Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for years. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.
The first kind of loneliness is temporary(暂时的). This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result or a particular situation---- for example, a family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.
The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic(长期的) loneliness usually last more than two yeas and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lone people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.
Psychologists (心理学家)agree that one important fact in loneliness is a person’s social contacts, e.g, friends, family members, co-workers, etc. We depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lone people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their own popularity.
Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be a normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.
1.
How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?
A. Talk to friends B. Just ignore it
C. Go to see a doctor D. Ask your teachers for guidance
2.
The topic of the 4th paragraph is that _______________.
A.lonely people don’t have many friends
B. lonely people don’t have many social problems
C. one problem of loneliness is a person’s social contacts
D.we depend on various people for different reasons
3.
Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?
A.Chronic loneliness can cause family problems
B.Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness
C.Chronic loneliness cannot be overcome
D.A, B, and C are all correct
4.
What is the best title of the passage?
A. Three kinds of Loneliness B. Loneliness and Diseases
C. Loneliness and Social Contacts D. Chronic Loneliness
Every kid wishes to be an adult. But now as grown-ups, some adults find they cannot leave childhood behind.They become "kidults" (kid+adult). Being a kidult has become a lifestyle-choice among young people across Asia.
Some kidults collect toys they once played with. Hello Kitty, Garfield, and Snoopy have many adult fans around the world. It is not unusual to see a 20-something woman with a big, Garfield-shaped cushion (坐垫)on her sofa or a Hello Kitty mobile phone accessory (挂件).
Other kidults still enjoy children's stories and fairy tales. For example, Bloomsbury even published the Harry Potter novels with an adult cover. That way, no one else on the subway will know that an adult is actually reading a children's book!
"Kidults can be like vitamins to society. Adults who value their childhood and hold on to pure, child-like emotion may be needed in such a rough and dry society," said Lee Sojung, professor of Foreign Studies at Hankuk University(韩国外国语大学). He added that kidult culture may fill the generation gap between adults and kids. It could give children and their parents books, movies, and cartoon shows to enjoy together. He may be right.
Tim Greenhalgh, a professor, explained that some kidults just refuse to grow up. They value childhood because life in a busy and stressful city frightens them. Kidults would like to forget their age and openly show their fear of society and adulthood.
1.
Why did Bloomsbury publish the Harry Potter novels with an adult cover?
A. Bloomsbury knows some kidults don't want people to know that they are kidults
B. Bloomsbury thinks it can attract more readers
C. Bloomsbury knows kidults prefer to chose books for adults in nature
D. Bloomsbury thinks the cover with an adult is better
2.
Being a kidult is good in some way EXCEPT that _______.
A. it is helpful to solve some social problems
B. it can make people listen to their parents
C. it can improve the relationship between parents and their kids
D. it can help kidults feel relaxed
3.
According to the writer, _______.
A. our society is very dull
B. kidults have mental problems
C. being a kidult is nothing wrong
D. some people can never grow up
O. Henry was a pen name used by an American writer for short stories. His 36 name was William Sydney Porter. He was born in North Carolina in 1862. As a young boy he lived an exciting life. He did not go to school for very long, 37 he managed to 38 himself everything he needed to know. When he was about 20 years old, O. Henry 39 to Texas, where he tried different 40. He first worked on a newspaper, and then had a job in a bank. When some money went missing from the bank, O. Henry was believed to have 41 it. Because of that, he was sent to 42. During the three years in prison, he learned to 43 short stories. After he got out of prison, he went to New York and 44 writing. He wrote mostly about New York and the life of the poor there.
Most of O. Henry's 45 are set in his own time, the early years of the 20th century. Many take place in New York City, and deal for the most part with ordinary 46: clerks, policemen, waitresses. O. Henry's short stories are well known 47 their wit, wordplay, warm characterization and clever twist endings. And his stories were 48 more playful and optimistic. People like his stories, 49 simple as the tales were, they would finish with a sudden change at the 50, to the reader's surprise.
1.
A. real B. middle C. first D.last
2.
A. or B.and C. for D. but
3.
A. learn B.teach C. allow D. turn
4.
A. went B. lived C. stayed D.left
5.
A. stories B. books C. banks D. jobs
6.
A. defended B. stolen C. preserved D. reacted
7.
A.prison B.homeland C. neighbourhood D. jungle
8.
A.read B. write C. tell D.take
9.
A. liked B. believed C. continued D.stopped
10.
A. families B.stories C.fantasies D. deeds
11.
A.things B. writers C. people D. readers
12.
A. like B. as C. to D. for
13.
A.very B.less C. so D. much
14.
A. when B. how C.because D. so
15.
A. end B. last C. first D. beginning
--- Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the nearest bookstore?
--- I’m sorry. I’m a stranger here.
--- ___________.
A. No problem B. Doesn’t matter C. Thank you , anyhow. D. Thank you very much.
– John seems to be upset. What happened?
-- The boss disliked the plan he ________ for the new project?
A. put up with B. put forward C. put away D. put up
– You must have your work done within 2 days.
-- Finishing a task in such short time is a (an) __________.
A. conclusion B. challenge C. explanation D. approach
