Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

    ⒈ The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员).{#blank#}2{#/blank#} When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more ways of using money.

    ⒉ Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you must say no to a child's request to spend money, explain, “You have to make a choice between this and that toy.”

    ⒊{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product –a name-brand butter and a generic(无商标产品), for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}  If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A. Wise decision

B. The value of money

C. Permit the child to choose between them.

D. Tell your child why he can –or cannot –have certain things.

E. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

F. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

G. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you.

    The first time I played basketball, I was 8 years old. I played in my community where I grew up, and there were never referees（裁判）. I didn't know the rules. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} I always wanted to stay after the game and continue to play basketball.

    I grew up in a single-parent home with no father around, no brothers or sisters. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Sports gave me an opportunity to forget all that I had gone through during my childhood.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} One was the trust of the guys who were playing. It was passing the ball to friends and seeing their joy after making a basket. The other was competition, which is different from opposition. When I was in fifth grade, I wanted to be in the NBA.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    When I was 14, my coach would tell others that I was the best kid he had ever seen, and that I had NBA potential（潜力）. From then on, I got bigger and bigger. I loved the game more and more. I had the greatest time of my life playing basketball in high school.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} There are no shortcuts（捷径）. My teammates and I come from different walks of life and in different shapes and sizes, but we all put in the time. We do that for the joy of being out on the basketball court. And we've achieved a lot in the field.

A. It's a natural habit.

B. But I knew I loved it.

C. We always had difficulty paying our bills.

D. I thought, I guess I'm doing the right thing.

E. You have to dream something to make it a reality.

F. I fell in love with basketball mainly for two reasons.

G. In basketball, you get back what you give to the game.

    The colors that you select create a distinct atmosphere in the room. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Pick the color for your room and you can create whatever you feel like. The color will also help you to enlarge the space or making it more inviting, which will also make differently all about it.

    However, the trick is to select the right version of that particular color. There are different hues (色调) for blues, for instance. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here we have presented a guide that will let you gain a deep insight about the colors.

    Blue

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms it is an ideal choice. Of course it is also associated with sadness that means it may not strike note for each and everyone. It is a popular choice among people. Blue comes from the cold side of the color wheel, so it can make the room feel cold, unless and until it is south filling space. If you are attracted to blue color, think of going for purple, or mix red and purple.

    Dark blues are best for a living room. Probably it is best reserved for high ceiling space. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Green

    Like blue, green is also a calm shade. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is the shade that reflects nature and renewal. Green produces a positive energy without the feeling of overstimulation.

A. Colors can light up the mood of the room.

B. You can use it for a living room or a bedroom.

C. It will make you feel the wall appear near to you.

D. Traditionally, blue is related to calmness and comfort.

E. It is better that you select colors that are warm like blue.

F. They won't create similar effect and atmosphere generally.

G. But before driving into any decision here's what you need to know.

How to Save Your Laptop after a Spill

    Spilling coffee, juice or water on a laptop might seem like the end of the world, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here's a five-step plan to rescue a laptop after a liquid spill.

    Switch the laptop off

    Shut down the laptop. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Remove the power cord, unplug any peripherals and remove the battery. The biggest danger at this time is the device shorting out.

    Remove excess liquid from the laptop

    Remove excess liquid with a soft cloth or paper towels. Do not use a wiping motion as that just spreads the liquid further.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    With the laptop facing away from you, move it from side to side and from front to back in a gentle rocking motion to help the liquid to escape from all four sides.

    Use compressed air to dry the laptop

    Make sure that you have removed all excess liquid. Then, if you have one, use a can of compressed air to help dry the laptop. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Keep the dryer moving all the time and hold it at least 20cm above the laptop.

    Leave laptop to completely dry out

    Leave the laptop opened in an inverted "V" shape in a warm area, to completely dry out. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Wait for 24 hours or longer, making sure the keyboard is completely dry, before reinstalling the battery and peripherals.

    If you must replace your laptop keyboard, please remember: most laptop keyboards can be replaced by a technician, or you can purchase a new USB or wireless keyboard to use with the laptop.

    Everyone is aware that taking good care of our bodies can prevent many medical problems from occurring later. However, we often have less awareness of preventative actions we should take to help with mental health problems. While our mental health may be fine right now, many of us will struggle at some point. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's impossible to get through life without challenges, but our mental health prevention habits can help us get through difficult times. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Keep active. The more active you physically, mentally and socially are, the higher the level of your mental wellness is likely to be. So go for walks and learn something new. There are many other ways to be active. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Be connected. Regular involvement in social activities with supportive friends and family improves your ability to handle disappointments, and everything else life throws at you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But you can be involved in any manner; even volunteering for an organization can help you be more social.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The nature of these activities varies widely from person to person. The key is to identify what gives your life meaning. Volunteering, coaching, teaching, etc. all can contribute to increasing your sense of confidence and satisfaction with life. Many activities can address more than one. The key is to make a plan and stick with it. If you are already struggling, begin to practice these ways to help your recovery.

A. Here are three practical steps.

B. However, good mental health is important.

C. Stresses, disappointments and disasters happen.

D. Overcome life's challenges before they happen.

E. Be committed to activities that give life meaning.

F. The key is to find what keeps you motivated and interested.

G. This can be difficult when you move to a new town or as you get older.

    The pine tree is a special kind of tree.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}This is because many people put pine trees in their homes at Christmas time. They decorate the tree with colored lights, and put Christmas presents under the tree. Pine trees are different from other trees because most other trees lose their leaves in winter.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}So pine trees are also called evergreens.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}They have hard, thin leaves called needles. Pine trees also have pine cones. Pine cones look like hard berries. If you walk in a forest, you will see many pine cones on the ground.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When the seeds fall to the ground, a new tree starts to grow. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The wood is used to make furniture and boats. Many kinds of birds build their nests in pine trees. The seeds of pine trees are food for small animals such as squirrels and mice and for bigger animals such as rabbits and black bears. The needles are good food for large animals such as deer and moose when they cannot find anything to eat in the winter. If you walk in a forest of pine trees, the air has a wonderful smell. In winter, the white snow on the dark green trees looks very beautiful.

A. Pine trees stay green all year long, even in winter.

B. Pine trees do not have soft leaves like the maple tree.

C. Some people call the pine tree a Christmas tree.

D. Pine trees are very beautiful all year round.

E. Pine trees are valuable for many reasons.

F. Inside the pine cones are seeds.

G. The seeds inside the pine cones are the favorite food for some animals.