London has become a cycle-friendly zone after the launch of a new bike hire scheme.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

   {#blank#}2{#/blank#}First you have to sign up to the scheme to be sent a key. The key will unlock one of the bikes, which are kept at docking stations in and around central London. You have to pay an access fee for the key and then you pay as you go, for the length of time you use the bike.

    Transport for London, which runs the scheme, are hoping to have 6,000 bikes and 400 docking stations in place by the end of the year. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}London Mayor Boris Johnston launched the scheme and said London has been “filled with thousands of gleaming (发光的) machines that will transform the look and feel of our street and become as commonplace on our roads as black cabs and red buses”.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} On the first day some people found they couldn't dock their bike properly and their usage of the bike had not registered. Transport for London did admit they had been expecting a few “teething problems” and have said they would not charge for the first day as a “gesture of goodwill”. Some other people have criticized the lack of docking stations and locks for the bikes as well as the price it costs to hire the bicycles.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“My crusade for the capital to become the greatest big cycling city in the world has taken a great pedal-powered push forwards.”

A. So how does it work?

B. How do you like it?

C. However, there have been a few problems since the scheme was launched last Friday.

D. Despite the comments, the green-thinking London Mayor still says with certainty.

E. However, the London Mayor is confident of the scheme.

F. It has been designed to encourage more people to cycle in and around central London.

G. The new hire system is hoping to ease congestion(拥挤) in London and is expected to create up to 40,000 extra cycle trips a day into the city centre.

    Global Positioning System (GPS) is now a part of everyday driving in many countries. It is a space-based system that provides position and time information in all weather conditions. GPS can help people get to where they want to go.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When this happens, the driver is often to blame. Sometimes a GPS error is responsible. Most often, it is a combination of the two.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Barry Brown, a GPS technologist, took an incident as an example. His friend once flew to an airport in the eastern United States. There he borrowed a GPS-equipped car to use. He wrongly plugged in the home address in the west. It wasn't until he was driving for thirty minutes that he realized it. Mr. Brown says this is a common human error. But he says, “One problem is that GPS has a very small screen and it can just tell you the next turn.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}”

    “The Normal and Natural Troubles of Driving with GPS” lists several areas where GPS can cause difficulties. They include maps that are outdated, incorrect or difficult to understand. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}GPS may fail due to these reasons and then lead to confusion for the drivers.

    Although GPS sometimes causes difficulties when people are driving, the most attractive point of this system is its 100% coverage on the planet. It is important for you to have to know what you are doing when you use GPS. You need to have the “ability” to be able to use GPS because it sometimes goes wrong.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. There are quite a few situations showing the problems of using GPS.

B. That means that it is not really telling you about going to the wrong place.

C. This space-based system is an important tool for civil and commercial users.

D. But sometimes it sends you to the wrong place or leaves you completely lost.

E. They also contain timing problems related to when GPS commands are given.

F. Advances in technology play an active role in modernizing GPS in many ways.

G. To make GPS well used, you need a good understanding of how drivers and GPS work.

    The UN has recognized the contributions of volunteers on Dec. 5, International Volunteer Day. Here, the four things are offered to consider before taking the leap into overseas volunteering.

    Choose your organization carefully

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} volunteering may be a fundraising mechanism（筹资机制）for a development project. For others, volunteering is fundamental to their programs, and those serving take on professional roles in longer-term development.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Volunteers want to help and make a difference, but most know this isn't a purely selfless act. You will learn new skills, broaden your horizons and come to better understand yourself and the world.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Reflect on your motivations. You want to help reduce global poverty or protect the natural world, but what else? Have you always wanted to travel, but not as a tourist? Work with kids? When you understand your motivations, you'll be in a better position to choose the option that is right for you.

    Work alongside the local community

    Often times, travelers volunteer in isolation（隔离）from the local community in which they are working in.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This enables you to ensure you are committing to a project that promotes long term and sustainable change.

    A volunteer trip is just the beginning

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Further ignite（点燃）the global change maker in you by taking your experience one step further when you return home. Spread the message of your transformative experience to others, helping to spark the change within them.

Ways to say “Happy birthday to me”

    Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm at an age when not everyone looks forward to cakes and presents.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It always makes me feel excited to be alive and grateful for my life and my family. So I think even if your birthday is a regular old day at work or home, there are some easy ways to raise it to the special occasion.

    Give a gift to someone else.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} While everyone loves to open a birthday present, there is a lot of joy and goodness to be gained from being generous with others. Making a birthday donation (捐赠) to a charity that means something to you.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Try something new. Today is new to us. Why not enjoy the newness of the moment? Dip your tones into some new waters, sign up for an adult education class, go for a new-to-you park or plan a new trip. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Whether or not you have the opportunity to share a meal, outing or party with friends and family, please take time on your birthday to connect with people who are important to your life, if you use social media like phones, you are likely filled with well—wishes from loved ones. Use these as a. jumping off point to start new conversations and reconnect with people who lift your spirits and support in your journey towards being your best self.

A.I love my birthday, though.

B. It's better to give than to receive.

C. Connect with people who matter to you.

D. This year my birthday is on a Saturday.

E. Freshen up yourself with countless opportunities.

F. One choice is to donate a dollar amount to match your age.

G. Download an app to learn a new language is also a good choice.

    If you are already making the time to exercise, it is good indeed! With such busy lives, it can be hard to try and find the time to work out. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Working out in the morning provides additional benefits beyond being physically fit.

    Your productivity is improved. Exercising makes you more awake and ready to handle whatever is ahead of you for the day. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Your metabolism(新陈代谢) gets a head start. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you work out in the mornings, then you will be getting the calorie(卡路里) burning benefits for the whole day, not in your sleep.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Studies found that people who woke up early for exercise slept better than those who exercised in the evening. Exercise energizes you, so it is more difficult to relax and have a peaceful sleep when you are very excited.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you work out bright and early in the morning, you will be more likely to stick to healthy food choices throughout the day. Who would want to ruin their good workout by eating junk food? You will want to continue to focus on positive choices.

    There are a lot of benefits to working out, especially in the mornings. Set your alarm clock an hour early and push yourself to work out! You will feel energized all day long.

A. You will stick to your diet.

B. Your quality of sleep improves.

C. You prefer healthy food to fast food.

D. There is no reason you should exercise in the morning.

E. You can keep your head clear for 4-10 hours after exercise.

F. After you exercise, you continue to burn calories throughout the day.

G. If you are planning to do exercise regularly, or you're doing it now, then listen up!

Having the option to study abroad is exciting. It's what you call an once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should take full advantage of if you have the chance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So before you get excited and book that plane ticket to a new world, take these tips into consideration.

Make new friends.

No matter where you end up studying abroad, take this time to make new friends. That could mean someone from your school in your program or major. It could also mean a native of the city or country you're visiting. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Do your best not to isolate yourself. Instead, reach out to others actively.

Overcome homesickness.

No matter where you go, you'll probably get a little homesick. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Luckily for you, with social media, you can connect with your loved ones almost instantly at any time of the day. Besides, we're almost positive that everyone back home misses you just as much as you miss them. However, they probably want you to enjoy yourself as much as possible and not to feel sad because you miss them.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

One of the best parts of studying abroad is learning the local language. By doing this, you'll be able to communicate with people in your new home. After all, that is your home for a limited time. Also, speaking the local language is another useful skill. Local employers take interest in that when considering applicants.

The world is full of so many great places. We will support you if you'd like to study in one of them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Learn the local language.

B. Master some useful languages.

C. But don't forget to follow these suggestions.

D. That is quite normal, especially the beginning.

E. Turn to your new friends for help if you feel homesick.

F. Remember, even your best friends started out as strangers.

G. However, studying abroad is not as simple as you just thought.