Increased use of the Internet and mobile phones are undermining pupils’ capacity for independent study and promoting poor grammar, it was claimed.
Cranfield School of Management found almost six in 10 schoolchildren were copying information directly from websites for homework tasks without properly reading it.
More than a quarter thought it was an acceptable practice, even though they know it was considered plagiarism (剽窃). The study, based on a sample of around 260 pupils aged from 11 to 18 at a secondary school in the Midlands, raised fresh concerns that modern technology was having a destructive effect on young people. Andrew Kakabadse, professor of International Management Development at Cranfield, said, “Our research shows that technology obsession prevents spelling skills, encourages plagiarism, and disturbs classroom learning.
“Despite school policies restricting mobile phone usage, students use the phone frequently, with the majority making calls from the toilets. The mobile phone continues to be a main channel of social communication during the school day.”
The report revealed that so-called “text-speak’’ was increasingly finding it was into pupils’ school work. Three in 10 students admit to using text message shortcuts, such as “ruok” in essays and classroom tasks.
It followed a study earlier this year that found almost half of teachers failed to understand some pupils’ writing because it was so full of confusing language. Phrases such as “innit” and “Gr8” were regularly found in school work, it was claimed. The Cranfield study found that mobile use was so common that many pupils chose to ignore school rules on phones.
More than a third said they would use their mobile in class, while nearly three quarters said they would not even make an excuse to leave class to answer a phone call.
1.The underlined word “undermining” in the first paragraph can best be replaced by “_________”.
A.keeping B.determining
C.weakening D.increasing
2.It can be inferred from what Kakabadse said that _________.
A.he believes schools are responsible for technology obsession
B.he is in favour of students’ mobile phone usage at school
C.the research finds a new way to improve school management
D.it is hard to limit students’ mobile phone usage at school
3.The passage is mainly about _________.
A.technology’s positive influence on students’ achievement
B.the negative effect of technology on students’ study
C.the importance of online social communication
D.the rapidly growing role of communication technologies
4.What’s the attitude of the author to the problem?
A.Approving. B.Optimistic. C.Anxious. D.Tolerant.
In 1978, I was 18 and was working as a nurse in a small town about 270 km away from Sydney, Australia. I was looking forward to having five fays off from duty. Unfortunately, the only one train a day back to my home in Sydney had already left. So I thought I’d hitch a ride (搭便车).
I waited by the side of the highway for three hours but no one stopped for me. Finally, a man walked over and introduced himself as Gordon. He said that although he couldn’t give me a lift, I should come back to his house for lunch. He noticed me standing for hours in the November heat and thought I must be hungry. I was doubtful as a young girl but he assured (使……放心)me I was safe, and he also offered to help me find a lift home afterwards. When we arrived at his house, he made us sandwiches. After lunch, he helped me find a lift home.
Twenty-five years later, in 2003, while I was driving to a nearby town one day, I saw an elderly man standing in the glaring heat, trying to hitch a ride. I thought it was another chance to repay someone for the favour I’d been given decades earlier. I pulled over and picked him up. I made him comfortable on the back seat and offered him some water.
After a few moments of small talk, the man said to me, “You haven’t changed a bit, even your red hair is still the same.” I couldn’t remember where I’d met him. He then told me he was the man who had given me lunch and helped me find a lift all those years ago. It was Gordon.
1.The author had to hitch a ride one day in 1978 because .
A.her work delayed her trip to Sydney
B.she was going home for her holidays
C.the town was far away from Sydney
D.she missed the only train back home
2.Which of the following did Gordon do according to Paragraph 2?
A.He helped the girl find a ride
B.He gave the girl a ride back home.
C.He bought sandwiches for the girl
D.He watched the girl for three hours.
3.The reason why the author offered a lift to the elderly man was that .
A.she realized he was Gordon
B.she had known him for decades
C.she was going to the nearby town
D.she wanted to repay the favour she once got
4.What does the author want to tell the readers through the story?
A.Giving sometimes produces nice results
B.Those who give rides will be rapid.
C.Good manners bring about happiness
D.People should offer free rides to others.
Guide to Stockholm University Library Our library offers different types of studying places and provides a good studying environment.
Zones: The library is divided into different zones. The upper floor is a quiet zone with over a thousand places for silent reading, and places where you can sit and work with your own computer. The reading places consist mostly of tables and chairs. The ground floor is the zone where you can talk. Here you can find sofas and armchairs for group work.
Computers: You can use your own computer to connect to the wi-fi specially prepared for notebook computers, you can also use library computers, which contain the most commonly used applications, such as Microsoft Office. They are situated in the area known as the Experimental Field on the ground floor.
Group-study places: If you want to discuss freely without disturbing others, you can book a study room or sit at a table on the ground floor. Some study rooms are for 2-3 people and others can hold up to 6-8 people. All rooms are marked on the library maps. There are 40 group-study rooms that must be booked via the website. To book, you need an active University account and a valid University card. You can use a room three hours per day, nine hours at most per week.
Storage of Study Material: The library has lockers for students to store course literature. When you have obtained at least 40 credits, you may rent a locker and pay 400 SEK for a year’s rental period.
Rules to be Followed: Mobile phone conversations are not permitted anywhere in the library. Keep your phone on silent as if you were in a lecture and exit the library if you need to receive calls. Please note that food and fruit are forbidden in the library, but you are allowed to have drinks and sweets with you.
1.The library’s upper floor is mainly for students to _________.
A.get their computers fixed B.have group discussions
C.take comfortable seats D.read in a quiet place
2.Library computers on the ground floor _________.
A.are mostly used for filling out application forms
B.contain software essential for schoolwork
C.are for those who want to access the wi-fi
D.help students with their field experiments
3.What condition should be met to book a group-study room?
A.Applicants must mark the room on the map.
B.Three-hour use per day is the minimum.
C.One should first register at the university.
D.Group must consist of 8 people.
4.What should NOT be brought into the library?
A.Sandwiches. B.Orange juice.
C.Candy. D.Mobile phones.
In 2012, I had just recovered from a serious illness when I received an invitation to a writer’s conference in Orlando, Florida. My family persuaded me that a(n)_______might be just what the doctor ordered, so off I_______.
Arriving in the Sunshine State was rather tiring, but I_______to catch a taxi to my_______and settle in. The next morning, I took another_______to the shopping centre to buy a few souvenirs._______I went to a cafe to have lunch, but all the tables were_______. Then I heard a friendly voice saying, "You can_______my table."
I gratefully sat down with the_______lady and we had a happy lunch together. As the________drew to a close she asked how long I would be in Orlando. I had already told her that I hadn't________a car, and hadn't realized how________taking taxis would he. After a while she said, "My dear, don't use any more taxis. I'm retired and it would be my pleasure to________you wherever you wish." I told her that I couldn't put her to that________,but she brushed aside my protests(反对). She asked me where I was________and the next morning she was waiting at my apartment at the________time to take me to Disney World. She spent some time with me before leaving me to________alone. At the end of the day, she________to take me back to my accommodation. I________her money but she refused to take any.
I'll never forget that wonderful lady who, through her________, filled my brief holiday in Florida with wonderful memories.
1.A.holiday B.ceremony C.operation D.experiment
2.A.kept B.went C.dropped D.knocked
3.A.intended B.promised C.managed D.deserved
4.A.hospital B.company C.university D.accommodation
5.A.colleague B.passenger C.suitcase D.taxi
6.A.Instead B.First C.Later D.Once
7.A.classified B.occupied C.decorated D.painted
8.A.share B.reserve C.set D.possess
9.A.old B.poor C.innocent D.stubborn
10.A.journey B.meal C.speech D.interview
11.A.donated B.repaired C.hired D.guided
12.A.convenient B.worthwhile C.unfortunate D.expensive
13.A.inspire B.entertain C.call D.drive
14.A.business B.argument C.trouble D.challenge
15.A.working B.staying C.moving D.shopping
16.A.appointed B.limited C.favourite D.regular
17.A.digest B.explore C.perform D.calculate
18.A.forgot B.refused C.returned D.preferred
19.A.sent B.lent C.offered D.owed
20.A.confidence B.dignity C.curiosity D.kindness
The floods, which happened last month, swept the whole village, __________ countless people homeless.
A.to make B.making C.made D.have made
—How I wish I __________ fly to the moon!
—Really? That would be great.
A.can B.may C.should D.could
