Every animal sleeps,but the reason for this has remained foggy. When lab rats are not allowed to sleep, they die within a month.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

    One idea is that sleep helps us strengthen new memories. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} We  know that, while awake,fresh memories are recorded by reinforcing (加强)connections between brain cells, but the  memory processes that take place while we sleep  have been unclear.

    Support is growing for a theory that sleep evolved so that connections between neurons(神经元)in the brain can be weakened overnight, making room for fresh memories to form the next day.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Now we have the most direct evidence yet that he is right. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The synapses in the mice taken at the end of a period of sleep were 18 per cent smaller than those taken before sleep,showing that the connections between neurons weaken while sleeping.

If Tononi's theory is right, it would explain why, when we miss a night's, we find it harder the next day to concentrate and learn new information —our brains may have smaller room for new experiences.

    Their research also suggests how we may build lasting memories over time even though the synapscs become thinner. The team discovered that some synapses seem to be protected and stayed the same size. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  “You keep what matters,” Tononi says.

    The art of growing dwarf trees, or "bonsai"（盆景） 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.

    Moving to a new place may be an exciting adventure.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you have a friend experiencing this anxiety, there are some steps you can take to make him feel more at home. Talk to your friend about his homesickness.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} This also gives you the option to share with him any strategies you have personally discovered to help overcome these feelings.

    Join your friend in discovering and adapting to the new environment. It is human nature to fear the unknown. By learning to deal with the new environment, your friend will find it easier to overcome the desire for what is familiar.

    Introduce him to new friends by including him in your social circle. These new relationships help relieve the feelings of homesickness and keep his mind off those friends he left behind.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, if he likes sports and being outdoors invite him to go hiking or camping with you and your friends.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Developing a new schedule will help him change things to where he does not need his old routine. Perhaps get him involved in an athletic club where he can boost endorphins(内啡肽) by keeping physically fit.

    Keep a positive outlook. Encourage him to see the glass half full so he can embrace this new experience instead of longing for what once was. Being positive helps your friends become more positive, so make the most of your influence{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. However, there are many ways to overcome it.

B. Burying it will only make his homesickness worse.

C. Invite him to clubs that you know he will enjoy.

D. Help him develop a new routine to replace the old one.

E. You will help him keep an active attitude to life if you are positive.

F. He could be homesick due to missing family dinners every night

G. However, following that is the anxiety that comes from a change in routine.

Kids health; Four steps for fighting stress (压力）

    Everybody gets stressed from time to time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some ways of dealing with stress - like screaming or hitting someone — don't solve much. But other ways, like talking to someone you trust, can lead you to solving your problem or at least feeling belter. Try taking these four steps the next time you are stressed:

    Get support.

    When you need help, reach out to the people who care about you. Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or other relatives. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They have had similar problems, such as dealing with a test, or the death of a beloved pet.

    Don't take it out on yourself.

    Sometimes when kids are stressed and upset they take it out on themselves (拿自己出气）. Oh, dear, that's not a good idea. Remember that there are always people to help you. Don't take it out on yourself.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    After you're calm and you have support from adults and friends, it's time to get down to business. You need to figure out what the problem is. Even if you can't solve it all, you can solve a piece of it.

    Be positive.

    Most stress is temporary（暂时的）. Remember stress does go away, especially when you figure out the problem and start working on solving it.

    These steps aren't magic, but they do work; And if you can way through a hard time, you'll help yourself feel better even faster {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Try to solve the problem.

B. Then, fitted a way to calm down.

C. And don't forget about your friends.

D. Ah, it feels so good when the stress is gone.

E. Different people feel stress in different ways.

F. Notice your friends' feelings and find a way to help them.

G. Ask for a helping hand to get you through the hard situation.

The Advantages of Hobbies

    Hobbies provide entertainment and a chance to continuously learn something new and develop a skill set.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Hobbies are praised as a key to stress reduction. Becoming lost in the mental concentration or physical action which you are deeply interested in helps you shift focus from the parts of life that are stressful.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}And in turn you are more peaceful when working on other work.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Many people set goals with their hobbies that provide them satisfaction when these goals have been achieved. These goals can be simple, like improving a golf score, writing a certain number of pages for a novel each day or seeing an entire collection of classic films.

    Hobbies provide a sense of community when you meet other people who enjoy similar activities.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}More populated cities typically have numerous clubs or groups for people to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about a particular hobby. Becoming a member of one of these organizations allows greater growth within your hobby, as well as a chance to make new friends.

    Having a hobby can develop a talent that makes a person feel proud and satisfied. For example, a tennis hobby developed at a young age can lead to a career as a professional athlete one day.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}For example, writer Vladimir Nabokov also collected butterflies, which allowed him to do better in his chosen fields because he used learned skills from one to improve the other.

A.Focusing on something enjoyable can calm the mind.

B.Hobbies also provide a sense of achievement.

C.Some hobbies affect other aspects of your life.

D.There are a variety of hobbies.

E.They also provide many other social and health benefits.

F.Having a hobby increases the chances to interact with like-minded people.

G.Some hobbies containing physical activities offer an enjoyable way to stay healthy.

How to Keep a Healthy and Strong Relationship

    Are you new to experiencing relationships? Well, let me give you advice on having a healthy and possibly long-term relationship.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Do not hide things from them and do not lie. Don't be afraid to say things that aren't very flattering about yourself. Getting them to trust you is the most important element in any relationship. If there's no trust, there's nothing there. So please be honest and they'll learn to open up to you.

    Make sure you give them respect. Now respect isn't just simply treating her or him nicely. There's a lot more about it. You have to learn to adjust to their liking. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't just think about yourself; think about what your partner needs as well.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Always be willing to help them and give them honesty and positivity at the same time. Make them feel you are someone they can really count on and build a future with. This is an important step in a relationship. Your partner has to be able to count on you when needed.

    Make sure you have a good sense of humor with them. Laughter is the key to happiness. Laugh a lot with them and joke with them. Laughter may seem silly, but it's the secret to a lot in life. It will keep the sparks alive. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Make sure the communication is good. This goes along with trust, but always communicate how you feel, even if it's something that upsets you. Instead of screaming, talk to them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's important to communicate with them. Don't keep it bottled up.