makers, as well as employers and marketers, are trying their best to understand these young people. So, how should we pin down the Gen Z-ers?
Most people will agree that the single biggest difference between Gen-Z and other generations is how connected they are. This is a group of people who had access to social media as soon as they were born. Social media has changed the way Gen Z-ers interact with each other and how they get and process information. They read news from Twitter, watch videos from Vine, share experiences in Instagram and post recipes in Pinterest.
“We are the first true digital natives. I can almost simultaneously create a document, edit it, post a photo on Instagram and talk on the phone, all from the user-friendly iPhone,” said Hannah Payne, an 18-year-old UCLA student.
It is noted that young people in the UK are becoming more active in Politics. Young people regard voting as one option among many to show their political engagement that can potentially influence policies. Instead of party politics, they focus more on single-topic issues such as feminism or climate change. And “much of the engagement and organizing they do takes place on social media rather than through traditional political structures,” according to the Guardians.
Gen Z-ers are also culture creators. Growing up with the Internet has freed this generation from traditional cultural expression. They are no longer willing to let their creativity be limited by their parents or traditional rules. “We decide what kind of content we want to experience and choose how we experience it,” wrote Masback, a Huffington Post blogger and a Gen Z-er herself.
1. What does the underlined phrase “pin down” mean in Paragraph 1?| A．Cooperate with. | B．Firmly convince. |
| C．Communicate with. | D．Clearly understand. |
| A．It’s topic-specific. | B．It stresses social response. |
| C．It’s party-based. | D．It has an immediate effect. |
| A．They are socially responsible. | B．They are friendly and generous. |
| C．They are addicted to social media. | D．They are rooted in traditional culture. |
| A．Worried. | B．Suspicious. | C．Objective. | D．Disapproving. |
The Chinese language has become increasingly popular in the world. More British students chose to take Chinese tests than German in this year's A levels, showing a great
This is the first time that Mandarin
A total of 3，334 candidates chose Mandarin
French and Spanish still remain the most popular foreign languages. The German language
According to the Office of Chinese Language Council International, as of 2017, some 100 million people, excluding native speakers, use Chinese
South Korea has a
The United Nations in 2010 suggested a Chinese Language Day which falls on April 20th each year to celebrate cultural diversity as well as to promote the equal use of all official languages.
Four teams of mountaineers set out on a race to conquer (征服) an unclimbed mountain peak in the Himalayas. The Canadian team chose a long, but safe route, while the British, Chinese and Russian teams chose a faster but steep and dangerous route up the mountain.
When night fell, the teams made camp on the mountainside. But the next morning, the sun rapidly rose air temperature and the strong wind caused a heavy snowfall, which led to a terrible avalanche. The disaster struck and some members of the British, Chinese and Russian teams were swept away and killed. But the Canadians didn’t know what had happened.
It was an hour after the disaster and there was no hope of finding any survivors. The leaders of the British, Chinese and Russian teams, met to discuss how to successfully keep all the survivors alive.
| Britain | Russia | China | |
| Members | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Tents | 1 two-man | None | 1 four-man |
| Sleeping bags | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Rope | 25 metres | 50 metres | None |
| Food | 1 person for 3 days | 2 people for 4 days | 2 people for 2 days |
| Medicine | None | None | None |
The table above was a summary of what they could collect. The leaders made a final decision that they had to find a way to conquer the mountain and put their flags on the peak.
假设你是领队之一，请你联系加拿大领队David，告知你们的遭遇和决定，并向对方求助。内容包括：1. 你们的遭遇及目前的困难；2. 你们的决定及理由；3. 向对方求助。
Dear David,
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Steve
6 . Olympiads(奥林匹克竞赛)are a kind of competitive exam to tap exceptional students with the best of potential,talent,and IQ.These exams are conducted to challenge and motivate the brightest students from around the world and to urge more and more children to take up a career in pure science.But why do most parents nowadays want their children to participate in Olympiads?
Participating in and winning any kind of competition is one of the best feelings in the world.Competitions award merit(优点),performance,excellence—quite literally,the best in a human being.Thus,it might be understandable that:a lot of pride is associated with a child qualifying at any of the Olympiad levels.Who doesn’t want to be the proud parent of a smart,intelligent young child?
It has also been claimed that Olympiads can act as a great morale booster(信心增强剂).Bangalore-based programmer of Olympiad Helper,Vikash Anil says,“Even when students don’t win,their confidence grows.”
However,there are a number of serious considerations parents are missing out on,which has impacts on children.They are being burdened with the pressure of performing well in these exams—a pressure that is often too high and unhealthy for their young minds and bodies.They are also being introduced to peer pressure and“competition”in a very negative and ugly light.
What’s worse,the age at which children are being forced to take these exams keep dropping with each passing year.Children as young as 5 or 6 years old are being sent away to tuitions(辅导)right after school gets over.Many educationists are condemning this,because the International Science Olympiads is for high school students only.
The claim that Olympiads actually make children“more confident”cannot be readily accepted.While a lot of good outcomes are possible from Olympiads,it is also true that all students will not react positively to“failing”at Olympiads.More students are going to come out feeling miserable for having failed the exam.
Being a parent in today’s dynamic,commercial and material world is not easy.It is indeed a pity if parents are chasing“recognition”,rather than“excellence”and“merit”for their children.There is no such thing as a“good”,or a“poor”child.Parents should realize this,embrace this,and empower themselves and their children with this.
As a parting thought I would like to leave this Einstein quote:“Everybody is a genius.But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree,it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
1. Why do most parents want their children to participate in Olympiads?| A．To prove their children’s potential and excellence. |
| B．To prepare their children for a pure science career. |
| C．To strengthen their children’s competitive awareness. |
| D．To make their children benefit from stress and failures. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Positive. | C．Disapproving. | D．Uninterested. |
| A．Olympiads:Are Children Relying on Tuitions Too Much |
| B．Olympiads:Are Children Starting at a Too Young Age |
| C．Olympiads:Are Parents Being Driven by Commercials |
| D．Olympiads:Are Parents Becoming Over-Ambitious |
7 . Most people hold the belief that young people from poor families whose socio-economic backgrounds are not in bad conditions tend to do less well in the education system. In an attempt to help the children of poor families, a nationwide program called “Headstart” was started in the US in 1965. A lot of money was poured into it. It took children into pre-school institutions at the age of three and it was expected to help them succeed in education. However, the results have been disappointing, because the program began too late. Many children who entered it at three were already behind their peers in language and intelligence and the parents were not willing to get involved in the process.
To improve the results, another program was started in Missouri that concentrated on parents as the child’s first teachers. This program was based on researches showing that working with the family is the most effective way of helping children get the best possible start in life. The four-year study included 380 families who were about to have their first child and represented different social-economic status, age and family structure. The program invited many trained educators visiting and working with the parent or parents and the child. The program also gave the parents some guidance to communicate with their children, and useful skills on child development.
At the age of three, the children involved in the “Missouri” program were evaluated with the children selected from the same socio-economic background and family situations. The results were obvious. The children in the program were more advanced in language development, problem solving and other intellectual skills than their peers. They performed equally well regardless of socio-economic backgrounds or family structures. What they found through the program was that one of the most important factors that affected the child’s development was the poor quality of parent-child interaction. That interaction was not necessarily bad in poorer families.
The “Missouri” program is quite different from “Headstart” program. From what they did we can draw a conclusion: Without a similar focus on parent education and on the vital importance of the first three years, some evidence indicates that it will not be enough to overcome educational unfairness.
1. What can we learn about the “Headstart” program?| A．It helped many children from poor families to make progress. |
| B．It failed because the children they helped had already fallen behind. |
| C．It helped the children involved succeed in their education soon. |
| D．It succeeded in improving the intelligence of all the children. |
| A．focused on the children’s first school teachers. |
| B．helped the children return to the same home. |
| C．made the children improved in many aspects. |
| D．gave the parents advice on their development. |
| A．Intelligence. | B．Performance. |
| C．Education. | D．Communication. |
| A．parents play an important role in children’s education. |
| B．it is impossible to overcome educational unfairness. |
| C．poor families cannot change the fate of their children. |
| D．The “Missouri” program pay more attention to the ages. |
Because deaf people can’t hear, they have special ways of communicating. For example, they can learn to understand what someone is saying by looking at the mouth of the speaker. This
Think about how much time you spent outside last week. Really “outside.”
10 . Kids need to move in school
Many years ago, when my girls were in primary school, they were crazy about the dance breaks they would occasionally have during the school day. Their teachers would put on a video, which encouraged the kids to get up and dance, and then they' d get back to work.
A recent research, published in the journal Pediatrics, involved more than 10,000 children between the ages of 4 and 13.
Breakthrough Magnet School, Connecticut, is in its third year working with the National Association of Physical Literacy. Principal Julie Goldstein said her third-and fourth-graders who are actively engaged in the physical programme are the highest-scoring students in math and reading in the district.
| A．My kids' teachers are certainly not alone. |
| B．They're not sure whether to make that leap. |
| C．The challenge, though, is persuading more schools to take action. |
| D．Teach children the basics of movement so that they can stay active for life. |
| E．Beyond the academical (学业的) benefits, there are benefits outside the classroom. |
| F．It shows that kids who get extra physical activity in school do better in cognitive(认知的) performance. |
