Learning a second language

    Nowadays, more and more people are learning a second language. So why should we spend time learning a second language?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Let us see.

    Career

    If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own language will help you to communicate with them better.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.

    Travel

    Being able to speak a foreign language, for example, the Japanese language, would benefit you greatly should you be traveling to Japan.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you are fond of tourism, then knowledge of the local language is a must-have to avoid bad experiences or discomfort.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you are a high school student who is interested in going abroad for further education, then you will have to learn the language of the country which you wish to move to. In some countries, being able to speak that country's national language is a must for students wishing to pursue (继续) education there.

    Personal growth

    Learning a second language can help in broadening one's horizons(视野). It can help in learning about the culture of that particular country{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not only can you enjoy different forms of art and literature relating to the new language, but you can also meet new people, make new friends and develop long-lasting relationships.

A. Education

B. Challenge.

C. Is it really worth it?

D. This will save you a lot of trouble.

E. It can help you to make sales and get good deals.

F. And it can open the way for new interests and hobbies.

G. Could you be required to study a particular language at school?

    A conflict at work is common. If you can avoid conflict, it means you will win what you want regardless of what the other person wants. Since the potential problem has not been removed, it will simply reappear later{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Be aware of the fact that some conflicts are unavoidable at work. On many occasions(场合), conflict and disagreement are likely to happen. But when a conflict happens it is not the end of the world.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Conflicts mean that people care enough to disagree strongly. The trick is not to allow the conflict to go on forever.

     {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Solve a conflict when it starts, as it only gets worse with time going by. Everyone is waiting for the other to admit he or she is wrong and gets more unpleasant after the conflict has lasted a while. It is necessary to interrupt the "waiting game" before it gets to that point.

    Ask nicely. If somebody has done something that makes you angry, or if you don't understand their viewpoints or actions, simply asking nicely about them can make a world of difference. Never assume that people do what they do to annoy or hurt you. Sometimes there is a good reason why that person does what he or she does, and a potential conflict disappears right there.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Appreciate.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Tell them why it is worth it to you to solve the conflict. This can be difficult as few people find it easy to appreciate a person they disagree strongly with, but it is a great way to move forward.

A. Praise the other part in the conflict

B. Deal with conflicts sooner rather than later.

C. Invite the other person to talk about the situation.

D. Do remember to make an enquiry, not an accusation of any sort.

E. Here are the necessary steps to effectively get rid of conflicts at work

F. On the contrary, it can be the beginning of an interesting learning process.

G. Clear thinking is unlikely to happen while an argument continues to boil over.

    Are you suffering from FOMO—that is, Fear Of Missing Out? Research shows that a growing number of young people are, with worrying consequences for their sleep and schoolwork.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You aren't able to do your best unless you sleep well. Most experts agree that the optimum(最适宜) number of hours is eight, and this has been accepted as common sense for as long as I can remember. However, I was young once and know most of you get much less sleep than that.

    I read an interesting article in a teachers' magazine recently.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Worryingly, the results showed that teenagers are facing a new problem. They may go to bed and get up at appropriate times, but a growing number are waking up in the middle of the night, not to use the bathroom or have a snack, but because of FOMO.

    According to the article, the number of students waking up during the night to check social media is growing. Afraid of missing a comment or opportunity to take part in a chat, teenagers are waking at all times of the night, going online and getting involved.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Experts are worried about this growing trend and the report reveals some worrying statistics: 23% of 12-to 15-year-olds wake up nearly every night to use social media.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}One in third of the students are constantly tired and unable to function to their full capacity.

    So I'd like to ask you to be responsible when it comes to social media. Switch off your devices at night. The world won't end and your social media will be waiting to greet you in the morning!{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A.But things are getting out of hand.

B.They did a study of 848 students in Wales.

C.Another 15% wake up at night once a week for the same reason.

D.I give you my word that you won't have missed anything important.

E.All happens when they should be sound asleep.

F.FOMO is the fear that everyone else is having more fun and more excitement than you.

G.Everybody knows how important it is for students to get a good night's sleep every night.

How to Overcome Depression

    Suffering from depression means more than just dealing with a bad week or even a bad month. Depression is a weakening condition that can make it impossible for you to enjoy your daily existence. To overcome your depression, you have to first determine if what you're feeling are the symptoms of depression.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}While medications can help relieve symptoms, it is still important for depressed persons to understand the disorder and develop healthier strategies for coping with it.

    Keep yourself busy. Fill your schedule with events and activities you love. Keeping a busy schedule will force you to stay active, focused, and thinking about the next thing on your plate. You can draw up a schedule for each day at the start of the week, or simply plan out each day the night before.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Improve your diet{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Even if you're losing your appetite, you need to be determined to eat three meals a day. You don't need to try to lose weight or be incredibly healthy-conscious when you're dealing with your depression, but eating healthier food regularly will improve your mental and physical state.

    Think positively. Being a more positive thinker will help you look at your life and world in a way that fills you with hope instead of despair. To think more positively, you should learn how to recognize your negative thoughts and to fight them with stronger positive thoughts whenever you can. For a jump start, find at least five things to be grateful for{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Neglecting personal hygiene (卫生) is a common side effect of depression. While you will not beat your depression by transforming your looks, if you take time to maintain your appearance and hygiene every day, you will feel better about yourself. Shower daily, brush your teeth and wash your hair.

A. Control your emotions.

B. Improve your appearance.

C Most importantly be happy about every single day.

D. Whichever method you choose, make a goal of sticking to it.

E. However, not everyone knows depression has a positive side.

F. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can also help you beat depression.

G. If you are feeling sad, lonely, or worthless, you may be suffering from depression.

    Most of today's Chinese Americans are the descendants (后代) of some of the early miners and railroad workers. From the start, the Chinese had lived apart in their own separate neighborhoods. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In each of them the residents organized an unofficial government to make rules for the community and to settle disputes.

    Chinese Americans keep many aspects of their ancient culture, even after having lived here for several generations. For example, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Members of the family lend each other moral support and also practical help when necessary. From a very young age, the old values and attitudes, including respect for their elders and a feeling of responsibility to the family, are passed from the older generation to the young. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The high regard for education, which is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, and the willingness to work very hard to gain advancement, are other noteworthy characteristics of theirs. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Chinese Americans make up only a tiny part of American population; there are fewer than a million, living chiefly in California, New York, and Hawaii. As American attitudes toward minorities and ethnic differences have changed in recent years, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Helping people is the backbone (支柱) of a healthy society. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This statement is true and the following are some of the major benefits of assisting other people.

 {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Researchers have done lots of work to prove that helping others does have a great effect on a person's happiness. Even though we usually feel the urge to compete with other people, taking time to assist others can be very beneficial to us. The key to internal joy and happiness is simply helping those in need.

Build trust. When people see that you have genuine intentions of assisting them, it is likely they are going to be very grateful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Helping people is also a good way to create and develop trusty relationship, particularly if you never expect anything to be given to you in return.

Improve the community. The mentality of helping people is increasing in popularity since more people have realized that we do not need to fight for survival. A rising number of individuals now assist others without asking for anything back. This has resulted in the change in attitude and people are now more giving, more willing and also much readier to offer assistance.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Helping other people is important as it helps to connect many people together.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} The end result is an inspired community in general.

A. Increase happiness.

B. Improve mental health.

C. This improves the whole community and changes the atmosphere.

D. It is believed that helping others is basically helping yourself.

E. As a result, they see you as a caring person and begin to trust you.

F. If you often help others, you will become a more responsible person.

G. Those who offer help and get help come together and inspire one another.