What happens to your computers, MP3 players and cellphones when they’re broken or you want a new one?

Most people just throw them away. In 2014, people around the world produced 41.8 million tons of electronic waste(e-waste) and only recycled 6.5 million tons, the United Nations said. The US was the biggest waster, producing 7.1 million tons of waste. China ranked second, with 6 million tons.

It’s important to pay attention to e-waste. It can either be valuable or harmful, depending on how we treat it.

“E-waste is a valuable ‘urban mine (城市矿藏)’,” said David Malone, the UN under-secretary-general (副秘书长). The gold, silver, iron (铁) and copper (铜) in e-waste around the world are worth some $52 billion (322.1 billion yuan). These materials can be reused and help us save resources.

But if people throw their electronics away, toxic (有毒的) chemicals can get into the soil or air, affecting the environment and people’s health. Malone said.

To help reduce e-waste, the first thing we can do is to buy longer-lasting electronic devices. If you have unwanted electronics, such as aging toys or cellphones, find a new home for them by giving them to charities. You can also see if there are any companies that offer recycling programs for their products. Apple, for instance, now offers people a discount (折扣) in China if they hand in their used devices when buying new ones. The company will test and repair the used devices and sell them at lower prices.

1.When a computer is broken or no longer wanted, most people usually .

A.throw it away B.sell it to a second-hand shop

C.put it in a closet D.donate it to a charity

2.How much e-waste was recycled in 2014?

A.41.8 million tons. B.6.5 million tons. C.7.1 million tons. D.6 million tons.

3.The valuable materials in e-waste do NOT include .

A.silver B.copper C.steel D.iron

4.Which of the following is TRUE?

A.China produced the most electronic waste in 2014.

B.E-waste does more harm to the environment than to people’s health.

C.People can buy new devices at lower price if they sell their old ones.

D.Some electronics companies have their own recycling programs.

5.What does the story mainly tell us?

A.How much e-waste people produce each. B.What people can do to make money from e-waste.

C.Why and how we should recycle our e-waste. D.How e-waste has affected the environment.

Mindfulness Matters

In recent years, some schools have begun to introduce meditation, or mindfulness training, into their classrooms. During mindfulness training, students may be asked to sit quietly and observe their own thoughts and feelings to avoid being controlled by them. Mindfulness training can help students overcome anxiety (焦虑), control their behavior, and improve their ability to pay attention in class. Students are expected to learn how to meditate in order to reduce stress and do better in their schoolwork.

Among schools that already teach meditation, the results have been positive. In one study, teachers reported that after five weeks of mindfulness practice, their students were more focused. They also participated more fully in class. A middle school in San Francisco reported that a student meditation program led to higher attendance rates and better grades. Another study suggested that meditation helped students perform better on tests by improving their working memory and reducing their anxiety.

Many supporters believe that meditation training programs can also help students overcome stress. For example, Headstand is a mindfulness education program designed to help students overcome anxiety. A study concluded that ninety-eight percent of participating students felt less stressed after they completed the Headstand program. In another study, researchers in New Haven, Connecticut, followed students who participated in meditation and yoga classes three times a week. They found that after each class, participants had lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone (激素), in their bodies.

Despite the positive results seen so far, critics also point out that much of the current research is not rigorous(严谨的) enough. Associate Professor Tamar Mendelson agrees that research on meditation in children is still in its early stages. However, even she insists that she has seen the positive impact of meditation on children. Others express worries that meditation is not a valuable use of class time. But many disagree. Denise Pope, a professor from the Stanford University, says, “This is something teachers can do immediately. You get a lot of bang for your buck and anyone who is against it isn’t thinking clearly.” Indeed, additional studies will surely strengthen our understanding of the benefits of mindfulness.

Although still in its early stages, research shows that meditation can help students learn to deal with anxiety and stress. As an added bonus, students of mindfulness training also report better concentration and gains in their academic performances. Therefore, meditation should be a part of every student’s school day. Participating in “stillness” can be just as productive as other school-related activities.

1.Why do some schools introduce mindfulness training into classes?

A.To control students’ working memory.

B.To reduce students’ stress and anxiety.

C.To increase students’ attendance rates.

D.To research students’ thoughts and feelings.

2.What can we learn from the passage?

A.Mindfulness training is not a valuable use of class time at school.

B.Mindfulness training is more productive than other school activities.

C.Students felt more stressful after joining yoga classes three times a week.

D.Students paid closer attention in class after weeks of mindfulness practice.

3.The words “a lot of bang for your buck” in Paragraph 4 probably mean “_____”.

A.challenges B.complaints C.advantages D.influences

4.The writer probably agrees that ______.

A.further studies will prove the benefits of mindfulness training

B.students will become more talented with mindfulness training

C.doctors will do researches on the spread of mindfulness training

D.mindfulness training decides students’ mental and physical health

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