"Smart" Idioms

    Today we take a look at the word “smart”.If someone says you are smart,what do they mean?Is it a good thing or something bad?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}This is because the word smart has many meanings.

●That smarts!

    For example,someone could say you look smart or are dressed smartly.That means they like what you are wearing and your physical appearance.To use a slang（俚语）expression,they could say,“You look really cool!”But if something smarts,it can be unkind or hurtful,either physically or mentally.If you accidentally trip over a chair and fall down,you might shout,“Ow!That smarts!”Or if a friend says something that hurts your feelings,you can say you are smarting from the hurtful comments.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

●Smarting

    If you are standing too close to a campfire,you could say your eyes are smarting from the smoke of the fire. Here the word “smarting” means a sharp pain.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If someone is smart as whip,they are able to think very quickly.

●Street smart and book smart

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Some people are considered street smart.They may not have a strong education.But they are good at dealing with people and problems in the real world.Other people might be book smart.This means they have spent many years in school.But they may not be so smart when dealing with people or real-world problems.

●Don't get smart with me!

    And then there is the definition of smart that means to talk or behave disrespectfully.If you say something disrespectful to your parents,they might say,“Don't get smart with me!”Here,“smart”means to show a lack of respect by saying something unkind.In fact,a child who has a smart mouth makes rude comments,not smart ones.This definition of smart can also be used as a verb.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A.Do they really mean you are smart?

B.People have different attitude toward being smart.

C.However,different people have different ways of being smart.

D.In fact,maybe that person is no longer you friend.

E.The answer is not as easy as you might think.

F.But the most common meaning of smart is to be intelligent.

G.If you smart off to the wrong people,they could hit you in the face.

How to Make Friends

    Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. It offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes (促进) good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leave us without a friend. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

● Associate with (与……交往) others.

    The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

● Start a conversation.

    Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

●{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out (闲逛) will always be a pleasant experience.

● Let it grow.

    It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

● Enjoy your friendship.

    The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be. Become the kind of friend you will want your friend to be to you.

A. Do things together.

B. Be cheerful.

C. Making new friends comes easy for some people.

D. So you will need to give your friend time to respond to you.

E. Do not wait to be spoken to.

F. For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

G. Try not to find fault with your friends.

    Breaking bad eating habits and starting good ones is one of the healthiest steps you can take.

    But making healthy choices natural can take time.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In fact, it can take a certain time for a new habit to feel natural. So how do you stay on track until your new healthy-eating plan takes hold?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Setting too many goals or too many unrealistic ones can disturb you right from the start.

    Think about why you're snacking.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Or are you just bored or maybe a little stressed out? Skip the extra calories and take a five-minute walk instead.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}The buddy(好友)system will keep you both on track. If you fail, don't give up. According to the European Journal of Psychology study, little bumps(凸块)in the road aren't likely to disturb the process of creating new habits. So, be patient and get back to your healthy ways as soon as you can.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Start small.

B. Are you really hungry?

C. Try to do something big

D. With a little patience, those bad habits will soon be gone

E. After all, it's hard to change a lifetime of bad habits overnight.

F. What kind of food do you want to eat when you are hungry?

G. And find a friend or co-worker who wants to make healthy changes, too.

    While some lucky people are born with the gift of artistic power, others have to study to become fluent in the language of art.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If the artistic path is calling you, begin the journey with tiny steps and follow it. Here are some ways to show you how to become a true artist.

    Try a generous choice of differing forms of art. If you have never spent much time creating art, it may feel challenging to try to become an artist.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}They just need to express their creative ideas in a great way. If there is a specific type of art you would like to learn more about, go for it, but don't be afraid to branch out and try other forms as well. Some of the most basic forms of art include drawing, painting, sculpting, and photographing.

    Do your research and learn the basics.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Learn as much as you can about the medium-read books and articles, watch educational videos, and research various methods and other artists. One of the best ways to learn is by studying the work of others who have come before you. If you put effort, it is completely possible to teach yourself how to be a great artist. Need help?{#blank#}4{#/blank#} I'll work for sure.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Many artists devote their lives to creating art. While you do not have to spend every single second of your day working on a painting, do try to dedicate some time each day (or every other day) to working on your project, whatever it might be.

A. Make creating art your favorite.

B. Make time for your art every day.

C. The truth is that all people are artists.

D. Pick up some books on your chosen form(s).

E. You can always further your research with an art class.

F. A key part of being an artist is observing the world around you.

G. Whichever path you are on, be clear that everyone is an artist.

    Air pollution is a killer. The World Health Organization says it kills an estimated seven million people around the world each year.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} , it can make us very sick.

    However, breathing dirty air may do more than hurt your body.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} .A new study shows that air pollution can cause a “huge” reduction in our intelligence. The researchers reposed that long-time exposure to air pollution can affect a person's mental abilities in two areas: language and mathematics.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} .Between 2010 and 2014, these Chinese men, women and children were given language and math tests. Then they compared the test results with measurements of pollution in the air, namely nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, and found that breathing polluted air can reduce a person's education level by about one year.

    It has found that the effect generally is worse for those over 64 years of age, for men and for those with little or no education.

    “{#blank#}4{#/blank#} .And we find, quite interestingly, males are more affected than females. And people working outdoors are more affected than people working indoors, ”one of researchers said.

    He noted that the youngest people in the study were 10 years old, while the oldest was 90.They came from 25 of China'S 33 provinces.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    The researchers also noted that the effect of pollution on verbal ability is even more serious as people age, especially among men and the less educated.

A. Even if polluted air does not kill us

B. The elderly people are more affected

C. Therefore, some measures should be taken

D. Air pollution is one of the major problems of China

E. It can also affect your brain and your ability to think

F. The researchers studied about 25, 000 people across China

G. This range of ages and locations provided a “good representative sample”

    Alcohol addiction is harmful. It may ruin your life, family and career. Here are some ideas to help people stop drinking.

    ⒈First Step

    The first step to stop drinking is to know why you want to stop drinking. Make a list of reasons to stop drinking alcohol.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It would be better to display it in several places like on your fridge door and in your handbag to increase chances of seeing it.

    ⒉Reduce Drinking Alcohol Gradually

    If you're a heavy drinker for a long time, it may not be possible for you to put a full stop to drinking within one day.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In addition, fix a date for a final complete stop.

    ⒊Talk To Your Doctor

    Alcohol addiction is a disease, and may have caused a few chemical changes in your body system. It might have affected your important organs such as liver, heart, kidney, and so on.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    ⒋Join Support Groups

    There are many support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and AVERT.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They provide practical tips and suggestions based on their own experience.

    ⒌Learn To Say a Firm NO

    Friends at drinking clubs may invite you to drink with reasons.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}You should learn to stay active by developing new hobbies and interests and spending that alcohol drinking time with your family and friends.

A. Turn down their invitations with polite yet firm Nos.

B. Alcohol can influence people's health and how they act.

C. You can also look for a friend's help to complete the list.

D. Usually, therefore, you need expert medical help for treatment.

E. The very best choice might be to drink less and then stop drinking gradually.

F. For example, people may drink to deal with problems like boredom, stress, or money troubles.

G. Their membership consists of previous alcohol addicts who have successfully given up their addiction.