British people work some of the longest hours in Europe, but are among the least productive. Now some companies are shortening the working week to increase efficiency, health and happiness.
Rich Leigh has introduced a four-day week at his PR company. In fact, his entire company has Friday off, because his firm has adopted a four-day week. It is one of several UK businesses that now operate like this: staff still get paid their previous five-day salary, but they work a day less. The company found that they achieved just as much-and there were even signs of growth. “The key to the scheme’s success,” Leigh says, “is how happy our employees now are.”
The average British worker takes only a 34 minute lunch break and works 10 hours overtime each week (more often than not this is unpaid). Yet UK productivity falls seriously behind their European neighbors, who tend to work fewer hours.
British working practices have caused loss and damage to the nation’s health and happiness. More than half a million workers in the UK were signed off with work-related stress or anxiety last year. Moreover, the work landscape itself is changing. Automation and AI will have a significant impact on the labor market, where unsteady work becomes more common.
Britain is the only EU member that allows workers to ignore the EU working time limit and work longer hours. For campaigners, now is the time for a change. O’Grady, an advocate, argues that where businesses have increased their profits (利润)as a result of automation, success should be shared with workers in the form of reduced hours. “It’s time to share the benefits from new technology, not allowing those at the top to grab them for themselves.” she says.
1.We can learn from the passage that ________.
A.British people are the least productive in the world
B.Most companies in Britain have conducted a four-day week
C.PR company has witnessed a rise in employees’ happiness
D.British people work longer and get more payment than other countries
2.Which is the proper description of British working practices?
A.The working time of British workers is within the EU limit.
B.In productivity, Britain is beaten by the United States.
C.Profits gained from new technology are on the decrease.
D.Automation and AI are likely to cause an unsteady work market.
3.Which can be inferred from O’Grady’ s words in the last paragraph?
A.It’s time for employers to share the increased profits created by automation.
B.Workers should benefit from automation in the form of less working hours.
C.New technology should belong to both businesses and workers.
D.Businesses can’t make more profits without new technology.
4.What is the author’s purpose of writing the passage?
A.To introduce some British firms’ switch to a four-day working week.
B.To explain the reasons why British workers suffer stress and anxiety.
C.To appeal for more reasonable working conditions.
D.To show the present productivity problem in Britain.
The Boy Made It!
One Sunday, Nicholas, a teenager, went skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine. In the early afternoon, when he was planning to go home, a fierce snowstorm swept into the area. Unable to see far, he accidentally turned off the path. Before he knew it, Nicholas was lost, all alone! He didn’t have food, water, a phone, or other supplies. He was getting colder by the minute.
Nicholas had no idea where he was. He tried not to panic. He thought about all of the survival shows he had watched on TV. It was time to put the tips he had learned to use.
He decided to stop skiing. There was a better chance of someone finding him if he stayed put. The first thing he did was to find shelter from the freezing wind and snow. If he didn’t, his body temperature would get very low, which could quickly kill him.
Using his skis, Nicholas built a snow cave. He gathered a huge mass of snow and dug out a hole in the middle. Then he piled branches on top of himself, like a blanket, to stay as warm as he could.
By that evening, Nicholas was really hungry. He ate snow and drank water from a nearby stream so that his body wouldn’t lose too much water. Not knowing how much longer he could last, Nicholas did the only thing he could he huddled (蜷缩) in his cave and slept.
The next day, Nicholas went out to look for help, but he couldn’t find anyone. He followed his tracks and returned to the snow cave, because without shelter, he could die that night. On Tuesday, Nicholas went out again to find help. He had walked for about a mile when a volunteer searcher found him. After two days stuck in the snow, Nicholas was saved.
Nicholas might not have survived this snowstorm had it not been for TV. He had often watched Grylls’ survival show Man vs. Wild. That’s where he learned the tips that saved his life. In each episode (一期节目) of Man vs. Wild, Grylls is abandoned in a wild area and has to find his way out.
When Gxrylls heard about Nicholas’ amazing deeds, he was super impressed that Nicholas had made it since he knew better than anyone how hard Nicholas had to work to stay alive.
1.What happened to Nicholas one Sunday afternoon?
A.He got lost. B.He broke his skis.
C.He hurt his eyes. D.He caught a cold.
2.How did Nicholas keep himself warm?
A.He found a shelter. B.He lighted some branches.
C.He kept on skiing. D.He built a snow cave.
3.On Tuesday’ Nicholas .
A.returned to his shelter safely B.was saved by a searcher
C.got stuck in the snow D.stayed where he was
4.Nicholas left Grylls a very deep impression because he .
A.did the right things in the dangerous situation
B.watched Grylls’ TV program regularly
C.created some tips for survival
D.was very hard-working
Here are some books which can inspire kids to think about nature and the environment.
How to Raise Monarch Butterflies —By Carol Pasternak
Have you ever watched a monarch transform from a caterpillar（毛虫）to a butterfly from up close? In this book, learn everything about the monarch life cycle and how to raise monarchs from eggs to adult butterflies. You will also get to know the efforts involved to protect the species.
A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks —By Erin McHugh
This year, the US National Park Service’s National Park Week is on April 21-29. During the week, all the national parks offer free admission. Enrich your knowledge with this book, as it introduces the national parks and some interesting places in the US, including their geography, specific animals as well as environmental challenges. The book’s featured places include Yosemite National Park, Ellis Island (home of the Statue of Liberty) and the National Park of American Samoa, the only U.S. national park south of the equator（赤道）.
Where Do Recyclable Materials Go? —By Sabbithry Persad
Tiana had been learning about recycling at school. But when her dog, Bubbles, gets lost running after a recycling truck, she ends up learning a lot more about recyclable materials than ever! Follow Tiana and her family as they search for Bubbles around town and at the Materials Recovery Facility. Along the way, readers will learn a lot about recycling and how they can do their part in protecting the environment.
Scrap Kins Build-It Book Volume 1 —By Brian Yanish
Meet the Scrap Kins. They are creative, friendly monsters（怪物） who live in a recycling center, known as Scrap City. They’ll show you how to turn junk into pretty cool things. Readers will learn how to create cute bags from old jeans, beautiful ships from milk boxes, and more. Remember that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
1.Which author teaches you how to make an artwork from wastes?
A.Carol Pasternak. B.Erin McHugh.
C.Sabbithry Persad. D.Brian Yanish.
2.Why is the National Park of American Samoa special?
A.There is a famous statue in it. B.It is free for admission.
C.It has its specific animals. D.It lies south of the equator.
3.The common goal of the four books is to _________.
A.teach kids practical skills B.raise kids’ environment awareness
C.comment on kids’ behavior D.make kids interested in geography
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What percentage of the world’s tea exports go to Britain?
A.Almost 15%. B.About 30%. C.Over 40%.
2.Why do tea tasters taste tea with milk?
A.Most British people drink tea that way.
B.Tea tastes much better with milk.
C.Tea with milk is healthy.
3.Who suggests a price for each tea?
A.Tea tasters. B.Tea exporters. C.Tea companies.
4.What is the speaker talking about?
A.The life of tea tasters.
B.Afternoon tea in Britain.
C.The London Tea Trade Centre.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the probable relationship between the speakers?
A.Salesperson and customer.
B.Homeowner and cleaner.
C.Husband and wife.
2.What kind of apartment do the speakers prefer?
A.One with two bedrooms.
B.One without furniture.
C.One near a market.
3.How much rent should one pay for the one bedroom apartment?
A.＄350. B.＄400. C.＄415.
4.Where is the apartment the speakers would like to see?
A.On Lake Street. B.On Market Street. C.On South Street.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where are the speakers?
A.In a hospital. B.In the office. C.At home.
2.When is the report due?
A.Thursday. B.Friday. C.Next Monday.
3.What does George suggest Stephanie do with the report?
A.Improve it. B.Hand it in later. C.Leave it with him.
