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?

When you need a job very much, you may end up taking one for which you are over qualified. Although you were initially grateful just to have the work, you now feel bored and depressed. Is there any way to change that?
Start by changing your opinion, says Caitlin Kelly, the author of Malled, a book based on her experience as a sales clerk after losing her job in journalism. “Don’t focus on what you’re not getting but what you are getting,” she says. “Be patient and work attentively with a wide range of people. It doesn’t matter what the job is –there are always things you can learn and skills you can develop.”
Hilary Pearl, the founder of a coaching firm, says, “Tell yourself the current situation isn’t the end of your career. Don’t overdramatize（过分夸大）the negative aspects but try to view the situation more philosophically: life has a series of stages, and this is one of them. Don’t forget to study even in the worst stage.”
Consider that because you’re overqualified, you may be able to learn or do things on the job that might not have been possible in a more demanding position, says Sarah Hathorn, the chief executive of Illustra Consulting. “You could spend your extra time in learning different aspects of the business and teaching others in the organization,” she says.
Is it possible to make your work more challenging, even if your job responsibilities aren’t likely to change?
Of course, you may seek tasks and responsibilities that force you to learn something new or to work harder. “You may be operating on autopilot（习惯性地）right now, but chances are that people above you are stressed,” Sarah Hathorn says. “Take things off your boss’s plate and let him know which projects or tasks you want to learn more about.”
Always express your request positively, saying that you love new challenges, rather than complaining that you’re bored and underused, says Ethun, the president of the Park Avenue Group. In your down time, educate yourself about the company and its industry. “Read corporate information, analyst reports and related news articles,” she says. “If your boss accepts your suggestions, it will make you a more valuable employee.”
【小题1】According to Caitlin Kelly, ______.

When it comes to your skin, there is an important fact that you must keep in mind: Your skin is the largest organ of your body．As an obvious result, skin health and maintenance（保养） is vital．Your skin does everything from protecting you from the elements to assisting you with breathing．Your skin keeps your body hydrated （含水的） and regulates your body's temperature．In the end, this really is only the beginning of all of the various vital functions that your skin provides to you．

Despite the extreme importance of a person's skin, the reality is that many people simply do not pay much attention to issues relating to the health of their skin．With that in mind, there are some prime tips and pointers that you must always keep in mind when it comes to the health and protection of your skin．

Protection against harmful rays from the sun is one of the most important steps that you need to take．With this in mind it is vitally important that you make certain you use solid protection when you go out into the sun．

Your diet also has a direct effect on the health of your skin．The most important aspect of your diet in relation to the health of your skin is to make certain that you eat a proper amount of food items that contain the proteins and nutrients necessary for your skin’s health．

Water is also important to the health of your skin．While you certainly have heard it before, it actually is true that you should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fresh and pure water every day to keep healthy skin．

Finally, when it comes to the health of your skin today and into the future you should avoid smoking all together．In addition, you should drink alcohol only in moderation．Both smoking and too much alcohol consumption can negatively affect the health of your skin in significant ways．

1．The underlined word “elements” in the first paragraph probably refers to ______．

      A．bad weather                                        B．a favorable environment

      C．all the chemicals                                  D．the cells making up the skin

2．The writer lists some of the functions of skin in the beginning part to ______．

      A．make an analysis of the main topic of the passage

      B．draw readers’ attention to the main topic of the passage

      C．give a brief introduction to the main topic of the passage

      D．give the readers a summary of the main topic of the passage

3．Which of the following does not help maintain the health of skin?

       A．Drinking heavy alcohol．

      B．Taking proper diet in one’s life．

      C．Using solid protection when exposed to the sun．

      D．Drinking enough fresh and pure water every day．

4．Which of the following might be the most proper title of the above passage?

      A．An essential organ of our body．          B．Tips for soft and smooth skin．

       C．Habits and skin health．                       D．How to keep our skin healthy．

When it comes to your skin, there is an extremely important fact that you must keep in mind: Your skin is the largest organ of your body. As an obvious result, skin health and maintenance(保养) is vital. Your skin does everything from protecting you from the elements to assisting you with breathing. Your skin keeps your body hydrated(含水的) and regulates your body's temperature. In the end, this really is only the beginning of all of the various vital functions that your skin provides to you.
Despite the extreme importance of a person's skin, the reality is that many people simply do not pay much attention to issues relating to the health of their skin. With that in mind, there are some prime tips and pointers that you must always keep in mind when it comes to the health and protection of your skin.
Protection against harmful rays from the sun is one of the most important steps that you need to take. With this in mind it is vitally important that you make certain you use solid protection when you go out into the sun.
Your diet also has a direct effect on the health of your skin. The most important aspect of your diet in relation to the health of your skin is to make certain that you eat a proper amount of food items that contain the proteins and nutrients necessary for cellular maintenance, repair and regeneration(再生). With this in mind, your skin cells actually rely on a sufficient amount of carbohydrates.
Water is also important to the Health of your skin. While you certainly have heard it before, it actually is true that you should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fresh and pure water every day. There are many health benefits you can get from drinking water daily, including maintaining healthy skin.
Finally, when it comes to the health of your skin today and into the future you should avoid smoking all together. In addition, you should drink alcohol only in moderation. Both smoking and too much alcohol consumption can negatively affect the health of your skin in significant ways.
55．The underlined word elements in the first paragraph probably refers to _______.
A. bad weather                                          B. a favorable environment
C. all the chemicals                                          D. the cells making up the skin
56．The writer lists some of the functions of skin in the beginning part to _______.
A. make an analysis of the main topic of the passage
B. draw readers’ attention to the main topic of the passage  
C. give a brief introduction to the main topic of the passage
D. give the readers a summary of the main topic of the passage
57．Which of the following does not help maintain the health of skin?
A. Drinking alcohol in moderation.
B. Including adequate carbohydrates in diet.
C. Using solid protection when exposed to the sun.
D. Drinking enough fresh and pure water every day.
58．The most suitable title of the passage may be _______.
A. An essential organ of our body               B. Tips for soft and smooth skin
C. Habits and skin health                            D. How to keep our skin healthy

When it comes to your skin, there is an extremely important fact that you must keep in mind: Your skin is the largest organ of your body. As an obvious result, skin health and maintenance(保养) is vital. Your skin does everything from protecting you from the elements to assisting you with breathing. Your skin keeps your body hydrated(含水的) and regulates your body's temperature. In the end, this really is only the beginning of all of the various vital functions that your skin provides to you.

Despite the extreme importance of a person's skin, the reality is that many people simply do not pay much attention to issues relating to the health of their skin. With that in mind, there are some prime tips and pointers that you must always keep in mind when it comes to the health and protection of your skin.

Protection against harmful rays from the sun is one of the most important steps that you need to take. With this in mind it is vitally important that you make certain you use solid protection when you go out into the sun.

Your diet also has a direct effect on the health of your skin. The most important aspect of your diet in relation to the health of your skin is to make certain that you eat a proper amount of food items that contain the proteins and nutrients necessary for cellular maintenance, repair and regeneration(再生). With this in mind, your skin cells actually rely on a sufficient amount of carbohydrates.

Water is also important to the Health of your skin. While you certainly have heard it before, it actually is true that you should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fresh and pure water every day. There are many health benefits you can get from drinking water daily, including maintaining healthy skin.

Finally, when it comes to the health of your skin today and into the future you should avoid smoking all together. In addition, you should drink alcohol only in moderation. Both smoking and too much alcohol consumption can negatively affect the health of your skin in significant ways.

55．The underlined word elements in the first paragraph probably refers to _______.

      A. bad weather                                          B. a favorable environment

      C. all the chemicals                                          D. the cells making up the skin

56．The writer lists some of the functions of skin in the beginning part to _______.

      A. make an analysis of the main topic of the passage

      B. draw readers’ attention to the main topic of the passage  

      C. give a brief introduction to the main topic of the passage

      D. give the readers a summary of the main topic of the passage

57．Which of the following does not help maintain the health of skin?

      A. Drinking alcohol in moderation.

      B. Including adequate carbohydrates in diet.

      C. Using solid protection when exposed to the sun.

      D. Drinking enough fresh and pure water every day.

58．The most suitable title of the passage may be _______.

      A. An essential organ of our body               B. Tips for soft and smooth skin

C. Habits and skin health                            D. How to keep our skin healthy