You had better not do-——青夏教育精英家教网—

You had better think twice before posting a new photo or updating it to your Facebook profile. That’s because new research has found that social media use can lower some users’ sense of self-control over their lives. The research, which will be published in The Journal of Consumer Research, was based on the responses of 541 Facebook users in the United States.

“Using online social networks can have a positive effect on self-esteem(自尊) and well-being. However, these increased feelings of self-worth can have a damaging effect on behavior.” said researchers Keith Wilcox of Columbia University and Andrew Stephen of the University of Pittsburgh. “Because users care about the image they present to close friends, social network use enhances self-esteem in them who are focused on close friends while searching for information on their social network. This momentary increase in self-esteem leads them to display less self-control after looking through a social network.”

In other words, social media users have more self-esteem after using networks like Facebook. However, that momentary improvement in self-esteem lowers their self-control and leads them to do what they want, even if this is not good for them.

In particular, the researchers found that social media users were more likely to do too much drinking and eating and have a higher body-mass index. Frequent Facebook users also were more likely to have certain financial problems, including a lower credit score and higher levels of debt.

The researchers tied these feelings to the observation that social media users were less likely to exhibit modesty on their profiles, since feedback was not immediate.

“These results are worrying given the increased time people spend using social networks, as well as the worldwide proliferation (激增) of access to social networks anywhere, anytime via smartphones and other small devices,” Wilcox and Stephen wrote. “Given that self-control is important for maintaining social order and personal health and happiness, this unnoticeable effect could have widespread impact. This is particularly true for adolescents and young adults who are the heaviest users of social networks and have grown up using social networks as a normal part of their daily lives.”

64. When may social media users lower their self-control?

A. Before looking through social networks.

B. After logging on to social networks.

C. While scanning social networks.

D. After looking through social networks.

65. What quality are social media users most likely to show?

A. Self-control. B. Self-confidence. C. Self-esteem. D. Self-discipline.

66. According to the writer, Facebook can make the users .

A. slim and rich B. fat and poor C. slim and poor D. fat and rich

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Do you remember last summer , when angry travelers were urging the government to do something about airline customer service ? Airlines 36 to improve , and they adopted (采用)new standards just before Christmas . 37 as another summer nears , plenty of 38

travelers don’t see much improvement in customer 39 overall .

This month , the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) office will publish its first critical 40

on whether airlines are 41 their promises . One survey（调查）suggests problems : the number of 42 to the DOT about the top 10 airlines in the first 43 rose 89% from a year ago .

Hit last summer by passenger complaints and the threat (威慑)of consumer-protection laws by the 44 , 14 airlines 45 to adopt a set of basic customer-service standards called Customers First . The “12 promises” to passengers were introduced 46 a mjor effort to improve service . Since then , airlines have been redesigning websites , retraining employees and upgrading technology .

Recently , DOT inspector general Kenneth Mead , at McCain’s request , sent 20 examiners to airports to 47 whether each airline is doing what it promised . Mead warns travelers shouldn’t 48 too much . Most of the promises are 49 better communication with customers , not problems with flights .

“Passengers should show more understanding to airlines about their 50 to better air service .” Spokeswoman Shelly Sasson says . “And when 51 are made , it takes a long time for them to be noticed,” she says .

Now , the efforts may be working . During the first quarter , Delta had the second-lowest rate of complaints among the 52 10 carriers . 53 , its rate , along with other carriers’ , is up from last year . McCain and other lawmakers say there may be a 54 to pass new consumer-protection 55 .

36．A．promised B．managed C．hoped D．refused

37．A．So B．But C．Merely D．Even

38．A．skilled B．experienced C．tired D．puzzled

39．A．flight B．opinion C．service D．travel

40．A．news B．information C．doubt D．article

41．A．honoring B．making C．giving D．improving

42．A．problems B．travelers C．passengers D．complaints

43．A．quarter B．year C．month D．summer

44．A．customer B．company C．government D．public

45．A．wished B．agreed C．remembered D．failed

46．A．to B．for C．as D．by

47．A．explain B．discuss C．discover D．check

48．A．travel B．expect C．complain D．suggest

49．A．aimed at B．considered as C．joined to D．made from

50．A．difficulty B．situation C．reality D．efforts

51．A．suggestions B．rules C．decisions D．improvements

52．A．large B．first C．top D．bad

53．A．Still B．Therefore C．Instead D．Meanwhile

54．A．possibility B．need C．chance D．use

55．A．examinations B．service C．laws D．reports

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YOU don’t need millions to be happy. In fact, at The Happiness Institute in Australia, a couple of hundred dollars may be enough.

The institute opened its doors last year, and, since then, men and women of all ages have been paying A$200 an hour (US$140) for l essons on how to feel great.

“You can actually increase your happiness levels. That’s what we teach,” said Timothy Sharp, founder of the institute.

Experts say that only about 15 per cent of happiness comes from income, assets and other financial factors. As much as 85 per cent comes from things such as attitude, life control and relationships.

Most of us are significantly better off financially than our parents and grandparents, but happiness levels haven’t changed to reflect that.

Studies show that once the basic needs of shelter and food are met, additional wealth adds very little to happiness.

Many decades ago, the “sage of Baltimore, Maryland”, editor HL Mencken, defined wealth as earning US$100 more than your “wife’s sister’s husband.”

Behavioral economists now say part of the reason we are richer but not happier is because we compare ourselves to people better off materially.

“The argument is that if you want to be happy there’s a very simple thing you can do: Compare yourself to people who are less well off than you — poorer, smaller house, car,” said Sharp.

The Happiness Institute aims to show you how to overcome these unhappiness factors by focusing on “more than just your bank account.”

“If I compare myself to Bill Gates then I’m always going to be down,” said Sharp.

A better thing to compare with, he said, might be Kerry Packer, Australia’s richest person who has had a kidney transplant and heart surgery in recent years.

1. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A. You can increase your happiness levels by attending the classes at the Happiness Institute.

B. Most of us are happier than our parents or grandparents since we earn more.

C. Earning US$ 100 more than your wife’s sister’s husband if you want to be happy.

D. Both Bill Gates and Kerry Packer are examples of those who are extremely rich but obviously unhappy.

2. The underlined phrase has the same meaning as the word _______.

A. healthy B. unhealthy C. free D. wealthy

3. The author wrote the passage to tell us _______.

A. happiness is everything

B. wealth is the foundation of happiness

C. have fun at the Happiness Institute

D. money doesn’t always mean happiness