Germs are very small living things. They are so small that we cannot see them unless we use a microscope. They are found in all kinds of places, all over the world. There are four main types of germs that they can invade (侵入) plants, animals and people, and sometimes they can make us sick.

Bacteria (细菌) live just about everywhere on earth. Not all bacteria are bad. Some of them are good for our bodies. They help us keep things in balance. Good bacteria live in our bodies and help us use the nutrients in the food we eat and make waste from what's left over. We couldn't make the most of a healthy meal without these important helper germs! On the other hand, there are several types of bad bacteria, including those that cause sore throats.

Viruses (病毒) need a host to keep living. They need to be inside a place of a living plant or animal, including humans, or even inside a bacterium! Whatever a virus lives in is called its host. Once a virus finds the perfect host, the goal is to reproduce and spread. Viruses are pretty tricky because they can change quickly to fit a new environment. When viruses get inside people's bodies, they can spread and make people sick.

Fungi (真菌) are kind of like plants. Unlike other plants, fungi cannot make their own food from soil, water, and air. Fungi love warm and wet places. Most fungi are harmless. The kind that can grow on your skin can be treated. It probably won't hurt you. But it really makes you uncomfortable!

Protozoa (原生动物) are extremely small. Most of them live in water. Some protozoa actually eat bacteria and they are good because they also eat the waste of other small living things. Some protozoa are bad, and they live off of other living things, sometimes humans. For example, if a person drinks unclean water, protozoa may cause health problems.

1.Are germs small?

____________________

2.How many germs are mentioned in the passage?

____________________

3.Why can viruses change quickly?

____________________

4.Where do fungi love to stay?

____________________

5.What does the passage mainly talk about?

____________________

School Rules

Erika, Japan

As students, we should wear our school uniforms every day. We are not allowed to change the color of our hair. Our school tells us that we may not date, go to movies, leave home after the sunset or play video games without permission (允许) from school. In class we must listen to the teacher carefully. In our free time, we are not allowed to take part-time jobs.

Jacky, Australia

Every student has the right to be safe and happy at school. Wear the correct uniform and show respect to yourself and the school. Don't fight with others at school. Smoking is not allowed for your own sake (利益) and that of others. Don't use mobile phones or other electronic devices in class. Don't trouble with the learning of the other students.

Bill, USA

We have to wear school uniforms. Food, drinks or snacks shouldn't be taken into the classroom. We are supposed to keep quiet on the school bus. In America, we can have part-time jobs in our free time. Gum chewing (口香糖) at school is not allowed, as it is difficult to clean up. And if we chew gum in class, we may not pay more attention to our study.

Mary, China

Here are some of our school rules. We shouldn't be late for school. We have to wear school uniforms every day, and I think it is good for us because uniforms can make us look smart. We can't talk loudly in class or run in the hallways during break. We are not allowed to use mobile phones at school. We mustn't smoke because it's bad for our health.

1.According to the rules, video games can't be played freely in ________.

A.China B.Japan C.Australia D.the USA

2.Which of the following is allowed in American school rules?

A.Taking part-time jobs. B.Taking snacks into classroom.

C.Chewing gum in class. D.Talking loudly on the school bus.

3.Mary thinks school uniforms can make students look ________.

A.cool B.simple C.smart D.friendly

The Stressed-out Generation

Each generation has its own set of values and characters, but one thing common to all generations is that they are suffering (遭受) from stress. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), all age groups now report higher levels of stress than in the past. However, survey results show that stress levels for Millennials (born roughly between 1981 and 2004) are clearly above average (均值). So, what’s worrying the Millennials?

Millennials are the first generation to grow up with computers in the home and the classroom. They are receiving information from everywhere all the time because of the rise of modern technology and social media. Over time, this information overload can become too much to handle and can result in continual stress, which in turn can cause serious physical and emotional problems. Another cause, according to writer Michael D. Hais, is that many Millennials have lived easy lives because of overprotective parents. These young adults are short of problem-solving skills and may have trouble dealing with fear of failure once they leave home.

However, the survey results may be a bit misleading as they don’t take into account public attitudes toward stress and mental illness. Ronald Kessler of Harvard Medical School, points out that changes in social attitudes have helped lessen the shame related to mental illness over the years. For example, the creation of health-related television programming and specialty magazines such as Psychology Today has drawn people’s attention to mental health problems. It’s possible that younger people now are more willing to admit (承认) to being stressed than in the past.

Despite the high levels of stress reported by Millennials in the APA survey, there is reason for happiness. Many happiness and well-being surveys show that happiness generally increases as people grow older. As Millennials get more life experience and develop better problem-solving skills over time, they should become better at dealing with stress.

Moreover, with deeper understanding of mental health issues today, the shame related to seeing a psychologist (心理医生) has lessened. This means that people are more likely to look

for professional help to lower their stress levels. There are now many kinds of stress management skills such as exercise and meditation (冥想). Millennials must develop these skills to deal with stress in order to be productive members of their community. Once they do, they will be able to look back with satisfaction on the world they helped create.

1.What does the survey by APA show? ( )

A.Millennials are more stressed than most generations.

B.Millennials are worried about their own characters.

C.It’s normal for many Millennials to feel stressed.

D.Stress levels differ because of different values.

2.What is Paragraph 2 mainly about? ( )

A.The problems caused by Millennials’ overprotective parents.

B.The results of receiving a great amount of information.

C.The ways Millennials deal with modern technology.

D.The causes of Millennials suffering more stress.

3.According to the passage, what are people like today compared to the past? ( )

A.They are more likely to become psychologists.

B.They are more talented in using modern technology.

C.They are more willing to look for professional help with stress.

D.They are more independent and have good problem-solving skills.

4.What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? ( )

A.To draw parents’ attention to Millennials’ emotional problems.

B.To remind us of the importance of getting more life experience.

C.To offer some right ways of developing problem-solving skills.

D.To encourage Millennials to deal with stress in proper ways.

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网