Imagine looking at yourself in the mirror; you do not look like these stick -thin models seen across the media. Your legs are too big, your bottom is too small, and you are too pale. You are too “ugly” You stare in wonder and anger, “Why don't I look like them?" However, you don't need to imagine this situation, because this is a bitter truth for millions of people. In the media，one can quickly see the ideal body, the ideal face, and the ideal person. The advancement of unrealistic beauty on social media causes millions of people to become dissatisfied with their looks.
Dissatisfaction with one's appearance can cause dangerous behaviors like dieting, which result in eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa (神经性厌食症) and Bulimia Nervosa (神经性易饿病). Eating disorders have seen a dramatic increase following the rise of social media, 119% increase according to recent statistics. According to Brittany Tackett, a mental health professional,“30% -50% of patients in eating disorder hospitals used social media as a means of supporting their eating disorders.”
Not only can social media become a support-system for unhealthy behaviors, but an article written by Rachel Simmons, a Time magazine writer, suggests that people who spend more time online tend to link their self-worth to their looks. A study conducted by Park Nicollet Melrose Center also says that in the 1990's, fifty-percent of women wanted to lose weight. Now it finds that eighty-percent of women want to lose weight. Although this higher percentage cannot be directly related to the rise of social media, one can argue that the unrealistic and damaging beauty expectations that social media presents contribute to this number.
In addition, social media causes stress. A survey was conducted in which people were asked whether or not they used social media, and how stressed they felt they were. The study found that “social network users are, in fact, 14 percent more likely than non-users to characterize their lives as at least ‘somewhat stressful.’ Non-users are 28 percent more likely than users to say their lives are ‘not at all’stressful”. Additionally, stress may have more connection to self-confidence than is believed.
So，there you are again, standing in front of the mirror criticizing the parts of your body which do not follow the idealistic images of models seen on social media. Your legs are too big, your bottom is too small, and you are too pale. You are too “ugly”. Although this time, you realize it is not you who are the problem. The problem is the unhealthy and unrealistic standards that social media encourages. So the next time you are looking through Instagram, opening WeChat, or commenting on Twitter, ask yourself, “Is it worth it?”
1.Which of the following statements would the author agree with?
A. Social media drives most women to lose weight.
B. Social network non-users enjoy a life free of stress.
C. It's unnecessary to follow the image standard of models.
D. Few people compare their own appearance with a model's.
2.According to the passage, what problems may social media cause?
A. Pale face, wrong self-assessment, stress.
B. Stress, overweight, wrong self-assessment.
C. Eating disorders, mental problems, ugliness.
D. Eating disorders, wrong self-assessment, stress.
3.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
CP: Central Point P: Point Sp: Sub-point (次要点) C: Conclusion
A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To state an argument. B. To describe a study.
C. To analyze different ideas. D. To compare personal opinions.
阅读下面的短文和问题，根据短文内容，在相应题号后的横线上写下相关信息，完成对该问题的回答。答语要意思清楚，结构正确，书写工整。
Patrick and Rachel Hugens have biked around the world. The Hugenses, who live in Boise when not on their bikes, are 25 months into their latest round-the-world adventure, scheduled to end in March. They've visited 36 countries on this tour, touching Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. “Traveling by bike is the greatest freedom," Rachel said via email. “You can see people's daily lives and can communicate with them.”
Rachel warns, “Cycle touring can become addictive.” Bike tourism is on the rise in the United States and around the world, according to the Adventure Cycling Association. The U. S. Bicycle Route System has grown 66 percent in the past two years and now has a presence in 24 states, including Idaho, and the District of Columbia.
Dennis Swift，secretary of the Southwest Idaho Mountain Biking Association, rode across the U.S. last year- from Seattle to Salem, Mass. Six people started the tour and three finished, riding 52 out of 56 days. They averaged about 60 miles per riding day. Swift also rode through the Basque Country with a group of Boise cyclists last year. He's planning to participate in a Virginia bike tour this year. “When you get older, your health is most important,” he said. “My mom had Alzheimer's disease. They say what's good for health is good for the brain, so riding is one thing to be first in my life.”
This is the third time that the couple have quit their jobs to tour. Rachel is a nurse; Patrick is an architect. Both regained their former jobs when they returned home in 2000 and 2007. They're uncertain what will happen this time. They've given themselves a chance to save extra money by going to work by bike and avoiding some bills that are basic for most ( cell phones, cable TV).“Traveling changes your view of money and what it can do for you,” Rachel said. “We've met some cyclists traveling long term. They have many reasons to spend wisely.”
“The fellow cyclists we meet mostly come from Britain, Germany, Spain, Holland, Australia or New Zealand," Rachel said, “It is so nice to see that people all over the world are friendly and welcoming.”
1.How many countries have the Hugenses visited on their latest tour? (不多于2个单词)
___________________________________________________________________
2.Why does Dennis Swift ride bikes? (不多于2个单词)
___________________________________________________________________
3.How do the Hugenses save extra money for their bike tours? (不多于10个单词)
___________________________________________________________________
4.What is the passage mainly about? (不多于3个单词)
___________________________________________________________________
根据括号中所给提示完成下列句子。
1.他们的工作总是充满挑战。(be flled with)
_________________________________________________________________________
2.去年这家公司为无家可归的人筹了钱。( raise money)
_________________________________________________________________________
3.经历了这么多困难之后，我仍旧坚信我的梦想会实现。( come true)
_________________________________________________________________________
4.为了圆满完成这项任务，我们的团队贡献了很多。(contribute)
_________________________________________________________________________
5.人们更喜欢用微信(WeChat) 而不是现金支付，因为它更方便。(prefer)
_________________________________________________________________________
在下列句子中的空白处填入适当内容或括号内单词的正确形式。
1.Qi Baishi is a great artist _________ paintings are priceless.
2.Everyone__________ (sleep) when the earthquake started.
3.The girl _________ won the gold medal was interviewed on TV.
4.The weekly meeting _________ (hold) at 2:00 p. m. every Monday.
5.I still keep the photo of the house _________ I lived when I was in London.
6.After graduation, Lily _________ (work) for three different companies so far.
7.Cyclists _________ wear helmets ( 头盔) while riding bikes in the US. If not, they'll be punished.
8.Cathy wanted to go shopping _________ the rest of the family wanted to stay at home.
9.The Fifth World Internet Conference ( 世界互联网大会)，_________ began on November 7, was very successful.
10.Brian and his group members _________(have) the opportunity to go to London next month if they win the game.
If you ever have the desire to break out into song—in the shower, in the car, maybe at your neighbor's karaoke night—you should embrace it whole-heartedly. This ancient art not only makes you feel good, it can also improve your well-being, reduce your feelings of pain, and even extend your life.
Using your voice to sing, rather than simply carryout a conversation, offers unique benefits because singing affects our bodies. Also, studies link singing with a lower heart rate，decreased blood pressure and reduced stress according to Patricia Preston-Roberts, a music therapist. She uses song to help patients who suffer from a variety of problems.
Singing, particularly in a group, seems to benefit the elderly particularly well. As part of a three-year study examining how singing affects the health of those fifty-five and older, a Senior Singers Chorus was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington, D. C. The seniors involved in the chorus, as well as seniors in two separate arts groups about writing and painting, showed significant health improvements compared to those in the control groups (控制组).Obviously, the arts groups reported thirty fewer doctors' visits, fewer eyesight problems, less depression, and less need for medication.
Even lead researcher Dr. Gene D. Cohen, director of the Center on Aging at George Washington University, was surprised at how big an effect the seniors' arts participation had on their health. Cohen said, “The average age of all the subjects was eighty. This is higher than life expectancy. So, if an effect were to be achieved, one would ordinarily expect to see less decline (下降) compared to the control group. The fact that there was so much improvement in many areas was the surprising factor." The seniors also noticed health improvements and they reported feeling better both in daily life and while singing.
The part of the brain that works with speech is different from the part that processes music. “People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people. There are a lot of facts that being socially involved is good for people with dementia (老年痴呆).”Ballard said.
The arts are showing up as a treatment tool in hospitals across the country. If you are thinking of volunteering, singing at a hospital may be a good choice—not only for the patients, but also for yourself.
1.In the first paragraph, the author ________.
A. expresses a desire for singing
B. offers some advice on singing
C. puts forward his point of view
D. states the importance of health
2.Why was Cohen surprised at the results of the study?
A. The study was not expensive as expected.
B. Arts acted as a treatment tool in hospitals.
C. People's health in the arts group improved greatly.
D. The seniors themselves noticed health improvements.
3.What is the author's attitude towards arts?
A. Doubtful. B. Positive.
C. Negative. D. Worried.
4.What would be the best title for the passage?
A. How to Avoid Getting Dementia
B. How Seniors Live a Healthy Life
C. How to Keep Our Brains Healthy
D. How Singing Improves Your Health
The Climb to the Top
My life as a kid was a sweet life. I lived in a beautiful house with the beautiful surroundings in Puerto Rico. There was one particular thing I loved and it was a huge tree that was in my backyard. As a child, I used to climb the tree every day. Every time I went, I climbed higher and higher, reaching new branches, obstacles, and pathways on my way up. One day, I reached the top and I could see my island. I felt I was on top of the world, and nothing could stop me. Then, there was the day that seemed like the end of my life. This specific day changed my life forever.
It was a nice summer day. After breakfast, my family headed to the park to see my baseball game. In the evening we went to a carnival (嘉年华) in my town. My grandma was selling blankets under a tent. Suddenly, the mood of the day changed when my parents took me to my grandma's tent. Still to this day, I remember the exact words my dad said to me, “Son, how would you like to move to the United States?” I couldn't believe what he said. I then ran away from him as the tears rolled down my cheeks. My perfect life was being taken away from me.
Two weeks later, we arrived at New York in late July, and my aunt and uncle drove us to Springfield，Massachusetts where we lived for seven years. Once we got there, I met my mom's family for the first time. September came and school started. I was afraid to go to a new school and make new friends. Most kids ignored me and some tried to talk to me, but I couldn't understand them or say anything. My first year in the United States was not fun or easy but I worked hard and got through it.
Now that I'm grown, I look back on the journey that I've been through: living in a new place with no friends, new language, and new schools. Despite all those problems, I still remembered that special tree. That tree taught me to never give up and reach higher. I have beaten every difficulty that I have met in life and I just kept moving forward. My perfect life was never taken away from me; it has just started.
1.When the author was a kid, he _________.
A. thought his life was very pitiful
B. expected to live in a beautiful house
C. dreamed of traveling around the world
D. enjoyed the pleasure of climbing a tree
2.Why does the author mention the baseball game and carnival in the passage?
A. To compare life with that in America.
B. To introduce his family tradition.
C. To show he didn't like studying.
D. To state his daily life routine.
3.Paragraph 3 mainly tells us about _________.
A. the family that he had met before
B. his new friends in Springfield, Massachusetts
C. the living conditions when he arrived in America
D. his difficult experiences during the first year in the US
4.The author has realized that to live a perfect life is _________.
A. to never give up B. to always make new friends
C. to forget all problems D. to remember sweet memories
