Stress(压力) is everywhere in our everyday life. Not only men but also women and young people have it. The most important reasons of stress are: diseases, exams, making money, getting married, moving houses, changing jobs, ending friendships and so on.
How do you know whether you have stress? Give your answers to the following questions?

If you answer “Yes” to more than two of these questions, you are one of those people with stress. So what can you do about it? Doing relaxing exercises, talking with friends and listening to light music are all usual ways of relieving(减轻) stress. However, doctors now say that there are easier ways — people should laugh and smile more often. When you laugh and smile, your body relaxes. They also say that people, especially men, should cry more often, because crying is the natural way of relieving stress.

    Many animals do strange things before an earthquake. This news may be important. Earthquakes can kill people and knock down homes. The animals may help to save lives.

Some animals make a lot of noise before an earthquake. Farmers have told about this. Dogs that are usually quiet have started to bark(吠). Horses on farms have run around in circles. Mice have left their holes and run away. Cows have given less milk.

In a town in Italy, cats raced down the street in a group. That happened only a few hours before an earthquake. In San Francisco, a man kept tiny pet frogs. One Sunday, the frogs jumped around more than ever. They made loud noises, like bigger frogs. That night, an earthquake struck the city.

    People want to know when an earthquake is coming. Then they could get away safely. Right now, there is no sure way to know ahead of time. Maybe the best idea is watching the animals.

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You Can Make a Windsock(风筒)

    Have you ever seen a windsock blowing in the wind? Well, you can make one of your own! This is a fun project that you can do with things you may have. You just need to follow a few easy steps.

You will need:

●one piece of heavy colored paper   ●five ribbons

●strong tape       ●a string

●a pencil

What to do:

Step 1: Draw pictures on the paper. You can write your name on it. Do anything that will make it special to you.

    Step 2: Make the paper into the shape of a tube. Hold one of the shorter edges(边缘) over the other. Then make them together with the tape at each end and in the middle.

Step 3: Use a pencil to make a hole into both sides of the tube. The holes should be only on one end of the tube. Pull the string through both holes. Then tie the ends of the string together.

    Step 4: Now make five holes around the top of the other end of the tube.Put a ribbon through each of the holes. Tie a knot in the ends.

    Make sure the knots are bigger than the holes.

    Now your windsock is ready to use, but how does it work? The shape of the tube plays an important part. Wind blows through the tube and makes it fly and dance around. Hold the windsock up in the air by its string and run around. It will fly behind you. You can also hang it outside and watch it dance around on its own!

    Smog(雾霾) is a big problem in many Chinese cities. But it seems that besides wearing a mask, few of us know what has caused the smog and what to do to beat it. Chai Jing, a former news hostess with China Central Television, discussed the questions in her documentary Under the Dome.

    The 103 - minute film was published on major Chinese video - sharing websites on Feb 28. In the film, Chai visits polluted places and talks to officials and scientists. She comes to the conclusion that burning too much coal and oil are the main causes of PM2.5 and smog.

    To make things worse, according to Chai, the coal and oil we are burning is of poor quality and don't meet the standards for environmental protection. Therefore they have produced more harmful gas to pollute the air.

    To solve the problem, Chai suggests that we should clean our coal and oil or replace them with cleaner energy such as natural gas. In her film, Chai also pointed out that ordinary people can do something to help control smog too. For example, we live a greener life by using more public traffic. Or if we see things that could harm the environment, we can try to stop it. In one scene from the film, Chai sees a dirt mound in a building site exposed in the air, and asks the person in charge to cover it. When she sees a restaurant cooking without any suitable filter facilities, she calls the hotline 12369. The restaurant installed the filter a week later.

    Chen Jining, the new minister of environmental protection, praised Chai. "This film encourages ordinary people to care about the environment. This is what we need in the future. "

    Many people have dogs at home as pets. If a dog is happy, then he may want to meet you or play with you. If he doesn't feel happy, then he would rather stay alone. But dogs can't talk. How can you tell how your dog is feeling? By his body language.

    If your dog's head and back are lowered, his ears are down and his eyes are narrowed, and his tail is between his legs, then he is fearful. You may touch him gently to comfort him. If your dog's ears are up, his eyes are bright, and he wags his tail rapidly (快速地), he is very happy. He may also hold his mouth open more or even pant (气喘) mildly. Then you can go and play with him freely. If he closes his mouth and looks serious as you get closer, then he has changed his mind. It is better to leave him alone until he comes to you. Remember, we are talking about dogs that you know. Be sure a parent is around to allow you to get close to the dog. Get away from strange dogs even if they seem friendly.

    The most important clue (线索) is the mouth. If the dog's mouth is closed, then he is most likely to be not relaxed or happy, and he does not want you to touch or play with him right now.