For many people shopping is considered to be one of the favorite activities. For most of them it is just buying some new clothes or presents for close people. But there is another way for whom shopping is much more than just enjoyable activity, it is a real addiction that in many cases leads to a financial disaster, as well as it brings troubles to person’s life and family.
So why can shopping be so addictive? What are the possible signs to be aware of? And how is it possible to stop the need of spending?
“Some of the new evidence suggests that some people, maybe 10%-15%, may have a genetic preference to an addictive behavior, coupled with an environment in which the particular behavior is caused, but no one really knows why.” However, it is much better understood as to why “shopaholics” continue with their unhealthy and destructive behaviors. Individuals get pleasure from their addiction the same way as if they were under drugs.
And when is it really possible to determine whether simple shopping has crossed the border and has already turned into addiction?
Shopaholics go out and buy things much more often than other people do. They often buy things they do not need. Many shopping addicts go on shopping binges(放纵) all year long and may be forced to buy certain items, such as shoes, clothing or kitchen items. Some just will buy anything. Many times they will spend over their budget limits and get into deep financial trouble, spending well above their income. While someone else will think many times if they can afford this or that thing, shop addicts will not recognize the boundaries of a budget.
1.We can learn from the 3rd paragraph that .
A. shopping addiction is mainly caused by genetic factors
B. shopping addicts are also addicted to drugs
C. the real cause of shopping addiction is known already
D. shopaholics can’t control their unhealthy and destructive behaviors
2.The last paragraph is mainly about .
A. the destructive behaviors of shopaholics
B. the early signs of shopping addiction
C. the problems of shopaholics
D. the binge of shopaholics
3.What could be most probably discussed in the paragraph to follow the passage?
A. How to treat shopping addiction.
B. What really causes shopping addiction.
C. When shopping addiction takes place.
D. What kind of people can become shopping addicts.
4. It can be inferred from the passage that .
A. shopping addiction can’t cause serious problems
B. shopping addicts only want enjoyable activities through buying
C. it’s not a good idea to let a shopping addict pay by credit cards
D. shopping addiction can spread among different people
I have two sons. They are as different as night and day. My youngest is sweet, loveable, easy-going, and finds joy in everything. My oldest we’ve nicknamed the “Evil Genius” is ambitious, self-confident, and suffers no fools.
Whenever we mentioned Santa my husband and I were rewarded with major eye rolling and deep sighs from my oldest. At first we both tried to ignore it.
We both knew that our eldest had figured out the big secret. But I’d be damned(指责) if he was going to ruin it for his six-year-old brother who had plenty of Santa-loving years ahead of him. I looked at my husband in the eye and said, “I’ll handle this.” to which he responded “Okay just be careful because I’m not sure he knows - he might just be acting like it.” But I knew. And I had it in my mind that he was about to break his younger brothers spirit and break the news to him. I was afraid he was going to take the Christmas spirit away from my sweet innocent youngest and stamp all over it. I had to protect him. I needed to control this now before it got out of control. I rushed into the play room where my oldest was playing alone. I looked him dead in the eyes and said: “Well you know Santa isn’t real, right?” And as I stared at my eight-year-old son for what seemed like a long time of silence, his eyes started to fill with tears. And a tear dropped down his cheek when he screamed out, “He’s not?”
“Um well it’s not that he’s not real (shut up you idiot(白痴) - stop saying he’s not real), but he doesn’t really make and deliver all the toys. Dad and I get some of them for you. So he’s real. He’s just got a little help from us.”
The Evil Genius wasn’t buying it. He just sat there looking at me with an expression of doubt.
You know when you make a terrible mistake but you can’t stop yourself from making it worse? That was me because I just had to know. I had to know why he had seemed to be over Santa. So I asked him why he rolled his eyes and sighed every time his father and I mentioned Santa. To which he replied that kids at school had been saying Santa wasn't real but that he still thought he was.
1.What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Two different sons
B. Santa secret given away
C. Protecting one, ruining the other
D. Making a mistake worse
2.What did the writer conclude when “Evil Genius” rolled his eyes and sighed?
A. “Evil Genius” had discovered Santa was not real.
B. “Evil Genius” had broken the secret to his younger brother.
C. Evil Genius” had passed his Santa-loving years.
D. Evil Genius” had been influenced by his classmates.
3.What does the underlined sentence mean in the passage?
A. “Evil Genius” refused to buy toys.
B. Evil Genius” didn’t believe his mother’s words.
C. Evil Genius” wanted to keep silent.
D. “Evil Genius” would not give away the secret.
4.What lesson can we learn from the story?
A. Lies can never change facts.
B. Honesty is the best policy.
C. No one is perfect.
D. We should think twice before we act.
Volunteer at Shelter - North Toronto Cat Rescue---Bayview/Hwy 7
Do you like animals? Come and volunteer at our cat shelter.
North Toronto Cat Rescue is a no-cage, no-kill cat shelter. We are a volunteer organization, funded totally by donation, and are a licensed Canadian charity.
We are looking for volunteers who can join us once a week for a 3 month period (at least). The work is not wonderful but it is very rewarding. Mainly, we feed, clean, and scoop litter. Of course we also spend quality time with our cats.
We have 2 shifts(换班) per day, 7 days per week:
Mornings are 9am-1pm.
Evenings are 5-7pm or 6-8pm.
Please note that any new volunteer who wishes to work evening shift must be able to work 4 morning shifts on a team before moving to an evening shift. This is required in order to gain the ability to work more independently, as required during evening shifts.
Students must be at least 16 years old. Adults are also welcome.
If you do not have your own personal transportation, please check the public transportation from your area to our location at Bayview/Hwy 7 area before responding to this ad.
1. Where is the ad most likely to appear?
A. In the local newspaper B. On the Internet
C. On TV D. In a magazine
2. Which of the following volunteers can work evening shift?
A. A college student who can work for half a year period.
B. A college student who lives near the shelter.
C. A worker who has worked five morning shifts at the shelter.
D. A car owner who will work there for the first time.
3.How many hours will a new volunteer work at least for the shelter?
A. 14 B. 32 C. 48 D. 24
4.What can we infer about the work at the shelter?
A. Boring B. Tiring C. Dirty D. Challenging
Bonnie and her husband, Tyrone, were very fond of going on short holidays to new places.
Once, they decided to take a trip in their own car to a nearby which was famous for its historical sites. They started on their journey early in the morning and late evening they had entered the town and checked in at a hotel.
The next morning, they started their new discovery with a road of the town and its suburbs. there were many places to see, it took them the whole day to finish their sightseeing.
By now, they had a suburb with shops selling handmade items. Bonnie was most interested in shopping. Tyrone her to finish before it started getting dark. They were so in their shopping that they forgot about the time until the shops began to .
They took the same route back to their hotel but somehow got on the way and realized they were around in circles. They had to stop the car, their map, and started again but no use. They decided to ask someone for help but no one was out at late hour.
They waited at a street corner for some time, and then decided to try again. Tyrone the car but it wouldn’t move. He got down and but could not find any fault. He sat back , feeling more and more worried about their , while Bonnie was calm saying she was sure they would get help.
They sat , Bonnie praying calmly and Tyrone getting panic. Finally a man walked towards them. It was that he was a car mechanic returning home. With his help, the car was repaired and ready to go. The couple were very grateful and thanked the man . They reached their hotel safely after being directed by the mechanic.
“Trust and Faith”helped create a small wonder.
1.A. cityB. townC. villageD. district
2.A. inB. tillC. byD. after
3.A. remarkB. instructionC. guideD. map
4.A. SinceB. UnlessC. AlthoughD. Once
5.A. visitedB. passedC. reachedD. left
6.A. allowedB. orderedC. persuadedD. warned
7.A. richB. rootedC. interestedD. absorbed
8.A. operateB. closeC. openD. fall
9.A. lostB. hurtC. stuckD. rained
10.A. goingB. lookingC. hangingD. showing
11.A. turned overB. brought upC. referred toD. looked down
12.A. evenB. thatC. quiteD. much
13.A. pulledB.startedC.repairedD. pushed
14.A. fixedB. checkedC. lookedD. tested
15.A. touchedB. shockedC. exhaustedD. depressed
16.A. difficultyB. futureC. wishD. experience
17.A. sadlyB. noisilyC. quietlyD. anxiously
18.A. inferredB. remindedC. learntD. informed
19.A. brieflyB. orallyC. totallyD. extremely
20.A. helpfulB. generousC. honestD. active
Not until I successfully land my university______free time to relax myself.
A. will I have B. I will have
C. won’t I have D. I won’t have
The Spring Festival didn’t turn out as exciting, ______was beyond our expectation.
A. as B. which C. what D. that
