The Art of Slow Reading

    If you are reading this article in print, chances are that you will only get through half of what I have written. And if you are reading this online, you may not even finish a fifth{#blank#}1{#/blank#}They suggest that many of us no longer have the concentration to read articles through to their conclusion.

    So are we getting stupider? Actually, our online habits are damaging the mental power we need to process and understand textual information. Round-the-clock news makes us read from one article to the next without necessarily engaging fully with any of the content. Our reading is frequently interrupted by the noise of the latest email and we are now absorbing short bursts of words on Twitter and Facebook more regularly than longer texts.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}But we are gradually forgetting how to sit back, think carefully, and relate all the facts to each other.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A desperate bunch of academics want us to take our time while reading, and re-reading. They ask us to switch off our computers every so often and rediscover both the joy of personal engagement with printed texts, and the ability to process them fully. What's to be done then? Most slow readers realize that total rejection of the web is extremely unrealistic. They feel that getaway from technology for a while is the answer{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Personally, I'm not sure whether I could ever go offline for long. Even while writing this article, I am switching constantly between sites, skimming too often, absorbing too little. Internet reading has become too rooted in my daily life for me to change. I read essays and articles not in hard copy but as PDFs. I suspect that many readers are in a similar position{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can download a computer application called Freedom, which allows you to read in peace by cutting off your Internet connection. Or if you want to avoid being disturbed by the Internet, you could always download offline reader Instapaper for your iPhone. If you're still reading my article, that is slow reading.

A. The Internet is probably part of the problem.

B. Now some campaigns are advocating slow reading.

C. These are the two findings from the recent research projects.

D. But if you just occasionally want to read more slowly, help is at hand.

E. Some of them have suggested turning their computers off for one day a week.

F. Slow reading can help connect a reader to neighborhood and become popular.

G. Because of the Internet, we have become very good at collecting information.

    Humor plays an important role in relationships. In new relationships, humor can be an effective tool not just for attracting the other person but also for overcoming any awkwardness or embarrassment.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Sharing the pleasure of humor creates a sense of connection between two people. When you laugh with one another, you create a positive tie between you. This tie acts as a strong buffer(缓冲) against stress, disagreements, disappointments, and bad patches in a relationship. And laughter really is infectious.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} But don't worry if you're not naturally a lighthearted, humorous person—you can learn to access your playful side and develop your sense of fun.

    Like any tool, humor can be used in negative as well as positive ways. Humor can only help you overcome relationship problems when both partners can understand the joke.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If your partner or friend isn't likely to appreciate the joke, don't say or do it. Humor in relationships should be equally fun and enjoyable for both people.

Don't use humor to cover up other emotions.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} That's when it is used as a cover for avoiding, rather than coping with, painful emotions. You can be funny about the truth, but covering up the truth isn't funny. When you use humor and playfulness as a cover for other emotions, you create confusion and mistrust in your relationships.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The important thing is to find enjoyable activities that help you embrace your playful nature with other people. As humor and play become an unseparated part of your life, you'll begin to find daily opportunities for using your new-found skills to help build and maintain your relationships.

A. Humor can help you and your loved one.

B. There are times when humor is not healthy.

C. It's important to be sensitive to the other person.

D. It's never too late to develop your humorous side.

E. The more you joke, play, and laugh—the easier it becomes.

F. Just hearing someone laugh can make you smile and join in on the fun.

G. In longer-term relationships, humor can keep things exciting and fresh.

Three Ways to Self-fund College

    The idea that parents should pay for their children's college education is a nice one, but it's far from a reality for many students. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whatever the case may be, it's time to take a good look at your options for funding college on your own.

Turn over every stone.

    If you're not a straight-A genius who could easily win college scholarships, there's good news:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Check out these popular College Confidential threads to see which awards average and above-average students are aiming at. Are your parents retirees? Are you a first-generation student? Is your family attached to any church or community groups? (Seriously, there are scholarships for all those things.) The secret to scoring major cash is following every possible source of funding.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Instead of going straight to a four-year institution, many students are choosing to start out at an affordable community college and transfer later.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} If these are options that could work for you, just be sure you have a solid plan in place, and don't let yourself get sidetracked from your goal of earning a college degree.

    Take what you can get.

    Remember that not all valuable contributions are monetary（与钱有关的. It's time to sit down with your parents and have a serious talk about other expenses they might be able to help you with.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can save several thousand per year on housing. What about books, meals, and other expenses? Even relatively small savings can be a huge leg up in the long run.

A.Take an alternative route.

B.You don't need to be a genius to qualify for scholarships.

C.If they're fine about letting you live at home, that's great.

D.Think about if you can afford a price of around $10,000 per year.

E.Recent studies show a widespread lack of understanding of the real cost of college.

F.Similarly, some choose to take a year or two off after high school to save up as much as possible.

G.Some parents believe the responsibility of paying for college should fall on the person seeking a degree— that's you.

    Maybe you are an average student. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}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 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 them after you have tried these.

A. There are other methods that might help you with your studying.

B. Don't forget to arrange enough time for entertainment.

C. Make full use of class time to listen to everything the teacher says.

D. No one can become a top student unless he or she works hard.

E. You probably think you will never be a top student.

F. Make full use of class time to take notes of what the teacher says in class.

G. This will help you understand the next class.

When to Say “No” to Antibiotics (抗生素)

    Although they know that antibiotics kill only bacteria but not viruses and the obvious risk of antibiotic overuse to personal health, many doctors still use antibiotics when the drugs are not necessary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In some serious cases, the patients with them failed to respond to any medical treatment and died within days. Therefore, several medical organizations have tried to correct antibiotic misuse by explaining when the drugs are not needed.

    Ear Diseases

Earaches account for over half of ear related diseases for children. Most earaches gradually heal with no antibiotic in days, especially in children two and older. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In severe cases or when children under two years old experience moderate to severe pain, antibiotics might be required.

    Eye Diseases

    Doctors often use antibiotic eye drops after treating related diseases. Macular Degeneration, for example, is an eye disease generally treated with injections or laser operation. But those drops are rarely needed after such procedures and can even damage patients' eyes.

    Lung Diseases

    For older patients, particularly those who live in long-term care centers, doctors need to use antibiotics when a routine test finds bacteria in lung. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Throat Diseases

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Therefore, antibiotics shouldn't be widely used in treatments for such diseases. Only less than one third of strep throats are bacterial. If you suspect bacterial throat, get tested to find out for sure.

    Another report, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also indicates that antibiotic misuse affects at least two million people annually, killing more than 23,000. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Therefore, health experts urge all doctors in practice to follow the above instructions.

A. Most throat diseases are caused by viruses.

B. Just wait two days to see if symptoms disappear.

C. But if the result proves normal, the drugs won't help.

D. In this case, antibiotics are the most effective for the old.

E. Most doctors already know it, so they say no to antibiotics.

F. Under such circumstances, limiting antibiotic misuse is a must.

G. This may develop the “superbugs”, which can't be easily controlled.

    Recently, I've been following a simple rule that is helping me crush procrastination(拖延症) and making it easier for me to stick to good habits at the same time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are two parts to the 2-Minute Rule.

    Part 1­If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, washing your dishes immediately after your meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, sending that email, and so on.

    If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow the rule and do it right now.

    Part 2­When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

    Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not. But, every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It might sound like this strategy is too basic for grand life goals, but I beg to differ. The 2-Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia(惯性)of life. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  I love the 2-Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.

    The most important part of any new habit is getting started­not just the first time, but each time. It's not about performance, it's about consistently taking action.

    I can't guarantee whether or not the 2-Minute Rule will work for you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done. Go.

A. I call this little strategy the "2-Minute Rule".

B. And that's the purpose behind this little rule.

C. Here's what you need to know to stop procrastinating.

D. Once you start doing something, it's easier to continue doing it.

E. But, I can guarantee that it will never work if you never try it.

F. The goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing.

G. It's surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less.