The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It lifts the curtain of spring.After that everything turns green and full of energy and people clearly see that the daytime is becoming longer and the weather is becoming warmer.

1．Flying a kite.

    Spring is the best season for kite－flying.A traditional folk activity，it has a history of more than 2，000 years.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}  It also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and speeding up metabolism.

2．Wearing fabric swallows.

    Wearing fabric swallows is a custom in some regions in Shaanxi.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} The custom originated during the Tang Dynasty (618－907)．The swallow is a harbinger of spring and a symbol of prosperity and happiness.

3．Making a Spring Ox.

    Skilled artists build the frame of an ox out of bamboo strips and the legs with wood.Then they paste some paper and paint onto it.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}  It is said that if more red and yellow paper is used，then there will be a good harvest that year.

4．{#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

    People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of Start of Spring about 3，000 years ago.They made sacrifices to Gou Mang，the god of Spring，who is in charge of agriculture.By the Qing Dynasty (1644－1911)，welcoming spring had become an important folk activity.

A．Welcoming spring.

B．The image of an ox is complete.

C．At that time，there were eight solar terms.

D．Start of Spring is the first solar term of the year.

E．Flying a kite can help build one's health and prevent diseases.

F．It is said that the egg can be set upright on the first day of the Start of Spring.

G．People like to wear a swallow made of colorful silk on their chests on Start of Spring.

Learning a second language

    Nowadays, more and more people are learning a second language. So why should we invest time in learning a second language? Is it worth it? What are the benefits of learning a second language? Let us see.

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    If your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own languages will help you to communicate with them better. It may also help you to make sales and to negotiate and secure contracts. Knowledge of foreign languages may also increase your chance of finding a new job, getting a promotion or a transfer overseas, or of going on foreign business trips.

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    Needless to say, being able to speak a foreign language, for example, the Japanese, would benefit you a lot when you are travelling to Japan. Being able to speak the language of the target country will save you a lot of communication trouble and inconvenience. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Education

    If you are a high school student or a college student who is interested in going abroad for further education, then you will, in all possibility, have to learn the language of the country where you wish to move to, for further studies. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

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    Learning a second language can help in broadening one's horizon, it can help in learning about the culture of that particular country and it can pave the way for new interests and hobbies. Not only can you enjoy forms of art and literature connected with the new language, but you can also meet new people, make new friends and develop long-lasting relationships…all on the basis of learning a new language.

    The increasing environmental problems and need for eco-friendly products and services are creating a new job section of green-collar jobs. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. It is expected that by 2025 about 25% of the jobs in developed countries will be of green-collar jobs. Doesn't the data look promising for the future?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. And jobs will pop up at every income level, from environmental manager to gardener. For example, many countries including the United States have understood that fossil fuels have negative effect on the environment which can later become a serious danger to mankind. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The increasing demand of newer resources has created the need for experts and researchers who can find better ways to deal with the ongoing needs. In addition, in order to meet the increasing demands of environment-friendly equipment, both green product designer and educated and trained workers are needed. Management of environmental organizations also demands a large number of environmental managers. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Internet is undoubtedly the best way to find information on almost any matter. Nowadays, different kinds of jobs are being posted online. Search through a couple of job websites to look for a bright future in energy conversion and recycling of waste management. Check regularly and find the right work for yourself. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. People who read newspapers can also find different kinds of green-collar jobs.

B. People who take green careers will be well paid.

C. Where can you find green-collar jobs?

D. Green-collar jobs have become a bright career chances for all.

E. Many countries of the world have realized the importance and need for energy-saving products and services.

F. As a result, possibilities are being explored to find alternatives to satisfy demands in a better way.

G. Forget the blue–collar and white–collar categories.

    Your children are watching you.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} According to the Health Program，developing healthy habits is an important part for your children. And when it comes to developing healthy habits, parents influence their children more than anyone else.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} What happens during those early years can influence children for the rest of their lives. This includes some eating and exercise habits. Children are very careful, even at a young age. Children watch what others do carefully and imitate the behaviors of those closest to them. As parents, you should do the following:{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you do that, your children are more likely to be enthusiastic about developing theirs.

    Let your children see you taking care of your own physical health by eating fruits and vegetables. Talk to them about healthy habits in appropriate terms and at a proper time.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Computers，televisions and other forms of technology are a major part of life in the 21st century. Unfortunately, as the use of technology in the home increases, so does the time spent watching TV or playing on the computer. So as parents, you should also arrange the time for your children wisely.

A. Take part in physical activities and exercise regularly.

B. Don't get rid of technology, but use it wisely.

C. Be enthusiastic about developing healthy habits of your own.

D. Your actions arc speaking to them louder than your words will.

F. Children prefer to imitate their parents rather than listen to them.

F. This can be helpful to teach your children to form good eating habits.

G. It's easy for the children to form their healthy habits when they arc young.

    Difficult financial times don't mean your giving shuts down.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are so many ways to give back that won't hurt your wallet and will enrich your life.

⒈Pick up the phone

    Calling someone “for no reason” is an important opportunity to show them that you are thinking of them. You are taking time out of your busy day to reach out. Everyone needs someone to just listen sometimes. They may be filled with joy or sadness{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

⒉Write a note

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It is one thing to say it, but it can be even more meaningful to put it in writing. What if you made a commitment to write a thank-you note to someone every week?

⒊ {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    You never know what someone might be going through a painful divorce, a tough college semester, or just a bad day. Opening up your home will make someone feel appreciated. In addition, it costs less than going out. The leftovers from this dinner can be packaged up for homeless people. That's double giving!

⒋Set aside money from a daily routine to donate

    Giving doesn't have to mean a life full of sacrifices. You can still buy a burger or get your nails done{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Donate the money you saves: Even $ 5 can make a difference in someone's life.

A. Give a gift to the stomach.

B. Invite someone over for dinner.

C. To take your awareness to a new level, move beyond money.

D. But instead of buying much coffee every week, you can drink less.

E. While some people enjoy receiving gifts, all of us appreciate a kind word.

F. Instead, they allow you to examine how your time and money are spent.

G. Be there to celebrate their good news, or support them with sympathy.

    Multitasking-doing several things at a time-was once applauded as the best way to work. But does it actually help you get things done, or does it make you less effective?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}If you can actually do two or more things at one time, that clearly saves time.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}And it can fill time that would otherwise he spent poorly.

    However, a growing body of research shows that multitasking is not as productive as it appears. It turns out that when most people multitask, they don't actually focus on more than one thing at a time.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}But changing your focus constantly uses mental energy that could he spent working. It also causes you to take longer and make more mistakes. In addition, it creates stress. People who try to multitask often end up feeling more anxious and less peaceful than people who don't.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}A very small group of people-about two percent of the population-excel at multitasking. These people, called supertaskers, are able to work on several things at once without their performance suffering. But experts caution: supertaskers are very rare. The majority of people who think multitasking makes them more productive are fooling themselves.

    If you do want to multitask, productivity experts recommend doing it carefully.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. There are some exceptions to the no-multitasking vile.

B. Instead they switch back and forth between concentrating on two or more tasks.

C. Doing things one at a time usually helps people produce better work.

D. To some people, the advantages of multitasking seem obvious.

E. Multitasking actually works against the goal of getting things done.

F. It might also make you feel productive, which can in turn make you happy.

G. Pair a mentally challenging task with a physical task you don't have to think about.