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Popular social media and online dating platforms are intentionally programmed to grab our attention and keep us coming back for more. On platforms like TikTok, the "For You" page constantly refreshes with new content. Even making a successful match on a dating app can be as thrilling as winning on a slot machine (赌博机). Research compares humans on social media to rats in an experiment box by psychologist B. F. Skinner. When we share vacation pictures on Instagram, the likes we receive encourage us to repeat the behavior in future.

But beyond app design, the reasons for our inability to disconnect from unhealthy social media are complex. It likely results from a lack of face-to-face social interaction. Even in busy university centers, unscheduled interactions are rare; earbud-clad individuals signal their preference for undisturbed peace.

For many Gen Z members, most social interactions now occur partially online. However, not everyone fits this pattern; some have active offline lives and use phones minimally. But for many, resisting the phone's temptation is tough — being offline often means feeling alone when everyone else is online.

Royce Branning, a 2018 graduate, founded ClearSpace, an app to reduce screen time, showing Gen Z's efforts to fight against tech overuse. However, tech-based solutions to tech-based problems are only half the story. Similar to smoking and secondhand smoke, excessive Internet use reduces in-person connection opportunities.

There is a story in my family. My grandfather, who had been smoking for 15 years, quit smoking upon seeing his son playing with cigarettes. Today, young adults swear to avoid raising "iPad kids". While promising to get rid of future generations' bad habits is admirable, quitting ourselves beforehand would be even better.

When Jane taught the sixth-grade class at Morris School, all 34 of her students were dear to her, while Mark was truly special. He had that happy-to-be-alive attitude that made even his occasional tricks delightful.

Mark talked all the time. Jane reminded him again and again that talking without permission was unacceptable, and his response always sounded sincere: "Thank you for correcting me, Sister!"

One morning, Jane's patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too often. She looked at Mark and said, "If you say one more word, I'm going to tape your mouth shut!" Not even ten seconds passed before someone said, "Mark is talking again." Having stated the punishment in front of the class, Jane decided she had to act on it. She walked to Mark's desk, tore off two pieces of tape, made a big X with them over his mouth, and then returned to the front of the classroom.

As Jane glanced at Mark to see how he was doing, he winked (眨眼) at her. That did it! Jane started laughing. The entire class cheered as she shook her head and walked back to remove the tape. His first words were, "Thank you for correcting me, Sister."

One Friday afternoon, after working hard on a new idea all week, the students were getting discouraged and starting to get annoyed with each other. To help lift their spirits and encourage a positive atmosphere, Jane asked them to write down the nicest things about the other students on a piece of paper and hand them in. Mark appeared nervous as if he was worrying his classmates would forget anything nice about him. That Saturday, Jane wrote down each student's name on a separate sheet of paper and listed what everyone else had said about them.

On Monday, Jane gave each student their lists. As the children read them, the classroom was filled with quiet excitement and soft laughter.

注意：

1. 续写词数应为150左右；

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Mark's eyes widened as he read his paper.

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Jane was overjoyed to see Mark again at school after so many years.

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1. 说明你的顾虑；

2. 提出建议。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为80左右：

2. 请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。

Time to Rethink Our Long Break Routine

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Macau draws tourists from every corner of the world with its excellent food, outstanding architecture, history and dynamic culture. This small city in southeast China, recognized as a "Creative City of Gastronomy" by UNESCO, (offer) a lot for visitors to experience.

If you are unsure about what sightseeing spots to explore, start with the St. Paul Ruins and Senado Square, are the most famous landmarks and the most photographed places in the city and must-sees for those (visit) Macau for the first time. From there, follow your inner sense and be adventurous, and Macau will reward you its true beauty and hidden spots. And don't hesitate to taste the local street food you will find on the way.

Macau's integration of diverse cultures (reflect) in its numerous churches and temples, which, like most of the landmarks in town, don't charge for the (enter). So, feel free to walk in and discover.

No trip to Macau would be complete without taking tour of the historical Taipa. The picturesque (street) of Taipa Village are filled with (vivid) colored houses, stunning churches, ancient temples and traditional Chinese shops. (experience) a taste of Macanese bites and treats, just eat and drink your way around. You'll never get stuck for ideas on where to dine at Taipa Village!

Several months ago, young Rosili noticed that a new playground at Thornock Park of the city was being built, but the1 seemed more suitable for older kids.2 that she wouldn't be able to enjoy it with her younger sisters, Rosili decided to3.

Armed with creativity and a passion for play, she mapped out a(n)4 playground, complete with detailed descriptions and labels.

With support from her mom, Rosili took her5 to the city hall, where she met with Eric Howes, the city's community services director. Impressed by her drawings, Howes took time to6 each of them. "She put a lot of thought into that, and she7 it from four different angles," Howes explained.

Although the Thornock Park playground was already8, the city had plans to build a new playground at Bicentennial Park, and Rosili's designs were included in the9.

Rosili10 every step of the process, working alongside city officials and playground equipment sellers to realize her vision. "Every day I would have to go there for another11, and I would tell my friends and be like, ‘Ah, I get to go again, woohoo!'" she12 in social media.

Finally, Rosili's dream playground was officially opened. Rosili, alongside her family,13 cut the ribbon (彩带) at the ceremony, creating a new play space for children of all ages to enjoy — a space that was14 but brought to life by a young girl who believed she could15.

Imagine you're at a party making small talk. Instead of the usual "How's work?" someone asks, "What's been inspiring you lately?" You find yourself sharing thoughts about a book that changed your views or a recent experience that moved you. The interaction transforms from polite little chat to genuine engagement. In professional settings, thoughtful questions can lead to better problem-solving and stronger teams. During brainstorming, rather than asking "Any ideas?" try "What would we do if resources were unlimited?" Thoughtful questions like these spark creativity and innovation.

What makes a question "good"? The best questions come from pure curiosity and a desire to understand, not to confirm existing beliefs or direct conversations toward predetermined conclusions.

Before asking something, consider what you really want to learn about the person or topic. It's the difference between asking "How's the new job?" out of politeness and "What's been most surprising about your new role?" from real interest.

Open-ended questions invite richer responses. Instead of "Did you enjoy your vacation?" ask "What moment from your trip will you remember most vividly?"

Context matters too. Questions appropriate for close friends might be too personal for new acquaintances. Being mindful of relationships and situations helps create comfortable and meaningful exchanges.

The art of asking questions and establishing deeper connections is an ongoing journey. Each one is an invitation to understand someone better, to see the world through their eyes, and to create moments of close human connection. Your next question might unlock an in-depth conversation, a new understanding, or even a life-changing relationship.

A. Suddenly, the conversation shifts.

B. You might not know how to respond.

C. This power extends beyond social situations.

D. Creating powerful questions starts with genuine curiosity.

E. A good question makes the other person feel positive and uplifted.

F. This way, you're encouraging specific experiences and emotions sharing.

G. As you move forward, challenge yourself to ask more meaningful questions.

In the first study, 500 adults were randomly assigned to evaluate one of five labels describing time alone: me-time, time alone, solitude (孤单), being alone, or isolation (孤独). They rated their assigned term on several dimensions, including how positive or negative it felt, its perceived impact on well-being, and whether they actively sought or avoided that type of experience.

This study revealed that "me-time" was consistently rated as the most positive, with participants considering it as beneficial to well-being and something they actively sought out. In contrast, "isolation" was viewed as the least desirable. The other three labels fell somewhere in between.

In the second study, 176 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to a 30-minute solitude period described as either me-time or isolation. Before the session, they completed a survey measuring baseline beliefs about being alone. During the session, they avoided all social interactions, but could engage in non-social activities like reading or writing. Afterward, they rated their emotions, described their thoughts and behaviors, and reassessed their beliefs about being alone.

Those who spent 30 minutes alone after being told they were having "me-time" reported an increase in positive effect, while those who were told they were in "isolation" experienced a decline in positive emotions. Additionally, participants in the "me-time" condition reported more positive beliefs about being alone after the session compared to their baseline beliefs, while those in the "isolation" condition showed no significant change.

Interestingly, choice of terms did not significantly influence the activities participants engaged in. But it did appear to shape thought content, with those in the "isolation" condition being more likely to think about schoolwork, while those in the "me-time" condition were more likely to reflect on personal growth.

The studies, however, involved individuals that consisted primarily of adults and undergraduate students, limiting the generalizability of the findings across diverse populations.

One European Union (EU) pilot program, the Life Landscape Fire Project (LLFP), is now using hungry mountain goats to prevent wildfires before they start. It involves a combination of controlled fires and hungry goats grazing (吃草) to reduce plant cover that can dry up in summer and fuel the rapid spread of fires. Controlled fires help burn older plants that goats don't eat, allowing fresh green vegetation to grow which grazers like goats and cows do eat. The experimental project pays shepherds (牧羊人) to guide their goats to areas where they want the plant cover reduced, and they also build shelters and watering areas to attract free grazers to the desired spots. That's how mountain goats and cows become mobile fire prevention units.

LLFP director Andre Mota oversees this EU-funded project. "We are in one of the most affected regions by wildfires, historically speaking," said Mota. "Last September we had a wildfire with extreme behavior that burned almost everything in its path. But our parcels managed to keep green." A video from Mota showed that one half of the mountain was black and burned and the other green, the parts which controlled fires and hungry goats had made unlikely to burn. "We believe this proves that, when scaled up from a pilot project to a full solution, it works," he added.

The sound of goat bells rings out as the goats move peacefully on their way, offering hope in a region directly in the path of climate chaos.

Readers can scan (扫描) and upload their books to an online valuation system, and then drop them off at a collection point or have them picked up from their own home, in exchange for credit to be used on other books. Readers must sell at least £5 worth of books to take part. Eric Gagnaire, co-founder of Bookloop, said, "By giving books a second life, we are not only reducing waste but also building a community of readers who value sustainability and support bookshops."

Bookbag, a bookseller that has joined the program, describes it as "a social space" that gathers a global range of fiction and non-fiction writing. "We're glad to see this program, which feels well-thought-through and a great way of repurposing books and helping sustain bookshops and new book purchase," they said. Authors will also benefit from the program, as royalties from these secondhand book sales will be redistributed through a shared author fund.

Reception to the launch of Bookloop hasn't been universally positive, however. Some secondhand booksellers like Patrick Kelly, owner of Bookmongers in Brixton, raise concerns about how many books will actually be sold on to readers. Kelly argued that most secondhand books should be recycled. "They are either no longer relevant, overly produced, or are left in bad condition," he said.

In response, Bookloop stated that only 2% of collected books end up not being resold-most of the unsold books are donated to local charities, with less than 0.5% recycled. "Getting pre-owned books to new readers while benefiting both bookshops and authors feels extremely positive," said Gagnaire. "It's a really sustainable way of getting books into the hands of more people, without cost being a barrier."

London has a world-leading theatre scene, and it's particularly strong when it comes to family shows. Read the FAQ to make your family theatre trip a pleasant one.

Can children go to all theatres?

Most shows are suitable for people aged 12 or older. Some productions might have material that is too mature for younger theatregoers. However, there are also fantastic family shows which are appropriate for all ages, or which are specifically aimed at kids.

Are children booster seats available?

Some theatres, though not all, provide booster seats-for example, Nederlander theatres rent height-adjustable seats for £1 if you ask a member of staff. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some venues will also have height restrictions so that audience sitting behind you can still see.

Are there frequent breaks throughout the duration of a performance?

If it's a show for a general audience, there will usually be one or two intervals based on the running time. Most shows designed specifically for younger audiences will have short running times, like an hour or less.

Can I bring my own snacks and drinks into the theatre?

Most theatres won't allow you to bring your own snacks and drinks. They sell food and drink in the theatre and that's part of how they bring in profit. If you have concerns about dietary requirements, you can contact the theatre beforehand to make arrangements.

Find all the latest recommendations and more information about the rules on Telegraph Tickets, or check with the box office.

The concept was born when German city planners sought to plant large areas of parkland after World War II in a reproducible way that would need minimal maintenance. Planners created planting mixes that could be used modularly (模块化). In a matrix garden, plants with similar cultural needs are grouped so that they will grow together above and below ground, forming a cooperative ecosystem that conserves water and discourages weeds.

Dutch plantsman and designer Piet Oudolf's gardens popularized this style, adding artistic flavors to the planting mixes while playing with color and form, including four-season interest and serving the needs of wildlife. Beautiful year-round, they invite you to enjoy the smallest detail, from the sound of grasses in the gentle wind to the sculpture of odd-looking seed heads.

It takes a lot of thought to look this natural. While matrix gardens appear wild, they are carefully planned, with cultural needs the first consideration. Led by the concept of "right plant, right place," they match plants that enjoy the same soil, sun and weather conditions, and arrange them according to their patterns of growth.

The benefits are substantial for both gardener and planet. With human inputs dramatically reduced, the garden's ecology can develop well. Established matrix gardens should not need the life support we give most gardens: fertilizer, dividing, regular watering. Compared to traditional garden plots, they increase carbon absorption, reduce stormwater runoff and boost habitat and biodiversity significantly.