The art of growing dwarf trees, or "bonsai"（盆景） as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}．

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}．Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim （修整） the roots and branches of the tree periodically （定期地）. Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

    Variety is the spice of language. The words listed in this book are not intended to replace those that most people use most of the time. Rather, they are variations on the theme. We tend to use the same old words over and over again, to limit our powers of expression by limiting our vocabulary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} but why not enhance your speech and writing by learning to use new ones from time to time ds alternatives?

    How often have you spoken of having an accident? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Or why not occasionally describe a situation as aggravated（恶化）instead of worsened.

    I don't mean that you should throw away the Mold words”. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} English is an especially rich language, and often there are differences between two words that are generally regarded as die same. Thus, a mishap is not merely an accident; it is an unfortunate accident. Because there can be fortunate accidents, like bumping into an old friend you haven't seen for years and whose address you've lost. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    No doubt a good many words in the list will be familiar to you, but do you use them, or do they remain the “property” of others? {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Try to make these words your own, as companions or friendly rivals of the ones you have owned in the past. Let them compete, and make your language all the richer.

A. Just vary them with the “new words”.

B. Many words have more than one meaning.

C. There is nothing wrong with the “old words”.

D. English words are grouped according to their origins.

E. Why not use the alternative mishap once in a while?

F. They are included to introduce variety into your speech and writing.

G. So in using mishap instead of accident, you must be sure of the difference.

    Here are some top tips for world travelers.

    Travel light.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's no fun carrying a huge bag around a foreign city. Don't take too many clothes and avoid heavy books and electrical equipment.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Always keep your passport on you in an inside pocket or special travel belt. There may be thieves about. It's a good idea to make a photocopy(复印件)of your passport and travel documents.

    Transport sense. Don't let go of your bags on the train.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There are always thieves on public transport. If you want to sleep, tie your bag to your arm. When you take a taxi, it's a good idea to ask for the driver's permit. Many foreigners pay too much money because they take unofficial taxis.

    Keep clean. It's a good idea to wear dark clothes because they hide the dirt while white clothes attract it! Make sure you have plenty of clean underclothes and deodorant(除臭剂).{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You should always be polite and respectful towards the locals. Even if you find their habits and behaviour a bit strange, you shouldn't show your feelings. Remember, you're their guest.

A. Be polite.

B. Keep your documents safe.

C. You should carry a spare bag.

D. You don't want to smell bad!

E. Keep them with you at all times.

F. Make sure your bag isn't too heavy.

G. It's a good idea to wear similar clothes to the local people.

    It should come as no surprise that the more stressed parents are at work, the greater the burden on their family is. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} After all, the more time parents spend working, the less time and energy they have to plan and prepare healthful meals. Previously, most studies have focused on the role of working mothers while fathers were ignored. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It adds a new wrinkle to the relationship between work stress and family nutrition. Mom's work related stress is still a central factor in how well families eat because they typically do most of the food shopping and cooking {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    The study finds that when mom or dad experience high levels of work related stress, their families are eating one­and­a­half fewer family meals per week, and the parents themselves report eating fewer fruits and vegetables, more fast food, and are less likely to eat breakfast regularly.

    It's worth noting that the study looks mainly at low income families who belong to ethnic or minority groups. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But the implications are wide­ranging.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Teaching kids, especially teenagers, to help with grocery shopping and to cook actual meals, instead of just putting a frozen pizza in the microwave, could be an important piece of the puzzle in helping families improve their eating habits.

A. But dad's work related stress has a large impact, too.

B. As to family nutrition, the entire family plays a role, even kids.

C. Yet, the kid's stress may affect the families' nutrition, too.

D. So the findings don't necessarily apply directly to other types of families.

E. It's also probably not a surprise that this can negatively affect a family's nutrition.

F. Now, a study looks at the family as a whole and at the role of fathers in particular.

G. It is parents who give their kids a good model to develop a good eating habit.

Tips for Procrastinators (拖延者)

    You manage to finish and hand the project in on time, but you feel exhausted. Then, your teacher says, "Get ready. We will start the test in 5 minutes." {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Many of us are guilty of delaying doing what we should do. At the same time, we might risk missing a deadline and not getting a good mark. It is also very stressful. Here are some tips for procrastinators on how to get your work done ahead of time.

    Create a to-do list. Creating a list will help organize your work and ideas while keeping you on track. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Keep it up to date by checking off completed tasks as you go along. This will keep you focused and orderly.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Chances are, you won't be able to get a lot of work done when you're tired. Finding a time of day when you are full of energy will get you to be more productive.

    Choose reliable study partners. Working with study partners will encourage you to complete the task at hand and ensure that you remain focused. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Divide the work into smaller parts. Procrastination is often a reaction to feeling overwhelmed (无法对付的). Dividing work into smaller parts will make it easy to handle. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will find your ability and be more likely to finish what you need to do.

    Hopefully these tips will help you do away with the stressful, last-minute efforts of a procrastinator.

A. Work when you're feeling energetic.

B. Remind yourself to turn off all the devices.

C. You forgot that there's also an examination today.

D. Try to encourage yourself to stick to your work plan.

E. Deal with your tasks a bit at a time instead of wasting time wondering where to start.

F. Put the tasks that you feel less confident about or are likely to avoid on the top of the list.

G. You know that others are relying on you and they think that you deserve trust and are responsible.

    Rainbows (彩虹) are one of the most beautiful works that nature creates. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you've ever seen one, consider yourself lucky.

    Rainbows can be seen when light passes through raindrops, says Kristin Calhoun, a research scientist studying the conditions of weather.

    When sunlight passes through raindrops, the light bends, as it enters a droplet. As it leaves the droplet, the light separates into different wavelengths (波长). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The seven colors — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet — bend in seven different directions. Red light, for example, bends in a different way than violet light. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It also explains why rainbows look like an arc (弧). Sometimes, however, rainbows can actually form a circle that you can see in a plane with the right conditions.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} "There is an even better chance when the sun is at a lower level, early or later in the day," Calhoun says. And another key is to face the rain and have your back to the sun.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} "Small showers and storms often form in late afternoon in this area," Calhoun says. "These types of showers often produce heavy rain, but remain isolated (孤立的) over the center of the island."

A．There are lots of stories relating to rainbows.

B．Rainbows are created by light through raindrops.

C．And each wavelength appears as a different color.

D．With the conditions just right, Hawaii gets lots of rainbows.

E．The best time to catch a rainbow is when it's sunny and raining.

F．But they can be seen only if you are in the right place at the right time.

G．This is why the person on the ground sees each color at a different location.