There is little doubt that house cat first developed naturally from ancient wild cats. The cleverest relative is the America wild cat which still lives in Africa today. This is understandable because the first house cats came from Africa.

    Cats first started to live around people in Egypt about 6,000~7,000 years ago. From Egypt, cats started to move around the world. This is about the same time that Egyptians began storing grain(谷物）in buildings. Scientists used to believe that people tamed cats to catch mice and protect the grain. However, cats don't like to be told what to do! Now, scientists believed that cats followed the mice and learned to accept people. Finally, some of the cats began to grow comfortable around people, these were smaller cats that needed protection. As these cats and people got used to each other, then they moved in together. Around 5,000 years ago, cats started to live with people.

   Soon cats were in Greece, then the Middle East and China. They moved along Egyptian business roads keeping away mice and keeping people around them. After the Romans came to Egypt, they also accepted the cats and brought them to Europe. These cat likely bred(繁殖） with other cats to form the many kinds of house cats we have today.

    Cats are relatively recent house animals. House cats still have a lot in common with their wild relatives. Cats sleep a lot to save energy just like wild cats. They will often get food at night as well. House cats are generally peaceful and friendly, but be careful! If a cat feels it is in danger, it will fight back—just like a wild cat.

Are You Right Handed or Left Handed?

    Which hand do you use when write? About 8 to 15 percent of people are left handed. They often have to use tools that are designed for right-handed people. So it is difficult for left-handers to use most tools. If you are right handed, try this experiment: Take a knife with your left hand and try cutting a potato into pieces. Don't be surprised if you feel awkward（别扭的）.

    In the past, people thought it was strange to use the left hand. Young students looked down upon their left-handed classmates. Some children were even punished for using their left hand to write. But these days parents and teachers have accepted that. In almost every school in the world, left-handed students can use their left hand to write.

    What causes people to be left handed or right handed? Experts have searched long and hard on this. They concluded（得出结论） that left-handed people are left handed for the same reason that right-handed people are right handed. One out of every ten people just is a left-hander. It's simply like the color of our eyes—some people have brown eyes, while some others have black eyes.

    However, many researchers think that left-handers and right-handers are different in some aspects. Right-handers are more talkative and outgoing than left-handers. Many right-handed people understand spoken words better. For example, after they listen to directions to a supermarket, they can find it easily. Right-handers are good at organizing people, too. They are also better basketball guards. Just ask Yao Ming.

    Research shows that left-handers are creative and artistic. Many famous performers, like Jim Carrey and Paul McCartney, are left handed. Many left-handers learn better visually（在视觉方面）. In art, both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were left handed. In science, you find Newton and Einstein. The left-handed people are also really good at tennis and other single sports.

    If you prefer one hand, but you are still good at writing with the other, you are mixed handed. Research shows mixed-handers can remember everyday things better than other people. What did you eat for lunch two weeks ago? If you're mixed handed, you can probably remember.

The way we spend our time can be divided into three groups or jars (罐子). These would be the necessary tasks jar, the voluntary tasks jar and the happiness jar.

Every day, we spend time filling the necessary tasks jar. We fill this jar with useful things, like making money, doing housework, buying food and paying bills. We then fill another jar with voluntary tasks. These are things that we do for others, but we may not enjoy them. This jar is filled with tasks like taking children to activities and cooking family meals. Those jars are very important. If we don't fill them each day, our family won't run properly.

However, we often forget to fill the third jar− the happiness jar. This is the jar that we fill with activities that make us happy. Is your happiness jar sometimes empty at the end of the day? We all have days like that. Between doing all the necessary and voluntary tasks, time flies by on some days, and before we know it, it is time for bed. 

How to make a balance(平衡) between different jars? You should plan your time wisely. At the end of the day, hopefully we've done all we can to make sure that our happiness jar is filled.

Human are born with the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} to communicate, but some people are better at it than others. Some people are very good at {#blank#}2{#/blank#} and find it easy to express their ideas to other people. Other people find it difficult to express {#blank#}3{#/blank#} well, especially in public. The good news is that communication skills can be {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Here are some pieces of advice. 

Remember that talking to other people depends on body language and facial {#blank#}5{#/blank#}besides words. If you look and sound confident, people will pay {#blank#}6{#/blank#} to what you say, even if you don't feel so confident. Look people in the eye when you speak to them. It {#blank#}7{#/blank#} you seem more honest and friendly, and people will find it easier and more fun to talk to you. 

Practice {#blank#}8{#/blank#} to other people. The most important part of communication is listening. That's why we have two ears and one mouth. When you listen to people, watching their face and body language will help you understand {#blank#}9{#/blank#} they mean. 

Think before you open your mouth. The best communicators express their ideas in short and {#blank#}10{#/blank#} ways. If you are trying to convince (使信服) people of something, be clear and use as few words as possible.