1 . Five Simple Ways to Make Your Life Together Better
The fast-paced life changed the way couples live together. Most of the time, people say they are feeling stressed. Experts say the following are some ways to improve life together.
Keep Track of the Good Stuff
What works? Examples include compliments, goodbye kisses, buying flowers, and cooking meals.
Hold Hands
Read to Each Other
Why? People grow closer when they share thoughts and ideas. Reading aloud is a way to experience something new together. You will enjoy reading to someone and having them read to you. Each partner picks a favorite story.
Write down one or two of your partner’s annoying habits. They may be small things like not paying bills or dropping clothes on the floor. Talk about those things, but do not be critical. Try to find reasons why they happen.Practice Gratitude Together.
Write down three things about your partner for which you feel grateful. Talk about these moments and how they make you feel more connected to each other. Showing gratitude is a common way to boost happiness and fitness.
| A．Write to each other |
| B．Accept the Small Problems |
| C．Do not only listen to the words |
| D．Touching is a good way to connect |
| E．Positive words and actions work much better than negative ones |
| F．Take regular moments to show how thankful you are to your partner |
| G．It helps us get better sleep and can even sometimes reduce blood pressure |
2 . Communication is a problem for parents and children of all ages. If it’s hard for you to communicate with your parents, don’t worry about it. Here is some advice for you.
Don’t argue with your parents. Don’t try to talk about something with your parents when you are angry. Your parents probably won’t listen to you if you are shouting at them. Go somewhere else to cool off. Then think about what you want to say to your parents. If you think you can’t speak to them at the moment, try writing a letter to them.
Try to understand your parents. Your parents may think differently from you. Tell your parents what you think, what you care about and why. Perhaps you and your parents disagree on something. Put yourself in their shoes and you may find a better way out.
Michael’s mother didn’t agree with him about buying a motorcycle. They argued over it. But they finally came to an agreement. Michael bought the motorcycle, but only drove it on certain days.
It is also important to show your love to your parents. Try to do some small things at home, like making them a cup of tea, helping do some chores, and so on. It helps to keep your relationship closer. A good relationship with your parents can make you a better and happier person. It is worth having a try.
1. The passage mainly talks about the communication problem between ________.| A．parents and school teachers |
| B．school kids and their parents |
| C．teachers and their students |
| D．parents and children of all ages |
| A．show your love to them | B．often stay with them |
| C．speak to them politely | D．do chores for them |
| A．understand each other |
| B．stay away from your parents |
| C．argue with each other |
| D．disagree with your parents |
| A．you are happy | B．you love them | C．you like chores | D．you are relaxed |
| A．It’s certainly necessary to show your love to your parents. |
| B．It’s hard for all the teenagers to communicate with their parents. |
| C．Think it over before you want to talk to your parents about something. |
| D．Put yourself in your parents’ shoes and you may find some good ways to communicate with your parents. |
3 . Here are a few ways to motivate (激发) children to do chores.
Decide what kinds of chores children do. For younger children, give them easy work, like putting away their toys.
Tell children about the importance of doing chores.
Give children some money to do more chores.
| A．Set good examples in the family. |
| B．Make a list of chores for children. |
| C．Make children do chores unhappily. |
| D．Ask children to do all kinds of chores. |
| E．Giving money for more chores can also work. |
| F．As the children get older, make them do more difficult chores. |
| G．Discuss the importance of doing chores and how they help the whole family. |
4 . Family meetings help your relationship with your teenagers
One good way to build cooperation among everyone in a family is to have a regular family meeting. Getting into the habit of family meetings takes time. Making the meetings work takes effort
Meet at a regular time. A regular time might be once a week. Plan to have the meeting last from twenty minutes to an hour.
Make a list of topics. Some people call this list of topics an agenda. Post it on the refrigerator. Then people can add to it during the days before the meeting
Take notes. Write down the agreements and plans made in the meeting. These written notes are the minutes. Take turns doing the job of note-taking
Do what you agree to do. Stick to agreements until the next meeting. If people want to change the agreements, they can do it then. Children, teenagers and parents are expected to do what agree to do,
Take time for fun. Meetings are a good way to solve problems
| A．Some people wonder if a family meeting is worth the effort |
| B．Here are some ideas to help you. |
| C．Find a place to post the notes so that everyone can read them. |
| D．This rule applies to parents as well as teens and younger children. |
| E．This helps you deal with the things that are important to each person in the family. |
| F．But that’s not all they are for. |
| G．Take turns being the leader. |
5 . The kitchen and bedroom are the most unsafe places. Common accidents in these rooms include falls, fires, poisoning, cuts, hot water burns and electric shocks. How to make sure your kitchen and bedroom are safe. The following are some tips.
THE KITCHEN
*Turn off all appliances after use.
* Make sure the floor is not slippery.
* Keep matches out of the reach of children.
*Turn pan handles away from the front of the stove.
*Always cut away from your body when you use a knife.
* Follow instructions for all electrical appliances carefully.
* Always use a ladder to reach high cupboards; never stand on a chair.
*Store all cleaning materials and poisonous materials in a locked cupboard.
THE BEDROOM
* Never smoke in bed.
* Keep a lamp near the bed.
*Turn off electric blankets when not in use.
*Have a telephone near the bed, especially if ill.
1. What is the text mainly about?| A．The safety tips in the park. | B．The safety tips in the bathroom. |
| C．The safety tips in the classroom. | D．The safety tips in the kitchen and bedroom. |
| A．Use a ladder. | B．Jump up. |
| C．Stand on others’ shoulders. | D．Stand on a chair. |
| A．Smoke in the bed. | B．Turn on electric blankets when not in use. |
| C．Keep a lamp near the bed. | D．Don’t have a telephone near the bed. |
6 . How to Exercise at Home
You’ve got home from work, planned and prepared a nutritious yet also delicious dinner and now it’s time to put on some sports clothes and head to the gym. No?
Take advantage of your stairs
Here is a question.
Make the most of the housework!
Turn grocery delivery into a workout
| A．Turn to a vacuum cleaner |
| B．Make housework your workout |
| C．How many steps are there in your house |
| D．Rather than just vacuuming one room at a time |
| E．In that case, here are some home workout suggestions |
| F．How many times a day do you go up and down the stairs |
| G．Many of us now use online shopping to make our busy lives a little easier |
7 . Family traditions are experiences or activities that are passed down between generations. These traditions can be as unique and special as the family itself. In addition to being something to look forward to, traditions also establish a foundation for family values and serve as special bonding (联系，连接) experiences.
Traditions can provide families with a sense of identity (身份) and belonging. They can inspire positive feelings and memories upon which family members can recall. Family traditions also provide a sense of continuity across generations. In other words, they are a way of transferring the family’s values, history, and culture from one generation to the next.
People create and maintain family traditions because they bring meaning to celebrations and foster (培养) special bonds. More importantly, traditions create positive experiences and memories for everyone by nurturing (培养，促进) a family’s connection and giving them a sense of belonging.
Family traditions also help children understand who they are and what is important to the family to which they belong. Traditions create a connection for children that comes from feeling like they are part of something that is unique and extraordinary. Family traditions can even contribute to children’ s self-esteem (自尊) and enhance (加强) their well-being (幸福). After all, children find comfort and security when things are predictable and consistent.
Family traditions don’t have to be formal nor do they have to cost money. All that is required to create a new family tradition is something meaningful to your family and a little creativity. Additionally, family traditions do not have to revolve (围绕) around the holidays. You can create family traditions for just about any time of year. Simply look for ways for your family to spend time together doing something they enjoy.
1. What does Paragraph 1 mainly tell us?| A．The way of creating family traditions. |
| B．The foundation of family values and bonds. |
| C．The definition and function of family traditions. |
| D．The effects of family traditions on family members. |
| A．Passing down. | B．Going against. |
| C．Taking away. | D．Referring to. |
| A．They help children love their parents more. |
| B．They help children behave well in the family. |
| C．They help children become successful in business. |
| D．They benefit the development of children’s body and mind. |
| A．Explain ways to spend holidays. | B．Advise creating family traditions. |
| C．Discuss how to enjoy family time. | D．Stress the importance of saving money. |
8 . New research has found caring for grandchildren can make a difference to seniors. Publishing their findings in the journal Aging & Mental Health, a team of experts from Germany and the U.K. reviewed data from 28 studies which included 191, 652 adults from 21 countries.
People aged 60 or above who cared for their grandchildren for an average of 12 hours a week were 60% less likely to experience loneliness than non-caregivers, one of the reviewed studies found. Five other studies, out of a total of seven, also produced data showing a negative connection between loneliness and care-giving for grandchildren. What’s more, five out of six reviewed studies found seniors who volunteered in their communities felt less lonely than those who didn’t.
“This is the first review of its kind to look into the relationship between care-giving, volunteering, and loneliness in old people,” co-author Dr. Matthew Prina said. “Further research could help find the best dose (剂量) of caring for grandchildren. But valuing their unpaid activities will likely play an important role in their well-being. We also looked at studies that focused on care-giving for partners with serious health conditions. In those cases, seniors reported having higher levels of loneliness. This kind of care-giving may bed a lonely experience when there is lack of support from others.”
Experts further explained that when caring for children, older adults tend to be more drawn into society, through things like school, play dates and other social events. For example, seniors can actively join in different activities and continuously learn things from a younger generation.
While not everyone has young children in their life, volunteering opportunities also work. Now one group called Eldera is bringing the two concepts together. It focuses on connecting generations by pairing experienced adults aged 60 or above with children across the world. The wisdom of the elders, with years of experience, knowledge and common sense, is the most valuable resource for the younger generation. It can help them imagine a better future.
1. What did the new research find out about the elderly?| A．60% seniors are less likely to suffer loneliness. |
| B．Many of them are willing to be volunteers. |
| C．Their mental health is related to their personality. |
| D．Caregiving and volunteering can reduce loneliness. |
| A．The needs of the elderly are always placed second. |
| B．The elderly hardly get support from their family members. |
| C．Respecting the old’s contributions is beneficial to their health. |
| D．It is a tough job for the elderly to care for their grandchildren. |
| A．It inspires them to understand the society. |
| B．It helps them get more social opportunities. |
| C．It enables them to improve common sense. |
| D．It enhances their working ability. |
| A．Providing volunteer opportunities for the young. |
| B．Calling on people to care more about the elderly. |
| C．Spreading the wisdom of the old to the young. |
| D．Teaching old people skills of caring for children. |
9 . I spent time at my father’s house and mountain cabin this weekend, both of which have plug -in electric kettles. I enjoyed how quickly they boiled water, plus it’s kind of nice to not have to run across the house to stop the unbearable scream of the whistle( 哨 声 ) , My father was shocked that I didn’t own one, but I explained that I value the classic design of my Revere Ware kettle and I enjoy boiling water on the stove for my tea.
However, I’m nothing if not practical. I have a gas stove and the price of natural gas has been coming up, which isn’t ending any time soon. We’re not as bad as Europe, where people are removing their beloved stoves due to skyrocketing gas prices, but it’s certainly worth considering the cost of gas vs. electricity. The gas company is rolling out a 25% rate increase, which made me dive down this rabbit hole.
It’s not easy to compare gas to electric costs, as an electric kettle uses 1. 5 kilowatts to boil water and it takes 6428 British therm units (BTUs)to boil water using a standard gas stove. Of course, the gas company uses “therms”, and there are 1. 00024e-5 therms in one BTU. 1 kWh=0. 0341296 therms and I pay 14.47e/kWh for electricity and 61. 458≠/therm for gas. So you can see why you almost need an advanced mathematics degree to puzzle out the cost of heating a kettle on the gas stove vs. a plug-in electric. Of course you also have to consider that you’re not actually boiling water for a full hour
I never got even close to a point where I could do the math, but I did come to the conclusion that I could stop mindlessly filling the entire kettle when I’m having just a single cup of tea. Plus my low-tech kettle was produced without planned obsolescence( 过 时 )and should last for a very long time. No additional purchases necessary.
1. What does the author think of her father’s electric kettles?| A．They cause annoying noise | B．They are inconvenient to use |
| C．They are classic in design. | D．They lose some traditional flavor |
| A．Hold a negative attitude to life. | B．Consider moving somewhere else |
| C．Get into an awkward situation. | D．Study how to escape like a rabbit |
| A．To stress an advanced math degree is rewarding |
| B．To show it’s hard to make an economical choice |
| C．To prove the gas company has overcharged users |
| D．To explain the author is a price-sensitive consumer |
| A．Keep using it. | B．Upgrade it. | C．Replace it. | D．Sell it |
10 . Homestay
For students who are looking to experience the true local lifestyle, choosing a homestay is ideal for you. This is the place where you can fully take the chance to make yourself into the local culture. Staying with a host family will allow you to get a better understanding on the traditions and cultural practices, as it’s like having a foster family. Thus, take into consideration the neighbourhood and the personalities and characteristics of the family members themselves, as it is important that you will be able to mix well and connect with them. Unlike other accommodations, your meals will be provided by the host family. The first stages after moving in will definitely have its awkward moments, but over time as you break the ice and make yourself familiar with the host family, it starts to feel like home. At the end of the day, you will feel like you have gained an additional family, but abroad.
A homestay experience will also provide you with the environment to learn a foreign language. Staying with a host family can greatly improve your language abilities as you are not only thrown into an environment where you are required to learn their language in order to communicate, but have also gained practice partners. While most homestay options in Australia and New Zealand are only open to those under 18 and require a guardian, those who are above 18 and seek to experience the full local experience can also try to find a homestay host. The safety and interest of these students are of top priority to the universities, so rest assured that these hosts have been thoroughly sourced, filtered, and checked by the various universities beforehand. These homestay providers also often work alongside the universities to provide the local experience to the international students, so you can rest easy knowing that the university you choose to study in will try to find you your ideal homestay host that best meets your needs and preferences.
1. What kind of students may prefer a home stay?| A．Those who study abroad. | B．Those who like to live with local families. |
| C．Those who enjoy the local life. | D．Those who want to cook themselves. |
| A．Because you can meet more trustable people in this way. |
| B．Because it allows you to live with your own family. |
| C．Because it makes you feel as if you have a family around. |
| D．Because your meals will be provided by the host family. |
| A．You would feel like you get another family at once. |
| B．You would gradually take it as your family. |
| C．It would be hard for you to mix with. |
| D．You have to break some ice first. |
| A．Whether it is safe for you. | B．Which university provides it. |
| C．Whether the host works with a university. | D．How much you can improve your language. |
