Bars are very important in providing a place where people can meet and make friends. People who enjoy a drink in a local bar are happier and have more friends. They are more likely to be engaged in conversations in small community pubs, and social skills improve after a drink.
Professor Robin Dunbar of Oxford University said, “Friendship and communities are probably the two most important factors influencing our health and well-being. Making and maintaining friendships is something that has to be done in the real world. The digital world is simply no substitute(n.替代物). Given the increasing tendency for our social life to be on the Internet rather than in real life, having relaxed, accessible places where people can meet old friends and make new ones becomes even more necessary.”
Tim Page, chief executive of CAMRA, said, “Bars offer a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends in a responsible community setting. The role of community bars in ensuring well-being cannot be overstated. For that reason, we all need to do what we can to ensure that everyone has a ‘local’ near to where they live or work.”
Bars have long been part of British society and have played a key role in British social life since the 16th century. Bars came to represent the heart and soul of a community, providing both a place of entertainment and an engine for community bonding. In a world before the arrival of the motor car, the bar provided a venue in which people could get friendships and a sense of community.
But the closing decades of the 20th century witnessed major changes in both the style of bars (for example, themed bars) and their numbers. As of 2015, the number of bars declines sharply, with bars continuing to close at an average rate of 29 a week.
1.What does a regular(n.常客) at a local bar having more friends prove?
A. The benefits brought by pub cultures
B. The popularity of local bars in Britain.
C. The relation between friendships and bars
D. The importance of face-to-face communication.
2.What does Robin think is the tendency for social life?
A. More people will go to bars.
B. People will maintain friendships
C. People will trust the digital world
D. People will communicate more online.
3.Why does Tim Page value the role of local bars?
A. They contribute to people’s social happiness.
B. They are a place common people can afford.
C. They are a good place to spread cultural values.
D. They are accessible to people in the community.
4.What can we infer about bars nowadays?
A. Themed bars have held the market
B. Some bars have a hard time surviving.
C. They become the heart of a community
D. Measures should be taken to save them.
When children start kindergarten, evident gaps in science knowledge already exist between Whites and minorities and between youngsters from upper-income and low-income families. And they often deepen into significant achievement gaps by the end of eighth grade if they are not dealt with during elementary school.
The findings suggest that, in order for the United States to maintain(维持) long-term scientific and economic competitiveness in the world, policymakers need to renew efforts to ensure access(n.使用或见到的机会，权利) to high-quality, early learning experiences in childcare settings, preschools and elementary schools.
The researchers’ study tracked 7,757 children from their start in kindergarten to the end of eighth grade. Researchers found that, among kindergarteners with low levels of general knowledge, 62 percent were struggling in science by the time they reached third grade and 54 percent were struggling in that subject in eighth grade. And general knowledge gaps between minorities and Whites were already large at the time when students began kindergarten.
“Children growing up in low-income families typically experience comparatively fewer early opportunities to learn about the natural and social sciences,” the authors wrote. “Their parents often have lower educational levels and therefore less science knowledge themselves as well as fewer resources available to direct the children’s academic growth. Children raised in poverty often attend poorly resourced schools that futher limit their academic opportunities.”
Morgan said that, within families, parents who regularly talk and interact with toddlers(学步的儿童) can point out and explain physical, natural and social events occurring around them daily. This might help youngsters learn facts and concepts that will prepare them to take better advantage of science instruction they receive during elementary and middle school.
1.Which may be the possible result of the gaps in science knowledge during kindergarten?
A. Children from rich families will behave better in life.
B. Children from minorities may have less desire for learning.
C. Children’s academic performance afterwards will be affected.
D. The gaps will disappear automatically when children grow up.
2.What did the researchers suggest policymakers do?
A. Make superior education available to children.
B. Narrow income gaps between different families.
C. Give extra lessons to children from poor families.
D. Strengthen competitive awareness of kindergarteners.
3.What can parents do to help their toddlers learn?
A. Give them more nutritious food
B. Offer them more learning resources.
C. Let them attend science courses for kids
D. Greate learning opportunities in daily life.
4.Which of the following can be the best title for the text?
A. Income Gaps Affect Children’s School Performances
B. Provide More Available Access to Childhood Learning
C. Science Knowledge Gaps Are Obvious in Kindergarten
D. Equal Education Is Important in Kindergarten
Reflecting(回忆) on the past about those decisions or actions that can’t be reversed(推翻) and being occupied with thoughts of “What if?” is no way to live. But there are a few things in life I’d probably do differently if I had the chance.
I once majored in architecture — something I had been crazy about for as long as I could remember — and then I suddenly had a change of heart. I made an appointment with my adviser, and told him I was no longer certain I wanted to pursue a career in architecture.
“Don’t give up on your childhood dream!” “He’s right,” I thought. “I should just stick it out and I shouldn’t disappoint the little girl who once loved architecture.”
It was awful. I was agonized, holding on to a childhood dream that had long since faded. When I talked with a friend about it a year later, he asked: “Right now, what do you want to do with your life?” That’s when I came to the realization that dreams change over time and that you should give up the childhood dream if it’s not what you want as an adult. Luckily, it wasn’t too late. After some serious thought, I changed my major to journalism. It wasn’t something I had always imagined myself pursuing — but at that moment, it was what I wanted.
We grow up, and sometimes our dreams change — and that’s perfectly OK. You just need to ask yourself every once in a while, “Is this still what I want?” If the answer is no, move on and start chasing a new one.
1. What does the author suggest in Paragraph 1?
A. Past actions should be treasured.
B. It’s unwise to regret all the time.
C. Life would be dull without “What if?”
D. We make better decisions by looking back.
2.What does the underlined word “agonized” in Paragraph 4 mean?
A. Proud B. Determined C. Unregretful D. Painful
3.Why didn’t the author change her major immediately?
A. Changing a major was uncommon
B. Her advisor forced her not to do that
C. She thought it a betrayal(背叛) of her younger self
D. She didn’t want her childhood dream to fade.
4. What lesson did the author learn from the experience?
A. Don’t follow others’ career advice
B. It’s OK to switch to our real love.
C. Improve us before realizing our dream
D. Childhood dreams are hard to insist on
Check out some fun weekend activities from our friends at Arizona Parenting.
Walk in the Wild: Walk or run for wildlife at the Phoenix Zoo’s Walk in the Wild 2016. Put on your favorite animal dress and take part in the one mile or 5K,enjoying the sights and sounds of the Zoo. Walk in the Wild includes a morning full of unique activities you won’t find at any other valley walk, including all-day zoo admission and a lakeside after-party.
Register online. 6-10 am. Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. 602-286-3800.
Free Museum Day: It is hosted by Sesame Street and HBO at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Kids can participate in activities, enjoy a performance by the Sesame Street Muppets and get to join the Everyday Heroes Club. An act of kindness is all it takes to become a member. Performances and activities will take place at 10:30—11:30 am and 1:30—2:30 pm.
9 am—4 pm. Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th street, Phoenix. 602-253-0501.
Sunday A’Fair: Sunday A’Fair features free outdoor concerts in Scottsdale Civic Center Park by top Arizona musicians, along with an arts-and-crafts market, fun activities for children and families, guided tours of the sculptures in the park and free admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). Guests are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs or picnic baskets, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of great entertainment. Delicious foods, snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks are also available for purchase.
12-4 pm. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. 480-994-ARTS (2787).
1. What can children do at Walk in the Wild?
A. Join in the 5-mile walk
B. Attend courses for free.
C. Wear animal-shaped clothes
D. Enjoy good company of wild animals.
2.What qualification is needed to join the Everyday Heroes Club?
A. Do a good deed
B. Donate money to the club
C. Be active in school activities.
D. Be ready to help protect wildlife.
3.Where can one go to buy some works of art?
A. The Phoenix Zoo
B. Scottsdale Civic Center Park.
C. The Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
D. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
某英语刊物正在进行有关旅游的征文活动，请根据以下提示，以Travelling为题目，用英语写一篇短文，以便向该刊投稿。
1．旅游好处很多：领略大自然以及其他城市的美丽风景；呼吸新鲜空气；结交新朋友；放松自己，强身健体；
2．旅游常见问题：天气因素；被人偷；可能受伤；
3．旅游的准备工作：了解天气情况；找个旅伴(travelling companion)相互照应；小心谨慎；避免意外。
注意：
1. 内容必须包括以上所有要点；
2. 可适当增加内容，以使行文连贯；
3. 词数：120左右。
假定英语课上老师要求同桌之间交换修改作文， 请你修改你同桌写的以下作文。文中共有10处语言错误，每句中最多有两处。每处错误仅涉及一个单词的增加、删除或修改。
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线( \ )划掉。
修改：在错词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者(从第11处起)不计分。
I was often laughed at my classmates before I turned 14 because I was always very nervous when talking to someone. Helpful and sad, I felt that I could do nothing. You cannot imagine what great difficulty I have in my life. And later, something happened, what changed my life completely. It was an English speech contest and my mother encouraged me to take part in it. I tried her best to remember the whole speech “Believe in yourself” and practised them over 100 times. Believe it or not, I finally won the first prize. Heard the cheers from the teachers and students, I stood here, with my eyes full of excited tear.
