Experts are always advocating the health benefits of biking. And while the barrier to entry is low-pretty much all you need to know to start cycling is how to ride a bike itself-people often ask me if I have any tips for beginner bikers.

    Below, a few things I've learned along the way that help make for a safer and more joyful ride:

    Follow the rules of the road. Brake at yellow lights, stop for pedestrians and maintain a solid distance from cars.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Therefore, never fly through stop signs, approach too close to the front vehicles or shout at cars.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}A British doctor recently made headlines when he claimed that wearing a bike helmet is actually more dangerous than traveling without one, but most research suggests otherwise. A full 98 percent of bike commuters （上班族）own a helmet, so you'll be in good company, anyway.

    Make a playlist. Laws against riding with headphones vary from state to state, and it's never proper to listen to music in more than one ear. But cruising around to a soundtrack can be an amazing feeling, so consider buying a wireless speaker you can fix on your frame.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Know your rights. If you do end up getting into a collision, stay on the scene until the police come.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Cyclists are too often taken advantage of in bad situations, especially if their injuries don't seem to be apparent.

    Find some friends. As great as it can be to bike alone, zipping down the street in a big group is an equally satisfying experience.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Various bicycle trips are often organized, which provides opportunities to develop friendship among bikers.

A.Be sure to get a helmet.

B.It's necessary you give them an accurate report of the incident.

C.Most cities have enough resources for the cycling community.

D.Most of us will feel it obviously safer to ride on a bike than in a car.

E.Then put together a list of your favorite tunes and get ready to enjoy them.

F.Pushing to the limit not only gives bikers a bad reputation, but also a great danger.

G.It' s comforting to know that whatever I need is nothing more than a bike ride away.

    There is no way to make somebody stop smoking,and just like with users of any drug,it is very unlikely a person will stop unless he or she wants to.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Step One: Make Observations

    Smoking use can affect memory and make it difficult for people to do well at work or school.Other bad effects that you may notice include:{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Is she getting sick more often than she used to?

    Write down your concerns using “I” statements,such as “I feel sad that when you smoke you give up your artwork.”{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Step Two: Approach the Person

    Bring up your concerns to your friend at a relaxing time.Express your concerns using the statements you wrote down.Tell him you will be there to support him if and when she decides to give up smoking.He will likely give you one of three responses:

    He wants to quit.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    He wants to stop,but not yet.

    You must be willing to calmly accept any of these responses.If he says he does want to stop,go on with the next step.If not,they will have to be visited later when he is ready.

    Step Three: Prevent Him Giving Up Halfway

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}However,symptoms only appear after some time of quitting smoke.This causes some who are addicted to believe that they are not actually addicted and to start using again.

A. He doesn't want to quit.

B. Does this person appear more nervous?

C. Are you lazy because you smoke too much?

D. It's best to approach the person in this manner.

E. People can become physically dependent on smoking.

F. The drug can stay in the system for a long period of time.

G. But there are steps you can take to support a friend or family member.

How to be a good apartment neighbor

    When you live in an apartment, everything comes with responsibilities. An apartment lifestyle can be complicated when it comes to social behaviors or manners. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}This article offers a few helpful tips on maintaining（维持）a good relationship with your apartment neighbors, so that you can live in harmony.

    Be friendly towards others. You don't necessarily need to know them. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Greetings bring friendly relationships and make it easier to communicate with others in the future if anyone has questions or concerns.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It may be normal to walk from the parking lot to your front door, but you'll need to consider how loud a person is. Avoid stepping heavily on stairwells, especially when leaving before sunrise or coming back late at night. Keep the noise at whisper-level in hallways. Close doors behind you gently. Don't shut them loudly.

    Care the old. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you see them in the parking lot with groceries, ask them if they need help carrying them inside the building and hold doors open for them.

    Be considerate of the noise level inside the apartment. This is one of the most common complaints reported to managers. More attention to noise is needed if you live above another person. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a neighbor requests that you keep the noise level down, take it to heart.

A. Remember to make an apology.

B. But a simple hello goes a long way.

C. Be soft-spoken when entering and exiting.

D. Soft footwear makes less noise than boots or high heels.

E. Always offer positive assistance to your elderly neighbors.

F. Good manners can certainly make apartment life much easier.

G. Loud laughter and conversations in public place are annoying.

    Starting a fitness program may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease, improve your balance and coordination, help you lose weight,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} As you begin your fitness program, keep these tips in mind:

    Start slowly and build up gradually. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up and cool down with easy walking or gentle stretching.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}As your stamina (耐力) improves, gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. Work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}You don't have to do all your exercise at one time, so you can weave in activity throughout your day. Shorter but more frequent sessions have benefits to your heart, too. Exercising in 10-minute sessions three times a day may fit into your schedule better than a single 30-minute session.

    Be creative. Maybe your workout routine includes various activities, such as walking, bicycling or rowing. But don't stop there. Take a weekend hike with your family or spend an evening ballroom dancing.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Listen to your body. If you feel pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or nausea, take a break.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Break things up if you have to.

B. and even improve your sleep habits and self-esteem.

C. Stick to your fitness schedule strictly.

D. Then speed up to a pace you can continue for 5 to 10 minutes without getting overly tired.

E. You may be pushing yourself too hard.

F. Find activities you enjoy to add to your fitness routine.

G. and even improve your range of motion.

    There was once a lonely girl who longed so much for love. One day while she was walking in the woods she found two starving birds. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} She cared them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a wonderful song. The girl felt the great love from the birds.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The larger and stronger of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl was so frightened that he would fly away. As he flew close, she grasped him wildly. Her heart felt glad at her success in capturing him. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} She opened her hand and stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate love had killed him.

    She noticed the other bird moving back and forth on the edge of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom. He needed to fly into the clear, blue sky. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The bird circled once, twice, three times.

    The girl watched delightedly at the bird's enjoyment. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} She wanted the bird to be happy. Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder. It sang the sweetest songs that she had ever heard.

    The fastest way to lose love is to hold on it too tight, while the best way to keep love is to give it wings!

A. Her heart was no longer concerned with her loss.

B. Suddenly she felt the bird go softly.

C. She took them home and put them in a small cage.

D. She gave them some delicious food and left.

E. She lifted him from the cage and threw him softly into the air.

F. One day the girl left the door of the cage open.

G. One day she left with the two birds at home alone.

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.

    ⒈The 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.

    ⒉Money 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."

    ⒊{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands(品牌) of a product—a name-brand 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(购买) 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. Wise decisions

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. The value of money

F. Permit the child to choose between them.

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