Flash Mob: The Pop Culture
If you see a group of people dancing and singing on the street or in the railway station, you don’t need to feel surprised. They are a flash mob. Who are they? Are they mobs (暴民)? Actually, a flash mob is a group of people who gather suddenly in a public place, do something unusual for a brief period of time, and then quickly separate.
A flash mob is usually organized with the help of the Internet or other digital communications networks. At a predetermined time, they gather and perform some tasks such as exchanging books, coming together to look at the sky, waving their hands and yelling something at the top of their lungs for 30 seconds. Then, they quickly disappear before the police can arrive.
Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, organized the first flash mob in Manhattan in May 2003 and the first successful flash mob gathered on June 3, 2003 at Macy’s department store. More than one hundred people stepped onto the ninth floor carpet department of Macy’s department store, gathering around an expensive carpet. Following this flash mob, about 200 people flooded the lounge of the Hyatt hotel and applauded for about fifteen seconds.
Flash mob gatherings can sometimes shock people. Such an activity might seem amusing, but it might also frighten people who are not aware of what is taking place. They also have enormous economic potential, such as using flash mobs to advertise a product.
People use it to do many things. For example, in 2009, Michael Jackson’s fans took part in a flash mob to remember him. Hundreds of his fans gathered outside the railway station in Liverpool. They were singing and dancing Michael’s famous song “Beat It” together. And in another example, some people took part in a flash mob to tell more people not to use negative words.
Flash mobs give people from all walks of life an opportunity to come together to create a memory.
| A．Don’t be confused by their name. |
| B．People are attracted by the silly and harmless activities. |
| C．The flash mob is now becoming more and more popular. |
| D．Using mobile phones, the flash mob can change their gathering place. |
E.A later mob saw hundreds of people in Central Park making bird noises.
F.The messages may be forwarded to friends, who forward to more people.
G.Undoubtedly, flash mobs can serve as good political tools in any direction.
Your Teen Is Falling Asleep in Class
Teens have a busy morning schedule as they need to wake up and get moving very early in order to catch a bus and get to school by the required time. This means teens need to get their rest the night before or they will be too tired to learn anything at school. ___
When a teen falls asleep in class, two things happen: he/she misses what is being taught and he/she loses the respect of the teacher. He/She may also receive a consequence from the school, depending on the classroom discipline policy. __
To prevent your teen from being sleepy in class, try these three tips：
*Set a time for “lights out” on school nights. This is never be any later than 10 p．m. and preferably 9 p．m. __ Soft music can be on and used to help calm your teen.
*Help your teen develop a nighttime routine that involves activities that slow them down for the end of the day. __ Turning off the computer and disconnecting from friends and the excitement of the day an hour before bedtime will also help your teen relax.
*___ This will reinforce (增强) what it feels like to be rested and capable of accomplishing what he/she wants.
| A．What's worse, they may even fall asleep in class. |
| B．Taking a bath and reading are two activities that work well. |
| C．Set a good example and show him/her your love for learning. |
| D．Point out the positives after your teen has had a good night's rest. |
E．“Lights out” means the computer, television, lights and cell phone should be off.
F．All of these things affect your teen's academic success and can be avoided.
G．While your teen keeps his/her goals in line with your expectations, he/she may have his/her own goals.
| A.Media volunteer Media volunteer is helping hundreds of nonprofit groups get their stories covered in the media through the innovated strategy called “distributed work”. With a commitment of just a few minutes, volunteers can sign up to update Media volunteer’s Media Contact Database and provide media contact information to help organizations campaign for positive changes. |
B.American Red cross of Greater Los Angeles The American Red Cross is the leading humanitarian organization in the world, providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent and prepare for emergencies. The American Red cross of Greater Los Angeles is the second largest Red Cross Chapter in the nation and the largest on the East Coast. |
| C.EF Foundation for Foreign Study EF Foundation for Foreign Study connects talented, enthusiastic high school students from around the world with caring families across the country. Together, the organization builds friendship trust that has the power to change the world. Since 1979, Ef’s team of dedicated volunteer families, local coordinators, and staff has helped over 100,000 students from nearly 40 countries participate in international exchange programs. |
D.Voices for Children Voices for Children tries to ensure that abused, neglected and abandoned children who have become dependents of the San Diego County Court will have a safe and permanent home. Through its network of trained and educated volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocated --（CASAs）, Voices for Children works with key agencies, legal lawyers and community resources to identify and protect the best interests of each child inside and outside of court. |
| E.Domestic Abuse Helpline For Men and Women Domestic Abuse Helpline For Men and Women （DAHMW） is dedicated to providing support and services to victims of home violence. The organization works to educate the public at large as well as those who work in the domestic field and its goal is to end home violence for all victims so that families can live in peace and safety in their homes. |
F.Heart House Austin Heart House is dedicated to raising academic achievement levels for low income and at – risk children in inner cities and to encourage them to become active and contributing members of society. Heart House also has a free summer program in which children participate in fine arts classes, sports, swimming and more. The agency’s main goal is to ensure healthy, happy, and confident children. |
Laurie Scott, Kate So, Molly Morris, Patsy Wincher和Joy Perryman各自打算加入一个志愿者组织，选出符合个人需要的最佳选项。 Laurie Scott and her husband have just moved to Las Vegas. They are looking for a way to get connected and involved in the community. Since their son is far away from home in college, they really want a member at their house to fight off the loneliness.
Kate So is a teacher of 38 years who also practiced law early in her career. She enjoyed being with children, so she left law and courts behind her and became a teacher. Now she wants to use her special knowledge to protect and help those abused children.
As a successful real estate agent, Molly Morris is now looking for a place to get involved with local youth and inspire others in her community, but also ones that encourage her to learn and grow on her own.
Being a victim of home violence herself, Pasty Wincher wants to provide services to those women who suffer from the same misfortune. She wants to use her own experience to tell them how to protect themselves and create their own happiness.
As a busy communications major at Northern Illinois University, it isn’t easy for Joy Perryman to find a volunteer opportunity that would work out. However, she is anxious to use her energy and major related skills to help where she could.
Lazy people will never amount to anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to procrastinate(拖延). By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.
Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from project to project. Others take a more proactive approach, viewing each project or task as a challenge they must overcome alone.
Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often promotes laziness. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child to promote responsibility. Complete a certain number of chores and reward yourself with a good dinner.Spouse(配偶) and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not addressed quickly. To fight household laziness, lead by example. Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own chores. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.
Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help boost your mood.
| A．Knowing how to fight laziness is important. |
| B．One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep. |
| C．Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. |
| D．If you have a hobby, celebrate after completing a project. |
E. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.
F. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.
G. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.
根据短文内容，从下面的A——F 选项中选出能概括每一段主题的最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该选项涂黑，选项中有一项为多余选项。
| A. Name of the same history textbook. B. Benefits of sharing the same textbook. C. The origin of the idea of the same history book. D. The dislike for each other. E. The same history textbook in France and Germany F. Reasons for the hatred between France and Germany . |
High—school students in France and Germany are to learn modern history from the same textbook starting in the 2012 school year. It’s thought that the new book will help the next generation of the French and Germans develop a shared European identity. The book, called “Historie/Geschichte”, the French and German words for history, was co-written by historians from both countries. It will provide students from both sides of the Rhine(莱茵河) with the different explanations of their common history.
The idea for the books came about in 2008, when high school students from both countries celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty(爱丽舍条约)， a friendship agreement signed to show that France and Germany had buried their post—war differences. The students’ suggestion soon got strong support from both governments. “The big lesson is that hatred won’t last forever,” said French Education Minister Gilles de Robien. “This book allows us to create a shared future and build on our past,” he added.
However, the French and Germans both have their own different origins, styles and culture. According to a survey by leading French newspaper Le Figaro (费加罗报)，the French regard Germans as being highly disciplined and hard-working, while the Germans see the French as proud and shallow. So they don’t like each other.
Conflicts between France and Germany have been existing over the years. The defeated power was robbed of its resources. Things were at the top in the two world wars, which further damaged relations. Many people lost their families, and hatred increased. Europe was seriously damaged by the conflicts.
The wars’ bitter lessons told the two powers that they needed to unite in order to rise to their feet. Now France and Germany have put an end to their age-old rivalry(敌对状态)，and they try to work together as the engines driving Europe forward. “The book is another milestone in Franco-German relations,” Peter Miler, a German official said. He said that it’s the first time that two nations have sat down and written history together. “If France and Germany can do it, why shouldn’t other countries follow suit?”
In the spring and summer months, thunderstorms(雷雨) are common. ____. In thunderstorms, lighting can strike(击中) people and buildings and is very dangerous.
It was reported that a man was struck by lighting when he was making a phone call under a tree. He died at once. You may not know it, but nearly 1,800 thunderstorms are happening at any moment around the world.___ _.So what should you do during a lighting storm? Scientists say that a person’s chances of being struck by lighting are 1 in 600,000. ___
__
If you are indoors during a thunderstorm:
Stay away from anything that is metal because lighting can come into the house through it.
Don’t stand near the windows.
Don’t take a shower or bath. Lighting can travel through water.
Never use the phone._ __.
If you are caught in a thunderstorm outdoors:__ __. If there’s no building around, try to find a low place to stay in.
Do not go under a tree because the lighting could hit the tree and travel through the tree to hit you.
Never use a cell phone.
| A．But you can reduce those chances by following these safety rules. |
| B．But it is very important for us to learn about lighting. |
| C．Lighting could travel through the phone line and hit you |
| D．In fact, many people are killed by lighting every year. |
E. Try to get home as soon as possible.
F. Since they happen often, some people don’t take them seriously.
G. Go into a nearby building or car right away.