Tiny Tomatoes

    Tomatoes come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. And the little tomatoes are some of the most fun to grow and are perhaps the most rewarding. 
    Little tomatoes are classified into plum, cherry, grape or currant (醋栗) tomatoes.   {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Plum tomatoes are the largest of the groups listed, and currant tomatoes are the smallest. There are also differences in color, flavor and skin thickness, but these differences are more relative to specific varieties.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Plum, cherry and other small tomato types are fun to grow because they always produce abundant crops of flavorful fruit. They are fun to snack on while working in the garden or while daydreaming about working in the garden.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}They are typically sweeter than large tomatoes, and little tomatoes contain less juice and fewer seeds than large tomatoes.

    To grow little tomatoes, select a site that receives at least six to eight hours of full sun per day. Use a large container set in a sunny spot if a sunny planting site is otherwise unavailable.”

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You could also plant seeds, but already-started plants will provide fruit much more quickly. Water infrequently to help plants grow deep roots before the heat of summer arrives.

    Harvest fruits when they are ripe. They will generally slip from the plant at this point.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Store harvested fruit indoors and unrefrigerated as cool temperatures change the flavor.

A. The best time to grow tomato plants is March.

B. Differences in size matter most commonly here.

C. They are also influenced by growing conditions.

D. Then select plants from the garden center or farmers.

E. All of them are delicious and almost of the same size.

F. These are good additions to salads and cooked dishes.

G. But they should feel firm in your hand at the same time.

New Reasons to Exercise

    It's a cruel reality that exercising is not a reliable way to lose weight and keep it off. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are the benefits of regular exercise.

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    A new study had found that just a short period of exercise can help improve the ability to remember things in the hours that follow. The report says, “Exercising four hours after learning a task can help people remember that task in the long term”

    It may keep off depression.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Researchers found that women who exercised regularly reported about 50% fewer depressive signs than women who didn't exercise as much. And the more the women reported exercising, the less likely they were to have signs of depression.

    It can control appetite.(食欲)

    Exercise may be the key to controlling your appetite . A study found that people who exercised for 15 minutes after doing mental work ate 100 fewer calories than people who did mental work and then remained seated. Exercise has the ability to increase available fuel sources in the body that may signal to the brain. “{#blank#}4{#/blank#}I don't need to fill myself with food,” says study author William H. Neumeirer.

    It increases energy.

    In a recent report, men who cycled for 20 minutes experienced a 166% increase in self-reported energy levels, compared with a 15% increase when they sat and did nothing for the same amount of time.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A.It improves memory.

B.It has mind-body benefits.

C.Here is the energy source I need.

D.We do the work at the office each day.

E.Working out regularly might prevent depression.

F.But that doesn't mean you should give up the effort.

G.If you need a reason to work out, energy increase is a worthwhile one.

    Humor plays an important role in relationships. In new relationships, humor can be an effective tool not just for attracting the other person but also for overcoming any awkwardness or embarrassment.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Sharing the pleasure of humor creates a sense of connection between two people. When you laugh with one another, you create a positive tie between you. This tie acts as a strong buffer(缓冲) against stress, disagreements, disappointments, and bad patches in a relationship. And laughter really is infectious.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} But don't worry if you're not naturally a lighthearted, humorous person—you can learn to access your playful side and develop your sense of fun.

    Like any tool, humor can be used in negative as well as positive ways. Humor can only help you overcome relationship problems when both partners can understand the joke.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If your partner or friend isn't likely to appreciate the joke, don't say or do it. Humor in relationships should be equally fun and enjoyable for both people.

Don't use humor to cover up other emotions.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} That's when it is used as a cover for avoiding, rather than coping with, painful emotions. You can be funny about the truth, but covering up the truth isn't funny. When you use humor and playfulness as a cover for other emotions, you create confusion and mistrust in your relationships.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The important thing is to find enjoyable activities that help you embrace your playful nature with other people. As humor and play become an unseparated part of your life, you'll begin to find daily opportunities for using your new-found skills to help build and maintain your relationships.

A. Humor can help you and your loved one.

B. There are times when humor is not healthy.

C. It's important to be sensitive to the other person.

D. It's never too late to develop your humorous side.

E. The more you joke, play, and laugh—the easier it becomes.

F. Just hearing someone laugh can make you smile and join in on the fun.

G. In longer-term relationships, humor can keep things exciting and fresh.

    As you enter a university, you turn to a new page where life is quite different from before.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} As far as I can see, there are several aspects you should pay special attention to.

    Manage your free time well. Since there's plenty of spare time every day, a good time-management becomes vital. When free, you can devote yourself to study or go out to visit some scenic spots nearby. If you have special skills or interests, there are various clubs for you to join. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} At the same time you get the chance to make friends with other students.

    Develop self-discipline(自律).College life is nearly completely up to yourself instead of the teachers compared to the high school. So self-discipline makes much more significance. In university the teachers' job is to give classes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It is your choice to do them independently or copy. You're supposed to hand in the assignments (任务) punctually. You're also expected to stick to your timetable, keep a balanced diet, etc.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This is the person who will help you with course conflicts, adding or dropping courses, scheduling classes for future terms and deciding on majors. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} He /She should be the person you turn to with any academic issues or conflicts. And don't be afraid of requesting another adviser if you can't contact the first one.

    Bear these tips in mind and I'm sure it can be beneficial to you in the long run.

A. To well adapt yourself to the new environment is of great significance.

B. Get to know your academic adviser.

C. It's where to show your talent.

D. As for the assignments, it is your work.

E. This person is a key resource for you.

F. Buy a calendar to know when assignments are due.

G. Find a perfect place to study in.

Traditional Chinese Culture

    Chinese culture is over 5,000 years old.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    The spirit of the tea ceremony

    Xihu Longjing(West Lake Dragon Well)and Yunnan Pu'er have long been world famous.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} The spirit of the Chinese tea ceremony captures the Chinese attitude towards life and spirituality. These are the things that people all over the world can benefit from.

    A handful of good tea leaves with some boiling water and a set of lovely tea ware are the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and gain some insights into the wisdom of that ancient civilization.

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    During the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, many different flavors, styles, and cuisines(烹饪)have developed, based on traditional philosophy and culture. This ancient food culture has had a direct impact on the countries such as Japan, Mongolia, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore. It has benefited billions of people around the world through innovations such as Chinese vegetarian culture, tea culture, vinegar, pasta, medicinal diets, ceramic tableware, and the use of soybeans in the diet.

    Confucianism

    Confucianism emphasizes peacefulness and harmony between heaven and humanity, through pursuing the "Tao", which is the harmonization between nature and mankind. It advocates harmony and moderation, including the harmony between individuals, as well as the harmony between a man and his inner self.

    Confucianism has flourished during the last 2,500 years of China's 5,000­year history.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This school of thought has had the most profound and long lasting influence in China's history. Seventy­four Nobel Prize winners and many other highly respected scholars have stated that for the benefit of mankind's livelihood and development into the next century, these teachings should be promoted and adopted worldwide.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Chinese cuisine

B. Traditional Chinese culture

C. It has been the mainstay of that ancient civilization.

D. They are pretty popular due to their superior color and flavor.

E. The following three items of traditional Chinese culture have had a worldwide impact.

F. This wonderfully rich food culture has also had an impact on Europe，America and Oceania.

G. This would provide long lasting benefits for man，helping to ensure a peaceful and happy life.

    Competition is all around us and it makes the strong stronger and the weak weaker. It can also teach us how to survive in a fast-paced and stressful world. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. How many of us have seen young boys weeping because their teams didn't win inter-school tournament? How many of us have seen young teenagers cheat just to win? {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. So it's important to develop healthy competition among children.

    When it comes to encouraging healthy competition among children, the first thing to do is set goals for them to stick to. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Since children may be easily affected by wrong ideas from popular media and the Internet, it's up to you to develop the right kind of spirit in them. Team spirit will help them grow into human beings who aren't easily annoyed by small losses or too excited by victories. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. So give them examples where family members refused to cheat to win.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. When they take an exam, don't ask about how much they expect to score; instead, ask what they wrote about. If your son played a cricket match at school, don't ask him whether his team won or lost; ask him how many runs he scored and encourage him to score higher next time instead. When you let your children know that you're more interested in how they performed rather than whether they lost or won, they will surely try to better themselves.