1 . It is reported that 90 million people in China suffer from depression, with around 90% not getting any effective treatment. Other research further suggests that mental disorders have generally become more common across China in the last 30 years.

China’s resources for dealing with mental health have not always been at the same level as other countries. A 2020 WHO report showed that there were only 1.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, compared with 15 per 100,000 in the European countries.

In the past, mental health support was largely focused on specific groups such as “left-behind children”. However, many now recognize the need to make support more widely available.

One issue that has helped bring mental health into the spotlight on a national scale is that of “996” work culture. The term refers to jobs in which employees are required to work six days per week from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. With the 996-work culture, more and more people are starting to realize that actually, mental health can affect a whole number of people. As we all know, long hours of overtime may cause many health problems, even leading to sudden death.

Our government is indeed designing policies to deal more effectively with mental health challenges. The country’s National Health Commission plans to introduce screening (筛查) for vulnerable groups and require medical institutions as well as universities, colleges and high schools to re evaluate mental health policies. The government plans to set up mental health outpatient services in 40% of the general hospitals in pilot areas by the end of 2022, a move catalyzed by the pandemic.

Whether said policies will be effectively implemented remains to be seen. However, what is clear is that mental health is now very much taken seriously across China.

1. What do we know from the first two paragraphs?

A．China’s medical level is quite backward.

B．Mental health problems are getting more serious.

C．China has the largest population with depression.

D．Many people with depression refuse to be treated.

2. What does the underlined word “psychiatrists” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Doctors.	B．Professors.
C．Researchers.	D．Patients.

3. What can we learn about the 996-work culture?

A．It is well received by employees.	B．It severely affects people’s health.
C．It can make people work even harder.	D．It does harm to “left-behind children”.

4. What measures our government going to take?

A．Cooperating with medical institutions.	B．Establishing more voluntary organizations.
C．Setting up outpatient services in pilot areas.	D．Designing policies to deal with the challenges.

2 . Over the years, there has been a rising trend in the popularity of volunteer vacations and a rapid increase in the number of people interested in volunteering while traveling. Here are a few established organizations for you to choose.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program is a United Nations organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Based in Bonn, Germany, UNV is active in around 130 countries every year. Anyone who is concerned about world peace and development is welcome.

Contact online: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/ opportunities

Volunteers In Asia (VIA) is an independent, non-profit organization aimed to increase understanding between the US and Asia. Based in San Francisco, VIA provides two kinds of programs. VIA’s Asia Programs offer Americans the chance to live and volunteer in Asia. while VIA’s Programs enable East Asian university students to participate in programs in the US.

Contact online: https://viaprograms.org/contact/

Meals on Wheels originated in the UK. It’s a program that delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. This type of service requires many volunteers with a good knowledge of basic cooking to prepare the meals.

Contact online: https://www.mealsonwheelssa.org.au/

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a range of mentoring programs (指导计划) to meet the needs of Canadian children and families. In the traditional one-to-one mentoring programs, one youth and one adult mentor meet twice a month for at least one year. Big Brothers Big Sisters also operates group mentoring programs for teenagers and clubs for newcomer Canadian youth. Volunteers are in demand all the year around.

Contact online: https://bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/

1. Which might one choose to promote the understanding between the US and Asia?

A．The United Nations Volunteers.	B．Volunteers in Asia.
C．Meals on Wheels.	D．Big Brothers Big Sisters.

2. What do we know about Big Brothers Big Sisters?

A．One youth and one mentor meet at least once a month.

B．It operates clubs for children from local communities.

C．It works with schools to operate group mentoring programs.

D．Volunteers can register at any time of the year.

3. Who may be quite interested in the passage?

A．A college student in the gap year.	B．A traveler on a one-week tour.
C．A government official working in the UN.	D．A newcomer to Canada to make money.