A strong memory depends on the health and vitality （活力） of your brain. They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but when it comes to the brain, scientists have discovered that this old saying simply isn't true. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

      Give your brain a workout. Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to “use it or lose it”. The more you work out your brain, the better you'll be able to process and remember information.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

        Don't skip the physical exercise. While mental exercise is important forbrain health, that doesn't mean you never need to break a sweat. Physical exercise helps your brainstay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss.

        Get enough sleep. There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get by on and the amount you need to function at your best.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Keep stress in check. Stress is one of the brain's worst enemies. Over time, stress destroys braincells. Studies have also linked stress to memory loss.

        Have a laugh.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} That holds true for the brain and the memory, as well as the body. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specificareas of the brain, laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. You probably already know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy”fats and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, though, it's not just what you eat—it's also what you don't eat.

A. Eat a brain-boosting diet.

B. Play games with memory.

C. Laughter is the best medicine.

D. But oversleeping is not good for yourbrain.

E. Even skipping a few hours makes adifference!

F. You have to shake things up from timeto time!

G. The human brain has an astonishingability to adapt and change.

Ways to avoid quarrels with your mother

1 ． Don't give her the silent treatment

    The best technique to get what you want and exert mental pressure on somebody is to give them the silent treatment.If you think the silent treatment will help you achieve a desirable result，then you're mistaken.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

2 ． Refuse to go into hysterics(歇斯底里)

   There's no doubt that hysterics is an extremely effective type of processing mode，but you're not a little child.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}  Pull yourself together and try to reach a compromise against all problems.

3 ． Avoid deeply offensive words

    Word is a unique and powerful thing that exerts a big influence on human mind.If you're in a quarrel with your mother，you should be careful what you say to her.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}  Sooner or later，you'll apologize for your bad behavior，but the words you've said and the feeling of hate will live in her heart forever.

4 ． {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

   I had a terrible habit of drawing my brother and dad into conflicts between me and my mom.I wanted them to support me and help us find a beneficial solution.Unfortunately，their active participation only worsened the problem.As a result，small and insignificant mother－child fights grew into long－lasting family conflicts.I learned a big lesson and realized that my bad temper made my family suffer.

5 ． Enhance your communication

    Regular communication with your parents is a normal thing that makes them happier.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}  When you finally find the reason，you'll be able to overcome misunderstanding in communication with your mom and bridge the generation gap in a quite short period of time.

A．Buy a small gift for your mother.

B．Don't draw other family members into a conflict.

C．So try your best to comfort your mother after a quarrel.

D．You shouldn't burst into tears and scream in front of your mother.

E．By all means you should take immediate action to stop this cold war.

F．Sometimes your word can be either a perfect pain reliever or a terrible weapon.

G．Lack of communication between mothers and children may cause frequent quarrels.

    Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things,candy or toys,for example.

    1）The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have.If he wants to have a toy，give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier（收银员）{#blank#}2{#/blank#} When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money，you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

    2）Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you must say no to a child's request to spend money，explain，“You have enough toy trucks for now.”Or，if the request is for many different things，say，“You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.”

    3）{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product—a name­brand butter and a generic（一般的），for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} If he chooses the cheaper brand，allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later，you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A．Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

B．The value of money.

C．The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

D．Tell your child why he can—or cannot—have certain things.

E．Wise decisions。

F．Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you.

G．Permit the child to choose between them.

    Some students bring good luck charms（幸运符）to school on test days. They might keep a four-leaf clover in their pocket or wear a pair of lucky underwear. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  there are better ways of doing well on a test.

    When you get the test, don't forget to put your name on it. Then, take a quick look at each page. A long test may have different sections. Notice how many marks each section is worth. Like a runner, you will want to be careful about your pace. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} you will want to leave yourself enough time for the sections that are worth the most marks.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Read the instructions and questions very carefully. Make sure you understand what you are being asked to do. If you do not understand a question, ask your instructor. If you feel nervous, you may want to build your confidence by starting with the questions that arc easiest for you.

    During a reading test, it can help to do a quick pre-reading exercise you have been taught, even if it is not part of the instructions. For example, try scanning the text to figure out the topic before you rend the whole thing more carefully. Then think about what you already know about the topic. Predict the details that might be in the reading. For a writing test, pre-writing is a very important first step, Brainstorm your ideas and organize them before you start writing. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

     Before you hand in your test, review your answers. Check your grammar and spelling. Make sure your instructor will be able to read your handwriting. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Follow these tips and, if your lucky underwear doesn't work, you will have a solid back-up plan in place.

A. While these things can't hurt,

B. Whenever you finish your test,

C. Be sure that you answered every question.

D. You can answer your questions one by one.

E. Now you are ready to begin answering the questions.

F. If you have a limited amount of time to complete the test,

G. These activities warm up your brain so that it will work more efficiently.

    Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the doctors. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken and ice cream at low prices. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, then probably children would buy less take-away food.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. I agree with this, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast food shops. If parents often give their children fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food, they will go for sweet and salty foods, and children will find it hard to get rid of the habit.

    There is a third reason for this situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports.

    The above are the main reasons for this problem. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, as well as forcing them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits.

A. There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight

B. Adults are becoming fatter and unhealthier too

C. If there were fewer of these restaurants

D. So we have to encourage young people to be more active

E. Not only is this an unhealthy pastime (消遣), it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food

F. I feel there are a number of reasons for this

G. It's a good idea to allow children to eat what they choose

    Happiness doesn't mean being joyful or laughing all day long. Although happiness should be defined by each of us for ourselves, a general understanding of it could be having more good moments and memories than bad ones and having an overall feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Read on and you will know the answer.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Many of us have the impression that we're not allowed to be happy and that we don't deserve it. Well, we all deserve to be happy, no matter what others say or even what we believe. So allow yourself to be happy.

    Smile even if you don't feel like it. Yes, smile as often as you can. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you're alone, smile for at least 3 minutes and our brain will take it as a real smile and will start producing feel-good hormones(荷尔蒙) and other chemicals.

    Enjoy the now. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Worrying about the future will not make you any more ready for whatever it is that finally happens. Choose the now and make an effort to live it.

    Count your blessings. Take a piece of paper and something you like to drink and sit comfortably maybe with some nice music in the background. Then write a list of every blessing in your life. Start with the smallest ones: I'm alive... to the biggest ones you can feel. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Once you're done, leave the list on the table. Read it every morning during breakfast for a week.

A. Don't leave anything out.

B. Give yourself permission.

C. If you are with people, they'll feel warmer.

D. Be brave and imaginative with your words.

E. So, how can we have more happy moments?

F. Feeling bad about the past will not change it a bit.

G. Why not say something loving to one person today?