They Just Can't Help It

    My theory is that the female brain is mainly built for empathy — the ability to understand other people — and that the male brain is mainly built for building systems. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, women are more likely to read magazines on fashion and parenting, while men will choose magazines that feature computers and sport.

    You may think that these preferences are influenced by the way people are taught to behave when they are growing up. However, this is not the case. A new study carried out at Cambridge University shows that newborn girls look longer at a face, and newborn boys look longer at a mobile. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It has also been observed that girls are better at noticing signs of changes in other people's feelings. Boys, however, seem to enjoy building toy towers and playing with toys which have clear functions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} People whose jobs are in the construction industries are almost male. Math and engineering, which require high levels of systems-thinking, are also male-chosen disciplines. Why do men and women have the difference? Actually women have four times as many brain neurons (神经) that connect the right and left part of their brains. Because of it, women have a better ability to multitask than men. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Men tend to focus on a limited number of problems at a time. They will separate themselves from problems and view tasks as independent from one another.

    Some people may worry that I am suggesting one gender (性别) is better than the other, but this is not the case. My theory says that males and females differ in the kinds of things that they find easy, but that both genders have their strengths and weaknesses. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is not true. The study simply looks at males and females as two groups, and asks what differences exist, and why they are there.

A. Generally speaking, there are clear differences.

B. Their preference for building systems may change over time.

C. You can see the same kind of pattern in the adult workplace.

D. They will consider many sources of information at the same time.

E. It is important to stress that the female brain may be built more for empathy.

F. That suggests certain differences between male and female brains are biological.

G. Others may think the theory creates a belief of what a particular type of person is like.

    It is important that you teach your baby to read as young as possible. Why? Because there is simply no better time in a child's life for learning than when they are between 3 months old and their 5th birthday.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    As a result, they are sponges(海绵)for knowledge. Moreover, being able to read is the basis for any successful education, so the earlier they start, the better. All too often, parents leave educating their children up to schools, which probably explains why the United States is currently ranked 18th in its rate of reading and writing.

    Teaching your baby to read provides brain exercise during the very time when his or her brain is developing. It has also been shown to increase the baby's IQ. The sooner they begin to read, the sooner they can begin to learn other subjects. This way, by the time your children begin school, they will already know what's being taught, and will be put on the fast track. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    One of the cases that really began to bring the fact that babies can learn to read to the public's attention was 17-month-old Elizabeth Barrett. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    She was given a series of words and even sentences that she could read quite well. Her parents had been reading to her since she was born and had provided her with a very early education.

    Reading is the most important thing to teach babies at a young age. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Learning can be fun at such an early age, and it can be accomplished so easily that they won't have to struggle in order to learn. In fact, when you use the proper materials, they will look forward to learning.

    If you're interested in teaching your baby to read, the best way to start is by spending just a few minutes a day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Simply show your baby matching pictures on the opposite side. There are also videos that help to teach babies to read.

    There is no better time to teach your baby to read than the present. Begin by looking for learning materials that your baby might enjoy.

A. Flash cards are an effective tool.

B. She appeared on the Today show.

C. Maybe they will even skip a grade down the road.

D. During this time, their brains are developing rapidly.

E. What's more, your child will be able to read so successfully.

F. It doesn't have to be stressful or difficult for your child though.

G. Parents talk about the pride that their children can read at an early age.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily so, however. Anyone can become a better student if he or she wants to. Here's how:

    Plan your time carefully. When planning your work, you should make a list of things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make a schedule of your time. First set your time for eating, sleeping, dressing, etc. Then decide a good, regular time for studying {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. A weekly schedule may not solve all your problems, but it will force you to realize what is happening to your time.

    Find a good place to study. Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios, or television. When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.

    Make good use of your time in class. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Listening carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.

    Study regularly. When you get home from school, go over your notes, review the important points that your teacher is going to discuss the next day and read that material. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you'll remember it longer.

    Develop a good attitude towards tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. They help you remember your new knowledge. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't be over worried.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. You will probably discover many others after you have tried these.

    It is believed that raisins were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In 1000 B. C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy{#blank#}2{#/blank#} In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither(枯萎)on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, the heat shriveled(使枯萎)them on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives(防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.

A. The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.

B. The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.

C. They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.

D. The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.

E. Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.

F. Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.

G. Raisins are children's favorite snacks

Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem?

    A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason. Loyal and affectionate, a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem (自尊) as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows. A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues. The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness. A dog offers genuine unconditional love. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}All dogs need exercise, so taking his clog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life, says mental health specialist Dr. Alan Cohen. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins (内排肽）into the brain, which create positive responses in the body, including improved self-esteem. Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends, suggests HELPGUIDE. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A dog is a great ice-breaker, avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets. The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his clog, the more his self-esteem will improve. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, more extreme action may be required. In these cases, professional help should be sought and all treatment plans considered. Parents who suspect that their teen's low self­esteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice.

A. In some cases, having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem.

B. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge, question or criticize.

C. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression.

D. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want.

E. In particular, someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial.

F. A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class.

G. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling, jogging and throwing a ball.

How to be a Good Listener

Being a good listener can help you see the world through the eyes of others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Good listening skills can provide you with a deeper level of understanding about someone's situation. If you want to know how to be a good listener, read on to get started.

·Place yourself in other people's shoes.  It's easy to only consider the impact of the other person's "telling" on you. But you must open out and look at the problems from the other person's view. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

·Avoid comparing the person's experiences to your own. You may think that the best thing you can do to really listen is to compare the person's experiences to your own. But this type of thinking actually makes the person feel like you're not really listening at all. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} That means that you're focusing more on yourself than on the person's situation.

·{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Some people think that, when they're listening, they should find a quick and easy solution to the person's problem. According to the research, it is totally wrong to do so. Instead focus on absorbing everything the person is saying to you. Only after that can you really try to help.

·Know what not to do. Knowing what to avoid when you're trying to be a good listener can be almost as helpful as knowing what to do. If you want the speaker to take you seriously, you'd better not interrupt in the middle of a point. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make eye contact with the person so that he or she realizes that you are listening with interest.

A. Don't try to help immediately.

B. Avoid saying "I" or "me" a lot.

C. Try to solve the person's problem quickly.

D. Don't try to change the subject even if it's a little uncomfortable.

E. If so, you would see your way through the problems much faster.

F. Therefore you'd better listen to what the person is saying carefully.

G. It enriches your understanding and expands your capacity for empathy (同情).