相关试卷

提示词语：hobby, plan, improve, healthy, efficient

提示信息：

●How do you balance relaxation and studies?

●Why do you think it is important to balance them?

As the old saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

提示词语：support, encourage, patient, memory, grateful

        提示信息：●Describe what he/she did for you.

                         ●Explain how he/ she has influenced you.

Dear ________,

I'm writing to ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

When people first hear the word "rule", they usually think about things they cannot do. This might seem like the opposite of freedom. However many experts argue that rules are not the enemy of freedom but its base. Actually, a rule is a guide telling people what behavior is considered right or desirable.

Imagine a world without rules. At first, it might seem like total freedom—you could do whatever you wanted. But soon problems would appear. Roads would be unsafe without traffic laws. Games would be pointless without rules to make them fair. In such situations, most people would actually feel less free, because their lives would be controlled by fear and uncertainty. This shows that absolute (绝对的) freedom, often leads to the loss of freedom.

Good rules do not kill freedom, instead, they create space for it. For example, school rules may require respect and honesty, but they also create space for students by giving them a fair environment to learn and express themselves. Traffic laws may require drivers to stop at red lights, but they also ensure that everyone can travel safely. In both cases, rules set limits so that freedom can be shared equally.

Rules also remind us that freedom is not just about the individual but also about the community. If everyone only thought of personal freedom, arguments would often happen. When people agree to follow rules and show respect for others' rights, they will receive the same respect. This balance allows individuals to achieve their own goals while still belonging to a peaceful and cooperative society.

Rules may sometimes feel limiting, but they make life safer, fairer, and more predictable. True freedom is not doing whatever one pleases—it is living without fear, enjoying equal rights, and knowing that one's choices will be respected. In short, rules are not the end of freedom; they are the very condition that makes freedom possible.

In this digital age, kids have no experience of a "pre-Internet mindset (前互联网思维模式)". In the past, when we faced uncertainties, like not knowing the shortest path, or the answer to a question, we couldn't get information easily like we do today. At that time, our brains had to adapt (适应) to that discomfort. We depended on our memory and came up with creative solutions. These cognitive (认知的) "workouts" strengthened attention and problem-solving skills.

Now, with the wide use of phones and the Internet, answers come quickly. There's less need to memorize routes or struggle through problems alone. This change makes many people worry about technology's negative influence, and some even fall into a "deficit mindset", believing everything was better in the past. For example, they might think writing letters is far better than messaging, while overlooking the amazing efficiency and connectivity that technology brings.

It's true that some studies suggest heavy social media use can challenge our focus. Even a short screen time affects brain areas for self-control and decision-making. But this isn't the whole story. New research, like a 2023 study on young adults, shows that technology also trains our brains in different ways. When dealing with new things, it easily connects us with different topics and cultures, making our minds more open and adaptable.

Therefore, instead of gainsaying the advantages that are brought about by the digital age, we should recognize the natural adaptation of the human brain. In fact, people have developed the following three basic modes of thinking to deal with problems today:

Next time you face a problem, notice your natural response. Do you stand the uncertainty, reach for your phone, or find a middle path? There is no single "right" way to think, for each mode offers unique advantages that our complex world needs. Understanding how your mind has adapted to our digital environment might just be your greatest strength.

Music is more than just entertainment. It is one of the most available and powerful ways to influence our mental state. Yet many people still fail to see its power. In fact, music can support mental health not only in clinical (临床的) settings, but also in our daily lives.

We all know that music can influence our emotions. It can calm us down, cheer us up, or even make us cry. But recent research has shown that music can also change the content (内容) of our thoughts. In a study of University of Bergen, Norway in 2019, participants listened to uplifting or sad music as they daydreamed. The result showed uplifting music led to more positive and active thoughts, while sad music brought about calmer or less motivating ones.

One Harvard University study finds that day dreaming takes up half of our waking hours. When we daydream, we are generally less happy. Why? Because during these daydreaming periods, the brain's default mode network (DMN) takes over. This supports imagination, memory and reflection, but often gets us caught in repetitive, negative thought cycles: the painful regrets or the midnight worries. Fortunately, the brain has a natural counterpart (对应的事物): the executive network (EN), which helps us focus and carry out goal-directed actions. These two systems are anticorrelated—when one is active, the other quiets down. And music, especially when we are actively engaged (沉浸) in it, can shift brain activities controlled by the DMN into a mode supported by the EN. By tapping along with a beat, breathing with a rhythm, or humming a tune, we redirect attention, break negative thought cycles and give the mind a cognitive "reset".

In fact, the benefits go beyond changing the thought content. In a 2023 experiment, people who tapped along with music felt significantly less pain from a short pressure on the fingernail than those who only listened. The pairing of musical engagement and related movement could reduce the pain to a clinically important degree.

All these findings show that musical engagement helps influence thought content and ease pain effectively. Therefore, music should be treated as more than a pastime: It deserves a place in schools, public health plans, and everyday routines. So when you are lost in negative thought cycles or stress begins to build, try your favorite song and tap along.

Every Saturday, when her mother worked, young Belle spent the day at her grandmother's laundry (洗衣店). She loved being with Grandma, but wished she could do more than just practice hobbies like drawing pictures and reading books.

One morning, Belle asked Grandma, "Please let me help with the customers!" Grandma agreed to let her write down orders and put tags on clothes. Belle could do small clothes easily, but when a very large bedspread (床罩) arrived, she couldn't lift it. She lost her balance, and the bedspread fell on her, soft and heavy.

Belle struggled to come out from under the bedspread and saw Grandma smiling. "Why not draw instead? You're such a good artist." Grandma suggested. But Belle felt down. She wanted to really help-not just draw pictures.

That afternoon, Belle noticed some high school students painting shop windows along the street. They were painting "GO TIGERS!" in big letters.

"What if you get in trouble?" Belle asked.

One student laughed, "Don't worry. No trouble! It's a kind of special paint—just cornstarch (玉米淀粉), soap and food coloring. It washes right off!"

Belle's eyes sparkled with excitement. She ran back to Grandma's empty shop windows with a great idea. After getting Grandma's agreement, she went to buy materials and mixed colorful paints by herself. Slowly and carefully, Belle painted these words on the window: "AFTER THE GAME, BRING YOUR UNIFORMS HERE!" Under the words, she drew a fun picture—sports shirts happily jumping into bubbly water.

When Grandma came outside, a small crowd had gathered. "Perfect!" someone said. Grandma gave Belle a big hug and said happily, "This just might work!"

Later, after the big game, when tired players really came to Grandma's shop with their dirty uniforms, Belle knew her artwork had truly helped—just as she hoped!

A Special Win

Every summer, there would be a horseshoe pitching competition in our town. Dad had been the winner for ten years, though Old Tom never made it1.

One week before this year's games, Dad injured his arm. As his 14-year-old daughter, I decided to enter the "men's" game to beat Old Tom and2 the family honor. So every afternoon, I practiced tirelessly with horseshoe pitching just one goal—to win.

However, when I stood on the field, among the strong men competitors,3 filled my heart. Sneers (讥讽) came around, making me feel worse. Suddenly, I heard someone calling my name. I raised my head and found it was Old Tom—my biggest "4" today.

"I saw you practicing the other day. You have your dad's talent. Go on. Make him proud." His words magically worked! Looking into his caring eyes, I thanked him and joked, "You'll5 your kindness because I won't go easy on you."

"Oh, you scared me, Grace!" he said with a loud laugh. Then I laughed, too.

Games went on until only Old Tom and I remained. We pitched, tying all up until the very last round. I went first—my horseshoe landing like a hair away from the stake. Now it was Old Tom's turn. I held my breath, and couldn't help hoping he would6. However, after a clear sound, the crowd went wild, "Old Tom! Old Tom!" My heart sank.

Old Tom raised a hand for silence. Then, to everyone's disbelief, he studied the stakes and then spoke loudly, "Hers is closer; the win is hers."

The old man's acts touched me deeply. I decided to7 his unbelievable kindness. I ran to the judges and asked whether we could share the honor. They agreed.

That year, for the first time ever, two names were printed on the champion's trophy (奖杯). Not only did I get my first championship but I also learned the true8 of a sports game from an "enemy".

—Usually at 8:00 am.

—No, thanks. I ________ it twice already.

—In a store near my home.