What is a big dream? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} or, is a big dream something that provides only entertainment? Children dream big dreams, but there are three barriers(障碍) to realizing dreams. They often kill them before they ever have a chance to grow.

The Self

    Immediately following the birth of a big dream, a negative self-talk takes over and gives all the reasons why it can't happen. This inside voice is the ego (自我). It is there for protecting and should be listened to. Sometimes it is right, but more often it is wrong. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    That's why only a handful of people make their dream come true.

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    Family and friends are a lot like the ego. They want to protect those they love, so they will often list all the reasons why the big dreams won't come true. Sometimes, family and friends destroy dreams of those they love most, out of their own fear of being left behind.

The World

    If one gets past the first two barriers, one has to face the world. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In the past, big dreamers were locked up and sometimes even killed when they were shown to the world. Fortunately, in most of the world today, big dreamers just get laughed at.

    The way to realize a big dream is with confidence and action. When children have confidence and then take action, they will be ready to accept any failure. The truth is that every great dreamer whose dreams have never seen the light of success knows failure well. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. How Big Dreams Die

B. Family and Friends

C. They simply fail until they succeed.

D. Does a big dream show one's future?

E. Most people are influenced by the inside voice.

F. It is the last and the most terrible barrier.

G. And their big dream is to be a rock star or a famous artist.

    You'd think the human race would have understood sleeping very well by now, but many of us are still sleeping poorly. Part of the problem is that we have wrong information and beliefs about this important health need. Let's set the facts straight. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈More sleep is better for you.

    There could be such a thing as too much sleep. The amount of sleep we need varies by person and also changes as we age. Harvard researchers found that a lot of sleep (9 hours or more) is linked with poor sleep quality. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Aim for better sleep.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Alcohol can help most people fall asleep. However, it also can cause you to wake up more during the night, decreasing your sleep quality. Consider drinking non-alcoholic drink before bed instead.

    ⒊If you wake up in the middle of the night, lie in bed until you eventually fall back asleep.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}We all hope to quickly fall back asleep. So we tend to stay in bed hoping it'll happen at any minute now. If that doesn't happen, though, within 15 minutes, most experts recommend getting out of bed to do something that occupies our bodies and brains without overstimulating us. Try not to check the clock either.

    ⒋You can catch up on sleep on weekends.

    When we lose sleep during the week, we accumulate a kind of sleep ＂debt＂. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Not so fast. This might actually make you sleepier the next week. Instead of waking up later on the weekends, you'd better go to sleep earlier or perhaps take a nap in the afternoon.

A. Alcohol helps you sleep.

B. Here are some things you might have been told about sleeping but aren't completely true.

C. Everyone should get 7—8 hours of sleep per night.

D. So don't aim for more sleep — even on the weekends.

E. Waking up in the middle of the night is the pits (烦心事), but it happens to all of us.

F. You'll have a better day and perhaps sleep better at night.

G. Can you pay that debt back by sleeping on Saturday or Sunday?

    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.You prefer healthy food to fast food.

C.Your quality of sleep improves.

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

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

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

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

    Four benefits of writing by hand

    Today is National Handwriting Day! Although we don't write like we used to, here are four ways handwriting is still helpful.

    It's better for learning.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}That's because putting ink to paper stimulates (刺激) the brain.  One study from 2010 found that the brain areas related to learning “lit up” much more when kids were asked to write words like “spaceship” by hand versus just studying the word closely.

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    Many famous authors prefer writing by hand to the use of a typewriter or computer. Writer Susan Sontag once said that she penned her first drafts (草稿) before typing them up for editing later. She said, “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}” A 2009 study seems to support Sontag's preference for writing by hand: Elementary school students who wrote essays with a pen not only wrote more than their keyboard-tapping friends, but they also wrote faster and in more complete sentences.

    It will prevent you from being distracted (分心).

    The computer in front of you is really a distraction.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}In 2012, scientists even suggested that taking five-minute breaks to browse Tumblr or BuzzFeed could make you a more productive worker. However, when it's time to work on that essay, have only a pen and paper in front of you.

    It keeps your brain sharp as you get older.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}According to The Wall Street Journal, some physicians say that the act of writing is good exercise for those who want to keep their minds sharp as they age.

A. It makes you a better writer.

B. Writing is good for your brain.

C. Of course, the Internet isn't all bad.

D. I like the slowness of writing by hand.

E. Try writing by hand at least 20 minutes each day.

F. Many writers have a preference for writing by hand.

G. One of the most effective ways to study is to rewrite your notes by hand.

    The correct way to brush your teeth is to use short, gentle strokes on the teeth, You should pay special attention to the gum (牙龈) line. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Pick the right toothbrush.

    Most dentists say that a soft-upraised toothbrush with a small head is best for removing dirt and rubbish while getting into those hard-to-reach places. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They have limited skills in their hands and thus they can do a better job at cleaning teeth.

    Pick the right toothpaste.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And some are tailored (特定需要) specifically for dental issues such as sensitivity, dirt, holes or gingivitis (齿龈炎). Each person's mouth is different, and it is advisable to talk to your dentist about what toothpaste is best for you.

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    Hold your brush at a 45 degree angle, and use short, circular cleans or back and forth movements on your teeth. Brush the gum line in a pattern that pushes rubbish away from it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make sure that all chewing surfaces are clean, and brush the surface of the tongue too.

A. Clean the teeth.

B. Pick a double-duty toothpaste.

C. There are many types of toothpaste.

D. However, this step often gets ignored.

E. An electric toothbrush is best for those.

F. Here are some basic ideas to help you clean your teeth well.

G. Gently brush the inside and outside of each tooth using this motion (动作).

    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.

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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.