Ireland now has one of the best education systems in the world. Class sizes are small, exam results are good and most children are happy to stay at school after the minimum(最低的) leaving age of sixteen. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    For years, Ireland had one of the most complicated(复杂的) education systems in the world. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Classes were large and the teaching was very traditional. As in many countries, teachers used to hit the children if they made mistakes. Fortunately, the punishment was not allowed in 1982.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} As a result, there were schools for the rich and schools for the poor. Boys and girls went to different schools. Nowadays, most schools are free and only about half the schools are either for girls or boys. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Girls do better than boys in their exams; more girls go to university and most teachers are women.

    At the end of secondary school, students take their final exams. Compulsory(必修的)subjects are maths, Irish and English. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Some of these, like business organization, help to prepare them for the world of work. This is very different from the past when Latin and Greek used to be the most important subjects.

A. In many ways, education is now a woman's world.

B. Parents used to pay for their children's education.

C. In addition, they must choose two or three extra subjects.

D. Public schools in Ireland are not run by the government.

E. It is easy to forget that the picture used to be very different.

F. Here, children do not learn any subjects but some basic skills.

G. There were many different kinds of school, but most of them had a lot in common.

    If you want to keep fit, please refer to the following;

    Move More

    Make it a rule to find ways to move your body. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Climb stairs instead of taking the elevator. Walk your dog; play with your kids. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute dance class. But that's great when you're up to it. At the same time, move more.

    Quit Smoking

    Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we've seen more and more teens smoking. Could it be the Hollywood influence?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Take care! Warn your children against smoking.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, more than can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney (肝肾) disease and cancer.

    Reduce Stress

    Easier said than done, stress comes in many ways.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like such as walking on the beach or in a park, read a good book, visit a friend, listen to relaxing music, and watch a funny movie.

    Protect Yourself From Pollution

    If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good.

A. Avoid Excessive Drinking

B. There are many things you can do to move your arms and legs.

C. Think carefully about what you will do.

D. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low.

E. It seems that the stars in every movie smoke cigarettes.

F. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook.

G. Some techniques given by experts are to think positive thoughts.

    During these days, the United States is full of cars. There are still some families without cars, but some families have two or more ones. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}They are also a necessary part of life.

    Cars are used for business. They are driven to offices and factories by workers who have no other way to get to their jobs. When salesmen are sent to different parts of the city, they have to drive in order to carry their products. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Sometimes small children must be driven to school. In some cities school buses are used only when children live more than a mile away from the school. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}  One mother drives on Mondays taking her own children and the neighbors' as well. Another mother drives on Tuesdays, another on Wednesdays, and so on. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Men also form car pools, with three or four men taking turns driving to the place where they all work.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} So more car pools should be formed in order to put fewer cars on the road and use less gas. Too many cars will lead to some problems such as accidents or environmental pollution. Something will have to be done about the use of cars. And the government should encourage the citizens to decrease the use of their cars as much as they can.

A. Too many cars are being driven.

B. This is called forming a car pool.

C. Cars are used for more than pleasure.

D. You can choose your car according to the use of it.

E. Farmers have to drive into the city in order to get supplies.

F. Still, it is not safe for young children to take the school bus.

G. When children are too young to walk too far, their mothers take turns driving them to school.

I have worked for a local charity for many years. I volunteered there as one of the youth group leaders. The job sometimes was tiring. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And one of our favorite activities is called "ARK night" — A couple of times a year, on a Sunday night, all kids in the charity went into our community to perform kind acts for others.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} One group typically goes downtown and hands out sandwiches, water and bread. Another group makes posters and goes to local police and fire stations to say "Thank you". Our group often visits nursing homes and hospitals.

One time, the group I was leading left post-it notes (便利贴) with positive messages on the cars in a hospital's parking lot. The hope was that someone who was sad after visiting a patient would be cheered up by our notes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} I made the kids write positive messages on the notes. Then we went out to put those notes on cars.

After the kids left their notes on the cars, one girl said, "We didn't see one single person tonight. How will we know our notes made a difference?" I replied, "{#blank#}4{#/blank#}" But actually I wondered about it, too. Would the notes cheer anyone up? But I had to take those kids back before 9:00 pm.

Later I got the answer. On Monday morning I found a post online by a woman. She described her bad luck over the weekend. "But then," she added, "this morning I found the nicest little note on my car. It made my day." She included a photo of the note. It was one of our notes! {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Let's stay here and find out.

B. We'll just have to trust that they did.

C. The drivers were surprised by our special notes.

D. But I loved working with those little volunteers.

E. I smiled and couldn't wait to tell the kids the good news.

F. We had spent the first part of the evening preparing notes.

G. The kids are divided into small groups, with each group having a different task.

Critical thinking is the process of carefully and systematically analyzing problems to find ways to solve them. It involves identifying several possible solutions and then logically evaluating each one, comparing them to one another, and then selecting the one that you conclude is the most promising

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Employers prefer job candidates who can demonstrate a history of using critical thinking skills. They want to have employees who can solve problems quickly.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

You may think there isn't enough time to take a slow and measured approach to problem solving. After all, time is limited, and quick and easy answers are appealing.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Critical thinking is one of several life skills you should try to develop while still in school.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Your assignments will require you to generate hypotheses (猜想) and then test them before coming to conclusions. Students taking art classes also use critical thinking. To complete projects, you will have to select media and techniques that will best allow you to achieve your artistic vision

Graduates aren't out of luck. Practice your critical thinking while performing everyday activities.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}When deciding where to have dinner, weigh your alternatives regarding the type of food, healthfulness, and cost. If making a purchase, do your research and read reviews of different brands.

A. Sign up for science classes, for example.

B. Choose a lesson that benefits your critical thinking.

C. The ability to think critically is a valuable soft skill in the job market.

D. But more importantly, they want ones who can solve them effectively.

E. We all need some critical thinking skills living in this challenging world.

F. For example, before going out, learn about each means of transportation.

G. However, rushing to make a decision is less productive than using critical thinking.

As spring comes to half the world, many people can enjoy the new growth that comes with warmer weather. This is a great time to get outside and get dirty! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This outdoor activity gives us beautiful plants, pleasant smelling flowers and fresh fruit and vegetables. Moreover, it also gives us many health benefits. 

Gardening reduces loneliness. It connects people. When you are gardening, you are outdoors. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Gardeners usually enjoy showing people what they are growing. And most enjoy sharing advice and stories about their gardens. 

Gardening is a great activity to do with children. It gets them outdoors and off computers, televisions and other electronics. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Gardening can teach a child about where food comes from and healthy eating. It can also help them to understand the limits of natural resources. 

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This means you are getting Vitamin D, which helps your bodies take in calcium(钙). That is necessary to keep bones strong. When you garden you must move around. All the different movements needed for gardening—bending, stretching and lifting—work small muscles in the body. 

Gardening may help your brain stay young. In one study, researchers found that gardening could lower the risk of future dementia(痴呆) by 36 percent. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A flower and herb garden can help feed bees and butterflies. Growing herbs and flowers connects you to nature and pleases all of your senses. 

A. Vitamin D also helps us fight diseases. 

B. They can learn about nature and wildlife. 

C. Gardening is popular in many parts of the world. 

D. So it is a perfect time to communicate with your neighbours. 

E. While in your garden, you might feel the sunshine on your skin. 

F. Some people may not have the resources to have their own garden. 

G. Gardening can also give you the feeling that you have done something good.