Ever look at some of the older people in your life and wonder what the secret to their happiness is.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It isn't that they've uncovered some mystical secret, they've merely made a bunch of simple life realizations later in life. Yet you do not need to be older in order to set some new rules and boundaries. These simple rules will help you to slow down and enjoy more of your everyday life.

    Live your own life.

    Things really aren't always what they seem and comparing your life goals to those of your friends will only make you anxious. Everyone experiences ups and downs.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Those Facebook friends who seem to have it all are only showing their highest moments.

    Focus on one task at a time.

    Most of us are not good at multi-tasking, which makes things harder.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You may be surprised at how much easier and faster your tasks become when you stop trying to do more than your brain can comfortably handle.

    Disconnect a little.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}However, have you ever noticed that people who didn't grow up with it? They may not be connected by the millennial's definition of the word. However they are still maintaining relationships and enjoying life without at-your-fingertips information. Give it a break from time to time when you don't need it for work or studies, even if just for a couple of hours a day.

    There is no standard for when in your life you should decide you are happy and satisfied. Instead of reaching for the distant future, try enhancing your now.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}That is one secret to their happiness. Learning to slow down sooner rather than later will help you to enjoy today and tomorrow.

A. The unhurried life is worth pursuing.

B. Technology is a huge part of modern life.

C. Why are they so calm, relaxed, and unhurried?

D. Old souls have learned about living in the moment.

E. Give your brain a break and focus on j ust one thing at a time.

F. There is no need to chase after a new goal simply to live in someone else, s life.

G. It is a bad habit to keep your life full of busy schedules from sunrise to sundown.

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.

Five years ago, I left my job to work on a ship. After working as a junior doctor, I was willing to take the risk.1 for adventure, I boarded a ship in Singapore with 2, 000 passengers and crew. To my2 , the hospital was well equipped, with an X﹣ray machine and a blood analyzer.

As a doctor, I was3 for the 600 crew. Far from4 seasickness and sunburn, I had to deal with other diseases. The ship's medical centre was5 a floating emergency room, and we didn't have a team of specialists on hand for a second6 . With long and unpredictable hours, it required mental7 .

Many of the passengers were elderly. Heart attacks don't8 geography and emergency evacuations （疏散）were difficult to arrange. I recall one such patient, who was taken off the ship halfway through the Panama Canal. After a9 ride in an old ambulance, I was relieved that the patient10 long enough to arrive at the hospital in Panama City.11 , there were several unexpected benefits to the job. I regularly12 the passenger facilities. On rare days off, I13 as a tour guide on trips ashore.

Now, I understand being a ship doctor is not a job﹣it's a way of14 . One year at sea became two. I lost my career ambitions,15 I redefined happiness in my life.

Ancient Rome was one of the world's most powerful empires many years ago.The Romans' ideas about roads,laws,government and buildings still influence us today.

Italy is shaped like a boot.The Colosseum (罗马斗兽场)in Rome was built during the time of the Roman Empire,in the first century AD.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is a popular tourist attraction today.

Italy is well-known for its designers,who create cars,handbags,clothes,shoes and other items that are in demand for their style and fine workmanship.

Today,the economy of Italy is stronger than in the past. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Today,manufacturing and tourism are the main sources of income.There are some big companies,but Italy has many smaller companies,too.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} The southern part does not offer as many manufacturing jobs,so it is not as prosperous.

Italy is a member of the European Union,a group of countries that join together for better trade.The currency or money they use is called the "euro".

Food and eating good meals are important to Italians.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} McDonald's is also popular there.Many families still eat their main meal in the middle of the day.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Families spend a lot of time together.

A.Italy has several islands off the coast.

B.The country used to depend on agriculture.

C.Mountains cover about three-fourths of the country.

D.The family is very important to the Italian way of life.

E.Popular foods include pasta,risotto,minestrone and pizza.

F.The northern part of the country is the main manufacturing center.

G.It could seat about 50,000 people,who went to see fights between animals and people.

When we hold our breath and go underwater, we'll soon be unable to stand it. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, there's little chance of catching up with the Sama-Bajau, who can stay underwater with a single breath for quite a long time. 

Sama-Bajau is a collective term（集合术语）that refers to several closely related native peoples. The Bajau live on long houseboats or small wooden houses that are built on the sea, close to the shore in Southeast Asia. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

 As they make their living primarily from fishing, they have become exper t free divers（自由潜水者）. Bajau divers have the longest daily diving time without breathing among allhumans. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In their free time, the kids help around the house or play on the beach. 

It appears that centuries of free diving have scientifically distinguished the Sama-Bajau. According to research, the Bajau's spleens（脾脏）are much larger than the average people's on land. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Besides, the Bajau have also developed excellent underwater vision. 

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} The main cause is massive fishing, which has made it increasingly difficult for the Bajau to make a living and rely on fishing alone. As a consequence, more and more people are leaving the seas, and apparently, it's only a matter of time before the Bajau and their amazing qualities disappear. 

A. Larger spleens can have some weaknesses. 

B. Therefore, many older divers are hard of hearing. 

C. The difference makes the Bajau quite able to dive underwater. 

D. They only go ashore to trade or seek shelter during sea storms. 

E. Bajau children master swimming and diving skills at an early age. 

F. The existence of this special group of people is threatened nowadays. 

G. With free diving training, we can increase the time underwater by a few minutes. 

I was living in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is a1 city, with more people living in it than in my whole country. We rented a flat in a guarded community, but there was a favela (棚户区) quite 2 .

For several months I didn't have a car, so three times a week, I took buses to go to the city centre. During these 3 , I would ride with the people who took the same bus from the favela to go to work. When I got on the bus, all the seats were already 4 . But when people saw that my bag was heavy, they offered to hold it on their legs to make me feel lighter5 . At first, I was 6 . Then I realized that these people had absolutely no 7 to steal from me: they only wanted to 8 .

Once, on my way back, I had to 9 for a long time at a bus stop. I was alone, except for a woman who was 10 very poor. She carried a small paper bag of popcorn and nothing else.

While we were waiting she walked over and 11 me some popcorn. I 12 her, but didn't want to help myself to it. She then repeatedly insisted that I take from what was clearly her only food.

That was the first time I had thought about how people who have almost nothing are sometimes able to 13 the little they have more "14 "than those who own a lot. I wonder if it's true that the more you have, the bigger the difficulty to share anything with others. I was so moved by that woman's simple generosity that day. I clearly 15 more than she did, but she naturally and joyfully shared what little she had with me.