Are You Right Handed or Left Handed?

    Which hand do you use when write? About 8 to 15 percent of people are left handed. They often have to use tools that are designed for right-handed people. So it is difficult for left-handers to use most tools. If you are right handed, try this experiment: Take a knife with your left hand and try cutting a potato into pieces. Don't be surprised if you feel awkward（别扭的）.

    In the past, people thought it was strange to use the left hand. Young students looked down upon their left-handed classmates. Some children were even punished for using their left hand to write. But these days parents and teachers have accepted that. In almost every school in the world, left-handed students can use their left hand to write.

    What causes people to be left handed or right handed? Experts have searched long and hard on this. They concluded（得出结论） that left-handed people are left handed for the same reason that right-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-hander. It's simply like the color of our eyes—some people have brown eyes, while some others have black eyes.

    However, many researchers think that left-handers and right-handers are different in some aspects. Right-handers are more talkative and outgoing than left-handers. Many right-handed people understand spoken words better. For example, after they listen to directions to a supermarket, they can find it easily. Right-handers are good at organizing people, too. They are also better basketball guards. Just ask Yao Ming.

    Research shows that left-handers are creative and artistic. Many famous performers, like Jim Carrey and Paul McCartney, are left handed. Many left-handers learn better visually（在视觉方面）. In art, both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were left handed. In science, you find Newton and Einstein. The left-handed people are also really good at tennis and other single sports.

    If you prefer one hand, but you are still good at writing with the other, you are mixed handed. Research shows mixed-handers can remember everyday things better than other people. What did you eat for lunch two weeks ago? If you're mixed handed, you can probably remember.

    How do animals communicate (交流) with each other? They have special "languages". In fact, they are using signals (信号). Different signals have different meanings.

    For example, when a bee (蜜蜂) finds food somewhere, it flies home quickly. It can't speak, but it can tell others by dancing. Other bees will know where and how far the food is.

    Some animals show their feelings by making sounds. For example, when a dog is angry, it barks (吠). At this time, you'd better stay away from it. Birds can make several sounds to show different meanings. Sometimes we humans show feelings by making sounds instead of by speaking. For example, when we feel painful (疼痛的), we cry "Oh!" or“Ouch!".

    We humans have languages and words. We can communicate face to face by speaking. We can write down what happened in order to remember clearly. We can also send (寄) messages to people far away. But animals can't.

W: Did you go shopping in town yesterday, Jim? 

M: {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

W: Did you go to the computer shop called "IT Sky" in Puguo Road?

M: Yeah. It was crowded yesterday. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

W: Did you buy any books? 

M: Yes, I chose five or six books. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

W: Where did you go after that? 

M: I went to Dream Clothes in Chaoyang Street. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It was 800 yuan. 

W: Oh, that was expensive. Do you always buy clothes there? 

M: Yes. The clothes last a long time and they look smart. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}