New York State has passed the USA’s first state law banning motorists talking on hand-held cell phones. The ban will begin November 1, although drivers caught using hand-held cell phones will be given only warnings during the first month.

First-time violators(违法者) will face a $100 fine. A second time call for a $200 fine and every violation after that will cost$500.

At least a dozen localities(地方) have established bans, starting in 1999; and 40 states have had bans proposed but not passed. At least 23 countries, including the Great Britain, Italy, Israel and Japan, ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones.

There are about 115 million cell phones in use in the United States and more than 6 million in New York State.

“To think that I’m not going to use cell phone when at the same time I can still use my laptop, I still can read a paper, I can still change my pants(裤子) while driving 65 mph. I think there’s just something wrong,” an official said.

Other critics noted that other things like eating, drinking coffee and applying make-up while driving posed(造成) at least as much of a concern. They suggested that the ban include a broader range of things.

How much fine will a hand-held cell phone user receive if he has been caught using it four times while driving after November?

       A. $500.                      B. $1000.                    C. $1200.                    D. $1300.

We can see from this passage that _______.  

       A. the ban has been put into effect in most states in the U. S.

       B. many of the developed countries forbid drivers using hand-held cell phones

       C. over fifty localities or states ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones

       D. more people in the U. S. are against the ban than for it

The official mentioned in this passage _______.  

       A. does not agree with this ban

       B. doesn’t believe using hand-held cell phones while driving will cause any danger

C. doesn’t understand why hand-held cell phones alone should be banned among many others

       D. believes changing pants while driving will cause greater danger

The writer intends to tell us in the last paragraph that _______.

       A. it is not fair to have this ban passed

       B. the ban will never be passed in the whole country

       C. more activities of the same kind should also be banned

       D. the ban will meet with more criticism

This article is most probably taken from _______.

       A. a newspaper article                       B. an advertisement    

C. a personal diary                             D. a letter

Everyone has good days and bad days.

Sometimes, you feel as if you’re on top of the world. But occasionally you feel horrible, and you lose things and you cannot focus on your schoolwork.

  For more than 20 years, scientists have suggested that high self-esteem(自尊)is the key to success. Now, new research shows that focusing just on building self-esteem may not be helpful. In some cases, having high self-esteem can bring bad results if it makes you less likeable or more upset when you fail at something.

    “Forget about self-esteem,” says Jennifer Crocker, a psychologist(心理学家)at the University of Michigan, US. “It’s not the important thing.”

Feeling good

Crocker’s advice may sound a bit strange because it is good to feel good about yourself.

Studies show that people with high self-esteem are less likely to be depressed, anxious, shy, or lonely than those with low self-esteem.w(w w.ks&5 u.c*o m

But, after reviewing about 18,000 studies on self-esteem, Roy Baumeister, a psychologist at Florida State University, has found that building up your self-esteem will not necessarily make you a better person.

He believes that violent and wicked(邪恶的)people often have the highest self-esteem of all. He also said: “There’s no evidence that kids with high self-esteem do better in school.”

Problems

All types of people have problems. People with high self-esteem can have big egos(自我)that can make them less likeable to their peers(同龄人),said Kathleen Vohs, a psychology professor at Columbia University.

People with high self-esteem tend to think more of themselves, Vohs says. People with low self-esteem are more likely to rely on their friends when they need help.

What to do

Researchers say it is best to listen to and support other people. Find positive ways to contribute to society. If you fail at something try to learn from the experience. “The best therapy(药方)is to recognize your faults,” Vohs says. “It’s OK to say, I’m not so good at that, and then move on.”

It is concluded in the research that high self-esteem_________.

A. is not important at all

B. has taken on a different meaning

C. may not be the key to success

D. does not help you do better at schoolw(w w.ks&5 u.c*o m

According to the research, people with high self-esteem_________.

A. have better relationship with people of their own age

B. are more likely to become violent and wicked

C. tend to be proud and do not care much about others

D. often feel depressed and can’t focus on their work

The advice in the last paragraph is mainly for people___________.

A. with high self-esteem                      B. with low self-esteem

C. who are still at school                      D. who are good at everything

The day was Thankful Thursday, our “ regular day” of service. It’s a __36__tradition that my two little girls and I began years ago. On this __37__ Thursday, we had no idea exactly what we were going to do.
__38__ along a busy road, we prayed for guidance in search of __39__our weekly Act of Kindness. My girls were__40__, and started shouting “ McDonald’s” . Suddenly I realized that almost every crossing I__41__ was occupied by a beggar, and then it hit me! All these beggars must be hungry. Perfect! We were going to buy__42__for them.
It was a great way to__43__. The Act of Kindness was anonymous(匿名的),and we loved what we saw in the back view mirror: a__44__and delighted person holding up his lunch bag and just looking at us__45__we drove off.
We had come to the end of our “ route” where there was a small woman standing there, asking for__46__. We handed her our final lunch bag, and then made a U-turn to head back in the opposite direction for home. Unfortunately, the light stopped us. I was __47__and didn’t know quite how to behave.
“No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” the woman said with__48__. I replied, “Well, I’m glad that we were the first one.”__49__ uneasy , and wanting to move the conversation along, I asked, “So, when do you think you’ll eat your lunch?”
“Oh honey, I’m not going to__50__this lunch.” I was confused , and she continued , “I have a little girl of my own at home and she just __51__ McDonald’s , but I can never buy it for her because I just don’t have the __52__ . You know what… tonight she is going to have McDonald’s !”
So many times I had__53__whether our Acts of Kindness were too small or insignificant to really__54__any difference . Yet in that moment, I recognized the__55__of Mother Teresa’s words, “We cannot do great things---only small things with great love.”

【小题1】
A.weeklyB.monthlyC.yearlyD.daily
【小题2】
A.commonB.particularC.ordinaryD.usual
【小题3】
A.WalkingB.RunningC.DrivingD.Wandering
【小题4】
A.findingB.meetingC.realizingD.fulfilling
【小题5】
A.hungryB.tiredC.puzzledD.bored
【小题6】
A.talked about B.passed through C.turned downD.picked up
【小题7】
A.breadB.clothC.lunchD.water
【小题8】
A.receiveB.begC.presentD.give
【小题9】
A.surprisedB.troubledC.pleasedD.moved
【小题10】
A.becauseB.asC.butD.otherwise
【小题11】
A.troubleB.invitationC.changeD.advice
【小题12】
A.worriedB.frightenedC.fearedD.embarrassed
【小题13】
A.amazementB.excitementC.enjoymentD.disappointment
【小题14】
A.KeepingB.FeelingC.SoundingD.Seeming
【小题15】
A.acceptB.refuse C.eatD.share
【小题16】
A.dislikesB.prefersC.sellsD.loves
【小题17】
A.moneyB.courageC.honourD.choice
【小题18】
A.consideredB.questionedC.determinedD.imagined
【小题19】
A.makeB.keepC.determineD.promote
【小题20】
A.importanceB.valueC.structureD.truth

 A few months ago, it wasn't unusual for 47-year-old Carla Toebe to spend 15 hours per day online. She'd wake up early, turn on her laptop and chat on Internet dating sites and instant-messaging programs – leaving her bed for only brief breaks. Her household bills piled up, along with the dishes and dirty laundry, but it took constant complaints from her four daughters before she realized she had a problem.
  "I was starting to feel like my whole world was falling apart – kind of slipping into a depression," said Carla. "I knew that if I didn't get off the dating sites, I'd just keep going," detaching (使脱离) herself further from the outside world.
  Toebe's conclusion: She felt like she was "addicted" to the Internet. She's not alone.
  Concern about excessive Internet use isn't new. As far back as 1995, articles in medical journals and the establishment of a Pennsylvania treatment center for overusers aroused interest in the subject. But as reliance on the Web grows, there are signs that the question is getting more serious attention: Last month, a study published in CNS Spectrums claimed to be the first large-scale look at Internet overuse. The American Psychiatric Association may also consider listing Internet addiction in the next edition. And scores of online discussion boards have popped up, on which people discuss negative experiences tied to too much time on the Web.
The new CNS Spectrums study was based on results of a nationwide telephone survey of more than 2,500 adults. Like the latest survey, this one was conducted by Stanford University researchers. About 6% of respondents reported that "their relationships suffered because of excessive Internet use." About 9% attempted to conceal "nonessential Internet use," and nearly 4% reported feeling " still occupied by the Internet when offline."
  "The Internet problem is still in its early stage," said Maressa Orzack, a Harvard University professor. No single online activity is to blame for excessive use, he said. "They're online in chat rooms, checking e-mail, or writing blogs. The problem is not limited to porn (色情) or gambling websites.”
  “Excessive Internet use should be defined not by the number of hours spent online but in terms of losses.”said Maressa Orzack. "If it's a loss where you're not getting to work, and family relationships are breaking down as a result, then it's too much."
  Since the early 1990s, several clinics have been established in the U. S. to treat heavy Internet users. They include the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery and the Center for Internet Behavior.
  The website for Orzack's center lists the following among the psychological symptoms of computer addiction:
  ● Having a sense of happiness or excitement while at the computer.
  ● Longing for more and more time at the computer.
  ● Neglect of family and friends.
  ● Feeling empty, depremssed or irritable when not at the computer.
  ● Lying to employers and family about activities.
  ● Inability to stop the activity.
  ● Problems with school or job.
  Physical symptoms listed include dry eyes, backaches, skipping meals, poor personal hygiene (卫生) and sleep disturbances.
  “People who struggle with Internet overuse maybe depressed or have other mood disorders.” Orzack said. When she discusses Internet habits with her patients, they often report that being online offers a "sense of belonging, and escape, excitement and fun," she said. “Some people say relief…because they find themselves so relaxed.”
  Some parts of the Internet seem to draw people in more than others. Internet gamers spend countless hours competing in games against people from all over the world. One such game, called World of Warcraft, is cited on many sites by posters complaining of a "gaming addiction."
  Andrew Heidrich, an education network administrator from Sacramento, plays World of Warcraft for about two to four hours every other night, but that's nothing compared with the 40 to 60 hours a week he spent playing online games when he was in college. He cut back only after a full-scale family intervention (干预), in which relatives told him he'd gained weight.
  “There's this whole culture of competition that sucks people in with online gaming, ”said Heidrich, now a father of two. People do it at the expense of everything that was a constant in their lives." Heidrich now visits websites that discuss gaming addiction regularly “to remind myself to keep my love for online games in check”.
  Toebe also regularly visits a site where posters discuss Internet overuse. In August, when she first realized she had a problem, she posted a message on a Yahoo Internet addiction group with the subject line:“I have an Internet Addiction.”
  “I'm self-employed and need the Internet for my work, but I'm failing to accomplish my work, to take care of my home, to give attention to my children,”she wrote in a message sent to the group. “I have no money or insurance to get professional help; I can't even pay my loan and face losing everything.”
  Since then, Toebe said, she has kept her promise to herself to cut back on her Internet use. "I have a boyfriend now, and I'm not interested in online dating," she said by phone last week. "It's a lot better now."
【小题1】 What eventually made Carla Toebe realize she was spending too much time on the Internet?

A.Her daughter's repeated complaints.
B.Tiredness resulting from lack of sleep.
C.The poorly managed state of her house.
D.The high financial costs adding up.
【小题2】What is the main idea of para4?
A.A study claimed to be the first large-scale look at Internet overuse.
B.The American Psychiatric Association plans to list Internet addiction in its edition.
C.There are heated discussions about negative experiences over internet overuse.
D.There is a growing concern towards internet addiction.
【小题3】 According to Professor Maressa Orzack, Internet use would be considered excessive if ______.
A.it seriously affected family relationships
B.one visited porn websites frequently
C.too much time was spent in chat rooms
D.people got involved in online gambling
【小题4】 According to Orzack, people who struggle with heavy dependence on    
the Internet may feel ______.
A.discouragedB.pressuredC.depressedD.puzzled
【小题5】 Andrew Heidrich now visits websites that discuss online gaming addiction to _____.
A.improve his online gaming skills
B.control his desire for online gaming
C.show how good he is at online gaming
D.exchange online gaming experience
【小题6】Which of the following best describes the tone(口吻) of the passage ?
A.HumorousB.IronicC.ObjectiveD.Casual

?New York State has passed the USA’s first state law banning motorists talking on hand-held cell phones. The ban will begin November 1st, although drivers caught using hand-held cell phones will be given only warnings during the first month. 
First-time violators(违法者)will face a $100 fine. A second time call for a $200 fine and every violation after that will cost$500. 
At least a dozen localities(地方)have established bans, starting in 1999; and 40 states have had bans proposed but not passed. At least 23 countries, including the Great Britain, Italy, Israel and Japan, ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones. 
There are about 115 million cell phones in use in the United States and more than 6 million in New York State. 
“To think that I’m not going to use cell phone when at the same time I can still use my laptop(膝上电脑), I still can read a paper, I can still change my trousers while driving 65 mph. I think there’s just something wrong,” an official said. 
Other critics noted that other things like eating, drinking coffee and applying make up while driving caused at least as much of a concern. They suggested that the ban include a broader range of things. 
【小题1】 How much fine will a hand-held cell phone user receive if he has been caught using it four times while driving after November?

A.$500.B.$1000.C.$1200.D.$1300.
【小题2】. We can see from this passage that ____. 
A.the ban has been put into effect in most states in the U. S.
B.many of the developed countries forbid drivers using hand-held cell phones
C.over fifty localities or states ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones
D.more people in the U. S. are against the ban than for it
【小题3】The official mentioned in this passage ____. 
A.does not agree with this ban
B.doesn’t believe using hand-held cell phones while driving will cause any danger
C.doesn’t understand why hand-held cell phones alone should be banned among many others
D.believes changing pants while driving will cause greater danger
【小题4】The writer intends to tell us in the last paragraph that ______. 
A.it is not fair to have this ban passed
B.the ban will never be passed in the whole country
C.more activities of the same kind should also be banned
D.the ban will meet with more criticism

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