At Beijing Language and Culture University, student Li Yutong starts her day not in a classroom, but on her laptop, taking care of her simple pumpkin farm in Stardew Valley. Nearby, her roommate is deep into Animal Crossing, fishing by a virtual river. For them and many other young people, these farming and life-simulation games provide a digital escape into a calmer and more controllable way of living.

Called “digital farmers”, players enjoy planting crops, looking after animals, and building communities in these easy virtual worlds. “These games are more than just hobbies,” Li said. “They teach me to watch, plan, and be patient. They show me that hard work and time bring rewards.”

This type of game has become very popular. Some games received billions of online views soon after they came out, and others sold tens of millions of copies in just one year. This quick growth comes from the games’ special attraction for young city people. Experts say the games provide a needed sense of control and success — a “safe test area” where growing time is made shorter, work soon shows results, and mistakes are not forever. This gives players a break from the busy and worried life of the city, connecting them again with a peaceful and natural rhythm.

Also, these virtual farms reflect an old cultural wish. The ancient dream of country life, written by the poet Tao Yuanming — “I pull weeds at sunrise, coming home with my farming tool under the moon” — now lives again in the digital world.

In the end, cyber farming is not just about getting away; it is a new way for young people to look for order, real achievement, and a peaceful connection with nature — showing that old dreams of simple country life still matter to the heart today.

1.1. How does the writer introduce the topic?

A By explain the history.

B With a personal example.

C By comparing different games.

D With expert opinions.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。第一段通过描述大学生李雨彤（音译）和她室友的具体行为，引入“模拟农场游戏”这一现象，属于用个人例子引出话题。故选B。

2.2. The term “digital farmers” in the passage refers to people who ______.

A study agriculture online

B use technology on real farms

C play farming and life games

D design game worlds for others

解析：选C。C 词意指代题。根据第二段语境，“digital farmers”指的就是前文所说的在《星露谷物语》等游戏中种植作物、照顾动物的玩家。故选C。

3.3.What is the key reason for the games’ popularity according to experts?

A They are very cheap to buy.

B They meet needs missing in real life.

C They have very simple rules.

D They are pushed by universities.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。第三段先用数据证明其流行度，然后重点通过专家观点分析了流行背后的心理和社会原因：游戏提供了现实城市生活中所缺乏的掌控感、成就感和与自然的连接。故选B。

4.4. Why is the poet Tao Yuanming mentioned in the passage?

A To show the games are based on old poems.

B To prove that farming is very tiring work.

C To connect the games to an old cultural dream.

D To explain how to write good poetry.

解析：选C。C 推理判断题。第四段的功能是深化主题，将当下年轻人玩虚拟务农游戏的现象与中国传统文化中（如陶渊明诗歌所代表的）“田园梦想”联系起来。故选C。

5.5. What is the author’s final conclusion about cyber farming?

A It is a harmless way to waste time.

B It is better than playing other video games.

C It will soon become less popular.

D It represents a modern search for meaning.

解析：选D。D 主旨大意题。最后一段总结升华，点明深层意义：网络务农不仅是逃避现实，更是一种现代方式，让年轻人追寻秩序、成就感和与自然的温柔联系，是一种对生命意义的现代追寻。故选D。