For many people, being on the job might just sound like a picnic compared to a day at home filled with housework, meals and childcare. Even for those with a happy family life, home can sometimes feel more taxing than work.

In a new study, researchers at Penn State University found significantly and consistently lower levels of cortisol(皮质醇) released in response to stress, in a majority of subjects when they were at work compared to when they were at home. This was true for both men and women, and parents and people without children.

Both men and women showed less stress at work. But women were more likely to report feeling happier there. Men were more likely to feel happier at home. Experts say there are other reasons why work is less stressful than home for many. “Paid work is more valued in society,” says Sarah Damaske, the lead researcher on the study. “Household work is boring and not particularly rewarding.”

We get better at our job with time and the increased competence means less stress and more rewards. Yet none of us, no matter how long we’ve been doing it, ever truly feels like an expert at parenting or even at marriage.

The support and friendship of co-workers also offer stress relief. At home, meanwhile, stress spreads and accumulates quickly. “That’s the reason why most housewives wish they were the bread earners,” Dr. Damaske says.

Much of the advice to families and couples include the warning to “leave work stress at the office” and even to change our mind-set from work to home, for example, a walk around the block. The recent findings, though, suggest our home life, not our attitude, might be due for some change.

1.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “taxing”?

A. stressful. B. cheerful. C. worthwhile. D. rewarding.

2.What did the research in the second paragraph prove?

A. Men felt better at home.

B. Women felt they had less time.

C. Women were easier to feel happier.

D. Most people felt more stress at home.

3.What do most people think of work at office?

A. It is competitive. B. It improves ability.

C. It can’t relieve stress. D. It doesn’t always pay off.

4.According to the recent findings, what should we change to solve the problem mentioned?

A. Our attitude. B. Our mind-set.

C. Our home life. D. Our working style.

People in the United States honor their parents with two special days: Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in May, and Father’s Day, on the third Sunday in June.

Mother’s Day was announced a day for national celebration by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915. Ann Jarvis from Grafton, West Virginia, had started the idea to have a day to honor mothers. She was the one who chose the second Sunday in May and also began the custom of wearing a carnation(康乃馨).

In 1909, Mrs. Dodd from Spokane, Washington, thought of the idea of a day to honor fathers. She wanted to honor her own father, William Smart. After her mother died, he had the responsibility of raising a family of five sons and a daughter. In 1910, the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane. Senator Margaret Chase Smith helped to establish Father's Day as a national memorial day, in 1972.

These days are set aside to show love and respect for parents. They raise their children and educate them to be responsible citizens. They give love and care to their children.

These two special days are celebrated in many different ways. On Mother's Day people wear carnations. A red one symbolizes a living mother. A white one shows that the mother is dead. Many people attend religious services to honor parents. It is also a day when people whose parents are dead visit the cemetery(burying ground). On these days families get together at home, as well as in restaurants. They often have outdoor barbecues for Father's Day. These are days of fun and good feelings and memories.

1.According to the passage, which of the following about the second Sunday in May is not true?

A. It is a day to show love to mothers.

B. It is a day to wear carnations.

C. It is a day for all people to visit the cemetery.

D. It is a day for many people to attend religious services.

2.Choose the right time order of the following events.

a. The first Father's Day was celebrated.

b. Mother’s Day was announced a day for national celebration.

c. Father’s Day became a day for national celebration. ·

d. The idea of honoring fathers was brought up.

A. a b c d B. d a b c C. b a c d D. d a c b

3.From the passage, we know in the US____________.

A. one should wear a red carnation if one’s mother passes away

B. on Mother’s Day, families often go out to have barbecues

C. on Father’s Day, people often stay at home to celebrate the special day

D. The purpose to have these two special days is to show love to parents

4.The author’s purpose of writing this passage is to _________.

A. call on people to love and respect their parents

B. introduce Mother’s day and Father’s Day

C. tell the time between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day

D. show how important fathers and mothers are

This March is a busy month in Shanghai. There’s a lot to do. Here are the highlights.

Live Music — Late Night Jazz

Enjoy real American jazz from Herbie Davis, the famous trumpet player. He’s coming with his new 7-piece band , Herbie’s Heroes. Herbie is known to play well into the early hours, so don’t expect to get much sleep. This is Herbie’s third visit to Shanghai. The first two were sold out, so get your tickets quickly.

PLACE: The Jazz Club DATES: 15—23 March

PRICE: ¥80, ¥120 TIME: 10:00 p.m. till late!

TEL: 6466-8736

Scottish Dancing

Take your partners and get ready to dance till you drop. Scottish dancing is fun and easy to learn. Instructors will demonstrate the dances. The live band, Gordon Stroppie and the Weefrees, are also excellent.

PLACE: Jack Stein’s DATES: Every Monday

PRICE: ¥60, including one drink TIME: 7:00 p.m.—0:00 p.m.

TEL: 6402-1877

Exhibitions — Shanghai Museum

There are 120,000 pieces on show here. You can see the whole of Chinese history under one roof. It’s always interesting to visit, but doubly so at the moment with the Egyptian Tombs exhibition. There are lots of mummies and more gold than you’ve ever seen before. Let us know if you see a mummy move!

PLACE: Shanghai Museum PRICE: ¥30 (¥15 for students)

TEL: 6888-6888 DATES: Daily

TIME: Monday — Friday 9:00 a.m. —5:00 p.m., Weekends 9:00 a.m. —9:00 p.m.

Dining — Sushi (寿司) Chef in Town

Sushi is getting really big in Shanghai. In Japan, it’s become an art form. The most famous Sushi "artist" is Yuki Kamura. She’s also one of the few female chefs in Japan. She’ll be at Sushi Scene all of this month.

PLACE: Sushi Scene in the Shanghai Hotel DATES: All month

PRICE: ¥200 TIME: Lunch time

TEL: 6690-3211

For a full listing of events, see our website.

1.Where can Scottish dancing be learnt ?

A. At the Jazz Club

B. At Jack Stein’s

C. At Shanghai Museum

D. At Sushi Scene in the Shanghai Hotel

2.Suppose you are going to attend an activity at 8: 00 p. m. on Saturday, which one can you choose?

A. Exhibitions — Shanghai Museum

B. Live Music — Late Night Jazz

C. Scottish Dancing

D. Dining — Sushi Chef in Town

3.From the text we may learn that Kamura is ___________.

A. an instructor B. a waitress

C. a cook D. an artist

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