阅读理解。
"The age of melancholy" is how psychologist Daniel Goleman describes our age. People today experience
more depression (feeling of sadness) than older generations, though the technological wonders help us every
day. It might be because of them.
Our lifestyles are increasingly driven by technology. Our days are filled with phones, computers and the
Internet. There is a constant need to check for texts and emails, to update Facebook, MySpace and Linkedin
profiles and to acquire the latest notebook or 3G cell phone.
Are we being served by these technological wonders or have we become enslaved by them? I study the
psychology of technology, and it seems to me that we are sleepwalking into a world where technology is
severely affecting our well-being. Technology can be hugely useful in the fast-paced modern living, but we
need to stop it from taking over.
For many of us, it is becoming increasingly difficult to control the impulse to check our inbox yet again or
see whether the headlines have changed since we looked last time. Our children are in a similar position. In
many homes, the computer, with which we work and play, has become the centre of attention.
How does this arise, and what is it doing to us? People who place a high value on material goals are
unhappier than those who are less materialistic.
Our culture also Constantly reminds us that time is money. This indicates a need for total efficiency (效
率), which is the reason for us to allow laptop computers and mobile phones to blur the separation, between
work and home. As one unhappy human resource manager in a high-tech company 'put it, "They gave me
a mobile phone so they can own me 24 hours a day, and a potable computer, so my office is now with me
all the time-I cannot break out of this. pressure." Sound familiar?
Psychologists generally believe that the lack of a clear separation between work and home greatly damages
our relationships with loved ones. It also makes us quite likely to focus on the here and now at the expense
of long-term goals.
Modern society is in danger of exchanging standard of living for quality of life. We need ways to help
recover those increasingly large parts of our lives that have been controlled by technology, to regain mastery
over technology and learn to use it in a healthy and positive way.
1. Why does the author mention Daniel Goleman's words "the age of melancholy"?
A. To prove the point that people are addicted to advanced technology.
B. To introduce his idea of a more depressed society due to technology.
C. To introduce his view about the advantage of technological wonders.
D. To prove that modern people are puzzled by the technological wonders.
2. By saying that "we need to stop it from taking over" in paragraph 3, the author means _____.
A. we should stop using these technological wonders
B. we should use these technological wonders wisely
C. we are severely affected by these technological wonders
D. we are frequently trapped in these technological wonders
3. What does the underlined word"it" in paragraph 6 refer to?
A. The lack of a clear separation between work and home.
B. The pressure that the manager cannot break out of.
C. The need for total efficiency in modern life.
D. The high value placed on material goals.
4. What is the best title for the passage?
A. Sad Feeling in Advanced Society
B. Standard of Living or Quality of Life?
C. Technology Wonders Bring New Lifestyle
D. Free Yourself: from Control by Technology