相关试卷

It can be about finding the delight in small, everyday moments, and deciding to approach your day-to-day life with good humour. Researcher Tomisawa et al. (2025) found that laughing helps to improve optimism, reduce pessimism, and relieve stress. Of course, that doesn't mean that you should go around laughing at anything and everything. Be aware of what's happening around you and recognise the moments or interactions that hold the potential for amusement, and actively choose to lean into that.

Stand up for what you believe in, even when it feels uncomfortable. Whether it's defending someone, challenging unkind behaviour, or simply expressing your viewpoint, standing up for what matters to you strengthens your sense of identity and helps you to be an active bystander. It's being willing to act even when you feel scared. Each time you stand up for what you believe to be right, you're confirming that your voice matters and deserves to be heard.

Actively seek out connection. Our relationships are foundational to happiness. Having people around you to celebrate successes, laugh at mistakes, or share struggles nurtures deep connection and improves our individual well-being. Research has found that having such friendships predicted well-being and its components.

In short, small actions repeated consistently create meaningful change. These suggested steps all have the power to positively impact our everyday lives and help move us closer to the life that we want.

A. Cherish daily progress.

B. A few intentional minor shifts will do.

C. Seek out fun and laughter in everyday things.

D. So take time to develop supportive relationships.

E. It seems scary, but courage isn't the absence of fear.

F. It builds up confidence and shapes how others see you.

G. The benefits of this joyful approach are well-documented.

The study, published in PLOS One, revealed a link between loneliness and binge-watching addiction, indicating that some individuals may turn to television series as a way to cope with social disconnection. Researchers Xiaofan Yue and Xin Cui from Huangshan University in China analyzed survey responses from 551 adults who were heavy TV consumers, each watching at least 3.5 hours daily and at least four episodes per week.

Over six in ten participants met the criteria for binge-watching addiction, which includes "experiencing obsession, increases in TV consumption, and negative impacts on daily life", such as on work or relationships. Among this group, higher levels of loneliness were strongly associated with more severe binge-watching addiction — a link not found among heavy viewers who were not classified as addicted, suggesting that addictive binge-watching may be driven by different psychological factors.

The researchers also examined why people picked up addictive binge-watching habits and found that loneliness was closely linked to two key factors: escapism and emotional enhancement. Lonely individuals may use TV both to avoid negative emotions and to seek comfort. Previous studies have tied loneliness to mental distress, poorer physical health, and a lower quality of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that loneliness affects 16% of people worldwide and views social disconnection as a "serious threat to global health".

However, the study has its limitations. It shows an association, rather than causation, meaning that it cannot prove that loneliness leads to addictive binge-watching. Moreover, the researchers focused solely on television consumption, excluding other forms of screen use like short-form content or TikTok. Nevertheless, the findings highlight how excessive media consumption can serve as a coping strategy for those struggling with social isolation, advancing our understanding by distinguishing addictive from non-addictive viewing, and demonstrating that loneliness significantly predicts binge-watching addiction.

MaryCarol Hunter, the study's lead author, and her colleagues recruited 36 residents of Michigan, almost all of whom were women and white. They instructed the participants to spend 10 minutes or more, at least three times a week, in an outdoor space where they could interact with nature.

In the hope of reflecting how people might realistically engage with nature as they go about their everyday lives, the researchers gave the participants permission to choose where and when they visited those outdoor spaces. The participants were also instructed to avoid accessing the Internet, taking phone calls, reading or engaging in conversations while they were there to minimize factors known to influence stress.

Every two weeks the participants collected saliva (唾液) samples before and after their nature experience. The researchers used those samples to measure levels of the stress hormone cortisol (皮质醇), a body chemical known to be related to stress.

The study found that the participants' levels of cortisol dropped by an average of 21 percent after spending time in an urban green space. The effects were most pronounced when the nature experience was between 20 and 30 minutes long. Levels of the hormone dropped further when participants spent longer periods, but at a slower rate.

This study was quite small, and its participants were not diverse. Furthermore, it measured only drops in biomarkers for stress instead of direct impact on specific health outcomes. Still, the study's findings are in line with a growing body of research that supports the idea that spending time in or living near a green space can have a positive effect on health and provides the first estimates of how nature experiences impact stress levels in the context of normal daily life.

Anne began to learn the household duties. However, even though Marilla often scolded Anne for daydreaming and ignoring her chores, Anne never complained and kept a positive heart. Later both Marilla and Matthew found Anne's imaginative talk interesting, and soon they can't imagine the farm without her.

In the fall, Anne started off well at Avonlea school, but then she was teased by Gilbert Blythe, a handsome boy in her grade, for her red hair. Anne hit Gilbert on the head, and she was punished by her teacher and refused to attend school for a while. After Anne returned to school, she took a renewed interest in her studies and engaged in a growing academic competition with Gilbert. Besides, Anne formed a story club to help her friends improve their imaginations.

When she was 16, Anne studied for the entrance exam to Queen's Academy. Anne worked hard, and saw her hardships not as burdens but as fuel for the future. The following September, Matthew and Marilla said goodbye when Anne settled into Queen's for the year. Anne, during her studies there, earned a teaching certificate and won a scholarship.

But just as Anne's future seemed to stretch out before her, tragedy struck. On Anne's second morning at home, Matthew suddenly died of a heart attack. Soon, Marilla saw a specialist and learnt that unless she took measures to preserve her eyesight, she would be blind within six months. The quiet farm, once sustained by the two siblings, now rests on the weak shoulders of a lonely woman, with no one else to rely on. Anne stands silently in the dim farmyard, watching Marilla's lonely figure with a heavy heart. The scholarship letter from Queen's lies untouched on her desk…

Registration is available at all 30 library locations, the community bookmobile, and online. Those who register in person will receive print materials, including an activity pack for children and teens, and a book bingo card for adults. The program is also available online through the Beanstack website and app, where participants can join virtual reading and activity challenges.

Monster Detective Collective

Uncover the secrets of sustainability with Grant County PUD at the library. From discovering the importance of turning off lights to exploring the magic of renewable energy sources, become a qualified Monster Detective and prepare to save the planet!

Mariachi, Music&Me!

Join Mariachi for performances that feature traditional Mexican music in an interactive format. Audience members will be able to learn about the band's instruments in this unique cultural and musical experience. This all-ages program is both in English and Spanish.

Learn to Play Ukulele

A local musician will lead a high-energy ukulele class at several library locations in August. Ukuleles will be available for use during the program on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is intended for ages 10 and up.

The time for each program is still being determined, so stay tuned for more details!

In 2005, my husband Meherwan and I took a leap of faith. We moved with our 3-year-old daughter, Aria, from the bustling streets of San Francisco to Asheville, a small Appalachian town. To me, relocating from a major international city to the mountains seemed like a "wild experiment", filled with the unknown.

However, Asheville quickly got its hooks into us. We opened a restaurant, and soon discovered that life here felt "real". During a local festival, I watched Aria run to embrace a stranger of her age, while around them, punk-rock cooks and elderly people from all walks of life held hands in a community dance. I realized then that people moved here to rediscover community and look out for each other. We had found our "forever roots" in this unique haven of openness and tolerance.

But our bond was tested on September 27, 2024, when Hurricane Helene struck with record-breaking quantities of rain. We awoke to a world of utter devastation. Ankle-deep streams had turned into wild rivers, smashing homes and businesses. The ruin was complete: roads were washed out, power lines were down, and we were cut off from the rest of the world. No cell service, no Internet, no running water — only the frightening silence of isolation. Refusing to sit still and grieve, Meherwan and I gathered a small crew at our restaurant. We had thrived here for nineteen years, and now it was time to give back. By the second day, we began cooking for our neighbors, despite the lack of resources. We weren't just serving food; we were trying to sustain the spirit of our town.

While we were busy in the kitchen, I looked up to see a group of kids wandering in on their bikes. They weren't looking for a handout but rather to give a hand. With their boots covered in mud, they stood ready. "We want to help," one of them said firmly.

注意：

1.续写词数应为150 左右；

2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。

I nodded and assigned the young volunteers to the sandwich station.

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Soon, similar scenes of support were playing out all over the city.

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1. 描述具体现象；

2. 呼吁爱护公物。

注意：

1. 写作词数应为80左右；

2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear teacher and classmates,

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I was1 my team when our goalkeeper got injured. No one else volunteered, so I2 reluctantly, never having tried the position before. I felt3 in the unfamiliar spot. Soon, a striker broke through and I dived to4 his shot. His boot caught me right in the face in the5. The cut was deep and blood was everywhere.

I had no money for a taxi and was too embarrassed to get on a bus with a6 face. I asked a friend for a7 on his bicycle, but the bridge on our way was too steep for him to pedal with my8. I had to walk the rest of the way,9 my heavy kitbag. People gaped at my face in shock, but I kept moving. The long walk home felt like a lonely march of10.

When I finally arrived, my grandmother treated the wound with warm turmeric. Seeing my downcast eyes, she whispered, "The mark on your face isn't a sign of failure, but a proof of your11. You stood where others wouldn't." Her words12 me faster than the medicine.

That wasn't the only time I got hurt on those overused pitches. Injuries were frequent, but they13 me for the struggles ahead. Over time, I realized the scar became a medal of14, a symbol of pride and courage. It taught me being a sportsman meant15 every ball life throws without fear.

Snip the bottom of the stems.

Cutting the bottom of flower stems on an angle is a traditional and effective technique. "An angle is best," says Wiles. "It creates a larger surface area to draw up water and prevents the stem from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase." What matters most is keeping the vase clean and water fresh.

It's vital to change out the water before it gets cloudy. Every day would be best. "Some flowers, like sunflowers, promote more bacteria growth, so they need more frequent changes," says Wiles. When doing so, remember to also add more flower food to the fresh water to maintain nutrient levels.

Keep the environment clean and tidy.

"As flowers die, they produce more bacteria and ethylene gas, which makes the other flowers wilt faster," Wiles noted. Removing them as soon as possible helps the rest last longer.

Keep the vase out of the sunlight.

A vase is not a garden of living flowers; it's a container of dying ones, so they don't need direct sun. In fact, that's a bad thing. "Direct sunlight increases the temperature and reduces vase life. The warmth accelerates the flowers' breath and water loss, essentially making them ‘age' faster," Wiles says.

By following these simple steps, you can slow down the clock and enjoy the natural beauty of your blooms for as long as possible.

A. Why does this supposedly work?

B. Refresh water and flower food regularly.

C. What will actually make your flowers last longer?

D. Buy more flower mix to add back into fresh water.

E. A cooler, darker room will keep flowers fresh longer.

F. While it turns out that's a good thing, don't worry if you cut them straight.

G. You can do this for artistic factors, but there's an even better reason to do it.

A healthy river should be winding, free flowing and filled with wildlife. The ideal river is "very dynamic, messy and chaotic", says Glen Swainson, a manager of RSPB. In Britain, however, 97% of rivers are broken up by artificial barriers. And for centuries rivers have been slowly artificially straightened to stop water from flooding and spilling onto farmland and houses.

But removing a river's natural meanders has, in fact, achieved the opposite effect. Instead, it has disrupted the flow of rivers and destroyed water habitats, water quality and heightened flood risk. As the poor health of Europe's rivers and streams continues to make news, communities are turning towards natural solutions to restore their rivers.

According to Tom Hayek, a natural flood management specialist, adding meanders into rivers has two benefits — it changes both the volume and the speed of water. Firstly, it decreases what's known as flow conveyance. "When the length of the river is increased, you spread water over a wider area. This allows more water to sit up in the headwaters." The second impact is on speed. Put simply, the more structure you add to the shape of a river, the slower the water will move down it. If it's straight, water will "fly" through, says Hayek. When the flow of water is slowed, it creates deeper pools for fish to gather and rest.

With meanders added to Swindale Beck, the results were astonishing, says Annabel Rushton, a visitor experience manager. "Within three months of that river being re-wiggled, the salmon (鲑鱼) were spawning (产卵) in that one kilometre area for the first time in over150 years," she says. Scientists have also noted an increase in fish gathering. Then, there were the knock-on effects. Water-loving plants returned, providing cover for young fish to feed and hide.

Let us not forget my wedding-regift incident. We received a very expensive electric teakettle. We don't drink tea, so we returned it to the store and got S75. Later, the store manager called, furious, accusing us of trading them a piece of junk. Someone had bought the kettle and discovered an obviously used cut-glass Easter basket inside. It turns out that person had regifted it to us. We paid the store back and were handed that ugly Easter basket.

This made me wonder: Is regifting a form of rudeness? To find out, let's explore both sides of the regifting debate.

First of all, humans have been regifting since the dawn of time. Caveman A gives Caveman B a rock; Caveman B gives it to Caveman C. We call that anthropology (人类学). Modern life demands efficiency. Why let something sit in a cabinet? Why not give that brand-new item to someone who will actually use it? It's economical. It's environmentally friendly. It's basically the circle of life.

And yet, regifting is a high-risk sport. It requires memory and strategy. Give the gift to the wrong person, and suddenly people are texting: "Didn't I give this to you?" Regifting can go terribly wrong if you misjudge a person's taste, so you should not regift within the same social ecosystem, while also carefully removing all the evidence (cards, receipts, etc.). Ultimately, the key is to match the gift to the person — so never give spa products to someone who hates lotions (乳液).

My official ruling? Regifting is not rude. Thoughtlessness is rude. Waste is rude. But giving something new, unused and suited to someone else's preferences is generosity in its most practical, planet- friendly form. So go ahead — regift joyfully, wisely and guilt-free. After all, someone out there really needs those candied nuts.

A recent report led by Rahul Mahna's team from the University of East London found that an AI password cracker called PassGAN could crack any seven- digit password in less than six minutes — even if the passwords contained symbols, numbers, and capital and lowercase letters. Additionally, the AI cracked 51% of these usual types of passwords within a minute, 65% within an hour, 71% within a day and 81% within a month. After seeing these worrying results, you'll undoubtedly take online security more seriously.

How can you protect your passwords from these hackers? Mahna suggests the following methods to help you protect yourself against hackers.

Unique passwords everywhere

Mahna emphasizes having different passwords for each website, device or service. Don't worry about remembering all these passwords, since password managers can not only store your passwords but can also generate unique combinations for you.

Long passwords

Using long passwords that include numbers, capital and lowercase letters and symbols — and are not easily understood or inferred — will enhance the protection element.

Personal privacy

Posting too much information online — like on Facebook or Instagram — about your life is not a good idea if you're concerned about security. It can provide information about your location, valuables and family.

If you assume you've been hacked, don't scan for viruses or change passwords until you have disconnected from the Internet. The best way to handle an attack is to prepare in advance, like changing your passwords frequently.

At the library, Nate Jasper noticed a sign for the "First Annual Highland Drawing Contest." It asked for artwork showing the unique beauty of their town. Noticing his interest, the librarian, Ms. Kim, handed him a flyer. "The winning drawings will be displayed right here in the library," she added.

Sitting on the library steps outside, Nate was lost in thought. He had always loved art. He could never have too many sketchpads (素描本) and crayons. "I have to enter this contest!" he said to himself.

But something troubled him. Years of living in the small town had convinced him that it was a dull place. "There's nothing special about it — only ordinary farms, animals, and trees!" he frowned. "What will I draw?"

Just then, Briana Williams, a new girl in his class who had just moved from Houston, a large modern city in Texas, walked out. Spotting Nate, she sat down beside him and noticed the flyer. "A drawing contest? That sounds fun!"

"Not really," Nate sighed. "Trust me, this town is a big bore."

Briana looked surprised. "Well, everything here may seem boring to you, but to me, it's all new! I'd love to see more of it. Show me around sometime. And bring your sketchpad — you might find something worth drawing."

The next Saturday, they wandered down a quiet lane together. Briana stopped beneath a large maple and gazed up in awe. Nate paused beside her. At first, it felt strange to admire a tree he'd passed a hundred times. But as he followed her gaze, the sun was shining through the branches, turning the red and yellow leaves into a sea of burning gold.

"There's nowhere this quiet and pretty in Houston," Briana said softly.

Nate felt something clicked in his mind. Highland wasn't a big bore — he was just too used to it. He began to wonder what other hidden beauty was waiting to be discovered.

注意：

1．续写词数应为150个左右；

2．请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

Inspired, Nate suggested they visit his Grandpa's farm.

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On the day of the award ceremony, the library was crowded.

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1．你的选择；

2．说明理由。

注意：

1．写作词数应为80个左右；

2．请按如下格式在答题纸的相应位置作答。

Dear Chris,

Glad to hear you're participating in the World Earth Day poster contest!

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Yours,

Li Hua

After graduating from college, Jing Ran, a young entrepreneur, was determined to devote his life to solving a pressing social challenge rather than pursue a (convention) career.

He (spend) months traveling across the country, observing life in cities, towns and rural communities. struck him was how much aging had become a part of Chinese society. "The streets were filled with elderly residents actively involved in leisure activities," Jing recalled. The journey eventually led him a clear goal: transforming aging from a period of limitation into one of dignity and joy.

Today, Jing is the founder of Time Light Care Group, a company focusing on innovative solutions (improve) elderly care. Among its innovations is a hospital shuttle (接驳车) (equip) with a smart seat. With the press of a button, seat slides out of the vehicle and turns into an electric wheelchair, allowing the elderly to enter the hospital independently without the unpleasant experience of (lift) from one vehicle to another.

Besides, most facilities are located within urban neighborhoods rather than in remote areas, making it easier for families to visit regularly and for everyday social (tie) to endure. Keeping seniors close to their original communities helps preserve their routines and interests once brought them joy and well-being at home.

But one day, I1 the core as I climbed out of the car. Guiltily, I kicked it toward the fence,2 myself to pick it up later. Of course. I forgot all about it.

The next morning, I noticed rabbit footprints around the fence. I remembered the apple core and felt a moment of3 that some creature had found the treat I'd4 left. I found myself grinning, and the happy moment stuck in my mind.

That evening, I did the same thing at the same spot. To my delight, more5 of different animals were found. I began to Google them and take6 for the following months in identifying my visitors. I felt7 to a different world that existed all around me.

I didn't share my new8 with anyone and I knew the complaints from my neighbors about my seemingly innocent gifts. I9 all their cautionary voices and enjoyed my10 every morning until one day, the driveway was full of large prints, scattered mud and leaves, which deeply11 the neighbors. I didn't say a word but12 leaving my cores and my secret co-existence with wildlife came to an end.

This episode was just one innocent13 to lessen the divide between ourselves and the many species with whom we co-exist. It seems that living14 our feathered and furred friends is a difficult challenge. I am15 that we can figure it out, or at least lessen our impact.

Soon enough, I found myself reading every issue of Skateboarder, a popular magazine back then, and our neighborhood was full of kids skating together. The sense of shared freedom was transformative, especially for someone who never stood out at traditional team sports.

At one point, a friend who was a student at York, north of the city, suggested we try the tunnels at the university. Yet, we found them closed, which only pushed me to explore other places — empty parking lots, quiet office parks, and smooth pathways. The joy I got from these experiences never left me.

As I grew older, my relationship with skateboarding matured. I created a website called SkateGeezer dedicated to skaters who had ridden in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. From there, I eventually built a career in publishing at skateboarding magazines.

Now, with a family of my own, that passion rides on. I introduced all my children to skateboarding almost as soon as they could walk. The full-circle moment of seeing my sons surpass my own ability is a pride unlike any other. I know some journeys, when you stick with them, don't end.

A. I realized I needed much better equipment.

B. They just find new, beautiful paths forward.

C. It inspired me to write a book, The Concrete Wave.

D. That was when I decided to quit and try other sports.

E. Yet, none of that mattered when I felt the freedom of the ride.

F. We built skating tracks and spent hours riding down driveways.

G. In 1983, my skateboard accompanied me to university in Toronto.

Take, for example, the green sawfish living near the mouth of the Ashburton River in Western Australia. In 2017, a large structure was built by the shore, stretching about 550 yards into the sea. As Lear had feared, the construction did harm the critically endangered green sawfish — they were unable to pass around the barrier. To Lear, this discovery supported a surprising new idea that ocean animals, much like land species, need a helping hand getting around human-built structures.

On land, wildlife crossings are becoming more common. Green bridges, for instance, help bears and elk avoid a road in Canada's Banff National Park. In 2022, a wildlife crossing in Washington State was used more than 5,000 times by animals such as deer and coyotes. Although the bridges are already popular on land, Lear says little attention has been paid to the idea of wildlife crossings designed to help ocean animals get around safely.

For ocean animals, too many barriers can cut them off from important feeding sites. Overly limited movement can lead to the development of isolated groups that are more likely to go extinct. With more large structures planned for the Ashburton River area, Lear says the cumulative (累积的) effect of multiple barriers is a real concern for the green sawfish's future.

As the climate continues to change, paying attention to the needs of ocean animals is important. Many are moving farther north, and they need suitable habitats to move through. To address this, we can create crossings through human-built structures or protect habitats along their migration routes. As we continue to engineer the ocean, such efforts could go a long way toward protecting ocean life.

The study found that a drama-based approach to teaching Shakespeare broadened children's vocabulary, improved the quality of their writing, and enhanced their emotional understanding. "The way actors work makes a big difference to how children use language and how they think about themselves," said Jacqui O'Hanlon, lead researcher of the study.

The random trial involved hundreds of Year 5 pupils (aged nine and ten) at 45 state primary schools. The children were divided into a target group and a control group. Both groups read a passage from Romeo and Juliet and were asked to write a letter as Romeo after being separated from Juliet. Before writing, the target group took part in a 30-minute drama-based activity, while the control group did not.

It was shown that pupils in the target group drew on a wider vocabulary, used more complicated or rarer words, and wrote at greater length. They also appeared more comfortable writing in role. While pupils in the control group imagined how they themselves would react to being separated from a loved one, children in the target group put themselves in Romeo's shoes and expressed that character's emotion.

O'Hanlon said she had been most surprised by the emotional understanding evident in the children's writing, and that they showed deeper empathy and expressed emotions more vividly. "It is probably related to the drama-based process, where you are used to trying to think and feel as the character," she added.

But could the results be reproduced with any old dramatists? O'Hanlon said more research would be needed but suggested that Shakespeare's use of 20,000 words, compared with the everyday 2,000 words, gave a massive expansion of language into children's lives, which was combined with children using their whole bodies to bring words to life.

The frightened fridge is just one example of the creations by engineer-designers who are convinced that seniors like me can't survive without beeping reminders. My car beeps constantly, particularly when I get out. There is simply no way to stop it. At first, I thought the car was just too sad to see me go.

It is not just the fridge and the car. Once I started paying attention, I realized our environment is filled with reminder noises. The stove (炉灶) sings too — leave a burner on and it performs its own little concert. As for my phone, even after turning off every notification I can find, calendar reminders still get through.

So I went online looking for a solution — and found a video of an equally frustrated man taking apart the beeper on the exact same fridge model. I can handle the fix. But now the question is: Do I really want to? What if I leave the fridge door partly open and ruin a costly roast? What if I miss the notification that reminds me of an appointment I may forget? The consequences of an unbeeped life may be too serious to risk.

Finally, tool in hand, I stand before the fridge. If there were a silence option, I might leave it alone. But there isn't — and I've had enough. I'll remove the noise-maker and put a sticky note on the door instead, reminding me to close it. The reward of a successful late-night search for a delicious sandwich is definitely worth it.