Tips for Staying Sharp

    It's not abnormal to feel out of it from time to time or perhaps you're feeling a bit sluggish(迟钝的)when it comes to remembering things. If you're worried about your forgetfulness, try out these five tips to stay sharp.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    You've probably heard the term “you are what you eat.” If you decide to eat sugary foods that are heavy with fats then expect to feel lazy and have no energy. But if you decide to eat fruits, vegetables and make other healthy eating decisions you'll find that you're full of energy.

Never stop learning

Challenge yourself constantly—whether it is puzzles, reading, cooking or other tasks that will keep your mind working. If your mind is always learning new things and active, you'll realize that it's much easier for you to learn new things and to function.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Stay fit

    Being in good health and staying in shape is a big part of staying sharp.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you choose to be lazy then your body is not going to give you the energy that requires remembering things and completing tasks. However, if you put forth the effort into being health then your body will expel(释放)the energy you need to achieve your goals.

Ensure enough sleep

    Be sure to get the necessary amount of sleep that your body needs to function on a daily basis.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}It also helps your body build up an energy reserve so you can improve your ability to focus and avoid distractions.

Socialize more

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Social interaction will help you develop multitasking, problem solving and other skills that are necessary in life to keep your mind sharp.

A. Feed your brain

B. Avoid eating too much

C. Your body will only give you what you put into it

D. Lack of sleep contributes to tiredness and slow reaction

E. Conversations require individuals to stay aware and active

F. According to studies, sleep helps strengthen and recover your memories

G. Remember you brain is a muscle and if you want to get the most out of it, you must use it

Every art lover has a dream—to buy an old painting at a low price and later discover that it's worth millions. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But this dream can become a nightmare if it turns out that the painting is stolen.

    The following true story happened in London. An art collector was walking around an outdoor market in the East End when he saw two interesting paintings.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} He decided to buy them after they got the price down to 145 pounds. The art collector knew it was a good deal, but he wasn't sure how much his paintings were really worth.

    He decided to take the paintings to the Sorheby's, a famous auction house.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} They were painted by two of England greatest painters Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds. They had been stolen from Lincoln's Inn, a famous historical building in London and were worth about two million pounds.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Experts at Sotheby's were convinced that he was an art thief and called the police. Within minutes the police arrived. They arrested the frightened man and took him to the police station. After hours of questioning, the police realized that they had made a mistake and let the man go.

    The art collector returned them immediately because he was worried about his good name.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} So the stolen paintings are now back at Lincoln's Inn.

A. Nothing is more exciting.

B. At this point the art collector was in trouble.

C. An auction house is a place where things are sold to whoever offers the most.

D. Although he wasn't an art expert, he saw that they were old.

E. Obviously, he did not want to be associated with stolen works.

F. The art experts who saw the paintings recognized them immediately.

G. He recognized that they were stolen works worth great value.

    “Helicopter parenting” describes a style of raising children where parents are overprotective and do too much. It describes parents who watch over their kids at home and on the playground like a helicopter. Today, modern technology allows these helicopter parents to watch over from even far away.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott wrote a book titled Break Free of the Over Parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success. In her book, she gives readers a closer look at this parenting style.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott says she experienced the effects of helicopter parenting firsthand when she worked as dean of first year college students.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} But many were unable to take care of themselves. They were turning to parents constantly for guidance, for problem solving, to have them make the choice about something.

So as a parent, what can you do if you want to break the over-parenting “helicopter” cycle?{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Stop saying “we” when you mean your son or your daughter. All too often a parent would say “we are on the travel soccer team.” Well, no, your son is or your daughter is.

    Stop arguing with all of the adults in our kids' lives. You need to teach your kids to stand for themselves.

    Stop doing your kids' homework.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Teach them to cross the street, make a meal, and remember to put their own items in their backpacks, which becomes a briefcase one day. When kids have all the skills to take care of themselves, they will be prepared for adulthood.

A. The following are some ways to stop over-protecting your children.

B. She also explains why parents should stop it.

C. Your kids have to do the things they can all by himself.

D. They can give their children directions at any moment from anywhere.

E. Build your kids' skills.

F. The freshmen were very smart and did well in their paper work.

G. Your kid is eager for more freedom, but should you give it to him?

    Are you sometimes stressed? Singing is a simple and effective way to reduce stress. It is beneficial mainly in the following three aspects.

    Physical Benefits

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This is especially recommended for the elders and those who have some form of disability in their voice. However, it is important to find a capable instructor to employ good singing techniques so as not to further damage vocal cords (声带) or lungs.

    Singing also helps to improve your posture (姿势). Most people think that singing begins and ends with their mouth. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Singing practice will get you used to the proper body position of standing and help you form the good habit of standing straight.

    Emotional Benefits

    Singing helps in reducing your depression and lowering your stress level. When you sing, your body releases chemicals that make you feel happy, easing the tension and helping you to relax. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Social Benefits

    The social benefits of singing are huge. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} So people who suffer from stage fright are advised to sing in front of family and friends before a live performance.

    Singing is also very good for improving your communication skills. It is said that singing to babies helps to prepare their brains for language and may lessen the risk of language problems later in life. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The time spent in group singing, whether in a choir or at karaoke, creates a deep and lasting bond of friendship.

A. Try to regain your memory by singing.

B. First, it can help build up your confidence greatly.

C. When you sing, you can give your lungs a workout.

D Singing helps you to strengthen your immune system.

E. For adults, singing also enlarges your circle of friends.

F. In fact, the position of each body part affects your voice.

G. So, start to sing your favorite song next time you are feeling upset.

    Babies have the charm to melt anybody's heart instantly; no one escapes the twinkling eyes or the innocent smile. Just their presence will cheer you up, make you forget your worries and tempt you to indulge into their world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Though I don't have any answer to the question, I wonder as to what makes their aura so desirable. And I think there is something we can learn from the young ones.

    Forgive and Forget

    Babies can laugh and giggle all day because they don't keep hatred against anyone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Do you think they've constructed an evil plan against you because you refused them candy last time? Probably not, life moved on and so did they. So why do we hold on to our past and refuse to let go of the emotional baggage? Does it do us any good except prevent us from laughing to the fullest?

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Endless questions of young kids can sometimes be enough to drain the adult mind. They are always busy wondering how things work or why things are the way they are, leaving no room for boredom. Their curiosity gives them an exponential learning curve; they pick up new things quickly and do not refuse to change.

    Unconditional Love

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They don't judge you before they come running into your knees and they don't walk away if you don't give them the same in return. They have no expectations from you and simply do what their heart desires. If you want a hug, they'll give you a hug; if you want two, they'll give you two. So how does the adult world become so materialistic that we decide what we give based on what we think we might receive?

    Living life to the fullest is not a difficult task; you just need to have the right attitude and an open mind.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Keep smile every day

B. Never-ending Curiosity

C. What can we do to free from these worries?

D. Why do we adore the young ones so much?

E. So don't envy the peaceful life of a baby, start living it yourself!

F. Kids have a hug and a kiss for anyone and everyone who wants one.

G. Their heart is pure and their mind empty to laugh out loud and enjoy the moment.

You are what you wear. Clothes are important and necessary to us, but do you know how to choose suitable clothes in a correct way?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. 

 When you go shopping and want to buy some clothes, you should think about which kind of clothes you really need and decide how much money you can spend on them.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}They tell you how to take care of the clothes. The label(标签) for a shirt may tell you to wash it in warm water. A sweater label may tell you to wash it in cold water. The label on a coat may say"dry cleaning only"and cleaning in water may destroy this coat.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. 

 Many clothes today must be dry-cleaned.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When buying new clothes, you had better check if they need to be dry-cleaned. You can save money if you buy clothes that can be washed or that are well made. Well-made clothes last longer. They still look good after they have been washed many times. 

Clothes that cost more money don't always mean they are better made.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}On the other hand, less expensive clothes may sometimes look better and fit you well.

A. Dry cleaning is expensive.

B. Here are some suggestions for you.

C. They may not fit you, either.

D. We need to know how to look after the new clothes.

E. If you do as the directions say on the label, you can keep your clothes looking their best.

F. Then look at the labels that are inside the new clothes.

G. The quality of clothes should be considered.