Traditional fairytales are being abandoned by parents because they are too horrible for their young children, a study found.
Research revealed one in five parents dislike old classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Rapunzel and are in favor of more modern books. One third of parents said their children have been left in tears after hearing the horrible details of Little Red Riding Hood. And nearly half of mothers and fathers refuse to read Rumplestiltskin to their kids as the themes of the story are about kidnapping and crimes. Similarly, Goldilocks and the Three Bears was also a tale likely to be left on the book shelf as parents felt it forgives stealing.
The survey of 2,000 adults was conducted to mark the launch of the hit US drama GRIMM, which starts tonight at 9pm on Watch, and sees six episodes based on traditional fairytales. The survey found a quarter of parents questioned wouldn’t consider reading a fairytale to their child until they had reached the age of five, as they prompt too many awkward questions from their children.
Steve Hornsey, General Manager of Watch, said: “Bedtime stories are supposed to calm down children and send them off to sleep soundly. But as we see in GRIMM, fairytales can be dark and dramatic tales so it’s understandable that parents worry about reading them to young children.”
“As adults we can see the innocence in fairytales, but a five-year-old child with an over active imagination could take things too seriously. Despite the dark nature of classic fairytales, as we see in GRIMM, good will triumph over evil and there is always a moral to the story.”
The study also found two thirds of mums and dads try to avoid stories which might give their children nightmares.
However, half of parents said traditional tales are more likely to have a strong moral message than a lot of modern kids’ books, such as The Gruffalo, The Hungary Caterpillar and the Mr. Men books.
【小題1】Why don’t some parents want to read Rumplestiltskin to their kids?

A．Rumplestiltskin forgives stealing

B．Rumplestiltskin is too difficult

C．Rumplestiltskin is too long

D．Rumplestiltskin may have bad influence on Children

【小題2】We can learn from paragraph 3 that Grimm is _____.

A．a(chǎn) fairytales book

B．a(chǎn) movie for children

C．a(chǎn) play loved by children

D．a(chǎn) drama based on traditional fairytales

【小題3】Which of the following may Steve Hornsey agree to?

A．There is a moral to a classic fairytale.

B．Fairytales are dark.

C．Adults take fairytales too seriously.

D．Fairytales are not good for children's sleep.

【小題4】What’s the author’s attitude towards traditional fairytales?

A．Optimistic

B．Not mentioned

C．Casual

D．Disapproving

Someday a stranger will read your e-mail without your permission or scan the Website you’ve visited，Or perhaps someone will casually glance through your credit card purchases or cell phone bills to find out your shopping preferences or calling habits.
In fact, it’s likely some of these things have already happened to you. Who would watch you without your permission? It might be a spouse, a girl friend, a marketing company, a boss, a cop or a criminal. Whoever it is, they will see you in a way you never intended to be seen --- the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked.
Psychologists tell us boundaries are healthy, that it's important to reveal yourself to friends, family and lovers in stages, at appropriate times.But few boundaries remain. The digital bread crumbs (碎屑) you leave everywhere make it easy for strangers to reconstruct who you are, where you are and what you like. In some cases, a simple Google search can reveal what you think. Like it or not, increasingly we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret.
The key question is: Does that matter?
For many Americans, the answer apparently is “no.”
When opinion polls ask Americans about privacy, most say they are concerned about losing it. A survey found an overwhelming pessimism about privacy, with 60 percent of respondents saying they feel their privacy is “slipping away, and that bothers me.”
But people say one thing and do another. Only a tiny fraction of Americans change any behaviors in an effort to preserve their privacy. Few people turn down a discount at tollbooths (收費站) to avoid using the EZ-Pass system that can track automobile movements. And few turn down supermarket loyalty cards. Privacy economist Alessandro Acauisti has run a series of tests that reveal people will surrender personal information like Social Security numbers just to get their hands on a pitiful 50-cents-off coupon (優(yōu)惠卷).
But privacy does matter - at least sometimes. It’s like health: When you have it, you don’t notice it. Only when it’s gone do you wish you’d done more to protect it.
【小題1】What does the author mean by saying “the 21st century equivalent of being caught naked” (Lines 3-4, Para. 2)?

A．People's personal information is easily accessed without their knowledge.

B．In the 21st century people try every means to look into others’ secrets.

C．People tend to be more frank with each other in the information age.

D．Criminals are easily caught on the spot with advanced technology.

【小題2】What would psychologists advise on the relationships between friends?

A．Friends should open their hearts to each other.

B．Friends should always be faithful to each other.

C．There should be a distance even between friends.

D．There should be fewer disputes between friends.

【小題3】Why does the author say “we live in a world where you simply cannot keep a secret” ( Line5,  para. 3)?

A．Modern society has finally evolved into an open society.

B．People leave traces around when using modern technology.

C．There are always people who are curious about others’ affairs.

D．Many search engines profit by revealing people’s identities.

【小題4】What do most Americans do with regard to privacy protection?

A．They change behaviors that might disclose their identity.

B．They use various loyalty cards for business transactions.

C．They rely most and more on electronic devices.

D．They talk a lot but hardly do anything about it.

【小題5】According to the passage, privacy is like health in that         .

A．people will make every effort to keep it

B．its importance is rarely understood

C．it is something that can easily be lost

D．people don’t cherish it until they lose it

Interest in pursuing international careers has soared (increased sharply) in recent years, enhanced by chronic (lasting) personnel shortages that are causing companies to search beyond their home borders for talents.
Professionals seek career experience outside of their home countries for a variety of reasons. They may feel the need to recharge their batteries with a new challenge. They may want a position with more responsibility that encourages creativity and initiative. Or they may wish to expose their children to another culture, and the opportunity to learn a second language.
When applying for a job, one usually has to submit (present—v.) a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The two terms generally mean the same thing: a one-or two-page document describing one's educational qualifications and professional experience. However, guidelines for preparing a resume are constantly changing. The best advice is to find out what is appropriate regarding the corporate (company) culture, the country culture, and the culture of the person making the hiring decision. The challenge will be to embrace (include) two or more cultures in one document. The following list is a good place to start.
● "Educational requirements differ from country to country. In almost every case of 'cross-border' job hunting, just stating the title of your degree will not mean adequate description. Provide the reader with details about your studies and any related experience."
●Pay attention to the resume format you use—chronological or reverse-chronological order. Chronological order means listing your 'oldest' work experience first. Reverse-chronological order means listing your current or most recent experience first. Most countries have preferences about which format is most acceptable. If you find no specific guidelines, the general preference is for the reverse-chronological format.
●If you are submitting your resume in English, find out if the recipient uses British English or American English because there are variations between the two versions. For example, university education is often referred to as 'tertiary education' in the United Kingdom, but this term is almost never used in the United States. A reader who is unfamiliar with these variations may assume that your resume contains errors.
【小題1】Companies are hiring more foreign employees because ________.     

A．they have difficulty finding qualified personnel at home

B．they find foreign employees are usually more talented

C．they need original ideas from employees hired overseas

D．they want to expand their business beyond home borders

【小題2】The author believes that an individual who applies to work overseas ________.    
A. is usually creative and full of initiative
B. aims to improve his foreign language skills
C. seeks either his own or his children's development
D is dissatisfied with his own life at home
【小題3】When it comes to resume writing, it is best to ________.     

A．learn about the company's hiring process

B．follow appropriate guidelines for job hunting

C．take cultural factors into consideration

D．know the employer's personal likes and dislikes

【小題4】According to the author's last piece of advice, the applicants should be aware of ________.

A．the different educational systems in the US and the UK

B．the recipient's preference with regard to the format

C．the distinctive features of American and British cultures

D．the differences between the varieties of English

Big Brothers Big Sisters is based on the simplicity and power of friendship. It is a program which provides friendship and fun by matching vulnerable young people (ages 7-17) with a volunteer adult who can be both a role model and a supportive friend.
Volunteer tutors come from all walks of life—married, single, with or without children. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not replacement parents or social workers. They are tutors: someone to trust, to have fun with, to talk and go to when needed.
A Big Sister and Little Sister will generally spend between one and four hours together three or four times each month for at least twelve months. They enjoy simple activities such as a picnic at a park, cooking, playing sport or going to a football match. These activities improve the friendship and help the young person develop positive self-respect, confidence and life direction.
Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations exist throughout the world. It is the large and most well-known provider of tutor services internationally and has been operating for 25 years.
Emily and Sarah have been matched since 2008. Emily is a 10-year-old girl who has experienced some difficulties being accepted by her schoolmates at school. “I was pretty sure there was something wrong with me.”
Emily’s mum came across Big Brothers Big Sisters and thought it would be of benefit to Emily by “providing different feedback (反饋) about herself other than just relying on schoolmates to measure her self-worth.”
Sarah wanted to get involved in a volunteer program. “I googled it and found out how to be a part of it. I thought it would be fun for me to get involved in making time to do something because sometimes it is all work and no play.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been of great benefit and enjoyment to both Emily and Sarah. They love and look forward to their time together and the partnership has certainly helped Emily be more comfortable in being the wonderful, happy and unique girl she is!
【小題1】What is the aim of Big Brothers Big Sisters?

A．To offer students public services.

B．To help students improve their grades.

C．To organize sport activities for young people.

D．To provide partnership and fun for young people.

【小題2】A volunteer is usually expected to work within a year for at least ________.

A．24 hours

B．36 hours

C．48 hours

D．72 hours

【小題3】 According to Emily’s mother, this program may provide Emily with ________.

A．a(chǎn)dvice from her teachers

B．a(chǎn) new way to judge her schoolmates

C．a(chǎn) new way to assess herself

D．more comments from her schoolmates

【小題4】Why did Sarah want to get involved in the program?

A．She used to be a volunteer.

B．She felt a bit bored with her life.

C． She needed a part-time job.

D．She wanted to get a challenging job.

【小題5】According to the passage, “vulnerable young people” are probably those who are ________.

A．popular at school	B．rather weak physically
C．confident in themselves	D．easily hurt emotionally

When we talk about intelligence, we do not mean the ability to get good scores on certain kinds of tests or even the ability to do well in school subjects. By intelligence we mean a way of living and behaving, especially in a new or upsetting situation. If we want to test intelligence, we need to find out how a person acts instead of how much he knows what to do.
For instance, when in a new situation, an intelligent person thinks about the situation, not about himself or what might happen to him. He tries to find out all he can, and then he acts immediately and tries to do something about it. He probably isn’t sure how it will all work out, but at least he tries. And if he cannot make things work out right, he doesn’t feel ashamed that he failed; he just tries to learn from his mistakes. An intelligent person, even if he is very young, has a special outlook on life, a special feeling about life, and how he fits into it.
If you look at children, you’ll see a great difference in what we call “bright” children and “not bright” children. They are actually two different kinds of people, not just the same kind with different amounts of intelligence. For example, the bright child really wants to find out about life, and he tries to get in touch with everything around him. But the unintelligent child keeps more to himself and his own dream world; he seems to have a walk between him and life in general.
【小題1】According to the passage, intelligence is the ability to       .

A．get high scores in some tests	B．do well in school subjects
C．deal with life	D．know what to do

【小題2】In a new situation, an intelligent person        .

A．knows more about what might happen to him

B．is sure of the result he will get

C．is ready to face and fit himself in the situation

D．cares more about himself

【小題3】If an intelligent person failed, he would       .

A．feel ashamed

B．learn from his experiences

C．try to find all he could

D．make sure what result he would get

【小題4】The difference between bright children and non-bright children lies in _____.

A．their attitude towards life

B．the degree of cleverness

C．the amounts of knowledge about the world

D．their way of thinking

If you’re among the millions of Americans packing their vocation bags for summer trips, don’t forget, however, that as soon as you step off the plane, you’re expected to follow that country’s laws. We took a look at one of the top countries Americans are most likely to visit and what might happen if you got caught.
Mexico
Smoking marijuana(大麻): If police find you smoking a cigarette which contains marijuana, they will most likely detain you overnight and you will get a fine.
Carrying a firearm: You might be able to walk around with a gun in Texas, but that isn’t so in Mexico, so leave your gun behind. If you wish to go hunting in Mexico, you can apply for a gun permit but are expected to be charged $5,000. If you are caught bringing a firearm, Mexican policeman may take away your car and arrest you. An arrested American may spend months in prison while his or her case is being looked into.
Driving 70 mph on the highway: Speed limits are on the lower side. Depending on what type of highway you’re driving on, you shouldn’t go faster than 60mph. The police enforce (執(zhí)行) the speed limit, but most local police don’t have radars(無線電探測器). The maximum fine for speeding is about $40. To scare (嚇得某人做……) tourists into paying the fine “on the spot”, sometimes police will threaten to keep your driver’s license (駕照). This is illegal.
【小題1】Which of the following statements are not true?

A．The laws in Texas are different from the ones in Mexico.

B．People will be fined if they smoke marijuana.

C．People will be arrested if they are caught bringing a gun.

D．The police in Mexico have the right to keep the drivers’ license.

【小題2】If the travelers want to drive in Mexico, they should _______.

A．drive on the lower side of the street

B．keep an eye out on the radars

C．limit their car speed

D．pay the fine on the spot.

【小題3】The word “detain” in the second paragraph means：  ____     ．

A．a(chǎn)rrest

B．fine

C．punish

D．destroy

【小題4】What can we know from the passage?

A．Different countries have different regulations．

B．Different countries have the same regulations．

C．Americans like to visit other countries．

D．Mexico police aren't friendly．

In the 19th century, there used to be a model of how to be a good person. There are all these torrents of passion flowing through you. Your job, as captain of your soul, is to erect dams to keep these passions in check. Your job is to just say no to laziness, lust, greed, drug use and the other sins.
　　These days that model is out of fashion. You usually can’t change your behavior by simply resolving to do something. Knowing what to do is not the same as being able to do it. Your willpower is not like a dam that can block the torrent of self-indulgence. It's more like a muscle, which tires easily. Moreover, you're a social being. If everybody around you is overeating, you’ll probably do so, too.
　　The 19th-century character model was based on an understanding of free will. Today, we know that free will is bounded. People can change their lives, but ordering change is not simple because many things, even within ourselves, are beyond our direct control.
　　Much of our behavior, for example, is guided by unconscious habits. Researchers at Duke University calculated that more than 40 percent of the actions we take are governed by habit, not actual decisions. Researchers have also come to understand the structure of habits—cue, routine, reward.
　　You can change your own personal habits. If you leave running shorts on the floor at night, that'll be a cue to go running in the morning. Don’t try to ignore your afternoon snack craving. Every time you feel the cue for a snack, insert another routine. Take a walk.
　　Their research thus implies a different character model, which is supposed to manipulate the neuralnetworks inside.
　　To be an effective person, under this model, you are supposed to coolly examine your own unconscious habits, and the habits of those under your care. You are supposed to devise strategies to alter the cues and routines. Every relationship becomes slightly manipulative, including your relationship with yourself. You're trying to arouse certain responses by implanting certain cues.
　　This is a bit disturbing, because the important habitual neural networks are not formed by mere routine, nor can they be reversed by clever cues. They are burned in by emotion and strengthened by strong yearnings, like the yearnings for admiration and righteousness.
　　If you think you can change your life in a clever way, the way an advertiser can get you to buy an air freshener, you’re probably wrong. As the Victorians understood, if you want to change your life, don’t just look for a clever cue. Commit to some larger global belief.
【小題1】Which of the following is the first-to-none element in the 19th-century character model?

A．Action.

B．Capacity.

C．Resolution.

D．Enthusiasm.

【小題2】The 19th-century model supposedly does not work on the grounds that ________

A．one’s wished should be pondered before acting.

B．the comparison of free will to a dam is groundless.

C．it has been proved impractical and cannot hold true.

D．there were many other factors beyond one's control.

【小題3】The research at Duke University indicated that ________

A．One’s behavior is tough to change.

B．Habit has an unidentified structure.

C．Habit plays a vital role in one's behavior.

D．Both habit and will power are of significance.

【小題4】According to the new character model, personal behavior could be altered through

A．techniques to break old routines.

B．techniques to provide different physical cues.

C．cues to change all the former unconscious habits.

D．cues to manipulate the habitual neural responses.

【小題5】We can learn from the passage that the new character model ________

A．can generate changes in one's life like what advertisers do.

B．highlights the neural and psychological aspects of habit change.

C．has been identified a new method of changing behavior perfectly.

D．has an advantage over others in dealing with emotional aspects of behavior.

Last year college students in America spent an estimated $700 on textbooks on average. The National Association of College Stores reported more than five billion dollars in sales of textbooks and course materials.
The association spokesman Charles Schmidt says electronic textbooks now just make up 2%～3% of sales. But he says that is expected to reach 10%～15% by 2012.
Online versions(版本) are now available for many of the most popular college textbooks. An e­textbook can cost half the price of a new print textbook. But students usually lose access to them after the end of the term. And the books cannot be placed on more than one device(設(shè)備)，so they are not easy to share.
So what do students think of e­textbooks？Administrators at Northwest Missouri State University wanted to find it out. Earlier this year they tested them with 500 students in 20 classes.
The university is unusual. It provides laptop computers for all 7,000 of its full­time students. It does not require students to buy their textbooks either. They rent them to save money. The school aims to save even more by moving to e­textbooks.
The students in the survey reported that downloading the books from the Internet was easy. They liked the idea of carrying lighter backpacks. And 56% said they were better able to find information.
But most found that using e­textbooks did not change their study habits. And 60% felt they read more when they were reading on paper. In all，almost half the students said they still liked physical textbooks better.
But the survey found that cost could be a big influence.55% said they would choose e­textbooks if using them meant their textbook rental fee would not increase.
Roger Von Holzen heads the Center for Information Technology in Education at Northwest Missouri State University. He tells us that administrators are disappointed with the e­textbooks now available because the majority are not interactive(交互式的)．
He thinks growth will come when more digital books include video，activities，games and other ways to interact with the information. The technology is improving. But for now，most of the books are just words on a screen.
【小題1】E­textbooks are not better than paper books in that________.

A．they cost more money

B．they’re difficult to carry

C．they’re not convenient to share

D．they can’t be downloaded from the Internet

【小題2】How many surveyed students think paper books make better reading?

A．60%.

B．56%.

C．55%.

D．50%.

【小題3】It can be inferred from the text that in the future________.

A．digital books will be more popular

B．the digital books available need improvement

C．free digital books are available online

D．digital books will replace print textbooks

For decades, families settled on the sofa to share the latest news and TV series, until additional bedroom TV, computer games and the Internet almost put an end to family rows over who held the remote control. Now, however, the traditional living room scene is making a comeback. A study by the communications watchdog Ofcom has found families are once again gathering around the main television set, but they are bringing their pads and smartphones with them.
“The 1950s living room is making a comeback as a family entertainment centre,” said Jane Rumble, head of media research at Ofcom. “We are watching on much better, bigger, and more delicate television sets, but we are coming into the living room holding our connected devices.” While the family are coming together once more, comparisons with the past end there. With a range of smaller screens on hand, not everyone sitting on the sofa shares the same viewing experience.
The coronation (加冕禮) may have drawn the undivided attention of 20 million viewers in 1953, but those watching the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations 50 years later were as likely to be commenting online about BBC’s broadcast as watching it. “Just a few years ago, we would be talking about last night’s TV at work or at school,” said a viewer, “Now, we’re having those conversations live while watching TV, using social media, text and instant messaging.”
It is a behaviour of media meshing（聯(lián)網(wǎng)）, whose influence was underlined during this year’s Wimbledon men’s tennis final. As Andy Murray pushed towards his victory, 1.1 million people worldwide sent an average of over two microblogs about the match.
People use the Internet to enhance their television experience, for example, by reading a newspaper live blog about a football match while watching the action on the main screen. For a huge number of younger viewers, the portable screen offers a chance to do something unrelated, such as online shopping, listening to music or watching another television programme.
Some 70% of 16-to-24-year-olds claim to be absorbed in what Ofcom calls “media stacking” at least once a week. For TV viewers, the Internet scanning is the most popular activity, but they are also calling friends on the phone or sending emails and texts. Surprisingly, 12% claim to have listened to the radio with the television on, and 6% say they have watched another video in the meanwhile.
【小題1】According to the study by Ofcom, family members nowadays _______.

A．care more about who holds the remote control

B．share the same programmes in the living room

C．watch better and more delicate television programmes

D．enjoy TV together with various smaller screens on hand

【小題2】 This year’s Wimbledon men’s tennis final is mentioned to indicate _______.

A．so many people worldwide are watching TV

B．people like watching live matches on TV

C．the great influence of media meshing

D．the average amount of microblogs

【小題3】Which shows the phenomenon of “media stacking” in the last paragraph?

A．People are watching TV while shopping online.

B．People are watching a broadcast of a coronation.

C．The Internet makes people spend less time on TV.

D．The Internet enriches people’s television experience.

【小題4】The passage is written to _______.

A．describe the changes connected devices bring to TV watching

B．report the comeback of the traditional living room scene

C．show the influence of connected devices on people

D．present the different roles TV plays in people’s life

An old problem is getting new attention in the United States—bullying. Recent cases included the tragic case of a 15-year-old girl whose family moved from Ireland. She hanged herself in Massachusetts following months of bullying. Her parents criticized her school for failing to protect her. Officials have brought criminal charges against several teenagers.
Judy Kuczynski is president of an anti-bullying group called Bully Police USA. Her daughter Tina was also the victim of severe bullying starting in middle school in the state of Minnesota. She said，“Our daughter was a very outgoing child. She was involved in all kinds of things and had lots of friends. And over a period of time her grades fell completely. She started having health issues. She couldn't sleep. She wasn't eating. She had terrible stomach pains and didn't want to go to school.”
Bullying is defined as negative behavior repeated over time against the same person. It can involve physical violence, or it can be verbal—for example, insults or threats. Spreading lies about someone or excluding a person from a group is known as social or relational bullying.
And now there is cyber-bullying, which uses the Internet, e-mail or text messages. It has easy appeal for the bully because it does not involve face-to-face contact and it can be done at any time.
The first serious research studies into bullying were done in Norway in the late 1970s. The latest government study in the United States was released last year. It found that about one-third of students age twelve to eighteen were bullied at school.
Susan Swearer is a psychologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and co-director of the Bullying Research Network. She says schools should treat bullying as a mental health problem to get bullies and victims the help they need. She says bullying is connected to depression, anxiety and anti-social behavior and bullies are often victims themselves.
【小題1】 From the case of Tina, we can know that ________.

A．bullying is rare

B．victims suffer a lot

C．schools are to blame

D．personalities are related

【小題2】Which of the following is NOT bullying?

A．To beat someone repeatedly.

B．To threaten someone verbally.

C．To isolate someone from friends.

D．To refuse to help someone in need.

【小題3】Why is cyber-bullying appealing to the bully?

A．Because it can involve more people.

B．Because it can create worse effects.

C．Because it is more convenient.

D．Because it can avoid cheating.

【小題4】According to Susan Swearer, ________.

A．bullies are antisocial

B．bullies should give victims help

C．students are not equally treated

D．bullies themselves also need help