Television, which made its first serious appearance in 1939, did not become common until the early 1950s.Since then, millions of children have grown up in front of the set, and many people now worry about the effect that TV has on the young, and on society in general.Educators, psychologists, and crime experts wonder if television should be abolished(取消).Many ordinary parents wish it had never been invented.Why are they so afraid? Is television as harmful as they think it is?
Like almost
anything else, television has its good and its bad sides.One should surely thank its inventors for the joy and interest that they have brought into the lives of the old, the sick, and the lonely -- all those who, without it, would have no pleasure and no window on the world.
In truth, television has
opened windows in everybody's life.No newspaper has ever reached so many people and shown so clearly what was happening right now in their own country and everywhere else.TV not only gives the news instantly, it also shows it in pictures more powerful than words.It can be said that TV has brought reality to the public.Millions of people now have seen the effects of a battle, a flood, a fire, a crime, disasters of every sort on the screen.
Unfortunately, television's influence has been extremely harmful to the young.Children do not have enough experience to realize that TV shows present an unreal world.They want to imitate what they see.They do believe that the violence they see is normal and acceptable.By the time they are out of high school, most young people have watched about 15,000 hours of television, and have seen about 18,000 killings or other acts of violence.All educators and psychologists agree that the "television generations" are more violent than their parents and grandparents,
According to the same experts, the young are also less patient.Used to TV shows, where everything is quick and entertaining, they do not have the patience to read an article without pictures; to read a book that requires thinking; to listen to a teacher who doesn't do funny things like the people on children's programs.And they expect all problems to be solved happily in ten, fifteen or thirty minutes.That's the time it takes on the screen.
It is certain that television has deeply changed our lives and our society.It is certain that, along with its benefits, it has brought many serious problems.To these problems we must soon find a solution because, whether we like it or not, television is here to stay.
【小题1】First TV set was made ______.
| A.in 1939 | B.in 1950s | C.in 1940s | D.in 1919 |
| A.Educators. | B.TV producers. |
| C.Crime experts. | D.Psychologists. |
| A.Educators. | B.Crime experts. |
| C.The old and the lonely. | D.The children and their parents. |
| A.lonely | B.more patient | C.more violent | D.more gentle |
A survey by an international temporary service agency found that U.S.managers believe that people with a sense of humour do better at their jobs, compared with those who have little or no sense of humour.In fact, about 96 percent of those surveyed said people with a sense of humour do better.
The survey went on to point out that the results suggest that a sense of humour may help light-hearted employees keep their jobs during tough times. And, what's more, it ma
y push them up the corporate ladder past their humourless colleagues.Why? It seems that those with a sense of humour are better communicators and better team players.
Studies have shown that happy workers are more productive. In fact, a researcher at California State University found that humour could help the employees to release tension.
Research done by psychologist Dr.Ashton Trice at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia
showed that humour helps us think.When people feel stuck on important projects, they tend to feel angry or depressed. According to Dr.Trice's research, taking time out to laugh can help us to get rid of negative feelings and allow us to return to a task or move on to another project unaffected by past defeat.
If humour is really this important, then why don't we use it more often on the job? Most likely, the main reason is that many people are unaware of the positive effects of humour in the workplace.However, it is important to realize that some humour is not suitable for the workplace, and that it is often used at wrong times.
【小题1】Most people think a sense of humour can ________.
| A.help you to do your work better | B.make you have a rich life |
| C.make you pleased with your work | D.help you to make more friends |
| A.they like keeping silent when working |
| B.they don't know the positive effects of humour |
| C.they think they should obey the rules |
| D.they don't like joking or laughing |
| A.to feel surprised | B.to get along with |
| C.to be worried | D.to be successful |
| A.People with a Sense of Humour. | B.Humour Is Important in the Workplace. |
| C.Humour and Humourless. | D.Everyone Likes Humour. |