Have you ever had lucid (清醒的) dreams? Recent studies suggest that the number of people having them is on the rise. Someone having a lucid dream realizes they are dreaming and may from then on" direct" the action, or they may simply " watch" the dream unfold. The sense of awareness (知道) makes it different from a dream that is simply very lively and true to life. And although the description may seem strange, the process is far from alien to many of us.

Studies suggest that the number of people in the Western world experiencing lucid dreams, which happen once in a while, has risen by between 10 and 40 per cent since the 1980s. Today, they are so common that about one in eight of us will have one in our lives. But still, little is known about what causes them or what is behind the rise.

Research carried out at the respected Harvard University in the US shows that the brain is working hard during lucid dreams. In fact, the level of the mental (精神

的) activity in some parts of the brain is similar to that of a person who is awake. Lucid dreamers seem to share certain personal characters. For example, in general they are quite creative. They are also good at digging deep into problems and going out of their way to solve them. Furthermore, they always believe in personal responsibility rather than letting society carry the can.

Our nightmares (噩梦) may show our waking worries, with the five most common ones-- falling, being run after, feeling disabled, being late and the death of a loved one. Men are more likely to have nightmares about fights or being fired while hair and tooth loss appear more in women's nightmares-perhaps showing worries about losing their looks. Research has also found that women have more nightmares than men. Their dreams are also scarier and more unforgettable.

(I: Interviewer S:Sadie)

I: What are you doing here in Milan, Sadie?

S: I'm working. There is a big fashion show here.

I: Are you staying in a hotel?

S: No,I'm not. I'm staying with friends.

I: Are you having a good time in Milan?

S: Yes, I am. I'm enjoying it very much.

I: Now Sadie, tell the listeners, what are you wearing now?

S: I'm not wearing anything special! I'm just wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

I: Thank you, Sadie. It's nice to talk to you.

Jasmine sat sewing (缝) a handkerchief in the garden. Suddenly, a little insect came running in such a hurry across the small stone. Immediately, an idea 1 Jasmine. She dropped her thimble (顶针) over the little ant. Seeing him running round and round to find the exit, Jasmine thought it was 2 and laughed out loud. As night 3 , she ran away for dinner and forgot all about him.

That night, the rain 4 The handkerchief left outside was wet through as if somebody had been 5 very much. 

The next morning, As Jasmine went out to fetch it, she remembered who was under the thimble. But when she lifted up the thimble, the little tiny ant lay 6 there! 

"Why did you do that, Jasmine?" came Dad's voice. 

"I didn't 7 to, Dad." Jasmine almost cried. 

"See! He moves one of his 8 . Run to the house and get some honey for him!"

Then 9 Jasmine put a drop of honey before the tiny ant. 

Now the ant 10 a fairy tongue (舌头) to enjoy the sweet honey. Soon, he grew well, trying to run. 

"He wants to run home." said Dad. "I know where he lives. In a little round world of ants, under the apple tree."

"And has he got a wife and children—a lot of little ants at home?"

"Well, there are father ants and mother ants, and lots of other ants who are 11 to the little ones. 12 knows his own children, but all the grown-up ones are kind to all the babies. See how he hurries off!"

While they were talking, the little ant was soon 13 among the grass. In a little while came the ant with a group of friends. 

"He has been home and told them the good 14 about the honey," said Dad. "Do you think that all children are as kind as that?"

"No, I don't run to call my friends when I find a good place of blackberries."

"Then," said father, "just learn from the ant, 15 he is only a little tiny thing."

My brother Tom is very kind. He is always ready to help people who are in{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(苦恼). Now he is studying in a university. At the same time, he is a volunteer at a local after-school p{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. It {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(提供) some service to those who are not good at their studies. 

Last year, he s{#blank#}4{#/blank#} up a special website for the disabled children. At first, he met many difficulties. However, he worked them out quickly. He also called up more helpers to join the program. They spent{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(数个) hours with the children every week and taught them how to take care of themselves. Many parents feel e{#blank#}6{#/blank#}because they can't imagine their children can study like normal children. 

"W{#blank#}7{#/blank#}Tom's website, the program would be unable to have enough helpers to help us. I get such a strong feeling of satisfaction (满意)" one of the program {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(主人) says. 

"I feel happy to teach those children how to study. The happiest thing is that I can also{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(发展) myself and it can make my dream come{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(实现)." Tom says.

Rick, a school boy, had a love for playing video games. Every day, his1 reminded him to take some exercise instead of playing video games. However, he didn't always 2 . 

Once again, Rick's mom told him seriously that his eyesight (视力) might get poor if he spent too much time on video games. It was a pity that he still didn't listen 3 . He kept playing. One day, during a math class, Rick's teacher got upset when he couldn't give an answer to a question like "2+2=?". After class, the teacher asked him why he couldn't solve such a 4 problem. Rick said that he knew the answer 5 couldn't see the board clearly. His teacher was worried and 6 his parents. 

Realizing what had happened, Rick's mom warned him again that it was harmful to his 7 to play video games too much. And Rick's dad took him to an eye doctor for a check-up. The 8 showed that his eyesight had weakened. After asking about his habit of using eyes, the doctor advised Rick to take action to protect his eyes. 

From that day on, Rick decided to 9 playing video games and take some exercise every day. Later Rick fell in love with sports and 10 his school soccer team. Now he has become stronger and healthier. His eyesight has also got better. 

Last summer, football player Carson Pickett made history. She became 1 first person without an arm to play for the US Women's National Team (UWNT).

28-year-old Pickett was born without left arm. 2 that didn't stop her from doing anything. 3 great girl she is! She does almost everything with just one hand, such as eating and swimming.

Pickett 4 play football very well. Born in a sports family, she started playing football at the age of five and 5 great interests in the sport. The body difference may change the way she plays football. However, it can't stop 6 love for it. With hard work, she finally became a member of UWNT.

Pickett isn't shy when she talks about her body difference. "Everyone is 7 . I am comfortable(舒适的) about 8 my arm," the girl said. And she decides to share more of her stories online to inspire (激励) people like her.

The story 9 Pickett is that never let anything easily change your life and just work hard to make your dreams come true. There 10 no one to tell you that your dreams are too big. Be yourself and just enjoy the journey.