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.

    When a New Yorker was hiking in Europe, his Swiss friend kept saying “Listen to that!” but he didn't hear anything. His ears were accustomed to loud city noises and it was days before he was able to notice the sound of a bird. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. There is background music in restaurants, bars, stores, rest rooms, elevators, and when you are waiting on the telephone. Russell Baker blames “society's determination to entertain you whether you like it or not”.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, but in practice they avoid it. They drive with the car radio turned up, switch on the television when they get home, and exercise while listening to music on headphones. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They can buy things in stores, but they do not have enough human contact. So they fill their lives with sound.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Young men play their car stereos loudly in order to create a personal environment around them. Like animals, they are marking a territory to warn rivals away and to attract a mate.

    It may also be true that the brain itself wants excitement just as the stomach insists on food. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} This seems extreme. Perhaps we would be better off if we sought periods of silence to provide balance.

The Iron Lady

    Margaret Thatcher, known as the Iron Lady, was one of the toughest political women in the world.

    As the daughter of a businessman and mayor of Grantham, Margaret was educated at a very famous grammar school. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Upon graduation, she worked for four years as a research chemist. She then became a lawyer, doing an excellent job in taxation law, in 1954. Miss Margaret stood twice in elections for the Conservative Party before being elected to the House of Commons(下议院) in 1959. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} After that she quickly became a spokesman for her party, and member of the Shadow Cabinet(影子内阁).

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Thatcher spent quite a lot of time visiting schools and universities, who encouraged people to be creative. After the Conservatives lost power in 1974, she was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet. She was elected leader of the Conservative Party in the following year. In May 1979, she became Britain's first female prime minister, after the Conservatives regained power from Labor.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} She fought against labor organizations. According to a figure reported by her government, traditional industries were reduced to around 15,000 in total and she also made social housing and public transport private.

    She left office on November 28, 1990 after she failed to carry out a fixed rate local tax, which led to huge popular protest from within her party. In 1992, she was appointed to the House of Lords(上议院), as Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven. In the last few years of her life, she has been busy with writing and public speech. This caused her increasingly poor health. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. She got a degree in chemistry at Oxford University.

B. Also she built strong association with US President Reagan.

C. In June 1970, she became secretary of state for education and science.

D. In power, she was best known for her reducing Britain's traditional industries.

E. Therefore, she had to give up many chances of attending public activities.

F. Thatcher was appointed as a Minister in 1961.

G. Thatcher was well-known as a female leader.

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.

Remarkable Ways to Push Yourself Harder

    Deep inside us, we know that hard work is supposed to be the key to success.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are the rules that you can also apply to make yourself work really hard.

    Practice working hard.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, if you want to be a hard worker, you must practice working hard. Practice waking up early, practice doing a lot of work, and practice working more hours. One day you will wake up and realize that you are a hard worker.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Many hard workers always have a large purpose that forces them to work. Don't just think of buying a car or a big house because this is not a purpose strong enough to push you forward. An example of a big purpose is deciding that you are working hard so that you bring change in the lives of your friends, family, and neighborhood. A strong purpose always involves bringing a large positive change in any particular setting.

    Surround yourself with hard workers.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But if you surround yourself with hardworking people, you will find yourself working hard towards your goal. Avoid friends who just want to have fun all the time. This type of friends will always discourage you when you attempt to work hard. Therefore, always surround yourself with go-getters.

    Read and watch inspirational materials.

    You can also push yourself harder through reading and watching inspirational material. Motivational books and videos encourage you to work harder. These materials make you work hard.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Have a strong purpose.

B. Find a great goal to overcome your laziness.

C. Like other skills, one has to practice it to perfect it.

D. Inspirational material makes you believe in yourself.

E. Nevertheless, occasions are not rare when we always find it difficult to push ourselves harder.

F. They remove discouragement and assure you that you will never fail if you push yourself to the limit.

G. If you surround yourself with lazy people, you will also be lazy.

How to Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never gain anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation(动力) once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more positive approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film.

    Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others at home may finally follow your example and perform their own tasks. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

B. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

C. To fight family laziness, set an example.

D. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

E. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

F. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

G. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.