UrbanizationUntil relatively recently, the vast majority of human being lived and died without ever seeing a city. The first city was probably founded no more than 5,500 years ago.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}In fact, nearly everyone lived on farms or in tiny rural (乡村的) villages. It was not until the 20th century that Great Britain became the first urban society in history—a society in which the majority of people live in cities and do not farm for a living.Britain was only the beginning.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}．The process of urbanization—the migration (迁徙) of people from the countryside to the city—was the result of modernization, which has rapidly transformed how people live and where they live.In 1900, fewer than 40% of Americans lived in urban areas. Today, over 82% of Americans live in cities. Only about 2% live on farms.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Large cities were impossible until agriculture became industrialized. Even in advanced agricultural societies, it took about ninety­five people on farms to feed five people in cities.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Until modern times, those living in cities were mainly the ruling elite (精英) and the servants, laborers and professionals who served them. Cities survived by taxing farmers and were limited in size by the amount of surplus（过剩）food that the rural population produced and by the ability to move this surplus from farm to city.Over the past two centuries, the Industrial Revolution has broken this balance between the city and the country.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Today, instead of needing ninety­five farmers to feed five city people, one American farmer is able to feed more than a hundred non­farmers.

    Last week when I was reading at home,my younger sister rushed in and told me an old man was lying on the ground in front of our building.I immediately took my first-aid kit and ran downstairs.He was suffering a slight heart attack.And I performed CPR on him.Luckily,an ambulance came soon and he was taken to hospital.Later that day I was told by the hospital what I did helped rescue the old man's life.I was happy to hear that.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}There were many people who wanted to help around the old man then.Yet no one performed first aid on him as they hadn't attended a first-aid course.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Here are my reasons.

    You can gain the knowledge,skills and confidence to act in an emergency.You never know when you might need them—you could be at home,at work,at school or on holiday.If you have the skills,you can act whenever you're needed.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}For your family,your neighbors or the broader community,having more people with first-aid skills helps build a stronger and more harmonious community.

    You can stay safe at work.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}With first-aid knowledge you can create a safe work environment and help meet your workplace's safety requirements.

    It's helpful to your future career.The first-hand experience you gain through learning first aid and using your skills could help you decide if you want to pursue a career in the health profession.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A.Yet at the same time I felt a bit sad.

B.I received a phone call from the hospital.

C.You can be a resource for your community.

D.Illness and injury can happen anywhere,anytime.

E.You can take first-aid courses in your community for free.

F.I think everyone should learn at least some basic first-aid techniques,which can be very vital.

G.It also shows your commitment to a career in the health profession when it comes to applying for jobs.

Happiness begins from appreciation

    If you are feeling that life just cannot be any worse for you, it can be challenging to think positive. When stressed, depressed, upset or otherwise in a negative state of mind because you are aware that misfortune keeps occurring, it is important to shift those negative thoughts to something positive{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    It is often very hard to think positive when so many things are negative, but be sure that someone, somewhere is worse off than you{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you start with one small, positive thing and appreciate it during the course of your day, you will begin to move into a more positive situation and people will start showing up in your life. With appreciation, you will find that over time, you will change your outlook and choose to be happy, regardless of the events around you{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Begin and end each day with a “Thank you for this wonderful, glorious day!”

    When you see the rise of gas prices, say “I am so glad to have a vehicle in which to get around.”

    When your boss is too hard on you, say “I am grateful for my job as I know that many don't have one.”

    If you are having health problems, be grateful for what does work: “I really do appreciate it that my eyes see, my ears hear, my mouth tastes, my legs walk, my arms lift and my mind thinks and everything else works.”

    Write down what you're grateful for each day. In moments when you're feeling really down, read loud what you wrote previously{#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you practice this regularly, you will find your list getting longer and longer.

    The key is to move yourself into a positive thought and keep it there long enough to make it a moment of appreciation{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. This will certainly help uplift your spirits.

B. If not, you will only attract more misfortune.

C. It is of great importance to learn to be grateful.

D. The more you appreciate, the happier you'll be.

E. You have made some achievements in your career.

F. Here are a few common examples for you to practice.

G. You can choose to think differently by beginning with the smallest of steps.

    The art of growing dwarf(矮小的)trees, or "bonsai"(盆栽)as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim(修整)the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地). Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

A. Then one must be careful in choosing the size of the container.

B. How can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art?

C. Why do so many people take a fancy to the art of bonsai-growing.

D. But one must get well prepared before starting bonsai-growing.

E. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however.

F. The ideal for bonsai plants are trees just like normal trees in everything but size.

G. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai.

    Many scientists believe our love of sugar may actually an addiction. When we eat or drink sugary foods, the sugar enters our blood and affects parts of our brain that make us feel good. Then the good feeling goes away, leaving us wanting more. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In this way, it is in fact an addictive drug, one that doctors recommend we all cut down on.

    "It seems like every time I study an illness and trace a path to the first cause, I find my way back to sugar," says scientist Richard Johnson. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Why? "Sugar, we believe, is one of the culprits, if not the major culprit," says Johnson,

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Early humans often had very little food, so our bodies learned to be very efficient in storing sugar as fat. In this way, we had energy stored for when there was no food. But today, most people have more than enough. So the very thing that once saved us may now be killing us.

    So what is the solution? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The trouble is, in today's world, it's extremely difficult to avoid. From breakfast cereals to after-dinner desserts, our foods are increasingly filled with it. Some manufacturers even use sugar to replace taste in foods that are advertised as low in fat.

    But there are those who are fighting back against sugar. Many schools are replacing sugary desserts with healthier options like fruit. Other schools are growing their own food in gardens, or building facilities like walking tracks so students and others in the community can exercise. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. All tasty foods do this, but sugar has a particularly strong effect.

B. So many people have a sweet tooth.

C. One-third of adults worldwide have high blood pressure, and up to 347 million have diabetes.

D. The battle has not yet been lost.

E. But the temptation seems hard to resist.

F. Our bodies are designed to survive on very little sugar.

G. It's obvious that we need to eat less sugar.

    Lizzy Greene's official website says it all: "Actress, Artist & Animal Lover. " At 13, Lizzy has performed in children's theater, and she is a trained gymnast. She is most known for her role as Dawn Harper on Nickelodeons Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. Now Lizzy is taking on another role—as a voice for animals.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} She grew up with dogs, and her family's pet is a 110-pound German shepherd(牧羊犬) named Jett. On the show, Lizzy shares the screen with a lovable 20-pound dog named Squishy Paws. In second grade, she stationed herself outside her school to ask for donations (捐款) to a local animal shelter. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Now Lizzy is also speaking out for farm animals. She's recently joined The Humane Society of the United States, Meatless Monday movement. She encourages young people to take a break from eating meat on Mondays. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} And she's encouraging the under-20 crowd to take part.

    Lizzy knows that raising animals for meat causes pollution, uses a lot of natural resources (资源) like water and also harms animals. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Choosing meat-free meals one day a week is also a great way to feel healthy.

    Many K-12 schools, universities and hospitals nationwide have started Meatless Monday programs.

    "It's so easy to love animals." Lizzy says. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For some kid-and-animal-friendly meatless recipes(食谱), visit humonesociety.org/kindnezws.

A. It's easy to eat animal-friendly foods, too.

B. Lizzy has only just begun her bright career.

C. Animals have always been a big part of Lizzy's life.

D. And Lizzy says she has always wanted to help animals.

E. Cutting meat from our diet once a week helps the environment and animals.

F. Kids'breakfast can be as simple as trying a vegetable burger instead of a hamburger.

G. After the movement, Lizzy says she wants to save a few more lives and force humans to eat healthier.