Four benefits of writing by hand

    Today is National Handwriting Day! Although we don't write like we used to, here are four ways handwriting is still helpful.

    It's better for learning.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} That's because putting ink to paper stimulates (刺激) the brain. One study from 2010 found that the brain areas related to learning “lit up” much more when kids were asked to write words like “spaceship” by hand versus just studying the word closely.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Many famous authors prefer writing by hand to the use of a typewriter or computer. Writer Susan Sontag once said that she penned her first drafts (草稿) before typing them up for editing later. She said, “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}” A 2009 study seems to support Sontag's preference for writing by hand: Elementary school students who wrote essays with a pen not only wrote more than their keyboard-tapping friends, but they also wrote faster and in more complete sentences.

    It will prevent you from being distracted (分心).

    The computer in front of you is really a distraction. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In 2012, scientists even suggested that taking five-minute breaks to browse Tumblr or BuzzFeed could make you a more productive worker. However, when it's time to work on that essay, have only a pen and paper in front of you.

    It keeps your brain sharp as you get older.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} According to The Wall Street Journal, some physicians say that the act of writing is good exercise for those who want to keep their minds sharp as they age.

A. It makes you a better writer.

B. Writing is good for your brain.

C. Of course, the Internet isn't all bad.

D. I like the slowness of writing by hand.

E. Try writing by hand at least 20 minutes each day.

F. Many writers have a preference for writing by hand.

G. One of the most effective ways to study is to rewrite your notes by hand.

    Do you want to create more successful writings? Perhaps you can benefit from the following suggestions on excellent writing.

    You need time. A lot of smart people lie to themselves like, “I finish my task best at the last minute.” In fact, it's not true. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Sure, you are smart, but you still need to have some pressure. For example, if you are working on an important topic, why do you think that you can write well at midnight just before the conference? Writing can be a miracle if you are given enough time.

    Writing requires practice. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Would you do nothing before running a marathon? No, you would practice running gradually to make your body stronger. In order to become a writer, you need to write.

    Write at the best time. I happen to be a morning person, so I write early in the day. Then I spend the rest of my day teaching or having meetings. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Or, at least, they are not correct to some extent. Nearly all of the best scholars are changed by their experiences in doing research and writing about it. They learn by doing, and sometimes what they learn is that they were wrong.

    Revise your writing again and again. Have other people look at it. You need to overcome a fear of refusal. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The difference between a successful scholar and a failed one is about who is better at writing and revising.

A. Not all of your thoughts are influential.

B. No one works better with time running out.

C. You get better and faster through exercise.

D. Exchange papers with peers or an instructor.

E. Your first thoughts are often wrong.

F. Make sure you save your most productive time for writing.

G. Nobody's first drafts (草稿) are good.

One of the healthiest Foods on the planet

    There is probably no flower more hated, or misunderstood, than the bright yellow dandelion (蒲公英). {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In an effort to have the perfect green grass lawn, people try their best to kill all dandelions with chemical products. Or they dig them out at the roots—only to see them grow right back.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They are a great source of vitamin K and also are a good source of vitamins A and C. They also have vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. Also, they provide lots of iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

    Besides nutrition, another great thing about dandelions is that you can eat every part of them—from the bottom of the roots to the top of the flower. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Do not eat ones that have been treated with dangerous chemicals or are growing near high traffic areas.

    Dandelions are said to provide several possible health benefits such as helping in digestion and improving some skin conditions. They may also reduce inflammation (炎症).

    Children in many parts of the world have had the simple pleasure of blowing the soft, white dandelion tops. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In fact, there is a game children play with dandelions that have gone to seed. Pick the white top, make a wish, close your eyes and blow! If you blow all of the seeds off in one breath, your wish will come true! {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Well, that is what many children believe.

B. They watch the seeds float easily in the air.

C. At least the seeds have traveled far and wide.

D. Just make sure to take care when picking wild dandelions.

E. You can let more of this nutritious food source continue to grow.

F. Dandelions are actually one of the most nutritious foods in the world.

G. In the United States, they are considered “weeds”, the name for any unwanted plant.

Best Way to Lose Weight – Dieting Tips

    How do you eat right to lose weight fast? You'll discover there are a great number of weight loss diets which promise to help you drop the pounds fast.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Many weight loss diets are aimed at losing weight fast, but aren't necessarily healthy and won't create a long-term change for the better. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} That means you'll choose a diet which doesn't cut out any necessary nutrients(营养物). Most diets suggest that you stop eating fat or carbs(含碳水化合物的食物).{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You'll need to make clear of your own body type before making a diet plan. You might also need to try different ways before finding the best way.

    If you just need to shake a few pounds off, your plan won't be the same as one to lose weight in the long term. The best short-term weight loss plan will be stronger than the best long-term weight loss plan, but it shouldn't get rid of necessary nutrition. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Your body will go into "starvation mode" and your metabolism(新陈代谢) will slow down. As a result your body will keep more weight.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Spread out your meals evenly throughout the day. Any larger meals should be eaten earlier in the day. That gives your body more time and opportunity to burn calories. If you eat a lot before bed, those calories won't burn but become fat.

A. In fact many people feel it hard to lose weight.

B. Once you start your plan, you shouldn't stop.

C. But do they really work?

D. If you try to make yourself feel hungry, you won't achieve long-term results.

E. The best way to lose weight should be useful in the long term.

F. While this may help some people, there is no plan that is perfect for all.

G. Besides improving your metabolism, you also should pay attention to when you eat.

    With the development of technology and economy, social media is becoming one of the fastest-growing industries in today's world. A study conducted by the US Pew Research Centre showed that 92 percent of teenagers go online daily. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Changing relationships.

    High school student Elly Cooper from Illinois said social media often reduces face-to-face communication. "It makes face-to-face relationships harder because people's attention is given to their phones instead of their friends," Cooper said.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Beth Kaplan from Illinois meets her long-distance friend through social media. He currently lives in Scotland, but they're still able to frequently communicate with each other. "I can feel close to someone that I'm talking to via FaceTime," Kaplan said.

    Wanting to be "liked".

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The 19-year-old Essena O'Neill announced on the social networking service Instagram that she was quitting social media because it made her unable to stop thinking about appearing perfect online. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Teenagers who get harmful comments can't help but feel hurt.

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    However, Armin Korsos, a student from Illinois, takes advantage of the comments(评论) he receives over social media to improve his videos on the social networking site YouTube. "Social media can help people show themselves and their talents to the world in a way that has never been possible before," Korsos said.

A. Opening new doors.

B. Teenagers' attitude toward social media.

C. Unpleasant comments can also do great damage to a teenager's self-respect.

D. The wide spread of social media has changed nearly all parts of teenagers' lives.

E. Yet, the social media is beneficial to show people's talents.

F. The rise of social media has changed the way teenagers see themselves.

G. Yet, some people believe social media has made it easier to start relationships with anyone from anywhere.

Humans are social creatures, which is why we feel lonely from time to time, for example, after moving to a new school or when a child leaves for college. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. This persistent (持续存在的) emotion can harm their health and even change their brains.

How can a subjective (主观的) feeling like loneliness have such a great effect on the brain's structure and functions? Scientists believe that long-term loneliness affects brain areas related to social thinking and emotions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Additionally, loneliness can raise blood pressure and heart rate, further affecting the brain. Loneliness might lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and lack of physical activity. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

To fight long-term loneliness, experts suggest making new friends through activities like art classes, sports teams, support groups, or volunteering, and the goal is to put themselves in places where people come together. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (认知行为疗法) can help by changing a person's attitudes and thoughts about social interactions. This therapy get to the root of the problem, exploring what makes it hard for a person to interact with others.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. However, understanding the deep reasons of long-time loneliness is crucial for maintaining brain health and overall well-being. By actively connecting with others and seeking support, people can improve their mental and physical health, leading to a more satisfying life.

A．The feeling is closely linked to sadness

B．Thus, loneliness significantly damages overall health

C．However, some people experience long-term loneliness

D．There is a connection between loneliness and mental illness

E．All in all, these skills are simple and effective in dealing with loneliness

F．These social situations work best when participants share a common identity

G．They also hold that loneliness causes stress and affects how our brains age over time