|
A. think about B. encourage C. technology D. average E. set out |
Goldfish have pretty boring lives, so maybe it's good thing they can only concentrate for nice seconds! But according to new research, humans are becoming like goldfish. Our attention span (时长) is getting shorter ... and it's all because of
"We move quickly from one site to another on the web," says Doctor Ted Selker, a computer scientist from Massachusetts," and we are losing the ability to concentrate." With millions of websites to choose from, the attention span of the internet user is just seconds. There are other digital distractions (分心) too: email, instant messaging and quickie movies on websites. Some people are worried about the effect on young people. "You need time to understand and what you read." says Julia Wood, from London. "Young people search the net all the time and their brains become full of useless information but there is no time to make sense of it. I am trying to my pupils to read more books, so that they concentrate on one subject for longer."
|
A. calmer B. politely C. carefully D. worth E. methods |
Other teachers are trying more unusual to improve students' concentration. Anne Savan, from Wales, was so worried about her students that she started playing Mozart during her science lessons. She says that it had an amazing effect: " The music made them , and their concentration was much better."
But not everyone believes that there is a problem. Ray Cole, an educational psychologist says: " On the web, young people learn to make quick decisions about what is and isn't reading.
They might look at five unhelpful websites very quickly, before stopping and reading a sixth useful website more . In a word with so much information available, this is an important skill."
Changes and progress
Let me take you on journey to an imaginary land called far-away mountainous country and until recently, its culture had been unchanged for centuries. There was no real industry. Most of the people had small farms. There were no schools, no electricity, and hardly any cars By the standard (标准) of other countries, the people were quite poor but they had enough to live and everyone had more or less the standard of living. They living in peace in their beautiful scenery.
And then the tourists came. There were only small groups at first, but then word of this beautiful un-spoilt land spread. The tourists could not be expected to live in primitive conditions so the first hotels were built in Purura, the capital, The hotels were followed by bars and shops. Electricity was needed for these tourist facilities so power stations were built. All kinds of goods were needed for these new facilities so the government built roads so that trucks could deliver these goods. Some of the Puristani people had good ideas for tourism and became quite rich. The government needed to educate people for these new industries so schools were built and the decision was taken to educate children in English, the language of industry and tourism rather than the local language.
The families who still work on the farms have been left behind. Sometimes the tourists travel our of the capital. Purura, to see these primitive people in their strange costumes take photos of them or film them with video cameras as if they were making a wildlife documentary (纪律片) . Some of these Puristani farmers feel sorry about their rural (农村的) culture and more to the capital to find work the tourism industry. But there isn't enough work or housing for everyone in, so you find homeless people on the streets begging are charging tourists to have photos taken next to a real Puristani. There have been a lot of changes in Purstan and you can't turn the clock back. But has there been any progress?
As July approached, the school term was coming to an end. The next morning arrived, no school today tomorrow, or for week! But what to do with all this new found freedom? I always 1 my friends whose parents wanted them to do something constructive（建设性的）to learn something new. I'm learning to relax and enjoy life a little," I thought to myself.
And I would go out with the dog for a walk in the morning sunshine, 2 the woods is always a good start- what strange and wonderful insects would I find? Which ones should I bring home to show my sister? The dog would usually run off, leading me further into the unfamiliar woods. I got lost a few times, and 3 out the dog always knew the way home.
After lunch I'd run down to the park to play football with my friends. We'd play until the sun was coming down. 4 it was time to go home. I was covered in scratches and mud. That was always a good sign of improved my skill of playing football" I would explain. And maybe I didn't learn new instrument, or practice my French, but it had been a brilliant day.
There is always time for learning next year. The true 5 of a summer vacation is the freedom it provides, freedom you never have as an adult. So make all use of your summer. Go out and do something6get lost and challenge yourself, and if you get a little dirty in the process, well, in my book that's a constructive day.
Sadly, over 86% of North Atlantic right whales become entangled (缠住)in fishing nets in their lifetime Cathy in charge of Nat. Geo Kids caught up with Moira. Senior Scientist with the Canadian Whale Institute, to find out more ... started travelling further north to find food. Their journey takes them through busy shipping areas. Sadly, this makes them h easily because of being struck by boats or caught up in fishing nets.
Cathy: What's being done to help the whales?
Moira: The Canadian Government, the shipping and fishing industries and scientists are all working together—we have suggested lower s limits for boats and are figuring out how we can stop whale entanglements. Here in the Bay of Fundy. I helped set up a rescue t made up of local fisherman. They learned about whale behavior and received special training in how to free whales from fishing nets s.
Moira: We jump in our rescue boat and head out to sea. Every entanglement is different depending on the kind of whale, the type of fishing net it's tangled in and w. It's caught on the whale's body. We use special tools to cut the ropes, which can take several hours, sometimes even days, to cut loose, it's d to work with animals in water-just imagine trying to cut a rope off a 60-ton whale!
Cathy: Amazing! What can Nat Geo Kids readers do to help?
Moira: The best thing you can do is to care for our oceans. Most importantly, learn about our oceans and inspire your friends and family to learn and care about them, too!
Cathy: Thanks, Moira. Keep up the great work!
Dear Judy
Sister, how are you?
I woke up this morning. It's nearly Easter. Whenever it is Easter, I think of you. I'll never forget seeing you for the first time when you were born. You were the sweetest little baby wrapped in a soft white blanket. How I loved kissing and holding you! I was a teenager and loved carrying you around. Sometimes people asked if you were my baby. I must have looked like a very young mother, but how proud was in those moments.
However, things started to change for me as I never felt quite wanted. How sad when it was that felt so jealous(嫉妒的) of you.
Before your arrival. Mum was in no hurry to buy the things that I needed. But later I always had to wait and wait for her to pay my school fees or buy books and clothes. Everything was always late! How much more upsetting that my birthday and Christmas presents were only ever things that i urgently needed, such as nightdress and books?
Your situation was different and Mum always made sure that you had the best of everything quickly. When you got a horse for your 6 birthday and started riding lessons, how jealous was!
I slowly turned cold towards you and never gave you the warm hugs that you expected from me or showed an interest in your horse or your medals, I remember your sad face probably wondering why I didn't seem to care about you.
Today I considered that as I woke up. I have never spoken about this, or why that is so. Today I must say that I am very sorry for hurting your feelings it was never your fault(错). You were too young to even realize it. All these years, you might have wondered what you did wrong that didn't often speak with you.
Please forgive me! I want to be a real big sister to you again. If you can forgive me, we can start aver and ‘spend time together. You have turned into a beautiful young woman who I am so proud of. I would love to be close again.
Much love
Helen
B. 
D. 
F. 
H. 