Attraction of the Minions

When it comes to film, people usually favor good over evil,focus on the hero and ignore the supporting characters. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Originallycomedic background characters in the film Despicable Me(卑鄙的我), these yellow pill­shaped nuts, havetotally stolen the show and turned into a popular figure. This summer thecharacters debuted(首演)in their own self­titled movie in theaters abroad, having the second biggestopening weekend of all time for a cartoon film according to USAToday.Recently, McDonald's has been including Minion toys with kids' meals in someareas, causing loyal fans to flock to the restaurant to collect them all. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Themovie's huge popularity even surprised its writers.“We never knew the Minionswere going to be so popular.It just became a force of nature，” the film's co­writer Cinco Paul toldthe LosAngelesTimes.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For many, the appeal is obviously their cuteness.Their simple nature can easilysurpass cultures and age groups.Even children can draw them.Thousands ofexamples of fan­made Minion art from fingernails to Halloween clothes arevisible on global social media platforms.

Butthere's more to the phenomenon than just cuteness.US entertainment website HitFix explains that their way of communicating makes the creatures influential aswell. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it seems everyone can understand them through theirexaggerated(夸张的)movements and expressions.

Moreimportantly, their childlike mannerisms is a brand of humor that winshearts.“Clumsy, foolish Minions are recognized as the ultimate betapersonalities，”wrote Peter Debruge of US entertainment magazine Variety.

Theydesire nothing more than to serve their most despicable master. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“Perhaps we love Minions because they remind us of ourselves，” HuffingtonPost associate Web editor SaraBoboltz wrote, “or an evil version of ourselves.”

    People often say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that's actually quite true.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}After all, making a good first impression is all about making others feel good when spending time with them. The following tips will help you make a positive impression every time.

● Dress appropriately

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} That meansdressing up or putting on nice, clean, situation-appropriate clothes for social situations. Itisn't difficult and it doesn't have to cost you much, either.

● Be aware of your body language

      Words express very little of what you say. Body language can tell someone a lot about your mood and confidence level{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Eyecontact is an easy way to make others feel comfortable, important and special. Nervous body language can make others uncomfortable and anxious. Try tobe aware of your body language when communicating with others.

● Respect the opinions of others

    Not everyone will have the same opinion with you, and friendly disagreements can be a gateway to a great conversation. Respect other people's right to have their own opinion. Respect the opinions of others even if you disagree with them.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

●{#blank#}5{#/blank#}People love talking about themselves, but generally, you want to becareful of taking over the conversation. By listening carefully to what others are saying, you are not only making them feel important, but you can gather clues you need to keep the conversation going and bridge to new topics.

A．Be a careful listener.

B．Show an interest in every person you meet.

C．Smile especially when first meeting someone.

D．Make sure you look nice whenever you meet someone new.

E．Meeting new people and starting conversations is of tenchallenging.

F．Others will want to be with you and help you make a good impression.

G．Don't force others to believe what you believe or to seethings only as you see them.

    Lack of motivation drags people down in their language learning and high motivation pulls them up. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Reward yourself after each hour of concentrated study.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} After each hour reward yourself in whatever way is most appealing. Here are some common 5-minute rewards. A cup of coffee, a quick phone call, a short bike ride, 5 minutes of TV sport, walking the dog, etc.

    Remove distractions.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Listening to songs in the foreign language while you have a food break could make you feel still on target while stopping the distraction of hunger.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Some of the ideas students report for keeping themselves motivated go beyond just the language. Here are two ideas. I try to cook Spanish food. To feed interest in the country, I look at posters, pictures, articles, books.

Look for motivation in the wider world

    Keep your interest alive by watching movies, and taking time to have contact with native speakers. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can provide conversation in Chinese for overseas students, and in exchange they spend an hour another day talking their language with you. If you combine this with lunch then it doesn't even take extra time.

    Although problems are a part of our lives, it certainly doesn't mean that we let them rule our lives forever.One day or the other, you'll have to stand up and say—problem, I don't want you in my life.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Problems with friends, parents, girlfriends, husbands, and children—the list goes on.Apart from these, the inner conflicts within ourselves work, too.These keep adding to our problems.Problems come in different shapes and colors and feelings.

    But good news is that all problems can be dealt with.Now read on to know how to solve your problems.

    Talk, it really helps.What most of us think is that our problem can be understood only by us and that no talking is going to help{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Talking helps you move on and let go.

    Write your problems{#blank#}3{#/blank#}When you write down your problems, you are setting free all the tension from your system.You can try throwing away the paper on which you wrote your problems.By doing this, imagine yourself throwing away the problems from your life.

    Don't lose faith and hope.No matter what you lose in life, don't lose faith and hope.Even if you lose all your money, family...you should still have faith.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Your problems aren't the worst.No matter what problem you get in life, there are another one million people whose problems are huger than yours.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Your problems might just seem big and worse, but in reality they can be removed.

    Go about and solve your problems because every problem, however big or small, always has a way out.

A．But the truth is that when you talk about it，you're setting free the negative energies that have been gathering within you.

B．When we have a problem，a pressing，critical，urgent，life－threatening problem，how do we try and solve it?

C．Tell yourself：when they can deal with them，why can't I?

D．Of course，we've been fighting problems ever since we were born.

E．We can often overcome the problem and achieve the goal by making a direct attack.

F．Having a personal diary can also be of huge help if you don't want a real person to talk with.

G．With faith and hope，you can rebuild everything that you lose.

    While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can't be avoided. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

    Try physical activity

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.

    Make time for yourself

    Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don't forget, play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Go window-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.

    Take care of yourself

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you get angry easily and can't sleep well enough, or if you're not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that “there's so much to do, and not enough time”. Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and, as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important task first.

A. You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest.

B. Make a list of things to do.

C. The following are suggestions for ways to deal with stress.

D. You could smile to yourself in front of a mirror every day.

E. When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity.

F. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

G. Do whatever you like and want to do.

Signs of Eating Disorder

    About 30 million Americans live with an eating disorder. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Yet many others are often hidden in plain sight. It's important to know the symptoms in those who might be at risk for an eating disorder.

    They're constantly talking about dieting.

    The discussion around changing eating habits is incredibly common. Look at any lifestyle magazine or website and you'll likely find dieting tips and advice. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If someone you love is constantly talking about food or their dieting habits, it might be a sign of concern.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Changes in mood or behaviors surrounding food or exercise can be signs of concern. This could mean a switch in activity level like overexercising, too often counting calories, frequently visiting the bathroom after eating, fasting or eating too much. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    They're constantly turning down food-centric social gatherings.

    Avoiding social interactions such as birthday parties or going out to dinner with friends is a significant danger signal. People living with the condition have an intense focus on food or body image. They will keep away from situations likely ones that once brought them joy—where that determination might be tested.

    The best way to support someone who may be experiencing an eating disorder is by talking with them, but when and how you do it matters. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Approach them with love and compassion, let them know that you care about them and that you notice that there is something they may be struggling with.

A. This also might come with a noticeable weight loss or gain.

B. However, being trapped in that discussion is a different story.

C. Their fitness or eating habits are constantly out of the ordinary.

D. Mood changes associated with eating may also be a danger signal.

E. It should be away from the normal routine and outside of a meal time.

F. Some symptoms of an eating disorder may be more visible to the eyes.

G. Eating disorders are a group of conditions marked by an unhealthy relationship with food.