The Science of Risk-Seeking

    Sometimes we decide that a little unnecessary danger is worth it because when we weigh the risk and the reward, the risk seems worth taking. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some of us enjoy activities that would surprise and scare the rest of us. Why? Experts say it may have to do with how our brains work.

    The reason why any of us take any risks at all might have to do with early humans. Risk-takers were better at hunting, fighting, or exploring. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} As the quality of risk-taking was passed from one generation to the next, humans ended up with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for risk.

    So why aren't we all jumping out of airplanes then? Well, even 200, 000 years ago, too much risk-taking could get one killed. A few daring survived, though, along with a few stay-in-the-cave types. As a result, humans developed a range of character types that still exists today. So maybe you love car racing, or maybe you hate it.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    No matter where you are on the risk-seeking range, scientists say that your willingness to take risks increases during your teenage years. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} To help you do that, your brain increases your hunger for new experiences. New experiences often mean taking some risks, so your brain raises your tolerance for risk as well.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For the risk-seekers, a part of the brain related to pleasure becomes active, while for the rest of us, a part of the brain related to fear becomes active.

    As experts continue to study the science of risk-seeking, we'll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

Saving money while traveling

    There are a lot of matters to think on before going out on a trip.  If you fail to plan the trip properly, then money will simply let itself loose from your pocket. Moreover, if you haven't planned a road map of your tour,  then confusion is quite inevitable (必然的). {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Package tours. Tours and travel agencies have attractive offers for tourists wanting to spend a couple of days on trips. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Once you have accepted the package tour, all your expenses during the travel will be greatly reduced. You can save a lot in lodging(住宿 ) and traveling.

    Inexpensive lodging. Never choose expensive lodging if your tour is a low-budget one. People tend to spend a lot booking luxury hotels (豪华旅馆),  and save little to enjoy other activities during the trip. This idea is absolutely not wise when spending limited money on the trip is your main aim. Moreover, the expenses increase quickly when your kids are with you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can use the money saved on good food and amusement.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The peak season is the time when rates are sky high due to the increase of millions of tourists who can afford to spend a lot of money. You, not being amongst this crowd that can spend generously, must book your holidays during the off season.

    A guide map. Make a guide map about the places to visit, expenses of travel and the activities to try. While planning you should also estimate (估计) your total expenses. Calculate the maximum amount and try to spend less than that. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Refer to the guide map while traveling and follow the money-saving travel tips as much as possible.

A. Reduce shopping.

B. Off season travel.

C. You must keep yourself updated with such offers.

D. This will help you to keep actual expenses below the estimated.

E. You can save lots of dollars when you don't have a credit card.

F. Therefore, book a fairly low-price lodge to save a few dollars.

G. So knowing some money-saving travel tips becomes necessary for you. 

    April 22nd every year marks the start of Earth Day, a day that is celebrated every year to raise awareness(意识)about our home planet and how we can save it from being damaged. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Green up your home

    This is one of the most common things that people do whenever Earth Day rolls around, that is, switch off their lights. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Conserve (节约)energy by switching off all power of electricity points whenever they are not on use. In addition, take out all the plugs(插头) from plug points even after switching them off.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Cars, being the greatest source of air pollution, can be left at home this weekend. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Other greener choices are carpooling, riding a bike or you can also walk if you want a healthier choice and if your workplace is not that far away from your home.

    Be a little dirty

    No, we don't mean it “that way”. We simply mean to say, don't take a bath. Yes, saving water is super important. A day or two without a bath won't harm you, but it will certainly do a lot of good for our planet. A daily shower isn't a matter of health; it's a matter of comfort. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    The future of our planet is in your hands!

A. Leave your cars at home.

B. Traveling by public transport is a better choice.

C. Below, we have made a list of things you can do to celebrate Earth Day.

D. Showering every day can wash away the natural oils that our skin and hair need.

E. However, this is not something you should do just for a day or for only an hour.

F. Started in the year 1970, Earth Day is now celebrated in more than 190 countries each year.

G. Do something every day that will improve your surroundings to make the planet a better place to live.

    Friends play an important part in our lives, and although we may take the fact of friendship for granted, we often don't clearly understand how we make friends. While we get on well with a number of people, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Moreover, a great many relationships come under the general term "friendship". In all cases, two people like one another and enjoy being together, but beyond that, the degree of closeness between them and the reasons for their interest in each other change greatly.

    At the beginning, much depends on how people meet, and on good first impressions. As we get to know people, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Although these factors are not of the greatest importance, it is more difficult to have a good relationship with people when there is a big difference in age and background.

    Then, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Friends will stand closer together and will spend more time looking at each other than ordinary friends. Smiles and soft voices also express friendliness, and it is because they may give the wrong signals that shy people often have difficulty making friends. A friendly look with a wrong facial expression can turn into an unfriendly stare, and nervousness may be wrongly understood as unfriendliness.

    Some relationships are a result of argument and discussion, but it is usual for close friends to have the same ideas and beliefs, the same opinions and interests. The more closely involved people become, the more they depend on each other. And {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  Equally, friends have to learn to make allowances for each other, to put up with annoying habits, and to accept differences in opinions.

    In contrast with marriage, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But the support and understanding that results from shared experiences and affections does seem to create a close and lasting relationship.

A. we are usually friends with only a few.

B. many factors can affect friendship and relationship.

C. people want to do friends favors and hate to let them down.

D. argument and discussion can improve personal relationships.

E. we consider things like age, race, looks, economic and social status, etc.

F. there are no friendship ceremonies to strengthen the relationship between two people.

G. we pay attention to actual behavior, facial expression, and the way a person speaks.

    The new school year is coming and you have to go back to school. This marks the end of much freedom during the winter time. Adjusting your sleep habits to once again fit your school schedules may seem like a burden.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even if you have not yet get a detailed schedule of classes, you should at least find out the start time of your first class. You should get the rest of the information as soon as possible in order to decide how to adjust your schedule and sleep habits. By finding out when you starts, you will know when to wake up or when you will have some spare time.

    Begin the sleep adjustment for your school schedule as early as possible.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} But if you feel you will need some extra time to adjust, start earlier. Set your alarm clock to decide when you should wake up and when you should go to bed. When the alarm sounds for sleep, end whatever activities you are involved in and go to bed.

    Tire yourself out. If you have got used to going to sleep very late, it will be helpful to tire yourself out.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This may be a good time to add some exercise to your routine that will enable you to be worn out at bedtime.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These may differ from person to person, but they usually prevent you from completing your goal of going to sleep on schedule. These include bright lights or the flickering light of a computer. Ensure that your bed and the temperature of your room are comfortable and that you have comfortable pillows and blankets.

A. Relax before you go to bed.

B. Review and revise your schedule.

C. Starting a few days early will be enough.

D. However, it will actually help you become more adaptable.

E. It is difficult to be comfortable and to sleep on a full stomach.

F. Remove distractions to ensure that you are able to sleep comfortably.

G. Your body will be less likely to be restless at bedtime if you are actually exhausted.

    Many people believe that there is some truth in the saying Laughter is the best medicine.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Laughter helps relieve pain, strengthen the immune system and reduce stress. Laughter stimulates(激发) hormones which make us feel happy. Laughter also increases the flow of blood throughout the body and has benefits which are similar to the ones you get by doing exercise.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Children exposed to funny films and cartoons before major medical procedures are able to cope better with pain and anxiety.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. These are professional clowns who are sent to hospitals and wards to entertain and distract sick children.

    Laughter therapy has become very popular in recent years and as a result, more and more laughter clubs are starting to open up in cities and towns all over the world. At a laughter session, a trained therapist instructs the group to perform a series of exercises which are designed to produce laughter. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}And it takes them some time to get rid of their inhibitions（心理抑制）.They might even start off with fake laughter, but this doesn't matter because our bodies can't tell the difference, and the results are the same. Moreover, laughter is contagious（传染的).{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    So next time you feel ill, stressed out or depressed, try watching a funny film or try remembering an amusing incident in your life. You will soon feel better.

A. If one person starts giggling, it is unavoidable that everyone else will be drawn in.

B. Laughter helps you focus.

C. This finding has led to so-called clown doctors.

D. In fact, research done by scientists has shown that laughter has a lot of health benefits.

E. Laughter makes the world a better and more colorful place.

F. Some people may find the idea embarrassing at first.

G. Using laughter therapy in children's hospitals has proven to be invaluable.