People have been making and flying kites for about 2,000 years. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some historians believe it the ancient Chinese may have started kite flying 2000 years ago. It is still a popular hobby in China, Japan and Korea and in other countries of the Far East where beautifully decorated appear in different colors.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Simple kites are made by crossing two sticks and covering them with paper or cloth. Then you attach a string at the end. More expensive kites have frames made of fiberglass, plastic or aluminum. The name comes from a graceful bird called kite.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}A flat kite is the oldest and simplest type of kite.  It flies because air flows over and under the kite's wing. The pressure under the wing helps the kite lift into the air.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Early scientists sent kites up into the air to measure temperature at different heights. In 1752, Benjamin Franklin used a kite to prove that lightning was a form of electricity. He attached a metal key to the string of a kite. When lightning hit the kite, electricity passed down the string and Franklin got an electric shock. It was a very dangerous experiment that you shouldn't copy.

    Kites were also used to develop airplanes. The Wright Brothers experimented with kites before they flew the first airplane. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In World War I the Germans developed a large kite that could transport people to a submarine. Kites were also used to carry radio signals over long distances.

    Today most people fly kites as a hobby. Kite festivals are organized in many cities in all parts of the world.

A. Kites are made in many different sizes, colors and shapes.

B. flying kites is great fun and it is easy if you know some secrets.

C. Kites have also been used in experiments.

D. No one knows for sure who invented the kite.

E. In Japan families fly fish kites on Children's Day, May5th.

F. Stories of kites were brought to Europe till the end of the 13^th century.

G. In the past, kites were sometimes used to take pictures in wars.

    “Helicopter parenting” describes a style of raising children where parents are overprotective and do too much. It describes parents who watch over their kids at home and on the playground like a helicopter. Today, modern technology allows these helicopter parents to watch over from even far away.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott wrote a book titled Break Free of the Over Parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success. In her book, she gives readers a closer look at this parenting style.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott says she experienced the effects of helicopter parenting firsthand when she worked as dean of first year college students.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} But many were unable to take care of themselves. They were turning to parents constantly for guidance, for problem solving, to have them make the choice about something.

So as a parent, what can you do if you want to break the over-parenting “helicopter” cycle?{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Stop saying “we” when you mean your son or your daughter. All too often a parent would say “we are on the travel soccer team.” Well, no, your son is or your daughter is.

    Stop arguing with all of the adults in our kids' lives. You need to teach your kids to stand for themselves.

    Stop doing your kids' homework.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Teach them to cross the street, make a meal, and remember to put their own items in their backpacks, which becomes a briefcase one day. When kids have all the skills to take care of themselves, they will be prepared for adulthood.

A. The following are some ways to stop over-protecting your children.

B. She also explains why parents should stop it.

C. Your kids have to do the things they can all by himself.

D. They can give their children directions at any moment from anywhere.

E. Build your kids' skills.

F. The freshmen were very smart and did well in their paper work.

G. Your kid is eager for more freedom, but should you give it to him?

    How old is "old"? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Two hundred years ago, you were old at 35. That was the average life then. At the turn of this century, as medical knowledge advanced, the average life span(长度) increased to 45. In 1950, 70-year-olds were really old. Today, a healthy 70-year-old is looking forward to many more active years.

    So, how old is old? The answer is one you've heard many times, from all sorts of people. "You are as old (or young) as you feel!" The calendar(日历) simply tells you how many years you have lived. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Once an unknown author wrote," {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Nobody grows old by living a number of years; people grow old by giving up their goals."

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Alice Brophy, when she was with the New York City commission for the Aging, said, "It upsets me when people say, 'Gee, you look young for your age!' What does that mean? Is there some model that you're supposed to look a certain way at 65 and 75 and 85? You know you can die old at 30 and live young at 80"

    There are many wrong ideas about aging. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Here are some of the more common ones. For example, most older people are in poor health, or older people are unable to change.

A. It's extremely terrible to be grown old.

B. Youth is not a time of life but it is a state of mind.

C. These ideas stereotype(固化) people on the basis of age.

D. Old is a point of view.

E. Older people are stubborn, unable to change.

F. The answer has changed over the years.

G. Your body tells you how well you've lived.

Helpful ways to deal with a know-it-all friend

    Sometimes having a friend who thinks she knows everything and always offers her unsolicited(主动提供的) advice can really make one upset. But with some ways to deal with know-it-all, you can easily cope with that friend. Also a know-it-all friend often acts as if she were the best. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Try to understand. There may be a reason why your know-it-all friend does so. Maybe she has low self-esteem(自尊),or she's not happy in her life. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This tip is very important, especially if the know-it-all is your best friend

    Give her a little attention. Giving a little attention is one of the best ways to deal with a know-it-all friend. Show some enthusiasm about what the know-it-all says to give her enough attention, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Or this can lead to her giving more unsolicited advice {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Often the know-it-all friend can say some not-so-nice things, and these things are usually about you. Instead of thinking that something is not okay with you, never take her comments and advice personally. If you do so, you may really begin to become unnecessarily anxious.

    Have a talk with her. If you're sick and tired of all those unsolicited advice, come right out with it. Speak politely and don't insult(辱骂)her. Try to find a good time to talk to her. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Tell your know-it-all friend how it makes you feel and maybe she will respond well

A. Feel free to ignore her all the time.

B. Don't take her comments personally.

C. However, make sure you don't overdo it.

D. Try not to go to those places where you think she'll be.

E. If you have such a friend, here are a few tips on coping with her.

F. Try to understand her and understand why she acts the way that she does.

G. You need to know what you're going to say and be sure to use only kind words.

    Many people might feel lost during a major transition(转折)in life. Life coaching, however, is the best choice for anyone who is looking for ways to get through the tough path of life.

    —{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some life coaches might focus only on certain types of situations, like advancing careers, while others may be willing to help with nearly any life transition.

A life coach will often act as an advisor for his clients(客户).{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Many times, he will also be able to look at a client's life with n fair eye and ofter fresh ideas on certain situations. In doing so, the life coach will usually be able to help his client work through any problems he may face.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} During this interview, the life coach should find out what the client's wants, needs and goals are in life.

    How to help each client is different to everyone, and it is a very individualized process.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Because of this, a life coach must develop plans based on each client's strengths, weaknesses, abilities and so on. A life coach will also usually take each client's morals and values into consideration.

    Some life coaches may be able to find employment with a few select universities and corporations. There are also a handful of large life coaching firms that hire life coaches as well. The majority of life coaches, however, work for themselves, opening their own life coaching practices.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Methods that work for one client may not work for another.

B. A good life coach should try to satisfy all the needs of his clients.

C. He is often expected to listen closely to their concerns and problems.

D. Before a life coach can help a client, he first needs an in-depth interview.

E. Life coaches offer guidance to all types of people in different stages of their lives.

F. In some cases, life coaches may work together and offer a wider range of services.

G. Generally, there are no strict education requirements for starting a life coaching career.

Signs of Eating Disorder

    About 30 million Americans live with an eating disorder. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Yet many others are often hidden in plain sight. It's important to know the symptoms in those who might be at risk for an eating disorder.

    They're constantly talking about dieting.

    The discussion around changing eating habits is incredibly common. Look at any lifestyle magazine or website and you'll likely find dieting tips and advice. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If someone you love is constantly talking about food or their dieting habits, it might be a sign of concern.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Changes in mood or behaviors surrounding food or exercise can be signs of concern. This could mean a switch in activity level like overexercising, too often counting calories, frequently visiting the bathroom after eating, fasting or eating too much. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    They're constantly turning down food-centric social gatherings.

    Avoiding social interactions such as birthday parties or going out to dinner with friends is a significant danger signal. People living with the condition have an intense focus on food or body image. They will keep away from situations likely ones that once brought them joy—where that determination might be tested.

    The best way to support someone who may be experiencing an eating disorder is by talking with them, but when and how you do it matters. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Approach them with love and compassion, let them know that you care about them and that you notice that there is something they may be struggling with.

A. This also might come with a noticeable weight loss or gain.

B. However, being trapped in that discussion is a different story.

C. Their fitness or eating habits are constantly out of the ordinary.

D. Mood changes associated with eating may also be a danger signal.

E. It should be away from the normal routine and outside of a meal time.

F. Some symptoms of an eating disorder may be more visible to the eyes.

G. Eating disorders are a group of conditions marked by an unhealthy relationship with food.