Holiday gift buying can feel a little empty, when all of those endless lists, long lines at the shopping center and dollars spent lead to a 5-miute excitement of flying wrapping paper.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The following tips can help make gift giving more meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.

    1).Know the person

    The most important thing in the exchanging of gifts is that it shows you really know the person well, and you really care about them.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    2).Donate in their name

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Research suggests that happier people give more to others, and that giving more makes people happier. Moreover, charity-related happiness is highest when people give in a way that promotes social connection. So, try giving to the less fortunate in someone's name this holiday season.

    3).Give handmade goods or hand-me-downs

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}A study suggests that people feel that homemade items show more love, and love is what they want to express to the gift receiver.

    Family heirlooms(传家宝)may be another good girl option. A 2009 study found that when families hand down even a very depersonalized thing—money—through the generations, the symbolic value of the cash is greater than the numerical value alone.

    4).Provide chances for participation

      If there's a golden rule of girls, though, it's this:{#blank#}5{#/blank#}People who receive experiential girls, such as concert tickets or a zoo membership, feel more connected to the girl giver than people who received material girls.

A. But it doesn't have to be that way.

B. Give experiences rather than objects.

C. New and store—bought is not always best.

D. That is always beyond their expectation.

E. That means catering to another's pleasure.

F. Giving gifts to friends or to charity is linked to happiness.

G. Start listing every person you plan to give a holiday gift

Learning a second language

    Nowadays, more and more people are learning a second language. So why should we spend time learning a second language?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Let us see.

    Career

    If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own language will help you to communicate with them better.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chances of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.

    Travel

    Being able to speak a foreign language, for example, the Japanese language, would benefit you greatly should you be traveling to Japan.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you are fond of tourism, then knowledge of the local language is a must-have to avoid bad experiences or discomfort.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you are a high school student who is interested in going abroad for further education, then you will have to learn the language of the country which you wish to move to. In some countries, being able to speak that country's national language is a must for students wishing to pursue (继续) education there.

    Personal growth

    Learning a second language can help in broadening one's horizons(视野). It can help in learning about the culture of that particular country{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not only can you enjoy different forms of art and literature relating to the new language, but you can also meet new people, make new friends and develop long-lasting relationships.

A. Education

B. Challenge.

C. Is it really worth it?

D. This will save you a lot of trouble.

E. It can help you to make sales and get good deals.

F. And it can open the way for new interests and hobbies.

G. Could you be required to study a particular language at school?

    The Internet, social media, and smart phones allow you to learn many things.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}However, just like in the real world, not everyone online is your friend. Some may use these tools to send unpleasant messages to you, and some may use your information to do something bad. It's very important to know how to stay safe and have positive experiences online. Here are some tips for you.

    Be careful about friend or follower requests. When you have a friend or follower request, check the person's information first.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Only accept friend or follower requests from people you have met in the real world. Don't chat with people you don't know or trust. This is a good way to keep you safe.

    Review location(定位) services on your phone and other mobile devices.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}They may put you in danger because others can find you easily. To make sure of your safety, turn off the "location services" or "locations settings" features on your mobile devices. Also turn off GPS for the camera, chat and other social media apps.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Strong passwords (密码）should have some upper and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. If you have a strong password, it'll be difficult for others to know it. Also, avoid having the same password for all your social and education accounts (账户). It is really not safe for your accounts.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If someone sends unpleasant messages to you online, find someone you feel safe talking to. For example, you can talk to a parent, a teacher or a trusted adult and ask him to help report and block(屏蔽) the person. Don't try to do the same thing when others do something that hurts your feelings online.

A. Create strong passwords.

B. Try to get help when necessary.

C. Find out if he or she is someone you know.

D. Friend requests can tell a lot of information.

E. Talk to someone you find safe to talk to online.

F. They also allow you to talk with friends online.

G. Location services can tell others where you are.

    The first TV was made by John Baird in 1925. It had one color. It could only show 30 lines. This was just enough room for a face. It didn't work well, but it was a start.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It was in New York- Few people had TVs. The broadcasts were not meant to be watched. They showed a Felix the Cat doll for two hours a day. The doll spun around on a record player. They were experimenting. It took many years to get it right.

    By the end of the 1930s, TVs were working well. America got its first taste at the 1939 Worlds Fair.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} There were 200 small, black and white TVs set up around the fair. The U. S. President gave a speech over the TVs. The TVs were only five inches big but the people loved it.

    By 1948 there were 4 big TV networks in America. They aired their shows from 8 to 11 each night. Local shows were aired at other times{#blank#}3{#/blank#}TV was not "always on" like it is now.

    Color TVs came out in 1953.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Also, shows were aired in black and white. By 1965, color TVs were cheaper. TV stations started airing shows in color. People had to switch if they wanted to see the shows.

    Now most TVs are high-def (高清). This means that they have many lines on them.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}TVs have come a long way since Baird's 30 line set. High-def TVs have 1080 lines. There are state of the art sets called 4K TVs. These TVs have 3,840 lines. Some people watch TV in 3D. I wonder what they will come up with next.

A. This makes the image clearer.

B. They cost too much money for most.

C. A big TV factory was opened in 1927.

D. The first TV station was set up in 1928.

E. People watch news and shows on them.

F. This was one of the biggest events ever.

G. Most of the time, nothing was shown at all.

    Snowblind--it's a frightening word. Thankfully, it's a condition that is totally preventable.

    Snow blindness is a painful, temporary loss of vision due to overexposure to the sun's UV rays. Essentially, snow blindness is caused by a sunburned eye.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Though it is commonly called snow blindness, the condition can (and often does) occur in the absence of snow.

    The terms "snowblind" and "snow blindness" have become popular because snow is highly reflective of ultraviolet radiation. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Also, skiing, mountain climbing and snowboarding usually take place at relatively high altitudes, where the sun's UV rays are stronger. Combined, these factors can double your risk of getting sunburned eyes, compared with being outdoors at lower altitudes in the summertime.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Television journalist Anderson Cooper experienced snow-free snow blindness first-hand a few years ago when he spent a couple hours on a boat in Portugal without sunglasses and ended up "blind for 36 hours," according to his report of the incident.

    Not only can you become snowblind without snow-- it can happen without sunlight, too! {#blank#}4{#/blank#}For example, sun lamps can cause temporary "snow" blindness if proper eye protection is not used.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}To relieve pain or discomfort from snow blindness, stay indoors and wear sunglasses. Keep your eyes well-moistened with artificial tears. For additional relief, use over-the-counter pain relievers. Be sure to use only pain relievers you know you can take without worry of an allergic reaction. You also may find that placing a cool, dampened washcloth over your closed eyelids is comforting.

A. You don't need snow to become snowblind

B. It will likely affect those traveling in snowy conditions

C. To prevent snow blindness on the slopes, wear sunglasses

D. Sometimes it occurs from man-made sources of ultraviolet radiation

E. In fact, snow can reflect over 80 percent of the UV rays that fall upon it

F. Snow blindness is scary, but usually it's temporary, and there are ways to relieve the discomfort

G. But water and white sand also are highly reflective of the sun's UV rays, thus increasing the risk

    Recently, crazy rich Asians are posting photos of themselves facing down and surrounded by luxury goods in a new trend sweeping social media.

    Falling down in public is embarrassing for most people. However, the new social media craze(时尚)called the "Falling Stars Challenge" has turned falling into something fun to do.

    The craze began in Russia. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Items like handbags, accessories (配饰) and cash were spread out on the ground around them in the photos. People shared these photos to show off their wealth.

    The craze soon became popular around the world. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} People are using it to show off their hobbies and professional talent. The items in their pictures show what they do for a living and what they have achieved in their lives.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, students fall down on textbooks and test papers. Police officers fall in front of their police cars with handcuffs (手铐) in their hands. Famous people are also taking the challenge. Writer Liu Tong took a fall with dozens of copies of his new book.

    More than 1.08 million Chinese have taken this challenge on Sina Weibo. Their pictures have been viewed more than 2.22 billion times. Internet users also comment on these posts. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} One Weibo user wrote: "This shows the positive energy of fighting and working hard. Applause for these young people!"

    However, some also think the craze is just another example of a successful internet meme (网络爆红). {#blank#}5{#/blank#} What do you think? Will you try this challenge?

A. They think people are just imitating others.

B. Most of them speak highly of the craze.

C. However, in China, it is taking on a new meaning.

D. The challenge is particularly popular among young people.

E. The biggest reason for the success of the challenge is simple.

F. People from all walks of life are taking part in it.

G. People posted pictures of themselves faking a fall.