1 . Most of us spend our lives surrounded by screens, which offer us convenience as well as connection and an ocean of information. But since it’s easy to feel pressured to keep up with every notification, technology may feel more like a burden than a blessing. Thus, the idea of “digital detox” is becoming increasingly inviting.

The phrase “digital detox” describes getting rid of TV, phones, computers and other forms of technology that control our lives for a period of time. Some experts advocate completely avoiding unnecessary screen time for 30 years. Others suggest using an app that will limit the amount of time one can spend on certain websites. A third option is logging out in evenings or on weekends. Others simply turn their phones off at scheduled times. Some even pay high prices to take vacations in places where they can unplug from their digital routine.

Why might you want to take a digital detox? Perhaps you find that you are spending longer than you intend on certain apps or that they distract you from more important things. Perhaps social media is depressing because you compare yourself to others or you fear missing out on things that other people are enjoying. Constant negative news can also give rise to a lot of stress.

Technology can also have physical effects. Many people experience back or neck pain as a result of bending over screens. The blue light coming from most screens can also affect people’s sleep by preventing production of melatonin(褪黑素).

Giving up all screens may not be realistic, but strategic breaks from technology may be good for your body, mind, emotions and relationships. It is high time that you picked a time to turn off your devices and focus on really important things.

1. Why does the author say “technology may feel more like a burden than a blessing” in paragraph 1?

A．To confirm a concept.

B．To present a problem.

C．To explain a rule.

D．To make a prediction.

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

A．Recover.

B．Benefit.

C．preventing

D．Suffer.

3. Which could be the reason for one to start “digital detox”?

A．Apps selection difficulty.

B．Fear of missing important things.

C．Exposure to false news.

D．Pressure from social comparison.

4. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To recommend healthy lifestyles.

B．To call for reducing the use of digital devices.

C．To give instructions on starting digital detox.

D．To present different attitudes to digital products.

2 . The topic of China’s “slash youth” has fueled heated debate on social media recently, drawing attention to the diverse pursuits of the younger generation.

The slash youth, which could also be called slashers or slash-generation — means those who refuse to be defined or bound by just one personal identity. They are keen to present themselves as multiple and sometimes distinct identities, such as a nurse and model, a teacher and stand-up comedian, and an engineer and band player. Rather than material comforts, they pursue meaningful achievement.

A diverse career can enable them to develop new experiences and talents as well as social and professional networks, leading to greater flexibility in life and work, recognition and satisfaction.

A study on “slash youth” published in the China Youth Research magazine analyzes the background of this phenomenon: with part of modern society’s structured organization and stability norms (规范) are broken, flexible labor markets and structural unemployment has emerged, dispelling the sense of job security of the young people in employment. Young people also face the dilemma of self-actualization (自我实现), including the sense of powerlessness, lost sense of value and lack of self- identity in the profession, which forces them to re-find the meaning of work.

“The ‘slash life’ shows that our society is becoming more and more diversified and inclusive (包罗万象的), and it welcomes everyone’s self- fulfillment,” said Shi Yanrong, an associate researcher from Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences. “Young people no longer have to rely on work and money for their sense of self-worth. They tend to create their own identities.” The researcher added that against the background that people have multiple interests and are willing to pay for these interests nowadays, the “slash life” of the youth would drive the growth of a new economy, just as animation culture affected the market.

1. What attracts younger generation to pursue multiple identities?

A．Meaningful self-fulfillment.	B．Public concern.
C．Booming job market.	D．Material comforts.

2. What does the underlined word “dispelling” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Highlighting.

B．Stimulating.

C．Removing.

D．Increasing.

3. What does Shi Yanrong think of the slash life?

A．It enables young people to earn high incomes.

B．It inspires young people’s creativity at work.

C．It increases people’s confidence in young generation.

D．It reflects the increasing tolerance of the society.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Slash Life: A flexible labor market

B．Slash Life: A journey of hunting for jobs

C．Slash Youth: A generation with diverse identities

D．Slash Youth: A generation lacking the sense of job security

4 . One morning last week I looked out of my study window and saw that it was a fine day. No, it was a wonderful day: the sun shone down from a sky without even a single cloud. But later that day, hard at work at my desk, I heard a loud noise on the roof. Turning to the window, I saw that the sky was now the color of charcoal. Two minutes later the rain poured, making rivers of water.

    1    It’s extremely variable. Go ahead with your picnic in the local park by all means, but don’t suppose that because the sun is shining now, it will be when you open your pack of sandwiches.       2    

The weather in Britain is not always bad.     3    This is one of the biggest reasons why the British talk so often about the weather. Wherever there are strangers standing or sitting close together, and talk can not be avoided. The conversation focuses on the weather: “Yes, the weather has been good, hasn’t it?” or “    4    ”

The unexpected change of the weather is something that every British can agree on.    5     Even those with different opinions on everything else in the world, such as the argument in the UK about membership of the European Union, can talk about the weather without leading to a quarrel.

A．It is just changeable.

B．That makes it a safe topic of conversation.

C．You’d better take an umbrella, just in case.

D．What shocking weather we’ve been having!

E．Strangers will choose to talk about the weather to break the ice.

F．This story will give you some idea about weather in Britain.

G．Are you going for a picnic?