Whether we admit it or not, many of us have experienced loneliness. Last month, a survey done by US health service company Cigna found that loneliness has become a common situation in the country. It even found that young people aged 18-22 are more likely to feel lonely than the elders. Loneliness often leads to the emotions of sadness and loss, and can even “make us sick”. So, how do we deal with the pain of loneliness?

Throwing ourselves into distractions can be useful. US lifestyle writer Adrienne Breaux wrote about how she turned loneliness into a productive learning process. She used to be a terrible cook, but whenever loneliness hit her, she would buy a lot of ingredients and try out how to make them into delicious dishes. After a few months, she became good at cooking dishes she’d never even made before.

This is a typical example of how loneliness gets us out of our comfort zone and allows us to grow. “When it comes to keeping loneliness at bay (控制住) , one of the best ways is to occupy your time with things that feel enriching, creative and exciting.” Breaux wrote, “It’s hard to feel lonely when you’re trying to master a new skill, practice a hobby or try out a new recipe.”

The attitude we choose toward loneliness is also the key to deal with it. If we see loneliness as an unwanted and annoying thing, we will suffer it. But if we admit that it’s an everyday part of life, we’ll be able to “embrace (拥抱) the beauty of our solo journey”, as best-selling US author Mandy Hale wrote in her book The Single Woman.

Instead of desperately (拼命地) finding someone to talk to or go out with, trying to have fun on our own is more practical. US Internet writer Kayla Albert shared a story of her friend, who uses her time alone to do what she really wants to do. Her friend goes out for dinner, watches movies, and visits art museums — all on her own. She claims that this kind of single lifestyle brings her joyfulness and gracefulness.

So, we can do it too. Indeed, sometimes, the best songs are the ones performed alone.

1.The survey from Cigna in Paragraph 1 tells _______.

A.when people might experience loneliness

B.how common the problem of loneliness is

C.how people deal with the pain from loneliness

D.what kind of people might suffer from loneliness

2.What was Adrienne Breaux’s solution when loneliness hit her?

A.To keep herself in the comfort zone.

B.To get a new job being a good cook.

C.To spend time for self-improvement.

D.To relax by writing her lonely feeling.

3.What can we learn from the passage?

A.Going out with friends is better than staying alone.

B.The key to solve loneliness is to accept and enjoy it.

C.The pain of loneliness gets worse as people get older.

D.Seeing loneliness as an unwanted thing helps us avoid it.

Have you ever shoveled (铲) snow after a snowstorm? Most people try to remove snow. But in February, in Sapporo, Japan, trucks actually bring snow into the city! People shovel the snow into large piles, and these piles of snow become outdoor cafes, concert stages, and beautiful sculptures (雕像).

Artists from all over the world come to Sapporo’s Snow Festival every year to enter the sculpture competition. But the sculptures aren’t made of stone, metal or wood – they are made of snow and ice! Artists sometimes work 11 to 12 hours a day to make amazing sculptures. Many of the sculptures are huge and very detailed. During the day, the sculptures shine in the winter sun. At night, colorful lights shine on them. Millions of people go to see them every year.

The Snow Festival had not always been so popular. It started in 1950 as something very small. People in Sapporo wanted to go outside and have fun during the long, boring winter, so the city held a one-day fair in a park. People listened to music and danced. They watched movies and dog races. But some high school students had a great idea and built six large interesting snow sculptures. People really liked the sculptures, and the Snow Festival was born.

Five years later, soldiers nearby brought tons of snow into the city. They made the snow into large blocks and used ladders to build huge sculptures. These sculptures were amazing, and the small festival turned into an international event.

More than 60 years have passed. Today, the festival is seven days long. Every year, millions of people wear their warmest coats and go outside to celebrate the snow!

1.Artists go to Sapporo every winter mainly to ______.

A. listen to music and dance

B. watch movies and dog races

C. have a one-day fair in a park

D. enter the sculpture competition

2.In 1950, some ______ built six large interesting snow sculptures.

A. artists B. high school students

C. soldiers D. movie stars

3.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Winter activity.

B. Sapporo, Japan.

C. The Snow Festival.

D. Outdoor sculptures.

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