Are you a social media addict? Are you always checking your smart phone to see how many “likes” you've received for your latest post? Maybe you feel comforted by the sound that someone has sent you a message?

Don't worry, you're not alone. We check our phones an average of 150 times a day, and around 30% of the total time spent online is devoted to social media. Some experts now fear this habit could be damaging our mental health.

This is something particularly bothering young adults, according to a study from the University of Pittsburgh. It found the more they used social media, the more likely they were to be depressed(抑郁的，沮丧的). In tests, those people who checked social media frequently were 2.7 times more likely to be depressed compared to those who spent most of their time generally surfing the Internet, who had just 1.7 times the risk.

Some of us certainly feel sad when we're ignored on social media sites, or when we see someone else having a better time than us. But depression is a more serious condition and clinical psychologist, Abigael San, recently told the BBC that, “It's a real issue, and it's been getting significantly worse over the last 5-6 years. You can get so hooked that it takes you away from your real relationships.” However, Abigael does admit that social media is more likely to worsen pre-existing issues than directly cause them.

Other research by the University of Glasgow found that teenagers are affected by the 24-hour demands of their social media accounts. It found that those with higher levels of emotional investment in social media, and who use it at night,were more likely to feel depressed and anxious.

Despite these warning signs, why do some of us continue to keep clicking? Well, I suppose we all want to be liked and we don't want to miss out on a conversation that's taking place online. But we need to know when to switch off our virtual online world and connect with the real world instead.

    Learning a foreign language can be interesting. In order to increase your chances of success, it is important to consider which method of language learning will provide you with the most benefits. So think about the three ways of learning a language: self­study at home, attending classes and online courses.

    The main disadvantage of learning by yourself is that there is no one available to answer your questions. One way to deal with this is to make a list of your questions and ask for the help of a native speaker of the language regularly.

    Learning a foreign language in a classroom is probably the most popular choice. The regularity(规律性) of the lessons will encourage you to attend classes. In most cases, the enthusiasm of the other students may also encourage you to make progress.

    Online learning is the newest method of learning a foreign language. It suits both the students who prefer to learn alone and the students who may prefer to attend a class but are unable to do so. It is also possible to ask questions and to communicate with other students online.

    Whichever method you choose, keep in mind the reasons why you are learning the language. This will help you stay focused throughout the learning process.

A.Many students prefer to learn by themselves.

B.But it can also be difficult, frustrating and boring.

C.You should also make sure you will benefit from it.

D.You will be able to ask the teacher questions face to face.

E.You may even decide to ask others sometimes to help your self­study.

F.Online learning makes the whole process more interesting and fun.

G.Your personality should be considered when deciding which method of learning to use.

    At the beginning of the century there was a big farm called Hollywood Ranch. It was near Los Angeles in California. A few years later Hollywood was one of the famous places in the world. From the 1910s to the 1950s Hollywood was the film center of the world. Every family knew the names of its film stars—Charlie Chaplin，Greta Garbo，Bergman and hundreds more.

    The reason why people went to Hollywood to make films was the sun. At first people made films in New York on the east coast of the United States. But then they heard about Los Angeles where there are 350 days of sun every year. As they made all the films by sunlight，the west coast was a much better place to work. Also near Hollywood you can find mountains and sea and desert. They did not have to travel far to make any kind of film.

    When TV became popular，Hollywood started making films for television. Then in 1970s they discovered people still went to the cinema to see big expensive films. After twenty years they are still making films in Hollywood and people watch them all over the world.

    This may be music to your ears.

    Researchers P Jason Rentfrow and Samuel Gosling gave 3, 500 people a personality quiz. Then they asked them to name their favourite kind of music. "We found that the musical styles people like are closely linked to their personalities," Gosling says.

    RAP/HIP－HOP

    Known for their quick speech, some rappers can say more than 700 syllables (音节)a minute! If you like rap/hip－hop, you are energetic(精力充沛的)and have a way with words. You put a fresh spin on things, whether it's new moves on the dance floor or your hip style.

    CLASSICAL

    In the 18th century, classical musicians were like rock stars. Beethoven and Mozart, for example, played to packed concert halls.  If you like classical, you are open to new ideas and like debating with friends. Creative and imaginative, you can easily spend many hours scrapbooking, writing or painting.

    COUNTRY

    Country music came from the folk songs of English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the southeastern United States. If you like country, you express your opinions well, which makes you the ideal class president or team captain. Traditional and loyal, you enjoy spending time with your family.

    POP

    Pop music is designed to appeal to(吸引)almost everyone, and it does. Each year, the industry brings in about 30 billion dollars! If you like pop, you are attractive to your friends. You can make big things happen, like planning for a huge party or inspiring your team to victory.

    ROCK/ALTERNATIVE

    In the 1950s, rock music created a brand－new culture. Teenagers, for the first time, had an identity(身份)separate from adults and children.

    If you like rock/alternative, you are a risk－taker who never accepts no for an answer. You rise to any challenge, like doing very well in a big exam or in the school play.

    If these personality profiles don't match you, that's OK. These are just for fun.

    I fell in love with Yosemite National Park the first time I saw it, when I was 13. My parents took us there for camping. On the way out, I asked them to wait while I ran up to E1 Capitan, a 1 rock of 3,300 feet straight up. I touched that giant rock and knew 2 I wanted to climb it. That has been my life's passion (钟爱) ever since — 3 the rocks and mountains of Yosemite. I've long made Yosemite my 4

    About 15 years ago I started seeing a lot of 5, like toilet paper, beer cans, and empty boxes, around the area. It's 6 me why visitors started respecting the place less and treated such a 7 home-like place this way.

    I tried 8 trash (垃圾) myself, but the job was too big. I would 9 an hour or two on the job, only to find the area trashed all over again weeks later. Finally, I got so 10 it that I decided something had to 11.

    As a rock-climbing guide, I knew 12 about organizing any big event. But in 2004, together with some climbers, I set a date for a 13. On that day, more than 300 people 14. Over three days we collected about 6,000 pounds of trash. It was 15 how much we were able to accomplish. I couldn't believe the 16 we made — the park looked clean!

    Each year volunteers come for the cleanup from everywhere. In 2007 alone, 2,945 people picked up 42,330 pounds of trash and 17 132 miles of roadway.

    I often hear people 18 about their surroundings. If you are one of them, I would say the only way to change things is by 19 rather than complaining. We need to teach by 20. You can't blame others unless you start with yourself.

The elderly residents(居民) in care homes in London are being given hens to look after to stop them feeling lonely.

The project was dreamed up by a local charity(慈善组织) to reduce loneliness and improve elderly people's wellbeing. It is also being used to help patients suffering dementia, a serious illness of the mind. Staff in care homes have reported a reduction in the use of medicine where hens are in use.

Among those taking part in the project is 80-year-old Ruth Xavier. She said: "I used to keep hens when I was younger and had to prepare their breakfast each morning before I went to school."

"I like the project a lot. I am down there in my wheelchair in the morning letting the hens out and down there again at night to see they've gone to bed."

"It's good to have a different focus. People have been bringing their children in to see the hens and residents come and sit outside to watch them. I'm enjoying the creative activities, and it feels great to have done something useful. "

There are now 700 elderly people looking after hens in 20 care homes in the North East, and the charity has been given financial support to roll it out countrywide.

Wendy Wilson, extra care manager at 60 Pen fold Street, one of the first to embark on the project, said: "Residents really welcome the idea of the project and the creative sessions: We are looking forward to the benefits and faun the project can bring to people here."

Lynn Lewis, director of Notting Hill Pathways, said: "We are happy to be taking part in the project. It will really help connect our residents through a shared interest and creative activities."

我们大家愉快地完成了所有的工作。