Facebook was running my life.
But what killed Facebook for me was when I posted a photo, and five minutes later my son asked me how many “likes” it had got. His question was a wake-up call.
“Likes” are signs of acceptance and approval. I had forgotten that acceptance and approval need to come from within and had unknowingly set him a bad example.
Before absorbed in Facebook, I spent a lot more time reading books and magazines. I checked in with friends through texts, emails and phone calls.
To set a healthier example to my son, I deactivated my Facebook account.
I’d been in the habit of checking Facebook many times a day, so I had to come up with some new habits. I carried a novel and a crossword puzzle book around with me. I rediscovered knitting. I went to the gym to take yoga classes.
I started to remember a few things. My body is fine just the way it is. I have friends who will help me out when I’m in trouble, and I will help them out. I do my best to be a good mother, and our son is happy and healthy. We are very lucky to be able to afford two vacations a year.
I stopped looking at the world through my cellphone. I felt completely present in the moment. The break left me feeling better about myself, my family, my home and my life.
After a few weeks, I returned to Facebook. Now I look at the photos of my friends’ kids growing up and treasure how social media allows me to keep in touch with family. I no longer have the desire to post updates often.
It is not an addiction any more.
1.What made the author begin to realize she should do something to control her time on Facebook?
A.Her poor health. B.Her son’s question.
C.Her not receiving “likes”. D.Her mother’s phone call.
2.The underlined word “deactivate” in Paragraph 5 probably means ________.
A.to close B.to update C.to keep D.to check
3.What did the author do to change her life?
A.She tried to be a good mother.
B.She developed some healthy habits.
C.She planned two vacations a year.
D.She went to the gym as often as she could.
4.What did the author think of her break from Facebook?
A.It stopped her getting news.
B.It distanced her from her friends.
C.It helped her contact with the family.
D.It gave her time to find beauty in life.
5.What is the author’s attitude toward social media?
A.She supports them completely.
B.She is strongly against them.
C.She thinks they are useful but shouldn’t be overused.
D.She thinks they’re good ways to watch kids grow up.
The National Beekeeping Centre Wales is a free attraction in the countryside that teaches children about the importance of honeybees – with the chance to try lots of local honeys.
This friendly visitor centre is a supporter of Welsh honeybees, which are increasingly under threat from climate change and loss of wildflower meadows. It raises visitors’ awareness of environmental issues and shows the 4,000-year history of beekeeping and honey-making, from the ancient Egyptians to the Romans. A Hive (蜂巢) Aid scheme lets you adopt a beehive, and regular courses (from €60 per person) train new generations of beekeepers.
Fun fact
Bees pollinate (授粉) about a third of everything we eat and play an important role in sustaining (维持) our ecosystems. In economic terms, honeybee pollination could be worth up to €200m to the UK alone.
What about lunch?
Next door is the Furnace Tearoom, part of the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, which serves light bites – wraps, fruit salads (€7) and coffee. The nearby Pavilion Restaurant at the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden has cooked food, including baked potatoes (€5) and daily specials such as local casseroles (炖菜) with bread rolls (€6), plus coffee and cakes.
Exit through the gift shop
There is a range of bee-themed gifts in our gift shop, including bee toys (€2), wooden honey candy (€2) and a selection of honeys all made by Welsh producers (€5). The bestselling Bodnant honey (€8) goes fast.
Getting here
We are located just off the A470 on the Bodnant Estate in the Conwy Valley, and 10 minutes from the A55 north Wales coast road. Follow the brown signs just after Bonant Gardens.
Value for money
Visits and activities for kids are free, though donations are welcome. Taster days (from €60) and the weekend beekeeping course (€80 per person) are held at Abergwyngregyn village, 10 miles west down the A55.
Opening hours
The visitor Centre opens daily from 10 am-4 pm but it is volunteer-run, so phone ahead to check. Expect lots of fun activities around the annual Conwy Honey Fair.
1.What do we know about the National Beekeeping Centre Wales?
A.It makes money mainly by selling local honeys.
B.It invites visitors to adopt a beehive for free.
C.It’s an educational centre about beekeeping.
D.It shows visitors Wales’ long beekeeping history.
2.You can buy ________ at the Furnace Tearoom.
A.fruit salads B.bread rolls
C.baked potatoes D.local casseroles
3.Where is the National Beekeeping Centre Wales?
A.In the village of Abergwyngregyn.
B.Opposite Bonant Gardens.
C.Off the A55 Wales coast road.
D.Close to the A470 on the Bonant Estate.
4.How much would you have to pay for the weekend course and two bee toys?
A.€64 B.€76 C.€84 D.€96
Every act of kindness starts with something small, something we all can and should do every single day. I’m Will Ruhio, one of the ____ of BYUtv’s Random Acts show. We take hidden cameras to unexpected places to ____ random acts of kindness. We’ve filmed acts ____ from building disabled-friendly facilities for those who are badly ____ them but can’t afford them to returning a lost wallet.
On Random Acts, it may be a neighbour or a colleague who recognizes a need and ____ an incredible chain reaction of service. ____ the story of Emmalene Meyers for example. Like many young girls, Emmalene was____ to be a ballet dancer, but her physical disability makes even everyday tasks a(n) ____. Instead of seeing a limitation, Emmalene’s friend Lily ____ an opportunity. Lily imagined Emmalene’s dream being brought to life onstage and persuaded Random Acts to help make her plan ____.
So, where can you start? The key is to be like Lily: look for an opportunity to make a ____ to those in need, and then take action to make it happen. Being ____ and involved in service is ____ like any other goal you want to achieve. You have to ____ it.
After two seasons of hosting Random Acts, the joy of ____ burdens and brightening lives doesn’t fade. I sometimes ____ Random Acts might lose its feature eventually, but that couldn’t be further from the ____when I finally meet the people.
We’ve been working to ____ and see their genuine shock and appreciation, it ____ me in the feel every time. I cry more than anyone else on the show.
Be that person doing acts of kindness out of the ____ of your heart-be the nice you want to see in the world!
1.A.photographers B.actors C.viewers D.hosts
2.A.expose B.conduct C.arrange D.advocate
3.A.changing B.counting C.ranging D.transforming
4.A.in search of B.in need of C.in defence of D.in favour of
5.A.sets off B.sets aside C.sets down D.sets out
6.A.Retell B.Take C.Create D.Explain
7.A.anxious B.proud C.afraid D.unwilling
8.A.exception B.dilemma C.competition D.challenge
9.A.provided B.seized C.spotted D.missed
10.A.successful B.acceptable C.reasonable D.available
11.A.choice B.difference C.promise D.decision
12.A.generous B.caring C.ambitious D.sociable
13.A.never B.even C.still D.just
14.A.put up with B.make up for C.work at D.take in
15.A.bearing B.carrying C.reducing D.overcoming
16.A.admit B.realize C.remember D.assume
17.A.truth B.deadline C.destination D.boundary
18.A.entertain B.surprise C.locate D.please
19.A.relieves B.discourages C.hits D.satisfies
20.A.whisper B.curiosity C.faith D.goodness
The computer, help we human beings have stepped into the information age, should be regarded as one of the most important inventions in the 20thcentury.
A.which B.whose C.with its D.with whose
House prices vary from place to place and are usually high ______ there are famous schools.
A.where B.when C.which D.whether
Mary rushed home______ she heard the news, only ______ that her husband was gone.
A.as soon as; finding B.immediately; to find
C.the moment; find D.when; found
