Even though multiple generations have now grown up glued to the flickering light of the TV,we still can't let go of the belief that the next generation of technology is going to doom our kids. I've spent over a decade observing young people's practices with technology.When I began my research,I expected to find lots of teenagers who were escaping"real life"through the Internet.That was certainly my experience.As a geeky,queer youth growing up in the early 1990s,the Internet was the only place where I didn't feel judged.I wanted to live in a digital-only world. To my surprise-and,as I grew older,relief-that differed from what most youth want.Early on in my research,I met a girl who told me that she'd much rather get together with her friends in person,but she had so many homework demands and her parents were often concerned about her physical safety.This is why she loved the Internet:She could hang out with her friends there.For many teenagers,technology is a relief valve.I've heard this reasoning echoed by youth around the country. This is the Catch-22that we've trapped today's youth in.We've locked them indoors because we see the physical world as more dangerous than ever before,even though by almost every measure,we live in the safest society to date.We put heavy expectations for our kids,maxing them out with structured activities and homework.And then we're surprised when they're worn out and addictive. If we truly want to reduce the amount young people use technology,we should free up more of their time.For one thing,we could radically reduce the amount of homework and tests American youth take.Finland consistently outperforms the U.S.in school,and it emphasizes student happiness,assigning almost no homework.When I lecture in Finland,parents don't seem nearly as anxious about technology addiction as Americans.We should also let children roam.It seems like every few weeks I read a new story about a parent who was visited by child services for letting their school-aged children out of their... The main purpose of this passage is to . A) share experiences in using technology B) discuss the real causes of Internet addiction C) provide some suggestions on technology use D) persuade young people to wisely use technology.
B
Austin Children's Museum This 7,000-square-foot museum aims to entertain and educate children up to age 9. In its Global City exhibit, they can go grocery shopping, order lunch at a diner, pretend that they are doctors, or construction workers, and more. In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin's history, explore the world of water, experience life on a large prefix = st1 /Texasfarm.(Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm) Address: 210 Colorado St,Austin,Texas78701 Phone:(512)472-2499 Brooklyn Children's Museum Founded in 1899, this is the world's oldest children's museum, featuring interactive exhibits, workshops, and special events. "The Mystery of Things" teaches children about cultural and scientific objects, and "Music Mix" welcomes young people.(Wed-Fri-2-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm) Address: 145 Brooklyn Ave,Brooklyn,New York11213 Phone:(718)735-4400 Children's Discovery Museum This museum's hand-on exhibits explore the relationships between the natural and the created worlds, and among people of different cultures and times. Exhibits include "Streets", a 5/8-scale copy of an actual city, with street lights, and "waterworks" which allows an operation of pumps to move water through a reservoir system.(Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm; closed on holidays) Address: 180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park,San Jose,California95110 Phone:(408)298-5437 Children's Museum of Indianapolis This museum is the largest of its kind. Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history and exploration. Among them are the Space Quest Planetarium(additional fee), the 33-foot-high Water Clock, the Playscape gallery for preschoolers, and the Dinosphere exhibit, along with hands-on science exhibits. The largest gallery, the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up.(Tues-Sun 10 am-5 pm; closed on Thanksgiving, Dec25) Address: 3000N Meridian St,Indianapolis,Indiana46208 Phone:(317)334-3322 Suppose that Dec 25 is Tuesday, which of the following museums can you visit? A) Children's MuseumofIndianapolis B) Brooklyn Children's Museum C) Children's DiscoveryMuseum D) Austin Children's Museum
D
Q: People have flown kites in Japan for more than 1,000 years. There are different kinds of kites there.Some look like bats ;others look like birds. Most have pictures on them.There are many interesting stories about kites in Japan.One story tells about a thief who used a kite.He wanted to steal the gold from the top of a high tower.The thief and his friends made a large kite.One dark windy night he caught hold of the kite.His friends raised it into the air.Then they moved the kite near the top of the tower.The thief was able to steal the gold.Another story tells about a father and a son.They were in trouble on an island near Japan.The father made a large kite.His son flew in it back to Japan. The young men of Japan have kite matches.When the kites are flying, the match starts.The young men try to break each other's kite strings . The last kite left in the sky is the winner. The father in the passage made a large kite to help his son to _ . A) fly over the sea B) fly over the island C) return home D) steal gold
A: C
(Question)
The Americans have been voted the world's "funniest nationality" ---the one "best at making people laugh" ---in a global poll , which also names the Germans the "least funny" nationality and the British "not as funny as they think". 30,000 people across 15 countries were asked to name both the "funniest" and "least funny" nationality in a poll conducted by Badoo.com, the world's largest social network for meeting new people, with 119 million users worldwide. The Americans were voted the funniest nationality, ahead of the Spanish --- the funniest Europeans --- in second, Italians in third and British in seventh. The voting for the "least funny" nationality confirmed the view of America's Mark Twain that "a German joke is no laughing matter". The Germans won, ahead of the Russians and Turks. The stereotype of German humourlessness is believed to _ from their reputation for efficiency, punctuality and rationality . Examples of German jokes include: "Yesterday, I met my friend Horst at the hospital. He'd swallowed a sponge. He says it doesn't hurt but he's always thirsty." "When we meet someone new, one of the first things we notice is whether they make us laugh", says Lloyd Price, Badoo's Marketing Director. "America is a worthy poll winner", says Price. "It's the world's only comedy superpower." The British pride themselves on their humour but learn from the poll that they're not as funny as they think. They placed just seventh of 15 --- behind the Brazilians, French and Mexicans. According to the poll, which is the right order from the funniest nationality to the least funny one? A) Spanish, Americans, French, Mexicans, British B) Americans, Spanish, Italians, Brazilians, French C) British, Mexicans, Brazilians, Spanish, Americans D) Italians, French, British, Mexicans, Brazilians
(Answer)
B