Not all children want to listen to their parents. However, parents have been around for at least two decades or so longer than their kids. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are four ways in which they might be right.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} People should want to grow and change with time in a good way. People who hang around with those who are not as smart as they are will stagnate (停滞). So try to surround yourself with people who are worth learning from.

    The more you learn, the less you really know. People tend to believe that they are right about everything before they've really learned anything about the world.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is largely due to contrast: people will realize how ignorant (无知) they were in the past after they've learned certain things, making them realize how much they've left to learn.

    Growing up too fast is truly bad.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} However, these are the years when you are going to be more protected from the cruel realities of adulthood. You should try to appreciate this aspect of this life stage without being concerned with pushing your development too hard.

    It is better to try and fail than fail to try. Children have to learn that failure is part of life.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, the sting (刺痛) of failure disappears gradually, and the regret about missed opportunities is going to sting far more for many adults. So don't stop going for certain goals because of a fear of failure.

A. Parents are wiser than you think.

B. It's hard enough for adults to accept.

C. Being around people who don't challenge you is a bad idea.

D. Your childhood years may not be the best years of your life.

E. They have some life experience, and it makes sense to listen to them.

F. People who bring out the best in others will reach their personal best.

G.  By the time they have, they'll realize how complicated (复杂) the world can be.

Testing the five-second rule

    You may have seen a friend drop food on the floor, pick it up, and eat it, while declaring, “Five-second rule! ” It's said that food dropped on the floor for five seconds or less is still likely to be clean. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Students at Britain's Aston University, led by microbiology professor Anthony Hilton, tested the rule and found it to have some scientific basis. The study's results show that food dropped for five seconds is less likely to contain bacteria than if it sits there for longer, according to Hilton.

    The students also found that the type of flooring where the dropped food lands has an effect. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Bacteria are most likely to transfer from tiled (铺瓷砖的) surfaces to moist food when the food has stood there for more than five seconds.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Therefore, consumers should still be cautious. “However, the findings of this study will bring some light relief to those who have been employing the five-second rule for years, despite a general consensus that it is purely a myth,” professor Hilton said in a statement.

    The research team at Aston also surveyed 500 people to find out who employs the five-second rule. Of the people surveyed, 87% said they would eat food dropped on the floor, or have done so in the past. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} “Our study showed people are also more likely to follow the five-second rule, which our research has shown to be much more than an old wives' tale,” Hilton says.

    Still, scientists say you should be careful about eating food dropped on the floor, especially if you have doubts about the cleanliness of the surface. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. But is that true?

B. Carpeted surfaces posed the lowest risk.

C. Of those people, the majority were women.

D. We've just lost our last excuse to eat food off the floor.

E. Usually people recover from the infection in five to ten days.

F. There is still a risk of infection if certain bacteria are present on the dropped surface.

G. A biologist points out that one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning every year.

    It's not easy to just get up and go if you're not a morning person. But with some preparation, you can have a great morning routine (常规) before school, which can also make for a good day.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A great morning routine doesn't include cramming (突击式学习) for a test or struggling to get your homework done as you're running out of the door.

    Shower the night before. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} And if you can, do your hair the night before so when you wake up, you'll be able to freshen yourself quickly to get to school and get on with the day.

    Lay out your clothes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Make sure to lay out everything you need, including your socks and shoes. Another thing is hair. If your school has a preference (偏爱) of what you do with your hair, be sure to respect that.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It helps in the morning if you have something in front of you to check off as you're walking out of the door. The list should include your homework, books and your lunch or lunch money as well as anything else you normally take with you to school.

    Eat a good breakfast. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Eating a healthy breakfast helps improve your focus and allows you to stay active in your classes. If you can, prepare your meal the night before. At the least, set out your spoons and plates.

A. Make a list of everything you will take.

B. Brush your teeth after you eat breakfast.

C. Get all your homework done before going to bed.

D. Check the weather forecast and choose your clothing.

E. A great morning routine should always include a good breakfast.

F. Don't hurry and make sure you have everything before you leave.

G. That helps you have a good sleep and save much time in the morning.

    Communication is an essential part of human existence. However, not all of us are born with great personal relationship skills. In fact, a lot of people are afraid of talking to others or in front of a crowd for several reasons including physical deformities(残疾), lack of knowledge, and emotional hindrances(障碍). {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Talk about interesting general subjects. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Current issues or news items are perfect starters because you can be sure that other people are aware of them.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, know your limitations. Topics such as religion and politics can be discussed without debating. Often, key issues, especially those that take sides, make the best conversations.

    Discuss, do not argue. State facts and opinions politely, but do not force other people to accept what you believe in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}After all, the purpose of a conversation is to exchange views and information.

    Listen. Like relationships, conversations should have a give-and-take pattern. Allow other people to speak their opinions without constant interruptions. Pay attention and focus on every detail they say. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Topics that are too specific may not be appealing to everyone.

B. Do not panic when you have different opinions from others.

C. An interest in another person's point of view is absolutely essential.

D. Do not be afraid of conversational taboos(禁忌).

E. Here are some useful tips on conversation topics.

F. At the same time, be open to their viewpoints.

G. Here are some useful tips to help you get over your poor conversation habits.

    Proven Ways to Make a Good First Impression (印象)

    Want to be more memorable? These tips will help you have a lasting connection with anyone you meet.

    Smile!

    People who smile tend to manage and sell more effectively, and raise happier children. Your facial expression is typically the first thing someone notices about you when they make a judgement. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Think about your purposes

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Do you want to make a new friend? Network? Strike a business deal? A clear set of purposes can help you figure out what kind of energy you want to give off during the interaction. Know what kind of information you want to share about yourself in each circumstance.

    Show great interest

    You can make a good first impression if you are excited and greatly interested in the person or people you are trying to connect with. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. If doing so, you will have more in depth and more memorable conversations.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It is often said that actions speak louder than words. Going out of your way to do something kind or thoughtful, especially for someone you don't know well, can ensure that you make a lasting impression.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Pay attention to your words

B. Make an effort to be thoughtful

C. It's important to appear both happy and active.

D. What are your goals in making this impression?

E. These are little things you can do to be nicer to anyone.

F. Remembering someone's name and working it into a conversation go a long way.

G. Listen carefully, ask questions, and encourage others to talk about their experiences.

How do actors and actresses memorize hundreds of lines? Memorizing lines takes practice and constant repetition. However, there are a few ways to make the memorization process run smoothly and quickly.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

For most performers, there is no quicker way of memorizing lines. To learn lines, an actor must recite the play loud over and over again. Most rehearsals (彩排) encourage this by running through the lines or having a "read through". By the time opening night arrives, most actors have spoken their lines hundreds of times.

Listen to your cast members(参演人员).

Sometimes inexperienced actors spend rehearsals just looking at fellow performers, waiting patiently to say their next line. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This will help the actor learn his lines better because the context of the dialogue is absorbed.

Record your lines.

Because there is often not enough rehearsal time, many performers find ways to listen to the play's dialogue during everyday activities. They use a tape recorder or an MP4 player to listen to the lines from each relevant scene. Some actors prefer to record the lines of all the characters, including their own. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Others like recording the lines of fellow cast members, and they leave a blank space so that they can insert their dialogue while listening to the recording.

Think positively and don't panic.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Actors forget lines now and then. When it happens, however, most of the time the audience never notice. If you forget a line in the middle of your performance, don't freeze. Stay in character. Keep the scene going to the best of your ability. If unfortunately you forget a line once, you will probably never forget that line ever again. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Most actors will experience stage fright before the opening night.

B. Read lines loud and repeat them.

C. Practice makes perfect.

D. Read lines loud and remember them in a flash.

E. Sometimes embarrassment is the toughest method of memorization.

F. Then, they not only listen carefully, but they also speak all of the lines.

G. Instead, they should be listening carefully, responding in character at all times.