题型:任务型阅读 题类:模拟题 难易度:困难
江苏省泰州市2020届高三英语第二次模拟考试(5月)试卷(含听力音频)
Is Loneliness a Health Epidemic (流行病)?
Over the last twenty years, more and more studies reveal increasing numbers of people experience loneliness regularly. In the face of such a situation, earlier this year, Britain appointed its first "minister for loneliness", who is charged with dealing with what the Prime Minister called the "sad reality of modern life".
Publichealth leaders immediately praised the idea—and for good reason.In recent decades, researchers have discovered that loneliness left untreated is not just psychically painful; it also can have serious medical consequences.And numerous studies have linked loneliness to heart disease, cancer, depression, diabetes and suicide. Vivek Murthy, the former United States surgeon general, has written that loneliness is "associated with a reduction in life span similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day and even greater than that associated with obesity".
Anxiety about loneliness is a common feature of modern societies. Today, two major causes of loneliness seem possible. One is that societies throughout the world have embraced a culture of individualism. More people are living alone, and aging alone, than ever. Liberal social policies have turned workers into unstable free agents, and when jobs disappear,things fall apart fast.Labor unions, civic associations, neighborhood organizations, religious groups and other traditional sources of social unity are in steady decline. Increasingly, we all feel that we're on our own.
The other possible cause is the rise of communication technology, including smartphones, social media and the Internet.A decade ago, companies like Facebook,Apple and Google promised that their products would help create meaningful relationships and communities. On the contrary, we've used the media system to deepen existing divisions, at both the individual and group levels. We may have thousands of "friends" and "followers" on Facebook and Instagram, but when it comes to human relationships, it turns out there's no choice but to build them the oldfashioned way, in person.
But is loneliness, as many political officials and experts are warning,a growing "health epidemic"? I don't believe so, nor do I believe it helps anyone to describe it that way. Social disconnection is a serious matter, yet if we arouse a panic over its popularity and impact, we're less likely to treat it properly.
In places like the United States and Britain, it's the poor, unemployed,displaced and migrant populations that suffer most from loneliness. Their lives are unstable, and so are their relationships. When they get lonely, they are the least able to get adequate social or medical support.
I don't believe we have a loneliness epidemic.But millions of people are suffering from social disconnection. Whether or not they have a minister for loneliness,they deserve more attention and help than we're offering today.
Is Loneliness a Health Epidemic? |
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Introduction |
The severity of loneliness resulted in the of "minister for loneliness" in Britain. |
Consequences of loneliness |
If left untreated, people from loneliness may well develop physical and mental illnesses. Similar to negative effects caused by smoking and obesity, loneliness is to blame for deaths. |
Possible of loneliness |
In a culture laying emphasis on individualism, it has become too easy to be alone. Meanwhile, with sources of social unity declining, people lack opportunities to be connected. to what technological companies promised, the growth of using modern technology actually leads people to split up, as there is no for facetoface communication. |
Writer's attitudestowards loneliness |
Overstatement about loneliness may panic people, which is likely to lead to treatment of the problem. There is no epidemic, but people at a(n) are in need of adequate social or medical support, and those disconnected from society are of more concern. |
Sorry seems to be the hardest word. So sang Elton John on one of his biggest 1970s hits——but not every public figure seems to find it so tough to let out that powerful five-letter word.
In recent months varieties of public figures, from politicians, to Hollywood actors and You Tube stars have all publicly expressed regrets.
But with floods of regrets on the airwaves, just how can we tell a forced apology from a heartfelt expression?
In its purest form, saying sorry should be an “act of regrets, a realization that something you have said or done has hurt someone and you want to repair it”, says psychologist Geraldine Joaquim.
Made early, a sincere apology can be hugely beneficial and can “relieve the tension and takes the wind out of an accusers sails”, she says.
A need to say sorry can arise in someone's public life and equally at home with their family and friends but, whatever the environment, how well it is received depends on how personalized it feels.
From businesses, governments and organizations, a scripted response will fail to resonate (引起共鸣) as it will not convey empathy (同理心) and sympathy.
Whether online or in person, the timing and choice of language in an apology are decisive factors.
“It is important to show that you understand and sympathize,” says Martin Stone, of PR agency Tank, “It is vital that any business or individual making an apology understands the focus- is it sorry for the way it's acted or is it sorry that the complainant feels the way they do?” Performed apologies always have a sense of being “acted out, and are often accompanied by too many theatrical gestures. If sincere, the person making the apology will be looking for listening clues to see if they are being understood, such as eye contact and facial expressions. They will provide “humbling (谦卑的) signals”, such as a lowered head, to indicate regrets.
It is also important to avoid irresponsible statements or promises that can't be kept. “Don't say that you'll ensure that this will not happen again if you're not confident it won't. It could come back to bite you,” Stone explains.
Equally, the use of “but” can hugely change the tone of an apology.
As Stone points out. 'I'm sorry but... It sounds like you are making excuses and aren't actually taking any form of responsibility. It may be three letters but it can instantly make an apology seem hollow,”
Passage outline | Detailed information |
Does sorry seem to be the most difficult word? | For some, it seems to be a {#blank#}1{#/blank#} nut to crack while for others, it is just a piece of cake. |
Is it a heartfelt apology? | • There being a storm of regrets on the airwaves, it is hard to make a {#blank#}2{#/blank#} between a sincere apology or a forced one. • In its purest form, apology means offering regrets, which can be hugely beneficial if {#blank#}3{#/blank#} early. • A scripted apology from business, governments and organizations doesn't resonate, thus being {#blank#}4{#/blank#} to convey empathy and sympathy. • Whatever the environment is, the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} to which an apology is received depends on how personalized it feels. |
How can we make a heartfelt apology? | • {#blank#}6{#/blank#} you say sorry is one decisive factor. The earlier you say sorry, the sooner the complainant will feel it. • The choice of your {#blank#}7{#/blank#} language is the other decisive factor. You're not {#blank#}8{#/blank#} out the apology. You should provide humbling signals to indicate regrets. • Be {#blank#}9{#/blank#} for the statements or promises you make. Don't say anything that can't be kept. • Never find {#blank#}10{#/blank#} for your wrong behaviors with “but”. |
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