人教全日制普通高中英语（必修）高三UNIT15-4

For a lot of teenagers, their Internet friendship with a woman known as "Blue Sky" and "A Beautiful Mind" proved a turning point in their lives. By chatting online they were able to talk honestly about their troubles and receive help in finding¹ solutions to their problems. Many of the young people that "Blue Sky" met in the chat rooms were spending large amounts of time playing online games. Some were so addicted² that they were missing³ school in order to play. By listening to the reasons beneath this behaviour and by offering gentle encouragement, "Blue Sky" was able to help numerous⁴ adolescents make the adjustments needed to restore⁵ balance in their lives.
 
When a grateful young net-friend posted an article on the Internet about "Blue Sky" in February 2004, her wonderful work was made known to the public. The national media picked up the story and "Blue Sky", whose real name is Liu Huanrong, quickly achieved fame as China's "Web Mother".
 
Miss Liu says she does not possess any special abilities; "I just listened patiently and offered some advice. That's all." Perhaps the reason why she is able to understand young people's problems is her experience of overcoming difficulties in her own life. As a teenager, Miss Liu was involved in a fire, in which 91% of her skin was burnt and she lost the use of her hands. However, her self-determination made it possible for her to build a successful life, and she has even found a way to use a computer mouse and keyboard.
 
Miss Liu's work opened up a debate about how best to help young people control their use of the Internet, rather than be controlled by it. It became clear that young people and parents alike⁶ needed someone to talk things through with, and within minutes of going online Miss Liu would have dozens of people waiting to chat with her. But she has a full-time⁷ job as an accountant and can only spend about three hours doing her online voluntary work each day. She simply does not have enough time to offer support to all these people personally. The solution is the Web Mother website, which is hosted by Liu Huanrong and provides access to other volunteers who are available to give advice.
 
NORTHERN TEENAGERS DON'T GET BORED -- THEY GET A BOARD!
Many Chinese young people are discovering the excitement of skateboarding, and skating ramps⁸ are being built in some parks. Those who live in northern China also have a chance to try out a different kind of boarding. When the winter freeze puts a stop to most outdoor games, trendy teenagers in Beijing and northern cities head to the mountains to experience the latest cool sport -- snowboarding.
 
       There is so much enthusiasm⁹ for winter sports in China that the number of people taking part is expected to grow by ten to twenty times in just five years, reaching between 50 and 100 million by 2009. This has led to the development of many new facilities and there are now more than two hundred ski slopes in China, many of which also have snowboarding runs. Although most mature people choose to ski, many of the younger generation prefer snowboarding because they say it is more creative, faster and there are fewer rules. While skiers slide gracefully¹⁰ down the mountain, energetic snowboarders jump, turn and fly from shallow¹¹ channels called "half pipe" runs.
 
       Of the total number of Chinese people participating in winter sports, the percentage of snowboarders is higher than in any other country, and companies who supply snowboarding equipment are eager to see this trend continue. Suppliers are doing all they can to promote the sport as a cool and fashionable way of life for China's youth, and one American company is even offering nightclub parties and fashion shows as well as lessons on how to ride the boards.
 
       Unfortunately snowboarding, like all winter sports, is still very expensive. Some young snowboarders work all through their summer holidays just to be able to afford some hours on the snow in winter. For most of us the high cost means that snowboarding is just not possible at the moment. However, it probably will not be long before the other mountainous areas of China such as Sichuan, Xinjiang and Yunnan are developed, and as more facilities become available, prices will almost certainly fall. So who knows? Soon we may all be able to have a go at the hottest sport for cold weather.

1 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

2 addicted   

adj.沉溺于....的，对...上瘾的

参考例句：

• He was addicted to heroin at the age of 17.他17岁的时候对海洛因上了瘾。
• She's become addicted to love stories.她迷上了爱情小说。

3 missing   

adj.遗失的，缺少的，失踪的

参考例句：

• Check the tools and see if anything is missing.检点一下工具，看有无丢失。
• All the others are here;he's the only one missing.别人都来了，就短他一个。

4 numerous   

adj.为数众多的；极多的

参考例句：

• There have been numerous exchanges of views between the two governments.两国政府间曾多次交换意见。
• There are numerous people in the square. 有许多人在广场上。

5 restore   

vt.把…恢复原状；归还，交还

参考例句：

• A good rest will restore you to health.好好休息一下可使你恢复健康。
• His recent success has helped to restore his faith in his own ability.他最近取得的成功使他恢复了对自己能力的信任。

6 alike   

adj.同样的，相像的；adv.一样地；同程度地　

参考例句：

• The twins are so alike that I can't tell which is which.这对双胞胎一模一样，我分辨不出谁是谁。
• All stories seemed dreadfully alike,no matter who told them.看来，不管谁讲，故事都是千篇一律的。

7 full-time   

adj.满工作日的或工作周的，全时间的

参考例句：

• A full-time job may be too much for her.全天工作她恐怕吃不消。
• I don't know how she copes with looking after her family and doing a full-time job.既要照顾家庭又要全天工作，我不知道她是如何对付的。

8 ramps   

resources allocation and multiproject scheduling 资源分配和多项目的行程安排

参考例句：

• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。
• He has the upper floor and ramps are fitted everywhere for his convenience. 他住在上面一层，为了他的方便着想，到处设有坡道。

9 enthusiasm   

n.热情，激情；巨大兴趣；热衷的事物

参考例句：

• We set about our task at once with great enthusiasm.我们立刻兴致勃勃地干起来。
• A team which is full of enthusiasm is more likely to win.情绪高涨的球队更可能获胜。

10 gracefully   

ad.大大方方地；优美地

参考例句：

• She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

11 shallow   

adj.浅的，肤浅的，浅显易懂的；n.(pl.)浅滩，浅处；v.变浅

参考例句：

• The dish is too shallow to serve soup in.盘子太浅，盛不了汤。
• His analysis was always shallow.他的分析总是很肤浅的。