Too much TV-watching can harm children’s ability to learn and even reduce their chances of getting a college degree, new studies suggest in the latest effort to examine the effects of television on children.
One of the studies looked at nearly 400 northern California third-graders. Those with TVs in their bedrooms scored about eight points lower on math and language arts tests than children without bedroom TVs
A second study, looking at nearly 1,000 grown-ups in New Zealand, found lower education levels among 26-year–olds who had watched lots of TV during childhood. But the results don’t prove that TV is the cause and don't rule out that already poorly motivated youngsters (年轻人）may watch lots of TV.
Their study measured the TV habits of 26-year-olds between ages 5 and 15. Those with college degrees had watched an average of less than two hours of TV per weeknight during childhood, compared with an average of more than 2 1/2 hours for those who had no education beyond high school.
In the California study, children with TVs in their rooms but no computer at home scored the lowest while those with no bedroom TV but who had home computers scored the highest.
While this study does not prove that bedroom TV sets caused the lower scores, it adds to accumulating findings that children shouldn't have TVs in their bedrooms.According to the California study, the low-scoring group might _________.
| A．have watched a lot of TV |
| B．not be intersected in math |
| C．be unable to go to college |
| D．have had computers in their bedrooms |
What is the researchers' understanding of the New Zealand study results?
| A．Poorly motivated 26-year-olds watch more TV. |
| B．Habits of TV watching reduce learning interest. |
| C．TV watching leads to lower education levels of the 15-year-olds. |
| D．The connection between TV and education levels is difficult to explain. |
What can we learn from the last two paragraphs?
| A．More time should be spent on computers. |
| B．Children should be forbidden from watching TV. |
| C．'IV sets shouldn't be allowed in children's bedrooms. |
| D．Further studies on high-achieving students should be done |
What would be the best title for this text?
| A．Computers or Television |
| B．Effects of Television on Children |
| C．Studies on TV and College Education |
| D．Television and Children's Learning Habits |
What does the word “accumulating” in the last paragraphy mean?
| A．withdraw | B．underline |
| C．increase | D．tolerate |
Davey wanted to play baseball. But fifty years ago, in his small town, he couldn’t find enough players for two full teams or an empty lot big enough for a field. And when he played ball in his back yard, he just broke windows and got into trouble. So Davey began playing with a plastic golf ball and a broom handle for a bat.
When his dad, David Mullaney, a former semi-pro baseball pitcher(投手), realized his son was hurting his arm trying to throw curves with the little plastic ball, he decided to find a better solution. Mullaney got a bunch of hollow plastic spheres from a local factory, sat down at his kitchen table and began cutting different size holes in the balls with a razor knife. He thought maybe the holes would alter the ball’s flight and help his son throw curves and sliders without hurting his arm.
All the balls failed—except the one with the eight oblong(长椭圆形的) holes cut into one of the hemispheres. This ball curved naturally and sharply without a violent snap of the wrist. In fact, Davey was now striking out so many batters; he called his new ball a “wiffle ball”. A year later, Mullaney borrowed $20,000 from family and friends and started producing Wiffle Balls in his little suburban town of Shelton, Connecticut.
“I didn’t want investors.” He said, “I wanted to control my own company.” This was the beginning of one of the hottest fads(时尚) of the fifties and a perennial(长久的) best seller well known all around the world. Since then millions of boys and girls have enjoyed countless hours of safe, wholesome fun playing with a Wiffle ball and bat. Esquire Magazine has even called the Wiffle Ball “a national treasure”. By producing a high quality product at an affordable price, three generations of Mullany’s have enjoyed the satisfaction and benefits of running a successful and profitable family business.
Over the years, they’ve had plenty of offers to buy them out, but they’re still working out of a small factory in Shelton, making a new Wiffle Ball every couple of seconds. Creativity and persistence are two of the important sources for wealth. If he gave up his attempts at trying new things, Mullany would not have invented the wiffle ball, nor would he have made such a big fortune.From the passage we can know that .
| A．Mullaney made the invention of Wiffle ball with the help of his son |
| B．fifty years ago people didn’t like playing baseball very much |
| C．Mullaney’s attempts to help Davey better enjoy ball-playing led to the invention of Wiffle ball |
| D．playing balls would hurt one’s arm before the Wiffle ball’s appearance |
All the following are true EXCEPT .
| A．Davey was a good ballplayer after the Wiffle ball came into existence |
| B．David Mullaney wanted to run the family business on his own |
| C．Mullaney’s family made a big fortune through the production of Wiffle balls |
| D．Mullaney’s business was nearly bought out but they worked hard to keep it |
The underlined word “spheres” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to .
| A．balls | B．bottles | C．bags | D．boxes |
The two important factors for Mullaney’s successful family business are .
| A．time and fortune | B．persistence and creativity |
| C．quality and fame | D．cooperation and efforts |
The passage mainly tells us something about .
| A．Davey, a famous baseball player | B．a popular ball game in the 1950’s |
| C．the birth of Wiffle ball | D．the success of a family business |
Australia has passed regulations that will enable more international students to further their education in the country.
The new measures were released by the Australian Department of Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations in September and will take effect in mid2012.
As a result, the student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified, and the deposit(押金)required to study in Australia has been reduced. Language requirements for overseas students have also been eased.
Also, overseas students receiving a higher education in Australia will be granted a working visa lasting from two to four years after graduation, as long as they meet the basic IELTS requirement.
“This change will definitely make Australia a more attractive destination for Chinese students planning to study overseas,” says Wang Lan, a consultant from Education International Cooperation Group(EIC), a Beijing-based company that provides services to students wishing to study overseas.
However, in the past few years, many of Wang’s student clients(客户)could not start studies in Australia because they did not meet the language requirements, visa processing took a long time and deposit regulations were tough. The change in policy is good news for the parents of students wishing to study in Australia, Wang says.
A 22yearold female student surnamed Li, in Beijing, who is planning to do her postgraduate studies in Australia, learned about the policy change several weeks ago.
“According to the previous deposit requirement for my student visa, my family was required to put down 550,000 yuan ($86,850). Now we only need to prepare 410,000 yuan. This is a relief for my parents,” Li says.
She also says that the two to four years working visa makes her feel much clearer about her study plans.“ I believe several years of working experience abroad will strengthen my competitiveness when I return to China,” she says.
Gaining a competitive advantage is the major reason for Chinese students to study abroad, according to the report by EIC.What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．Language requirement for overseas students have been eased in Australia. |
| B．Australia is a most attractive place for students in China. |
| C．Australia widens window of opportunity for international students. |
| D．More students will work in Australia after their graduation. |
Which of the following is NOT the content of the new regulations?
| A．The student visa application process for overseas students has been simplified. |
| B．The deposit required to study in Australia has been reduced. |
| C．Language requirements for overseas students have been more difficult. |
| D．After graduation, some overseas students can get a working visa in Australia. |
After the new regulations are passed, ________.
| A．more students will come to Australia to work |
| B．more Chinese students will choose to live in Australia |
| C．the opportunities to work in Australia decrease for overseas students |
| D．more Chinese students will choose to further their education in Australia |
How much can Li’s parents save according to the new regulations?
| A．550,000 yuan | B．140,000 yuan | C．410,000 yuan | D．86,850 yuan |
Why do many students want to work in Australia after their graduation?
| A．The working experience abroad will strengthen their competitiveness. |
| B．They can earn more money in Australia. |
| C．Their working experience can make them stay in Australia forever. |
| D．They have to do so according to the new regulations. |
Every day is a gift, and if you look forward to spending each day with happiness, wake up every morning with a positive attitude and enjoy a beautiful day!
Set up a daily plan for yourself and ensure that you reserve enough time for your homework. Also, don’t forget to spare some time for play! Stop being lazy and start participating in your life instead of just watching it pass by. Try to do something fun and constructive every day. Read a book, write something interesting in your diary, try a new hobby, spend time with your friends, or just watch your favorite show on television, and you will see how every moment of your day unfolds. You’ll achieve better results, and ultimately greater success.
However, every day will not be the way you want it to be. Some days will be good, while some will be bad. You won’t be always happy and smiling. You may come across many challenges. Don’t forget to remind yourself to slow down and take care of yourself. In today’s busy lifestyle, it is necessary to relax to bring balance and joy back into your life. So, take charge of your life. Enjoy and appreciate the small things around you. Do a good deed and make others happy. Sometimes, doing something as simple as having a cup of tea with an old friend or a family member, listening to a cheerful song, or just writing down all the things that make you happy could indeed turn your day around!
Review and analyze your day before you retire at night. Reward yourself for completing the set goals and prepare the stage for the next day. This will impact your sleep and overall happiness levels. Plan for the next day, take a good rest, and wake up fresh the next morning!
If you will you are doing the same things every day, step out of your comfort zone and set aside some time to do things you have never done before. Stretch your limits. Not only will it make a boring day exciting but it will also build your confidence. Who are the intended readers of the passage?
| A．Teachers | B．Students | C．Workers | D．People in general |
Why is “Read a book” mentioned in the second paragraph?
| A．To show readers how to make them happy. |
| B．To tell readers to learn hard for their future. |
| C．To supply readers with ways of killing time. |
| D．To offer readers suggestions on hobbies. |
What can we infer from the third paragraph?
| A．Every day is beautiful and worth-remembering. |
| B．Your future is up to yourself and your friends. |
| C．A good start is definitely good for the future. |
| D．You should make a difference in your day. |
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
| A．Planning your schedule for the next day the night before. |
| B．Getting into the habit of self-praising with goals achieved. |
| C．Rising early to get ready for your day with positive energy. |
| D．Trying something new to learn from it to stretch your limits. |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．How to make the most of your day |
| B．How to lead a happy and satisfying life |
| C．Act now without delay to change your life |
| D．Spare time to focus on daily responsibilities |
LEEDS, England—A Leeds University psychology professor is researching a course to help dozens of Britons forgive their enemies.
“The hate we hold within us is a cancer.” Professor Ken Hart said, adding that holding in anger can lead to problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
More than 70 people have become volunteers in Hart’s first 20-week workshop in London—a course he says is the first of its kind in the world.
These are people who are sick and tired of living with a memory. They realize their bitterness is a poison they think they can pour out, but they end up drinking it themselves, said Canadian-born Hart.
The students meet in each group of eight to ten for a two-hour workshop with a director every two weeks.
The course, ending in July, is expected to get rid of the cancer of hate in these people. “People have lots of negative attitudes towards forgiveness,” he said, “People confuse forgiveness with forgetting. Forgiveness means changing from a negative attitude to a positive one.”
Hart and his team have created instructions to provide the training needed.
“The main idea is to give you guidances on how to look at all kinds of angers and how they affect you, and how to change your attitudes towards the person you are angry with,” said Norman Claringbull, a senior expert on the forgiveness project.
Hart said, “I believe forgiveness is a skill that can be taught, as these people want to get free of the past.”From this passage we know that ________.
| A．without hate, people will have less trouble connected with blood pressure and heart disease |
| B．people who suffer from blood pressure and heart disease must have many enemies |
| C．high blood pressure can only be cured by psychology professors |
| D．high blood pressure and heart disease are caused by hate |
If you are angry with somebody, you should ________.
| A．attend Hart’s course |
| B．persuade him or her to have a positive talk with you |
| C．never meet him or her any longer |
| D．treat him or her positively instead of negatively |
In Hart’s first 20-week workshop, people there can ________.
| A．meet their enemies |
| B．change their attitudes |
| C．enjoy the professor’s teaching |
| D．learn how to quarrel with others |
If you are a volunteer in Hart’s workshop, you’ll ________.
| A．meet in eight or ten groups |
| B．get rid of the illness of cancer |
| C．attend a gathering twice a month |
| D．pour out everything stored in your mind |
The author wrote this passage in order to________.
| A．persuade Britons to go to Hart’s workshop |
| B．tell us the news about Hart’s research |
| C．tell us how to run a workshop like Hart’s |
| D．help us to look at all kinds of angers |
According to legend, the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, which connects the Palazzo Ducale to an ancient prison, got its name because the walk across it gave prisoners on their way to jail a final chance to enjoy the beauty of the city. The view from the bridge today, however, is more likely to be of a giant billboard selling Bulgari or Coca-cola.
But when the Coke billboards went up this summer on buildings near the Piazza San Marco,which is at the historic heart of Venice, there was a public debate.
"We can't commercialize everything, " said Alessandra Mottola Molfino, a Venetian.
"We couldn't stay quiet, " said Maria Camilla Bianchini d'Alberigo, president of a heritage protection association.
City of officials. however, argue that without these ads, the city could not afford to maintain its heritage. Many have been damaged by centuries of wear and are even a threat to public safety.
"I can't turn down the image of a bottle when there are pieces of the Palazzo Ducale falling to the ground, " said Renata Codello, a Culture Ministry official.
The Culture Minister has a budget of about $ 47 million (315 million yuan) for restoration of monuments. but Italy has a rich architectural heritage, and funds are always tight. Of that amount, $ 1. 8 million was given to the entire Veneto region, which includes Venice.
Two years ago, the city signed an agreement with the Dottor Group, a company responsible for the restoration of the Bridge of Sighs and the Palazzo Ducale. It allows it to sell ad space.
But there is a condition in the agreement: The ads should not offend public taste.
In August, Venice banned US actress Julianne Moore's Bulgrari ad from a billboard in the Piazza San Marco.
The photo shows a naked Moore covered with lion cubs. handbags and jewelry. Mayor Giorgio Orsoni called the image too racy (猥亵) and unsuitable for the Piazza San Marco.
"l consider the fact that Venice is part of the real world_ but we cannot accept these Hollywood-style images. There are wise sponsors. and we need to come up with advertising that suits Venice. not Times Square, " he said in a speech.The article is mainly about__________in Venice.
| A．restoration of cultural heritage |
| B．widespread commercialization |
| C．the conflict between ads and cultural heritage |
| D．the difficulty of restoring monuments |
In the first paragraph, the beautiful view from the Bridge of Sighs is mentioned to__________.
| A．introduce other monuments of the ancient city |
| B．show many ancient structures need repairing |
| C．indicate that the view is blocked by huge ads |
| D．attract readers' interest in the famous city |
From the article we can conclude that Renata Codello__________ the advertising.
| A．is in favor of | B．is worried about | C．objects to | D．doesn't mind |
Why do many Venetians complain about the ads?
| A．They support commercialization. |
| B．They feel the ads are damaging the city. |
| C．The ads are usually racy and in an American style. |
| D．The ads don't present a traditional view of Venice. |
It can be inferred from the passage that
| A．Hollywood stars' ads cannot go up in Venice |
| B．people can buy Bulgari or Coca-cola on the Bridge of Sighs |
| C．the Dottor Group may stop its restoration work for lack of funds |
| D．the mayor of Venice is expecting new advertising |
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