Attraction of the Minions

When it comes to film, people usually favor good over evil,focus on the hero and ignore the supporting characters. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Originallycomedic background characters in the film Despicable Me(卑鄙的我), these yellow pill­shaped nuts, havetotally stolen the show and turned into a popular figure. This summer thecharacters debuted(首演)in their own self­titled movie in theaters abroad, having the second biggestopening weekend of all time for a cartoon film according to USAToday.Recently, McDonald's has been including Minion toys with kids' meals in someareas, causing loyal fans to flock to the restaurant to collect them all. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Themovie's huge popularity even surprised its writers.“We never knew the Minionswere going to be so popular.It just became a force of nature，” the film's co­writer Cinco Paul toldthe LosAngelesTimes.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For many, the appeal is obviously their cuteness.Their simple nature can easilysurpass cultures and age groups.Even children can draw them.Thousands ofexamples of fan­made Minion art from fingernails to Halloween clothes arevisible on global social media platforms.

Butthere's more to the phenomenon than just cuteness.US entertainment website HitFix explains that their way of communicating makes the creatures influential aswell. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it seems everyone can understand them through theirexaggerated(夸张的)movements and expressions.

Moreimportantly, their childlike mannerisms is a brand of humor that winshearts.“Clumsy, foolish Minions are recognized as the ultimate betapersonalities，”wrote Peter Debruge of US entertainment magazine Variety.

Theydesire nothing more than to serve their most despicable master. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“Perhaps we love Minions because they remind us of ourselves，” HuffingtonPost associate Web editor SaraBoboltz wrote, “or an evil version of ourselves.”

Kids and food: advice for parents

    It is important for parents to know how to help their kids eat healthy. Here are a few easy ways.

    Parents control the supply lines.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Though kids may keep asking for less nutritious foods, parents should decide which foods are regularly provided in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the fridge at home.

    Say goodbye to “clean-plate club”.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Lots of parents grew up under the clean-plate rule, but that way doesn't help kids listen to their own bodies when they are full. When kids feel full, they're likely to overeat.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Food preferences are developed early in life, so try to offer different kinds of food. Likes and dislikes begin forming even when kids are babies. Parents may need to serve a new food on several different occasions(时机) for a child to accept it.

    Food is not love.

    Find better ways to say “I love you.” When foods are used to reward kids and show love, they may start to turn to food when feeling worried or unhappy. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Kids do as you do.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When trying to teach good eating habits, try to set the best example. Choose nutritious food, eat at the table, and don't forget breakfast.

A. Start them young.

B. Rewrite the kids' menu.

C. Be a role model and eat healthy yourself.

D. Offer praise and attention instead of food treats.

E. Let kids stop eating when they feel they've had enough.

F. You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them.

G. Let kids choose what to eat and how much of it they want.

    Basic first aid is a very valuable skill to have when going on a camping trip. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Cuts. With small cuts, you need to be careful to keep the area of the wound clean to avoid getting infected. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If the cut has not stopped bleeding, raise the wounded area above the heart and place pressure on the area to stop the bleeding. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It should be held in place with tape, but should not be too tight.

    Blisters. Blisters can turn a fun walk in the woods into a terrible experience. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Change your bandage and socks and keep the blistered area clean. Make sure that you pack different size bandages and first aid cream.

    Sprains. If you have got a heavy pack on your shoulders, it can be very easy to twist your ankles. Walking sticks can be a traveler's friend. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A good ACE bandage should be packed in case of a sprained ankle. This can help fix the sprained area until you can get medical attention.

    After seeing the above dangers and treatments, it's also helpful to pack a small basic first aid kit for your trip. Make sure that you include items that are unique to you and fit your environment (bleeding, bruise, snake bite, etc.).

A. They can help you keep balance on rough areas.

B. Wear comfortable shoes and socks during the trips.

C. Treat the cut with first aid cream to prevent infection.

D. They are an open wound and can get infected if not cared for.

E. Apply some cream and cover the wound with a dry, clean bandage.

F. Below is a brief list of less-severe injuries that you can prepare for.

G. Some climates can be very hot during the day and very cool at night.

    Have you ever imagined the benefits that a good memory can bring to you? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are four ways to improve your memory.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} There is evidence that sleep plays a vital role in the consolidation of memories relating to learning motor skills, such as learning to play a musical instrument or ride a bike. Having a full night's sleep soon after gaining a new skill helps consolidate the processes involved, so they can later be performed well.

    It's rewarding to continue education. Older people are often told to adopt a “use it or lose it” approach to maintaining cognitive (认知的) function. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In a 2016 study, US researchers found participants aged 60-90 who spent 15 hours a week for three months learning a complex skill, such as digital photography, saw significant improvements in memory tests.

    Taking a break counts. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} More than a century ago, German scientists showed that people performed almost twice as well in memory tests if they took breaks.

It's useful to stay social. Having an active social life delays memory loss as we age, US scientists who asked people in their 50s and 60s to do memory tests every other year between 2001 and 2007 found the decline in recall abilities of their most sociable subjects to be half that of the least well connected. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Sleeping well helps strengthen memories.

B. Old people should participate in easy activities

C. Yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques may help.

D. Memories can be destroyed if the brain doesn't have enough rests to sharpen them.

E. In fact, when it comes to memory, research suggests that only certain types of mental activities help.

F. Being able to remember important pieces of information can give you a powerful advantage in your life.

G. Having good friends, volunteering for charities and other forms of social engagement also protect memory.

Homework

    Do arithmetic problems 15 through 25. State the different forms of the verbs on page 50 of your French workbook. Read pages 12 through 20 of the Shakespeare play, and don't forget to fill in the missing chemical symbols on the worksheet.

    Sound like a list of your homework for the next few nights－or maybe even just for tonight? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's your teachers' way of evaluating how much you understand what's going on in class. And it helps strengthen important concepts.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's inviting to start with the easy things to get them out of the way. However, you'll have the most energy and focus when you begin, so it's best to use this mental power on the subjects that are most challenging. Later, when you're more tired, you can focus on the simpler things. If you get stuck on a problem, try to figure it out as well as you can－but don't spend too much time on it because this can mess up your homework schedule for the rest of the night. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}But don't pick someone whom you'll be up all night chatting with, or you'll never get it done!

    Most people's attention spans aren't very long, so take some breaks while doing your homework. Sitting for too long without relaxing will make you less productive than if you stop every so often. Taking a 15-minute break every hour is a good idea for most people. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Once your homework is done, you can check over it if you have extra time. Be sure to put it safely away in your backpack－there's nothing worse than having a completed assignment that you can't find the next morning or that gets ruined by a careless brother or sister. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Now you're free to hang out.

A. Homework is a major part of going to school.

B. Luckily, you can do a few things to do less homework.

C. When you start your homework, deal with the hardest tasks first.

D. But if you're really concentrating, wait until it's a good time to stop.

E. If you need to, ask an adult for help or call or email a classmate for advice.

F. And no teacher still believes that "chewed by the dog" line－even when it's true!

G. In conclusion, no one is expected to stay long, and people have very different learning styles.

    Good time management allows you to complete more in a shorter period of time, lowers the amount of pressure(压力), and leads to career success. Here is some advice for you.

    Make a plan

    List all the tasks that are important. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} , Next, highlight the tasks on your list to show their urgency(紧急). Then focus only on one item at a time and enjoy the pleasure of crossing off the completed items.

    Stay away from distractions(分散注意力的事)

    Though the e-mail and social media are important to your everyday communication, they require much of your attention. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Learn to say "no" {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Although saying no to someone older than you is much more difficult, it's important to be honest and to look after your health. Sharing your list with him/her will help to refuse the additional work.

    Give yourself a break

    Don't be hard on yourself. You will actually perform better if you take breaks. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The world will not fall down if you put off opening some e-mails.

    Improve your plan

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, Remake your plan and take off the distracting tasks to focus on a solution. Dealing with problems in the face of time pressure will be one of your most valuable experiences in your future employment.

 A. Try not to do more work if possible

 B. Taking breaks is good for your brains

 C. Be honest with yourself as well as others

 D. Avoid looking at your work e-mails when not working

 E. Write them down and don't just rely on your memory

 F. Review your work plan regularly when things are not going well

 G. Shut them off as you work on a task requiring your full attention