Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published on Monday.
While the decline(下降) over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives,and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion(比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively(分别地) today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2-8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each passage has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per passage.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to suggest parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home,more books purchased for them, parents who read more often,and parents who set aside time for them to read.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom(逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading lists and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1.What’s the proportion of 17-year-olds who rarely read for fun today?
A.8%. B.9%. C.22%. D.27%.
2.Why do many parents limit electronic reading?
A.Buying e-books costs too much. B.Children are addicted to e-books.
C.It is a waste of time to read e-books. D.It may be harmful to children’s health.
3.The key role in helping children to read lies in_____________.
A.Parents B.teachers C.interests D.environment
4.In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?
A.Health. B.Education. C.Science. D.Entertainment.
Shortly after graduating in 2012, Dutch fashion designer Bas Timmer heard some upsetting news. While he had been busy drawing designs for his new brand, a friend’s father, who was homeless, had died of hypothermia（体温过低）just meters away from his studio. The young man set aside his personal ambitions and instead used his design skills to create Sheltersuit—a jacket that doubles as a sleeping bag to protect the world's homeless against extreme weather.
To transform the coat into a sleeping bag, the wearer simply zips（用拉链拉上）on a second piece to the bottom. The suit’s large hood（兜帽）helps protect against bright street lights at night, while a built-in scarf adds warmth and protection. When not in use,the “portable shelter” can be tucked away in the accompanying backpack.
The designer had originally intended to create a limited number of Sheltersuits and then go back to develop his clothing brand. “I thought, OK, I'm going to make 100,” he says. However, demand for the product, which was an instant hit, has never stopped. Over the past four years, Timmer and his team have distributed 6,000 Sheltersuits to the homeless in Europe.
To help pay for the production cost, Timmer set up the Sheltersuit Foundation, which accepts donations from both groups and individuals. Since March 2019, the team has also been using its factory to create clothing, bag and other things for paying customers.
Though Timmer’s efforts are deserving to be praised，the special clothing is not the solution(解 决）to this serious social issue，which is largely the result of income loss and the rising house prices in US cities like San Francisco and New York. Hopefully, governments, groups and individuals will come together to find a way to help the people that are down on their luck.
1.What did Timmer do after knowing a friend’s father’s death?
A.He took aim at the poor.
B.He went to comfort his friend.
C.He closed his studio at once to design a new brand.
D.He created a kind of jacket against coldness for the homeless.
2.Which of the following can replace the underlined phrase “tucked away” in paragraph 2?
A.Raised. B.Removed.
C.Put away. D.Given back.
3.What made Timmer keep producing Sheltersuits?
A.Great demand. B.Huge profits.
C.Unique styles. D.Personal ambition.
4.Why did Timmer found the Sheltersuit Foundation?
A.He found it hard to make money.
B.He hoped to raise money for production.
C.He was unwilling to make clothes with his own money.
D.He expected more people to participate in the creation.
The following are a few places recommended(推荐) by tourists.
Pololu Valley
Lying along the North Kohala Coast,it is home to the island's most beautiful sandy beaches with pleasant weather. Head east on the Akoni Pule Highway and drive to the end of the road before parking at the Pololu Valley Overlook where the trail(小径) begins. The hike(步行) is short at 2.5miles round-trip, but it has a couple of very steep sections that will get your heart beating fast.
Papakolea Beach
The hike to Papakolea Beach will take you 2.5 miles each way to one of the world’s only green sand beaches. Drive along South Point Road and look for “Green Sand Beach” signs, then follow the road on foot to the beach below. The hike will take at least one hour each way with no shade, so don't forget your water, hiking footwear and sunscreen!
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
Take the self-guided hike through the gardens for a mile or two, passing by more than 2,000 different species of native Hawaiian plants, flowers and trees. The gardens are only open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with admission ending at 4:00 pm. Also, entry costs $20 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 16, and free for children under six.
Mauna Loa Lookout
The Mauna Loa Trail begins an 18-mile uphill to the top of the volcano—but don’t worry, you'll only need to hike a couple of miles to get there. This is the largest volcano on earth and the weather here is changing rapidly. Snow or driving rain are possible at any time of year. High altitude storms can occur without warning. You’d better pay attention to the local weather forecast or weather information on the website before hiking.
1.What do the first two places have in common?
A.The beaches are attractive. B.The weather is unique.
C.The hike is dangerous. D.They’re fit for cycling.
2.Who are interested in Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens?
A.Animal lovers. B.Bird hunters. C.Plant lovers. D.Journalists.
3.What are you advised to do to visit Mauna Loa Lookout?
A.Cover 18 miles to the volcano. B.Hike with experienced visitors.
C.Try to avoid visiting the volcano. D.Get the weather information in advance.
请阅读下面短文，并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。
假定你是李华,计划暑假期间去英国学习英语,为期六周。下面的广告引起了你的注意,请给该校写封信,询问有关情况(箭头所指内容)。
注意:1.词数150左右。
2.可以适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。
3.参考词汇:住宿—accommodation
Dear Sir/Madam,
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours faithfully,
Li Hua
阅读下面短文，根据所读内容在表格中的空白处填入恰当的单词。
注意：每个空格只填一个单词。
Many people believe that classical music is not relevant music is not relevant to young people today . However, this issue (问题) frequently causes heated debate.
Some people say that classical music is associated only with old people .For example, if you look at the audience at a classical concert , the majority is over the age of fifty.
Others say it is more popular than we first imagine . Many young people listen to classical music without realising .It is often used in films and advertisements. For example.a famous piece of classical music was used as the theme music for the 1990 World Cup . Not many people could have given its name , but millions enjoyed it .
Also,some people point out that young people produce new music based on classical ideas: for example, it is said that rap(说唱)music was invented by a classical musician in 1912, but it is now used by young people in pop music.
However, young people point to the fact that classical music has been outstripped(超越) by technology. To play a classical instrument, such as a violin, you need to study hard and practise for hours. Nowadays, you don't need to get aching arms from practising. A teenager can write and make music using a computer program in the comfort of their own bedroom.
A final point to in mind is that the term "classical music" is used to refer to a great variety of music, from jazz to pieces for large orchestras(管弦乐队).This makes it even more difficult to say whether classical music is relevant to young people.
So, it may be only a minority of young people who play classical instruments , but when it comes to enjoying classical music, it depends on the piece of music. It may be more relevant to young people in the modern world than they realise!
Title | Classical Music | |
Introduction | The issue of whether classical music is1.to young people causes heated debate. | |
Opinions | Evidence | |
★ Classical music is associated only with old peonl. | ☆2.of the audience at a classical concert are over fifty. | |
★ Many young people don’t3. | ☆ Classical music is often found in films and advertisements. | |
★ Classical ideas provide a4. | ☆ Young people now5.rap in popular music. | |
★6.has put classical music at a disadvantage. | ☆ A young man can write and make music on a computer7.in his bedroom. | |
★ “Classical music”can refer to various8.of music. | ☆ Classical music9.from jazz to pieces for large orchestras. | |
Conclusion | Classical music may still be10.by young people today. | |
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Across Britain,burnt toast will be served to mothers in bed this morning as older sons and daughters rush to deliver their supermarket bunches of flowers.But,according to a new study,we should be placing a higher value on motherhood all year.
Mothers have long known that their home workload was just as heavy as paid work.Now,the new study has shown that if they were paid for their parental labours,they would earn as much as ￡172,000 a year.
The study looked at the range of jobs mothers do,as well as the hours they are working,to determine the figure.This would make their yearly income ￡30,000 more than the Prime Minister earns.
By analysing the numbers,it found the average mother works 119 hours a week,40 of which would usually be paid at a standard rate and 79 hours as overtime.After questioning 1,000 mothers with children under 18,it found that,on most days,mums started their routine work at 7am and finished at around 11pm.
To calculate just how much mothers would earn from that labour,it suggested some of the roles that mums could take on,including housekeeper,part-time lawyer,personal trainer and entertainer.Being a part-time lawyer,at ￡48.98 an hour,would prove to be the most profitable of the“mum jobs”,with psychologist(心理学家)a close second.
It also asked mothers about the challenges they face,with 80 per cent making emotional(情感的)demand as the hardest thing about motherhood.
Over a third of mums felt they needed more training and around half said they missed going out with friends.
The study shows mothers matter all year long and not just on Mother’s Day.The emotional,physical and mental energy mothers devote to their children can be never-ending,but children are also sources of great joy and happiness.Investing(投入)in time for parenting and raising relationships is money well spent.
1.How much would a mother earn a year if working as the Prime Minister?
A.￡30,000. B.￡142,000. C.￡172,000. D.￡202,000.
2.The biggest challenge for most mothers is from______.
A.emotional demand B.low pay for work C.heavy workload D.lack of training
3.What is stressed in the last paragraph?
A.Mothers’ importance shows in family all year long.
B.The sacrifices mothers make are huge but worthwhile.
C.Mothers’ devotion to children can hardly be calculated.
D.Investing time in parenting would bring a financial return.
