The Science of Risk-Seeking

      Sometimes we decide that a little unnecessary danger is worth it because when we weigh the risk and the reward, the risk seems worth taking. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some of us enjoy activities that would surprise and scare the rest of us. Why? Experts say it may have to do with how our brains work.

      The reason why any of us take any risks at all might have to do with early humans. Risk-takers were better at hunting, fighting, orexploring. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}As the quality of Risk-taking was passed from on ration to the next, humans ended up with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for risk.

So why aren't we all jumping out of airplanes then? Well, even 200,000 years ago, too much risk-taking could get one Killed. A few daring survived, though,along with a few stay-in-the-cave types. As a result, humans developed a range of character types that still exists today. So maybe youlove car racing, or maybe you hate it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

      No matter where you are on the risk-seeking range,scientists say that your willingness to take risks increases during your teenage years. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Tohelp you do that, your brain increases your hunger for new experiences.

      New experiences often mean taking some risks, so your brain raises your tolerance for risk as well.

      Mean taking some risks, so your brain raisers your tolerance for risk as well.

      {#blank#}5{#/blank#}   For the risk-seekers a partof the brain related to pleasure becomes active, while for the rest of us, a part of the brain related to fear becomes active.

As experts continueto study the science of risk-seeking, we'll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

A. It all depends on your character.

B. Those are the risks you shouldjump to take.

C. Being better at those thingsmeant a greater chance of survival.

D. Thus, these well-equipped people survived becausethey were the fittest.

E. This is when you start to move away from your family and into thebigger world.

F. However, we are not all using the same reference standard to weighrisks and rewards.

G. New brain research suggests our brains work differently when weface a nervous situation.

    There are a lot of people who are overweight all over the world. What causes obesity? If you get the gene(基因), well, probably you are going to be a few more pounds heavier compared to the rest of your classmates or friends. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Obesity can not only make a person look heavy, and not in the usual sense of being handsome, but can also lead to serious health conditions and life-threatening diseases.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Indeed, junk food has been blamed for the prevalence(流行）of obesity. It is called junk food, because hamburger, pizza and the like contain high calories. If you eat a Big Mac (a super hamburger), an order of large fries, and a large Coke, you will need to walk non-stop for six hours to burn off the calories you have gained. And don't be fooled by soft drinks, which are high in sugar and are a major cause of obesity.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Popular sugary drinks, of course, include Coca Cola, Pepsi(百事) Cola, and many new brands that appear on the market every couple of days.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Just one 20-ounce (about 567g) bottle of soda can have 250 calories, which are equal to more than 16 teaspoons of added sugars. Even a lemon-flavored iced tea can have 210 calories.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Next time, when you are ready to eat that huge Mac and to drink that two-liter bottle of Pepsi, probably it's a good idea to give it a second thought.

A. Obesity is more common in women than men.

B. Most people don't realize how easy it is to gain weight from drink sugar-sweetened beverages(饮料)

C. When we talk about obesity, the first thought that comes to mind is: junk food.

D. The unburnt calories will put weight on you.

E. Keeping healthy is our own responsibility.

F. Because of their high content of sugar, soft drinks are also called sugary drinks.

G. However, the most common cause of obesity is eating too much, especially too much junk food.

    Eating healthy 100% of the time can seem like a near impossible goal. But along with consistent exercise, healthy eating will make you feel better, give you more energy, and help you perform better in your workouts. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Here are some tricks to make healthy eating easy:

    ● {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Protein is what keeps you full, fuels your muscles, and helps you keep a strong and slim figure. Starting your day out with around 30 grams of protein will not only help get you through the morning without feeling hunger pains, it will also help you get less desires for sugar and carbs(碳水化合物)later in the day.

    ●Make veggies a main part of every meal

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You'll find that you might actually start to like vegetables, and your body will start to want them because of how good they make you feel after eating them.

    ●Eat whole foods whenever possible

    Simply focus on avoiding processed foods and include as many whole foods as possible in your diet. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But once you discover how food is supposed to taste, eating healthy will become much more natural to you.

    ●Don't deny yourself your favorite foods

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Because it'll cause you to feel bitter, more often leading to a binge(大吃)eating session. So if you're working out and keeping active on a regular basis, allowing yourself a few small treats every once in a while will not only make you happier, it will also make it more likely that you'll stick with healthy eating in the long run.

A. So want exactly are whole foods?

B. It may take a little to get used to

C. And it doesn't have to be that difficult

D. Limit them, but don't cut them out altogether

E. There are so many good ones to choose from

F. Eat a protein-packed breakfast every morning

G. Make them a main part of every meal, at least two thirds of your plate as often as possible

Rich and Famous

    Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today's situation is quite different.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, a pop star, or an actor—in other words, they hope to become a celebrity (名人).

    According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let's take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes' best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they'll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

    In spite of these disadvantages, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living—they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months{#blank#}4{#/blank#}They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

    While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals{#blank#}5{#/blank#} That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won't realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A. The younger generation don't favor these professions any more.

B. In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

C. Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people's life.

D. Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

E. People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

F. This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

G. The reason is that they don't realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

    Business is the organized approach to providing customers with the goods and services they want. The word business also refers to an organization that provides these goods and services. Most businesses seek to make a profit—that is, they aim to achieve income that is more than the costs of operating the business.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Commonly called nonprofits，these organizations are primarily nongovernmental service providers. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Business management is a term used to describe the techniques of planning, direction，and control of the operations of a business. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. One is the establishment of broad basic policies with respect to production; sales; the purchase of equipment, materials and supplies; and accounting. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The third relates to the establishment of standards of work in all departments. Direction is concerned primarily with supervision(监管) and guidance by the management in authority.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    Credit card debts, loans and overdrawn (透支) accounts — these are costly mistakes you don't want your children to make when they grow up. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} According to Mylene Lopa, a chief marketing officer of Sun Life Financial, you should teach your kids about money as early as possible. Start simple and expose them to the following basic concepts.

    Spending

    Giving your children some pocket money is a good way to teach them how to be responsible. "The money should just be enough to buy them a treat, like a juice or a biscuit. It's for practice more than anything," Mylene says. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Tell your kid he will get a reward if he saves some of that money.

    Saving

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They are always cute and colorful, making saving a fun and positive activity for kids. Encourage your children further by bringing them to the bank and showing them how to manage their savings themselves. It makes them feel more grown-up and they love it," says Mylene.

    Earning

    For children, earning usually comes in the form of gifts they receive for good grades or behavior. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} "Material rewards should be saved for even greater achievements," Mylene advises, "like if they top the class or they really go beyond the call of duty to help." This may let your children know making money is not so easy.

    Along with these basic concepts, another way to teach kids about money is being a good example. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's hard to teach kids about saving if they see you splurging (挥霍) and borrowing all the time.

A. Be careful when giving them.

B. Buy your children moneyboxes.

C. Make it clear what items the money is for.

D. Set up a fund for your children when they get older.

E. Tell your children to pay a visit to the bank frequently.

F. Teaching your children about money will help them form good habits in life.

G. Avoid borrowing money from other people and use your credit card responsibly.