Improve your memory

    Some people often complain about their poor memory. Actually there are several ways to keep your memory sharp. This article will show you some simple tips.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}When you say these things, you begin to plant the thought in your mind and it may become true. Tell yourself you can remember anything as long as you put your mind to the task. You  will see an improvement in your memory.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}If you have trouble remembering phone numbers or other blocks of numbers, it can be really helpful to try this method. If you remember them in smaller groups, like two or three digits (数字), it will also be much easier to remember the numbers.

    Be sure to see a doctor if you are really losing your memory. A poor memory can be a sign that you are in low spirits.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Playing games also helps improve your memory. Any type of games that involves(涉及) remembering things is wonderful.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Try and remember it when you have nothing better to do. A useful tip for anyone interested in games is to often work on solving word puzzles and similar types of games.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Not only will your memory probably improve, but you will also have a great deal of fun.

A. Remember numbers in small groups.

B. Stop telling yourself you have a weak memory.

C. Take a right attitude.

D. If you don't like games, you can go over a list of "to do things".

E. If so, treating it could be the key to getting your memory back.

F. If you don't know your condition, you cannot treat it!

G. Such games use the same skills needed to remember facts and help keep the mind sharp.

    Most drinks stating that they are fruit flavored contain no fruit at all, while most of the rest contain only a small quantity of fruit, according to a study carried by the British Food Commission.

    "Shoppers need to check the labels before buying drinks, though sometimes the actual content can be nonexistent," said Food Commission spokesperson Ian Tokelove. "Food production is highly competitive. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It will increase profits, and consumers won't always realize they are being tricked."

    Flavorings are focused on the flavors of natural food products such as fruits, meats and vegetables, or creating flavor for food products that do not have the desired flavors. Researchers analyzed the contents of 28 strawberryflavored products sold in stores.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Of the 11 products that did contain strawberries, five of them contained less than one percent real fruit. In addition, each juice box contained nearly eight teaspoons of sugar.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Let's take jam as an example. Some strawberryflavored jam was labeled as containing no artificial color1 s, flavors, or sweeteners, but it contained ly no strawberries at all.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Consumers have the rights to know clearly about what they have bought. Under current UK law, food packages do not have to distinguish between natural and artificial flavoring. "Describing a product as strawberry flavor and covering the surface of the packet with pictures of strawberries is misleading.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Unfortunately, it is also legal and widespread," Tokelove said. "It's time to take measures to protect the consumers' rights."

A. They found that about 60 percent of them didn't contain any fruit at all.

B. Even products advertised as more natural often contained no fruit.

C. The products which contain real fruit are popular with people.

D. Actually the product contains just a tiny percentage of strawberry or even no fruit at all.

E. It is important and necessary to demand a small amount of flavoring in the products.

F. If companies can cut their costs by using flavoring, they are likely to do so.

G. The Food Commission suggested all flavors used in a product should be listed on the packaging.

How to become a better reader

    Language and literacy (读写能力) are among humans' greatest inventions. Evolving（演变）over the course of human history, languages are a reflection of our cultural and societal attitudes. Today, surrounded（包围）by social media, television, movies, and, of course, books, the ability to read and write is important to expressing one's feelings. Most humans acquire language in early childhood and speak fluently when they are about three years old, but our continued relationship with language gives shape and meaning to our lives.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Take it slow. Many readers feel that they read too slowly, especially compared with others.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The best readers are flexible（灵活的）— slowing down when needed — and always have a dictionary at hand.

    Read aloud. When humans first began reading written words, it was unusual to read in silence.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Try listening to the author reading their own work — you'll be surprised to find how clearly it comes through on the page.

    Write. Writing and reading go hand-in-hand: how and what you read affects how and what you write, and the best readers often make the best writers. But while much can be learned from close, repeated readings, there are many pleasures to language that can only be experienced through the practice of writing.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Tell your friends. All of the literature is essentially communication from an individual's inner voice to an audience.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}It's a good way to see the world from someone else's eyes and, in the process, carefully examine your own reaction to what you're reading.

A. But the truth is that the faster you read, the less likely you are to understand fully what you're reading.

B. Can you remember the first piece of writing that transported you to another world?

C. There is something magical about sharing books with friends or a book club.

D. Try writing every day for a month, and you will never read the same again.

E. Reading out loud is one of the best ways to improve your reading ability.

F. Here are 4 ways to become a better reader.

G. In no time, you'll be appreciating novels like fine wine.

    Are you preparing any gifts for your friends now? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, but choosing a proper gift can be a big headache, because it takes a lot of time and effort to think of the right gift for someone. Before you finish your list, keep these dos and don'ts in mind:

    Do put thought into your gift.

    If you like something, that doesn't mean that your friend is going to like it, too. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Don't get him/her an ordinary gift, and reflect back on your previous conversations to see if he/ she talked about a certain gift he/she had been wanting to get.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Make sure the gift you're buying is appropriate for the person. For example, if you're buying a friend a gift, remember not to overspend or personalize it too much. Take a moment to think about how your relationship is with the person before getting him/her something.

    Do get a gift receipt (收据)

    If you're purchasing something for your friend, make sure you ask the salesperson to include a gift receipt. It's just a polite gesture, and you know your money won't go to waste.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Don't leave the price tag (标签) on.

    Make sure you don't leave the price tag on the gift and that you're giving a gift receipt and not the original bill.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, and it's not important for him/her to know anyway.

A. Don't buy an inappropriate gift

B. Don't be afraid of spending money

C. Giving gifts has forever been so pleasant

D. Take some time to really think about what he/she likes

E. If your friend doesn't like the gift, he/she can just exchange it

F. Giving someone you care about a very special gift can be tough

G. It's not proper to let your friend know how much you spent on the gift

    Stress is a major problem in the modern world. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is common among office workers. Managing it is necessary for people in order to create a work-life balance. So, how can you go about removing stress through the ancient art of gardening?

    Surround yourself with nature. Trees, birds and scent of the outdoors are great ways to help relax. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So, in order to remove stress through gardening, you need to grow lots of plants.

    Make it comfortable. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} After all, what's the point of making it beautiful if you can't sit or watch your flowers grow afterwards? A good-quality set of garden furniture is the only way to make sure your garden is as comfortable as possible in order to remove your stress.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} To really appreciate garden space for what it is, you need to leave all of the stresses of modern life behind, which means keeping your phone indoors. Yes, it may be hard at first. But, after a while, it will begin to feel normal and even good. Sometimes not knowing what is happening in the outside world is the only way to enjoy the tranquility (宁静) of your garden.

    Invite family and friends. Do you want to get the best way to truly remove stress through your gardening efforts? Share it with your family and friends. A good barbecue as we move into the warmer months is the best port of call. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} After a while, your garden space should become a relaxation and stress-free zone.

    Every day can be a fresh, new beginning—this is very important if you had a difficult day before. By starting with some preparations, you can face the problems of the day in a good mood(心情). {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Exercise. Exercising is one of the best methods to start your day for your mind as well as the body. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In addition, it also reduces stress and improves your metabolism(新陈代谢). So go for a walk, go for a bike ride, or go to the gym in the morning.

    Organize yourself. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Make a to-do list and try to follow it. It will keep you organized(有条理的) and make your day easier. However, make sure that your to-do list is manageable. There are only so many things you can do in a day.

    Smile. Starting your day by acting the way you want to feel can help you be in a good mood.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}The easiest thing to do is smile. Just smile because you are alive and you can. Watch or listen to something humorous so you can laugh. It makes you feel positive and really good about yourself and the world that surrounds you.

    Keep important items in the same place. To make mornings less busy, start a habit keeping your important items in a place easy to reach.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}This way, you are never looking for that lost item when you are running behind.

A. Write down the tasks for the day.

B. Try other actions to get yourself to feel happier.

C. Try some of the following tips to start your day right.

D. Put your keys, wallet, purse, and other important items there.

E. Instead of rushing through the rooming, go slow and take your time.

F. It increases brain's working speed, which can help you get a jump-start on the day.
G. If you feel angry or tired, do something physical to make yourself feel happy.