Harry potter and The Hunger Games haven’t been big hits for nothing.Lots of teens still read quite a lot.But a study shows a clear decrease over time.Nearly half of 17-year-olds say they read for pleasure no more than one or two times a year.That’s way down from ten years ago.
The digital revolution (革命) means there are more platforms (平台) than ever to read on.Jim Steyer has been studying the effect of technology on children.He has four kids and has seen the trend most with his 16-year-old.“I start to see it in our 10-year-old as well, because he is reading less and less, and more and more attracted to some of the digital media platforms that he has access to, and that he didn’t have access to when he was 6 or 7 years old,” he says.
The studies don’t say that kids are reading less because they’re spending more time online.But Steyer is convinced that’s at least part of the answer.
“First of all, most children now have access to e-readers, or other smart electronic devices like phones and tablets (平板电脑),” he says.“ And they’re spending time on that.Many reports show the increasing use of new technology platforms by kids.It just strikes me as extremely logical that that’s a big reason.
Researchers want to know more about how teens are spending their time in the digital age.But Kathryn Zickuhr of the Pew Research Center says it’s tricky.If a kid is looking at a book, you may think he or she is reading.But when it comes to looking at a smartphone or tablet, who knows?
“We’ve heard from middle and high school teachers that sometimes the Internet is wonderful for enthusiastic students to do deep research,” says Zickuhr.“But on the other side, obviously there are many distractions on the Internet.”
However, Jim Steyer says, “Kids with parents who read, who buy or take books out of the library for their kids, and who then set time aside in their kids’ daily schedule for reading, tend to read the most — whether it’s on a book, an e-book or some other devices.”
1.What did Jim Steyer see in his four kids?
A. They tend to read more on electronic devices.
B. They created their own digital media platform.
C. They improved their reading on electronic devices.
D. They have become more addicted to digital media.
2.What statement may Kathryn Zickuhr agree to?
A. Kids are easily distracted on the Internet.
B. Most kids pretend to be doing online reading.
C. Most kids like to read on a smartphone or tablet.
D. Kids rarely use the Internet to do serious research.
3.The last paragraph suggests that ________.
A. parents need to spare time to read for kids
B. parents should make a reading plan for kids
C. parents can do a lot to encourage more reading
D. parents working in a library tend to read the most
4.What is the main idea of the text?
A. What books do teens like to read the most?
B. Why aren’t teens reading like they used to?
C. How can teens read on electronic platforms?
D. When will teens turn to books for fun again?
I am usually in a bad mood after a long day at work, but on this particular Friday afternoon I was in a high mood.I planned to have a good meal and watch Bridget Jones’s Diary.
My local supermarket is always busy.The first parking space I spotted was convenient, but I’d noticed a woman in an old car circling for a while.I let her have it.On the edge of the car park I backed into the next available spot — it was a tight fit.
In record time I’d made my way through the supermarket and was back in the fresh air.In a rush of good spirits, I emptied my purse change into the hands of a homeless man and helped a struggling woman reverse (倒车) into a parking space.
Just as I spotted my car, I saw the woman I’d let have my car spot earlier.I smiled and wished her a pleasant day.
As I got back into my car, I spotted the same lady looking in at me.“ Hello,” she said, hesitantly (犹豫地).“ This might sound crazy but I was on my way to drop some of my mother’s things off at the charity bins.” I looked quickly at the orange bins in the corner of the parking lot, confused.“ I saw you helping those people, and you seemed so happy.My mom had a dress just like that.”
She looked at me meaningfully.I smiled at her in encouragement, hoping she wouldn’t notice that the dress she was admiring was now full of holes.“ I was going to give these away, but you are just so much like her.” She passed a box in through the window.Shocked, unthinking, I took it automatically (无意识地).“ I think she would like you to have it.” She smiled and walked away.
After a pause, I opened the box.Inside was a beautiful gold necklace.It was the nicest gift I’d ever received, and it was from a complete stranger.
Later, I thought back on the day.I didn’t feel the usual sense of exhaustion.The necklace was around my neck, a warm reminder of human kindness.
1.This Friday afternoon, the author ________.
A. watched a new movie
B. had trouble parking her car
C. was in the mood to help others
D. spent a long time in the supermarket
2.Which of the following is TRUE about the author?
A. She was not very wealthy actually.
B. She considered her dress beautiful.
C. She had met the lady’s mum.
D. She was living on charity.
3.What does the author mainly intend to tell us?
A. Success leads to happiness.
B. Good is rewarded with good.
C. Two heads are better than one.
D.A friend in need is a friend indeed.
— Let’s go and have a good drink tonight.
— ________ Have you got the first prize in the competition?
A. Thanks a lot. B. What for?
C. Yes, I’d like to. D. Why not?
考点:词组/短语
— Jessie, it’s a pity you didn’t go shopping online on Nov.11th.It was really fantastic!
— Really? If I ________ so busy, I would have shopped for fun too.
A. shouldn’t be B. weren’t
C. hadn’t been D. wouldn’t be
The opening province which ________ thirteen counties and three coastal cities will quicken its paces of economic development.
A. consists of B. makes up
C. is included D. is contained
The motorway was closed because of fog; as a result we had to find an ________ route.
A. impressive B. effective
C. aggressive D. alternative