“I can’t concentrate.” “My mind wanders when I try to study.” Lack of concentration is one of the most common complaints heard at school.
We all have the ability to concentrate. Think of the times when you were attracted to a super novel or the times when you were playing your guitar or piano. But at other times your mind races from one thing to another. Here are some tips.
Rest from time to time. Remember to take short breaks. Lectures are usually 50 minutes long, and that’s about the length of time most people can direct their attention to one task. But that’s just an average. Your concentration time might be shorter (20-35 minutes) or longer (perhaps 90 minutes).When you take a break, you get more oxygen to your brain! When we sit for long periods, blood tends to be pooled in our lower body and legs. Get up and walk around the room for a couple of minutes. As a result, more oxygen is carried to the brain and you can concentrate better.
_______________If you study one subject for a long time, you may find it hard to concentrate. Many students improve their concentration by changing one subject to another every one to two hours. In this way you can pay more attention to something that’s different.
Reward yourself. Give yourself a reward when you’ve completed a task. The task might be small, such as staying with a difficult paper until you’ve finished. But giving yourself a reward can help you be more interested in doing other tasks.
Increase your activity level. Your concentration wanders more easily if you just read an article straight through. Instead, take the heading for each part and turn it into a question. For this part, that would be, “How can I increase my activity level while studying?” Then study that part to answer that question. Do this routinely. The questions give us a focus for each part and increase our involvement(参与).According to Paragraph 3, what’s the purpose of walking around?
| A．To help us stay fit. |
| B．To benefit our lower body. |
| C．To provide the brain with more oxygen. |
| D．To increase our concentration time to 90 minutes. |
What’s the best title for Paragraph 4?
| A．Study for one hour each time. |
| B．Do something difficult. |
| C．Study in different ways. |
| D．Change subjects. |
In the last paragraph, the writer suggests that______.
| A．we just read the heading of some articles |
| B．we do our best to read an article straight through |
| C．we ask ourselves questions about what we are reading |
| D．we ask other people questions about the article we are reading |
The writer wrote the passage to______.
| A．encourage us to try to concentrate |
| B．teach us how to concentrate while studying |
| C．give us the reasons for a lack of concentration |
| D．list the benefits we can get from concentration |
It doesn’t look like the heart of a green revolution. The huge chimneys stick up above the line of pine trees and don’t make for the most scenic view as you wander around the clear blue waters of the nearby lake.
But it is this power plant that has helped the small Swedish city of Vaxjo become arguably the greenest place in Europe. On closer observation, the only thing emerging from the chimneys is the faintest mists of steam. And inside it smells more like a sauna(桑拿) than a furnace(炉子). That’s because it is not oil fuelling the plant, but woodchip and other wood waste from the area’s sawmills. And as well as generating electricity, it also supplies 90 per cent of this southern Swedish town with heating and hot water.
The gases produced as the wood burns are changed into liquid form, and are purified before they reach the chimney. And instead of wasting this liquid, the power plant pumps it around town. Some runs out of the town’s public taps; the rest is directed through pipes that run through individual heaters, warming homes and offices.
The pile of wood chippings in the yard towers above head height and takes almost five minutes to walk around. That’s enough to keep Vaxjo warm on the snowiest day in winter, or supply it with hot water for a fortnight in summer, and it’s good way of using the paper industry’s waste. As well as the centuries-- old Swedish policy of planting a new tree for every one felled, the ashes swept out of the furnace each day find their way back to the forest as fertilizer(肥料).
It was this green plant that netted Vaxjo the European Union’s award for sustainable(可持续的)development, making it the greenest city on the continent.
However, it is not just the citizen’s consciences and moral histories to which the town’s current day authorities are appealing. They know how to talk to their wallets too. Oil-generated electricity costs about 16,000 kronor a year(￡1,170) per person, while the new power plant’s electricity comes in at two thirds of the price.
They’ve been planning for over ten years to become a “Fossil Fuel Free City”. But according to Anders Franzen, the head of planning and development department at the city council: “The battle in the energy sector has been won, yes, but the next battleground is transport.”What’s the main reason for “inside it smells more like a sauna than a furnace”?
| A．It is surrounded by pine trees. |
| B．It produces lots of hot water. |
| C．It is fuelled by woodchip and wood waste . |
| D．It sends out the smoke from the chimneys. |
It can be concluded from the passage that the power plant.
| A．promotes tree planting |
| B．makes full use of waste |
| C．relies heavily on paper industry |
| D．mainly supplies hot water and heating |
What impresses the town’s current-- day authorities most?
| A．The citizens’ consciences. |
| B．The town’s moral histories. |
| C．The lower cost of electricity |
| D．The award for sustainable development |
What Anders Franzen said in the last paragraph indicates that .
| A．they will continue their effort in green plan |
| B．they have great difficulty in transport |
| C．they have no room for further development |
| D．they are perfectly content with the achievement |
The Internet has revolutionized our lives to such an extent that for most people, the global network has become more than just a tool but rather an indispensable aid in everyday life. More and more people go online as wireless networks have brought the Internet closer and closer: it's on our mobile phones, in our cars and TV sets, in hospital surgery rooms and in fishing boats that battle the waves of the Atlantic.
And this revolution has brought along with it a new way of shopping. Both big and small, e-commerce websites have literally flooded the Internet by the hundreds of thousands. Anything you can buy from a brick and mortar store(实体店) you can also buy online: from food and clothes to guns and bombs, no matter what you're looking for, you're bound to find the right online store with just a few clicks of the mouse.
This revolution has sent cold trembles down the backbones of brick and mortar business owners. And what was their reaction? They've opened online stores to go hand in hand with their conventional businesses. Nowadays, every "Mom and Pop's" cheesecake store also has a website. In a recent survey, 68% of small business owners have stated that they are scared of being put out of business by the powerful flood that e-commerce has become. So it's no wonder many of them have decided to join the revolution and establish some kind of an online presence even though most of them have stated that they dislike the Internet.
But do the big players have reasons to be afraid? Are we going to start seeing ghostly, deserted Wal-Marts across the country? Probably not in the near future but the day will come when most people will just stop shopping offline anymore. A trip to Wal-Marts wastes time, burns gas and sometimes adds a few extra dots on the stress counter.
The recent advancements in mobile technology and the introduction of mobile phones with improved web capabilities has even made some people order their groceries when they get out from work and have them delivered at their doorstep by the time they get home. And as "Time is money", this practice is lifesaving for people who work two jobs.
Technology will continue to advance and e-commerce will follow closely in its footsteps. Everything will become easier and less time consuming, leaving us more time to enjoy the things that really matter in life: the ones we love, our friends and hobbies.What is Para. 1 mainly about?
| A．The popularity of mobile phones. |
| B．The great impact of the Internet. |
| C．The importance of the Internet. |
| D．The function of the global network. |
In response to the threat of online business, the brick-and-mortar store owners .
| A．have stopped their traditional businesses |
| B．have stated their dislike of the Internet |
| C．have established their own website |
| D．have opened their online stores |
According to Para 5, the greatest benefit of online shopping is .
| A．to save time | B．to follow the fashion |
| C．to release pressure | D．to protect environment |
What would be the best title for the passage?
| A．A New Way of Shopping. |
| B．The Internet Revolution. |
| C．What is the Reaction to Online Shopping? |
| D．Is Online Shopping the Future of E-commerce? |
I no longer run for the mail the way I used to. I remember, prior to the e-mail age, the sense of heightened expectation as the hour of mail delivery approached, wondering what slender(微薄的), handwritten treasures would appear in my box. I once received a letter from a long-lost friend and swelled with such joy that I ran the mail carrier down and shook his hand, as if he had done a heroic deed in conveying the missive to me.
I first learned to love the mail as a young boy. The first thing I ever received that was personally addressed to me was from my friend Duane. We had been the closest of 9-year-old boys. Then he moved away, to Massachusetts. The parting was difficult, but boys didn’t cry.
Within the week, however, there was a letter in my mailbox. It was from Duane, and it read, “I’m OK, but I miss you.” That first conveyance to me of a written word from a great distance had all the significance of the first Morse code message: “What hath God wrought.” It was at that moment that I became a letter writer, quickly discovering that the more letters I wrote, the more I received.
I wrote letters through elementary school, high school, college, and beyond. It got to the point where I could comfortably expect to receive a letter a day. The daily mail delivery was for me, like a beacon at sea – something toward which my thoughts began to move upon waking. What quickened my blood, of course, was the element of surprise: From whom would the letter be today? And what would the news be?
And then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, the earth shifted. E-mail had arrived. Despite being fascinated by the new technology, I promised myself that I would never stop writing letters by hand. However, I had no control over the habits of others, and slowly, inexorably(不可阻拦地), and then with quickened pace, the letters disappeared from my mailbox, having been replaced with electronic “messages” , a totally different beast —in contrast to letters, all e-mails look alike.The author used to run for the mail mainly because .
| A．he took great interest in mail delivery |
| B．he was looking forward to receiving letters |
| C．he tried to keep mail delivery from approaching |
| D．he wanted to thank the mailman for his heroic deed |
What made the author become a letter writer?
| A．A letter from a long –lost friend. |
| B．The desire to receive more letters. |
| C．The joy of reading the first letter from Duane. |
| D．The influence of the first Morse code message. |
By writing the underlined sentence in Para. 4, the author tells us that the daily mail delivery .
| A．meant a lot to him |
| B．wasted much of his time |
| C．quickened his thoughts |
| D．divided his attention |
What’s the author’s opinion about e-mails?
| A．They completely changed the world. |
| B．They brought about new technology. |
| C．They affected human relationship. |
| D．They lost the unique features of letters. |
An estimated eight million people in Britain enjoy walking in the Peak District every year. But what many who enjoy outdoor hobbies don’t know is that their “right to walk” was won by men who sacrificed their own freedom to gain access to the countryside for all.
In 1932 wealthy landowners had private use of large areas of uplands for hunting. Walkers were kept out by guards, until a group of 400 people from Manchester and Yorkshire, led by Benny Rothman, engaged on a mass trespass（侵入）. The campaigner was put into prison with four other men.
The event is supported by many with starting a movement that paved the way for the establishment of national parks. Mr Rothman died in 2002 but he is now being honoured for his contribution with the revealing of a blue plaque(匾额) on his former home in Crofton Avenue, Timperley, Greater Manchester.
Retired professor, Harry, who followed in his father’s footsteps by specialising in environmental issues, says: “He was a very optimistic man and he made the best of it when he went to prison. It did’'t put him off campaigning, he went on campaigning on environmental issues most of his life." Mr Rothman did live to see the Countryside Rights of Way Act passed by Parliament in 2000, ensuring the freedom of the countryside for future generations.
Roly Smith, a friend of Mr Rothman and an author of walking guidebooks, said: “It is because of them that we have got what we have today.”
Councillor Jonathan Coupe, of Trafford Council, said: “The honour of having a blue plaque attributed(归因于) to you means you have really made an impression on society.”
“Mr Rothman contributed to the changing of history and it is because of him that we are able to enjoy the local countryside as often and freely as we can today.”What do we know about people in Britain according to Para. 1?
| A．They value freedom. |
| B．They have wide interests. |
| C．They are fond of hiking. |
| D．They tend to live in the countryside. |
A blue plaque was revealed on Mr. Rothman’s former home .
| A．to support his campaign |
| B．to honor his contribution |
| C．to remind people of the past |
| D．to celebrate the establishment of national parks |
Besides “optimistic”, which of the following best describes Mr. Rothman?
| A．Cautious | B．Determined |
| C．Considerate | D．Ambitious |
From the last three paragraphs we learn that Mr. Rothman .
| A．has served as a councilor |
| B．has made achievements in different fields |
| C．has been highly thought of for his contributions |
| D．has devoted his life to environment protection |
In the gym of Croxteth Community School, Liverpool, 50 boys have completed a course on boxing that is seen as a pilot for its return to state schools.
The Schools Amateur Boxing Association (SABA) has developed the Kid Gloves scheme (方 案），a -non-contact (非接触)version of the sport where outside coaches teach a range of basic skills.
Chris Andrews, assistant secretary of the SABA, said the scheme was regarded as a way of changing the decline in boxing in state schools which began 25 years ago.
Safety fears and the poor image of professional boxing had accelerated the sport’s decline. Concern was worsened by incidents such as the death of the professional boxer Bradley Stone. But the Croxteth example was winning more supporters. Mr. Andrews said the idea was particularly well received in the north-east of England.
“The interest shown so far has been enormous,” he said. “I believe that boxing will come back into schools. A video has been produced to promote boxing in schools, and a bid has been made for a Sports Council grant (拨款）.”
He said, “I think there is a genuine recognition that there are aspects to boxing, if it is controlled and properly run, that really are very beneficial for children. This scheme takes away the dangers. I hope boxing can be promoted throughout the country in a more coordinated way.” Such an idea horrifies such groups as the British Medical Association (BMA) and the British Safety Council, both critics of the idea.
Dr Jeffrey Cundy, the joint author of a BMA report on boxing, accepted that the scheme in Liverpool was non-contact, but he was still opposed. He said, “We feel that children should still not be introduced to boxing, because they will then be encouraged to take up an activity which is uniquely dangerous when actual contact takes place.”
He added, “There is a whole range of sports which will teach the discipline that comes from boxing without the dangers. We see this reintroduction in schools as an unhealthy development.”
At the 800-pupil Croxteth school, Steve Stewart, head of PE, said boxing had helped to improve self-confidence, self-discipline, self-awareness and self-respect in those taking part. Everybody could get involved and, because all were starting from scratch, the improvements could be quickly seen.
Certificates were presented to the pupils at the end of the course by Paul Hodgkinson, a local boxer who is a former world champion. Next year, the course will be repeated and if possible girls will be allowed to take part following requests from them.
Gerry Thompson and Tony Curry, both 12，have enjoyed the boxing sessions and say they will both join a local boxing club. “I thought it was brilliant,” said Gerry. “I would rather be a professional boxer than a footballer. It’s more enjoyable•”What’s the present situation of the Croxteth school boxing course?
| A．It’s declining due to the safety worries. |
| B．Girls can be admitted as long as they’re willing to. |
| C．It’s becoming increasingly popular among the children. |
| D．Some pupils have been trained to be world champions. |
Dr. Cundy’s attitude towards the return of boxing to schools can be described as__________.
| A．supportive | B．unconcerned |
| C．disapproving | D．objective |
The Kid Gloves scheme is developed by SABA primarily to___________.
| A．provide more fun for students |
| B．encourage students to be better-behaved |
| C．help students gain a sense of achievement |
| D．promote the boxing course in a less dangerous way |
In which section of a newspaper can we most likely to read the passage?
| A．Lifestyle | B．Education |
| C．Science | D． Business |