How to Care for Your Ears?

        Ears not only let us hear, but they alsoplay a role in maintaining our balance, which is vital to our ability to function in daily life. Yet, we ignore them. We can't even see our ears, exceptin a mirror. We take for granted what they do for us day in and day out－untilwe notice something's wrong, such as when an earache strikes or when we starthaving to ask people to repeat what they say.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

◆ Clean your ear with a washcloth－coveredfinger only.

      Never put anything inside your earcanal, including cotton swabs (药签).{#blank#}2{#/blank#}．

◆ Leave earwax(耳垢)alone.

      Wax is your ear's way of eliminating(消除)anything foreign that gets into the ear canal.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you find you have too much earwax,use a few drops of earwax remover(去除剂) in the canal. After a few minutes,wash the ear with warm water.

◆ Avoid noisy places.

      Rock concerts and construction sites are just a few places that frequently have noise levels that can damage hearing.Any place where you have to shout to be heard should be avoided.

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      Be careful not to play MP3 too loud, especiallyif using earphone.

◆Be careful with illness andmedications.

      Respiratory (呼吸的) illnesses should be treated to avoid their spread to the ears. Certainmedications can damage hearing, so follow the directions carefully beforetaking them.

      See your doctor if you suffer fromsudden hearing loss or hear noises in your head.   

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A. Most people don't need to clean waxout of their ears.

B. In such case, go to see a doctor assoon as possible.

C. These can be symptoms of a seriousillness which needs to be treated.

D. This article will show you how tocare for your ears.

E. Turn the volume(音量)down

F. Avoid using earphones while listeningto MP3.

G. Your ear canal is very narrow, and aswab can damage it.

Building Trust in a Relationship Again

    Trust is a learned behavior that we gain from past experiences. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Trust is a risk. But you can't be successful when there's a lack of trust in a relationship that results from an action where the wrongdoer takes no responsibility to fix the mistake.

    Unfortunately，we've all been victims of betrayal. Whether we've been stolen from，lied to，misled，or cheated on，there are different levels of losing trust. Sometimes people simply can't trust anymore. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's understandable，but if you're willing to build trust in a relationship again，we have some steps you can take to get you there.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Having confidence in yourself will help you make better choices because you can see what the best outcomewould be for your well-being.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you've been betrayed，you are the victim of your circumstance. But there's a difference between being a victim and living with a “victim mentality”. At some point in all of our lives，we'll have our trust tested or violated.

    You didn't lose “everything”. Once trust is lost，what is left? Instead of looking at the situation from this hopeless angle，look at everything you still have and be thankful for all of the good in your life. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Instead，it's a healthy way to work through the experience to allow room余地 for positive growth and forgiveness.

A. Learn to really trust yourself.

B. It is putting confidence in someone .

C. Stop regarding yourself as the victim.

D. Remember that you can expect the best in return.

E. They've been too badly hurt and they can't bear to let it happen again. .

F. This knowledge carries over in their attitude toward their future relationships.

G. Seeing the positive side of things doesn't mean you're ignoring what happened.

    The teenage years can be tough, and it's normal to feel sad every now and then. But if these feelings don't go away or become so intense that you can't handle them, you may be suffering from depression.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Try not to isolate yourself.

    When you're depressed, you may not feel like seeing anybody or doing anything. Just getting out of bed in the morning can be difficult, but isolating yourself only makes depression worse.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Spend time with friends, especially those who are active.

    Keep your body healthy.

    Making healthy lifestyle choices can do wonders for your moods. Ever heard of the "RunnersHigh"? Physical activity can be as effective as medications for depression, so get involved in sports, ride your bike, or take a dance class. Any activity helps!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}As for food, make sure you're feeding your mind with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

    Avoid alcohol and drugs.

    You maybe try drinking or use drugs in an effort to escape from your feelings and get a "mood boost", even if just for a short time. However, substance use can make depression worse.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}You will need special treatment for your substance abuse problem.

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    Stress and worry can lead to depression. Talk to a teacher if exams or classes seem overwhelming. In addition,if you have a health concern you feel you can't talk to your parents about, see a doctor. A health professional can help you approach your parents and guide you toward appropriate treatment. If you're dealing with relationships, friendships, or family problems, talk to an adult you trust.

A. Ask for help if you are stressed.

B. Even a short walk can be beneficial.

C. Turn to your parents for help.

D. As you get out into the world, you may find yourself feeling better.

E. In short, drinking and taking drugs will make you feel worse — not better — in the long run.

F. The more exercise you do, the healthier you will be.

G. Help is available and you have more power than you think.

    Empathy Last year, researchers from the University of Michigan reported that empathy, the ability to understand other people, among college students had dropped sharply over the past 10 years. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Today, people spend more time alone and are less likely to join groups and clubs. Jennifer Freed, a co-director of a teen program, has another explanation. Turn on the TV, and you're showered with news and reality shows full of people fighting, competing, and generally treating one another with no respect. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}There are good reasons not to follow those bad examples. Humans are socially related by nature. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Researchers have also found that empathetic teenagers are more likely to have high self-respect. Besides, empathy can be a cure for loneliness, sadness, anxiety, and fear. Empathy is also an indication of a good leader. In fact, Freed says, many top companies report that empathy is one of the most important things they look for in new managers. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}"Academics are important. But if you don't have emotional (情感的) intelligence, you won't be as successful in work or in your love life," she says. What's the best way to up your EQ (情商）? For starters, let down your guard and really listen to others. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}To really develop empathy, you'd better volunteer at a nursing home or a hospital, join a club or a team that has a diverse membership, have a "sharing circle" with your family, or spend time caring for pets at an animal shelter.

A. Everyone is different, and levels of empathy differ from person to person.

B. That could be because so many people have replaced face time with screen time, the researchers said.

C. "One doesn't develop empathy by having a lot of opinions and doing a lot of talking," Freed says.

D. Humans learn by example—and most of the examples on it are anything but empathetic.

E. Empathy is a matter of learning how to understand someone else—both what they think and how they feel.

F. Good social skills—including empathy—are a kind of "emotional intelligence" that will help you succeed in many areas of life.

G. Having relationships with other people is an important part of being human—and having empathy is decisive to those relationships.

How to Plan a Holiday Trip

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whether it's to grandma's house, a family reunion or simply a holiday getaway, these yearly road trips can often be the source of dread and stress. The thought of being trapped in the car with restless children or the possibility of car trouble along the way is enough to make anyone consider staying home. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Plan out the route for your car trip. If you're planning on driving to your holiday destination, a little planning can help make your trip easy and uneventful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember, it's likely that you won't be the only person on the road during the holidays, and traffic is always a factor. Alternate routes or shortcuts can help reduce time spent in traffic jams and get you to your destination sooner. This information can also come in handy in case of road construction or other situations that might block your primary route.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Although traveling by air can be quick and convenient, it can also be much more expensive. Start planning your trip early to take advantage of advance purchase discounts and avoid sold out flights. Many airlines become extremely busy during the holidays so booking in advance can also help ensure that you get the flights that you want. High traffic destinations such as New York, Los Angeles or Atlanta can be extremely crowded during the holidays. If you have the option, consider booking your flight to a nearby airport and renting a car for the short drive to your destination.

    Consider your luggage needs. If you're traveling by car, the issue of luggage is only important with regards to the amount of room needed. Before you begin packing, think about how many people will be in your vehicle and how much room they will need to travel comfortably. This could affect the number of bags that you can take along. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not only is the possibility of lost luggage an issue, but most airlines now charge extra for checked baggage.

    For a family of four, carrying a few bags each could result in several hundred dollars worth of baggage fees during your trip. Try to pack as lightly as possible.

A. As an alternative to driving or flying, check into the possibility of traveling by train.

B. Plan your trip to avoid peak travel times.

C. Luckily, with a little planning, these situations can be avoided.

D. Book airline tickets.

E. Each year, millions of people load up the family car and set out on a holiday trip,

F. For traveling by air, the number of bags that you take is a much bigger concern.

G. Consider your starting point and desired destination, and investigate several possible routes.

How to Have a Successful Teenage Life

    Everyone dreams of success in their life, don't they? Even as a teenager, you can achieve success in your life; it really isn't that hard. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Do well in school.

    No matter how boring it is now  education will help you be a productive member in society. Try your best for excellence in school; listen to the teachers, do your homework, study, and get good grades. Doing so will help you get into a better university, which will enable you to have a bright future. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Do good in your community(社区).

    Volunteering can not only improve your community's status, but it could make you happier. Studies show that people who volunteer are less likely to develop depression (抑郁)than people who don't. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, if you love animals, volunteer at an animal shelter. If you love helping the environment, plant trees or pick up litter. When you help others, it will make you feel better about yourself.

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    Remember, they're there to help you be the best that you can be. Respect them and value their opinions, even if they annoy you sometimes. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You don't get to choose your teachers or your family, but you still have to put up with them. Learn how to deal with people now, because when you're an adult, you don't get to choose your boss or your co-workers, so learn how to respect them now.

    These points can help you enjoy success in your teenage life.

A. Live life to the fullest.

B. School sets you up on the right track!

C. Be nice to your parents and teachers.

D. Find chances to do volunteer work that interests you.

E. It will help you pass time and develop your personality.

F. Here are some important points that you may find helpful.

G. Keep it in mind that they do the things they do because they care about you.