Why texting harms your IQ
The regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana (大麻). That is the statement of researchers who have found that tapping away on a mobile phone or computer keypad or checking for electronic messages temporarily knocks up to 10 points off the user’s IQ. This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavorably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have described the phenomenon of improved stupidity as “infomania”. The research conducted by Hewlett Packard, the technology company, has concluded that it is mainly a problem for adult workers, especially men.
It is concluded that too much use of modern technology can damage a person’s mind. It can cause a constant distraction of “always on” technology when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. Infomania means that they lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task in hand. The report also added that, in a long term, the brain will be considerably shaped by what we do to it and by the experience of daily life. At a microcellular level, the complex networks of nerve cells that make up parts of the brain actually change in response to certain experiences.
Too much use of modern technology can be damaging not only to a person’s mind, but to their social relationship. 1100 adults were interviewed during the research. More than 62 per cent of them admitted that they were addicted to checking their e-mails and text messages so often that they scrutinized work-related ones even when at home or on holiday. Half said that they always responded immediately to an email and will even interrupt a meeting to do so. It is concluded that infomania is increasing stress and anxiety and affecting one’s characteristics. Nine out of ten thought that colleagues who answered e-mails or messages during a face-to-face meeting were extremely rude.
The effects on IQ were studied by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychologist at University of London. “This is a very real and widespread phenomenon,” he said. “We have found that infomania will damage a worker’s performance by reducing their mental sharpness and changing their social life. Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working.”
1.We can learn from the passage that “infomania” ______.
A. has a positive influence on one’s IQ
B. results in the change of part of the brain
C. lies in the problem of lack of concentration
D. is caused by too much use of modern technology
2.The research mentioned in the passage is most probably about ______.
A. the important function of advanced technology
B. the damage to one’s brain done by unhealthy habits
C. the relevance between IQ and use of modern technology
D. the relationship between intelligence and working effectiveness
3.The underlined word “scrutinized” probably means “______”.
A. examined carefully B. copied patiently
C. corrected quickly D. admitted freely
4.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
CP: Central Point P: Point Sp: Sub-point (次要点) C: Conclusion
A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
Astronauts on shorter shuttle missions（使命）often work very long days. Tasks are scheduled so tightly that break times are often used to finish the day’s work. This type of schedule is far too demanding for long missions on the International Space Station（ISS）. ISS crewmembers usually live in space for at least a quarter of a year. They work five days on and two days off to mimic the normal way they do things on Earth as much as possible. Weekends give the crew valuable. Weekends give the crew valuable time to rest and do a few hours of housework. They can communicate with family and friends by email, internet phone and through private video conferences.
While astronauts cannot go to a baseball game or a movie in orbit, there are many familiar activities that they can still enjoy. Before a mission. The family and friends of each ISS crewmember put together a collection of family photos, messages, videos and reading material for the astronauts to look at when they will be floating 370 kilometers above the Earth. During their mission, the crew also receives care packages with CDs, books, magazines, photos and letters. And as from early 2010, the internet became available on the ISS , giving astronauts the chance to do some “web surfing（冲浪）”in their personal time. Besides relaxing with these more common entertainments, astronauts can simply enjoy the experience of living in space.
Many astronauts say that one of the most relaxing things to do in space is to look out the window and stare at the universe and the Earth’s vast land mass and oceans.
1.What does the word “mimic” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?
A. Find B. Copy
C. Change D. Lose
2.Which of the following best describes the families of the astronauts on the ISS?
A. The are caring and thoughtful
B. The are worried and upset
C. The are impatient and annoyed.
D. The are excited and curious.
3.The passage mainly discusses how astronauts ______________.
A. work for longer missions in space
B. connect with people on the Earth
C. observe the Earth from space
D. spend their free time in space
Fifty years ago, the well-loved musician Bob Dylan played at the Newport Folk Festival and was widely booed (嘘声). The audience may have been unhappy but Dylan's performance helped change the direction of music and culture in the United States.
The mid-1960s were a time of great change. One such place of change was the world of folk music. Bob Dylan became a symbol of change when he moved from acoustic (原声的) to electric guitar.
Rock music historian Elijah Wald has written a new book about the change. It is called " Dylan Goes Electric. " “There was a moment in the early 1960s when you could look at the Billboard charts and seven of the top 10 albums were folk records. And Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary, the Kingston Trio, all had huge, huge, huge number-one records. "
And then this happened: The "British Invasion" introduced the world to the Beatles and grew a huge fan base for rock music. That worried many folk musicians, says Elijah Wald. They hoped that Bob Dylan would come to the rescue. However, a new Dylan sound came from the stage.
Bob Dylan had gone electric, and the followers of folk music were not pleased. "When Dylan went electric, I think one of the issues was the feeling that - wait a minute, he's gone over to the enemy. "
Folk lovers had looked to Bob Dylan to save their movement from rock and roll. But, author Wald says Dylan felt differently about the music. " Dylan had always liked rock and roll and Dylan didn't think of rock and roll as stupid music. "
In fact, Dylan was a Beatles fan. He later said that from the first time he heard the Beatles he
knew "they were pointing to the direction where music had to go. "
Beyond the music, Dylan's performance that night also marked a turn in American culture.
1.How did the audience feel when Dylan played at the Newport Folk Festival?
A. Excited. B. Unsatisfied.
C. Respectful. D. Bored.
2.Which is TRUE about American music world in the early 1960s according to Elijah Wald?
A. Great changes had taken place in folk music.
B. People had grown sincere love for rock music.
C. Folk music was once a huge mainstream pop trend.
D. Bob Dylan was the best American musician at that time.
3.What did folk musicians and followers expect Dylan to do?
A. Change folk music for better.
B. Recover the glory of folk music.
C. Introduce the world to the Beatles.
D. Play rock and roll against the Beatles.
4.What will the author most probably talk about next?
A. Dylan's deep love for the Beatles' rock and roll music.
B. Dylan's beliefs in the new direction music should go.
C. Dylan's music as a great contribution to American folk music.
D. Dylan's performance as a mark of a change in American culture.
Danny left word with my secretary ____________ he would call again in the afternoon.
A. who B. that
C. as D. which
Jack ___________ yet, otherwise he would have phoned me.
A. mustn’t have arrived B. shouldn’t have arrived
C. can’t have arrived D. needn’t have arrived
Elephants have their own way to tell the shape of an object and __________ it is rough or smooth.
A. that B. how
C. whether D. what
