1 . Growing up as kids we are told to share our toys and not to be selfish. We also live in an age when discussing our feelings is encouraged. But when does it all become too much? With new trends growing all the time, such as dance challenges and wearing a carpet as a dress, the question is: when can sharing become oversharing on social media?

“Oversharing” has become associated with social media, but it isn’t exclusive to this platform. Imagine you head to a party and meet someone. Within five minutes they have revealed private details about their life. While some of us may try to escape these people, according to marriage advisor Carolyn Cole, this form of oversharing could come from a strong desire to connect with someone. But how does this translate to social media?

Dr. Christopher Hand, a lecturer in cyberpsychology (网络心理学), says the more details people uncover, the less sympathy we express when things go wrong. It seems that searching for sympathy by oversharing is generally considered as negative rather than the cry for help it could really be.

However, Dr. Hand’s research also seems to suggest that the more we post on a platform, the more socially attractive we become-only if the posts that we share are positive. Even back in 2015, Gwendolyn Seidman PhD said that we should avoid complaining and being negative online. We should also avoid showing off, especially about our love lives. It makes sense-if your date is going “that well”, would you really have time to share a photo with text?

So, how can you know if you are oversharing? Well, why not ask your friends in real life. They would probably be happy to tell you if your posts about your breakfast or your complaints about your lack of money really are too much.

1. What does the underlined word “exclusive” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Unique.

B．Similar.

C．Relevant

D．Distinct.

2. Why do some people prefer oversharing at parties?

A．To draw others’ attention.	B．To satisfy others’ curiosity.
C．To remove negative feelings.	D．To develop good relationships.

3. Which of the following may Dr. Hand agree with?

A．Sharing more details online can attract more sympathy.

B．Oversharing negative experiences is equal to crying for help.

C．Oversharing isn’t likely to happen online when things go wrong.

D．Sharing negative posts can’t help one become socially attractive.

4. According to the text, what should be avoided for online sharing?

A．Reflecting on past bad manners.	B．Showing a great many expensive goods.
C．Writing a recipe for a balanced breakfast.	D．Recording unforgettable moments with friends.

2 . Social media is taking over our lives: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and now, TikTok. These social media platforms have changed from a way to stay connected to an industry where even kids can make money off their posts. While this may seem like another opportunistic innovation, it’s really full of hidden false realities.

The median income (中位收入) recorded in the United States of America was about $63,000 in 2018. TikTokers can make anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 for a TikTok brand partnership, and TikTokers with over a million followers can make up to $30,000 a month—$360,000 a year. They are making more than the average person trying to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads simply by posting a 15-second video.

This is mad in more ways than one. Not only is it an overpaid “job”, it promotes undeserved admiration from viewers and a false sense of reality. Many of these famous TikTokers are still teens and the effects of fame at such an early stage in life might cause issues later in life, such as mental illness. Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 make up 27% of TikTok viewers, who can be easily influenced by what they are watching. They can put a false sense of self-value into who they look up to and what they represent: money, fame, being considered conventionally attractive.

While TikTok has become a great tool for marketing, it’s important to understand how this content affects young viewers. If we’re constantly consuming content that shows us all we need to do to be successful is be conventionally attractive and post a 15-second video featuring a new dance, it will challenge our knowledge of what really makes someone successful and will in turn affect our individual work ethnics (伦理). What about the people who miss birthdays and family holidays due to their jobs and aren’t getting paid nearly as much as these TikTokers?

Richard Colyer, president and creator of Metaphor, Inc, had his own view on this issue. “It sounds great that kids can make money for doing the latest dance moves in a 15-second video, but we should feed the minds of kids and not just their bank accounts. TikTok can be great if used properly. Money alone is not good; technology alone is not good and connectedness can be bad if it is only online.”

Again, as a fellow consumer of TikTok, I do enjoy the app when I have some time to kill and need a good laugh. I’m not against someone making a living on entertainment, but what does getting famous by posting a 15-second video teach young people?

1. What does the underlined word “this” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Social networking.

B．A job offered by TikTok.

C．Making money on social media.

D．Staying connected to the Internet.

2. What does the author try to indicate in Paragraph 2?

A．TikTokers can hardly make ends meet.

B．Social media platforms like TikTok can make people overpaid.

C．Teens are wise to make a huge amount of money from TikTok.

D．TikTokers earn such a high income that they can support their family.

3. Which is the possible influence of TikTok on its young users?

A．They are likely to develop false values.

B．They tend to live an adult life too soon.

C．They are forced to pay for certain services.

D．They may stop believing other social media.

4. What did Richard Colyer stress according to his view?

A．Contents of videos need checking before their release online.

B．We have a responsibility to supply teens with food for thought.

C．Young TikTokers should be banned from opening bank accounts.

D．Money and technology can be good if used properly by TikTokers.

3 . An important part of raising your children is teaching them good manners as it helps them be more successful in life.     1    Here are some “old-fashioned” but important manners for your modern kids.

Saying “thank you” to service workers

Saying “thank you” is the base of all good manners but these days many children overlook thanking the people that help them in many little ways each day, like wait staff, store clerks, and bus drivers. It’s not just about politeness but about teaching children to recognize and acknowledge others’ contributions as valuable.     2    

Taking turns talking

Teach your children to touch your arm and then wait patiently for you to acknowledge(理会)them before speaking. If they do interrupt, calmly tell them it’s rude to interrupt and let them know you’ll acknowledge them shortly.     3    Offer your children the same politeness and don’t interrupt them when it’s their turn to talk.

Using their indoor voices

    4     A parent should teach their children early on how to moderate(使适中)their volume and tone based on the situation. You can make it into a fun game for little ones, like seeing who can whisper the quietest at a cinema.

Covering a cough or sneeze

These days it’s more important than ever to teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow. It’s not just a matter of hygiene(卫生)——no one enjoys getting sprayed.     5     Don’t forget to teach them to say “excuse me” after.

A．Remember it goes both ways.

B．Therefore it makes others feel cared about.

C．Games are very important for children’s good manners.

D．Crying, laughing, or just talking, children can be very loud.

E．Lacking basic manners will affect kids in all areas of their lives.

F．It is also a way to help others feel safe and comfortable around you.

G．Eventually it’s about teaching them not to treat others as their servants.

4 . Australian experts have expressed concerns that too many millennials(千禧一代) are hoping to use their social media accounts to build their careers. Their concerns follow the sudden rise in “insta-celebrities” who make money by posting sponsored(赞助的) photos online. For the lucky few who are not only talented photographers but also good-looking and business-savvy(有商业头脑的), making money off social media isn’t impossible.

Instagram is flooded with social media professionals paid to promote products and services. However, social scientist Lauren Rosewarne, from the University of Melbourne, says that in reality, there are far fewer people making money off the platforms than one may think. She said many young Australians were getting sucked in by the appeal of making money on platforms like Instagram, describing it as “totally unrealistic” and extremely difficult to do.

“Young people are hoping to be famous in numbers that were simply not there 20 years ago,” Rosewarne told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Saturday. “There are some people who can make fortunes out of monetizing(使具有货币性质) their Instagram posts, but that is not the norm.” She said it was up to parents and schools to discourage students from seeking Insta-fame, as many believe it is a possible career choice. “There’s the warning for parents; this is not a normal or even common occurrence that you can monetize your Instagram account.”

Meanwhile Toni Eager from Australian National University said social problems could arise from spending too much time with social media. “Where do the insta-celebrities go to separate the life people see on Instagram from their actual normal life?” Eager said. “All of a sudden, people own your private life.”

1. Why is there a rise in “insta-celebrities”?

A．Many young people are good at taking photos.

B．Many people see it as a shortcut to making money.

C．People want to socialize by sharing photos online.

D．Instagram offers a reliable career choice for millennials.

2. What does the underlined phrase “getting sucked in” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Becoming involved in something.	B．Benefiting from something.
C．Taking advantage of something.	D．Being satisfied with something.

3. What message does the author convey by quoting Lauren Rosewarne?

A．Young people today are more business-savvy than ever.

B．Young people are becoming less interested in internet fame.

C．Instagram is not a good platform to promote new products.

D．It may not be a good idea for the young to try earning money on Instagram.

4. What problem does Toni Eager think overuse of social media could cause?

A．An over-reliance on Instagram.	B．Inability to appreciate life.
C．A loss of personal privacy.	D．An addiction to the virtual life online.

5 . During the recent school holidays I was walking past a playground on my way to a meeting. The thing that_______me was not the number of children enjoying the fresh air on a pleasant Queensland winter day, but the number of older people_______those children.

Sure, there were a few younger mums and dads, but there were_______more “old folk” who I doubt were all grandparents. It is great that they are able to_______quality time with their grandchildren. After all, we often hear people saying that their reason for retiring is that they can devote more time to their families. However, I_______how many grandparents are spending their retirement (退休) years taking on the role of full- or part-time_______of their grandchildren.   

Retirement is a valuable time. We are generally living much longer than our own grandparents did, but as we_______, we become more limited in our ability to pursue (追求) our own favourite. However, what if your plans for pursuing some of these lifetime dreams are _______，out of a sense of responsibility for your family?

So how can you keep a_______ balance between helping out your family and pursuing your dreams altogether? I'm not sure where the answer lies, but having an open and honest________   with your family should be at the top of the list. You need to nip sense of________ in the bud (对……一开始即加以阻止) — and sooner________later.

By all means, help your family whenever you can. Everyone will________from it, and your grandchildren will get the rewards from staying with their________. Do it because you want to, not because you feel you have to. In addition, spare time for ________ to pursue your dreams and ensure that nobody puts your retirement on hold.

1.

A．conquered

B．attracted

C．beat

D．influenced

2.

A．waiting for

B．looking to

C．attending to

D．standing for

3.

A．clearly

B．hardly

C．formally

D．suddenly

4.

A．meet

B．devote

C．spend

D．save

5.

A．realize

B．believe

C．doubt

D．wonder

6.

A．sense

B．pride

C．care

D．advantage

7.

A．grow

B．age

C．improve

D．explore

8.

A．put out

B．put away

C．put off

D．put in

9.

A．hard

B．fine

C．strange

D．rare

10.

A．organization

B．conversation

C．discussion

D．relationship

11.

A．pleasure

B．protection

C．duty

D．safety

12.

A．rather than

B．other than

C．more than

D．less than

13.

A．suffer

B．recover

C．learn

D．benefit

14.

A．parents

B．peers

C．elders

D．teachers

15.

A．herself

B．themselves

C．yourselves

D．myself

6 . Some futurists have gone so far as to say that, intelligent machines will replace teachers within 10 years. Not surprisingly, this causes concern among educators. As artificial intelligence (AI) develops, it is playing an increasingly important role in education. But should teachers really be worried?

I have been involved in AI in education throughout my career, developed award-winning AI-based products. While I am more excited than ever about the potential of AI to improve the quality and economies of learning, I don’t think educators should worry about being replaced by machines. Instead, AI is more likely to empower teachers: reduce overwork, and make their jobs more rewarding.

Studies show that teachers have more impact on students’ achievement than any other aspect of schooling, and effective teachers have a lasting impact on students’ success. Yet many teachers report that their workload is unmanageable, and much of their time is devoted to activities other than teaching. This is an area where AI can help. For example, by automating the scoring of student work teachers spend less time on grading assignments and data input and management and focus instead on responding to students’ needs.

Teachers with large classes find it stressful to meet the needs of individual students. AI can give these the practice opportunities and individualize feedback that they otherwise might not receive. Teachers have few opportunities to interact with students outside of the classroom. AI-based learning environments can be made available to students anywhere and anytime. Leaning can continue outside of the classroom. This helps every learner to make rapid progress toward mastery of their subjects.

Thus, the question should not be whether AI will replace teachers, but how it can support teacher and learners both inside and outside the classroom.

1. According to what futurists say in the first paragraph, we can learn ________.

A．intelligent machines are developing fast

B．teachers are irreplaceable in school

C．the teacher is playing an important role in education

D．Al might be a threat to educators

2. What is the author’s opinion about Al in education?

A．AI has the potential to replace teachers.

B．AI is less useful than educators

C．AI can make education very profitable

D．AI can replace teachers

3. According to the author, Al can support teachers by ________.

A．helping teachers organize class activities

B．reducing the time teachers spend on activities other than teaching

C．interacting with students

D．helping teachers check how students are mastering what they have learnt

4. What is the author mainly talking about?

A．The development of AI.

B．The impacts that teachers have had on education.

C．The importance of educators in education.

D．The ways that AI can help educators.

7 . A competition making up Versailles literature was launched on Sina Weibo recently. So what is Versailles literature?

Actually, the term has nothing to do with the French palace nor with literature. It came from The Rose of Versailles, a Japanese manga series about aristocratic life at the palace of Versailles in France in the late 18th century, and was coined by a Chinese influencer earlier this year. Known as humblebragging, it is a boast disguised as a complaint. “I have too many houses. How can I decide which one to decorate?” and “I thought I lost weight this morning. So disappointed when I realized it was because I took off the huge diamond ring my boyfriend gave me last night” are some examples of Versailles literature. The intention is to show off — usually things of materialistic values, yet one ought to pretend that’s not the point.

As the 19th century English author Jane Austen famously wrote, “Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility.” The psychology behind humblebragging is to be recognized for one’s successes and be liked by others at the same time, according to scholars. In her article titled Why do people hate humblebragging? published in Psychology Today, psychologist Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne at the University of Massachusetts Amherst noted that humblebragging is a “strategy in pursuit of respect” because it draws attention to one’s accomplishments in a circuitous way.

However, studies on social media users show that humblebragging as a self-promotion strategy does not work. In the essay Humblebragging: A distinct and ineffective self-presentation strategy, the University of North Carolina researcher Ovul Sezer and Harvard University scholars Francesca Gino and Michael Norton concluded from their research that humblebraggers are perceived more negatively than straight braggers due to                                        the former’s insincerity. “The critical factor differentiating the two groups of people is sincerity. People don’t like braggers, but they at least see them as more sincere than humblebraggers,” said Francesca Gino.

So, how can we annoy humblebraggers back? “Just pretend you don’t get whatever it is they try to show off,” a netizen advised. “And respond with genuine sympathy for their complaints.”

1. Which of the following statements is typical of “Versailles literature”?

A．You know who my father is? My father is Li Gang.

B．Got five offers to date. I’m at a loss which to choose.

C．It’s a headache how to make my son tidy up his room regularly.

D．I’m fed up with living in the countryside with no shopping malls around.

2. What is the psychology behind humblebragging?

A．To win others’ sympathy.	B．To earn others’ admiration.
C．To show his/her sincerity.	D．To mask his / her complaint.

3. What does the underlined world “circuitous” in Paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Indirect.

B．Straightforward.

C．Ambiguous.

D．Double-edged.

4. What can’t be inferred from the passage?

A．Braggers are relatively more sincere than humblebraggers.

B．Humblebragging is an artificial appearance of being humble.

C．To respond with real sympathy will discourage humblebraggers.

D．If you want to be perceived positively, try to use Versailles literature.

8 . The Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (HPBMB) is offered to mature high school seniors with strong academic ability and achievement who seek careers in biological or biomedical science. Students can earn both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in approximately 6 years.

Applicants to the Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology must be in their last year of high school.

Undergraduates will have the opportunity to work with top-level research scientists in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and also in clinical laboratories with scientists that are associated with the department. They will conduct intensive laboratory work in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology or nutritional biochemistry starting in the summer before their first fall semester starts. By spring of their junior year；students will prepare an undergraduate thesis as preparation for their entry into graduate school. At that time, they will start taking graduate courses and continue to do research with a graduate faculty member.

To be considered students must:

• have a combined SAT I score of 1400(combined Math and Critical Reading scores)

• meet the SAT II score requirement of at least 600 in Math, and one science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)

• have completed eight semesters of English and mathematics and two semesters each of Biology and Chemistry by the time they graduate from high school

• complete all components of your Common Application for undergraduate admission by November 1 of your senior year

• complete a supplemental application form for the Honors Program in Bio chemistry & Molecular Biology

• include a counselor recommendation, three letters of recommendation from teachers in support, of your application to the Honors Program and a personal statement

Send all Dual Admission Honors Program application materials to:

Dual Admission Honors Programs

Office of Admission

University of Miami

P. O. Box 248025

Coral Gables, FL 33124-4616

Fax number: (513)529-7592 (513)529-1950

For more information on the HPBMB, contact:

Dr. Thomas K. Harris

Director, Undergraduate and Medical Education

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Office: Gautier Building， Room 111

Phone: 305-243-3358

•E-Mail: tkharris@miami．edu

1. We can learn from the passage that________．

A．First- year students in a high school can apply for the program

B．It’s possible for graduates to obtain both a bachelor's degree and a doctor's degree

C．Graduates are promised a chance to work with top biomedical scientists

D．A thesis is not necessary if an undergraduate want to go to graduate school

2. Which of the following is an unnecessary requirement for application?

A．A combined SAT I score of 1400

B．SAT II scores of at least 600 in Math and one science

C．Three letters of recommendation from his teachers．

D．A letter of recommendation from the principal．

3. What’s the purpose of this passage?

A．To tell students how to learn well in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology．

B．To introduce a very famous university, the University of Miami．

C．To attract excellent high school graduates to apply for the Honors Program．

D．To give information on how to contact Director of the Honors Program．

10 . You probably know who Marie Curie was, but you may not have heard of Rachel Carson. Of the outstanding ladies listed below, who do you think was the most important woman of the past 100 years?

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Anyone who has ever been helped by a social worker has Jane Addams to thank. Addams helped the poor and worked for peace. She encouraged a sense of community (社区) by creating shelters and promoting education and services for people in need. In 1931, Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964)

If it weren’t for Rachel Carson, the environmental movement might not exist today. Her popular 1962 book Silent Spring raised awareness(意识) of the dangers of pollution and the harmful effects of chemicals on humans and on the world’s lakes and oceans.

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-present)

When Sandra Day O’Connor finished third in her class at Stanford Law School, in 1952, she could not find work at a law firm because she was a woman. She became an Arizona state senator (参议员) and in 1981, the first woman to join the U. S. Supreme Court (最高法院). O’Connor gave the deciding vote in many important cases during her 24 years on the top court.

Rosa Parks(1913-2005)

On December 1,1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rasa Parks would not give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her simple act landed Parks in prison. But it also set off the Montgomery bus boycott (抵制). It lasted for more than a year, and kicked off the civil-rights movement. “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in,” said Parks.

1. What is Jane Addams famous for in history?

A．Her social work.	B．Her teaching skills.
C．Her efforts to win a prize.	D．Her community background.

2. What was the reason for O’Connor’s being refused by the law firm?

A．Not having training in law.	B．Her little work experience in court.
C．Her identity as a woman.	D．Her poor financial conditions.

3. Who made a great contribution to the civil-rights movement in the U.S.?

A．Jane Addams.	B．Rachel Carson.
C．Sandra Day O’Connor.	D．Rosa Parks.

4. What can we infer about the women mentioned in the text?

A．They are highly educated.	B．They are truly creative.
C．They are pioneers.	D．They are peace-lovers.