Title: To be a {#blank#}1{#/blank#} student

    Is there a connection between music and language? According to recent studies, the answer is yes: {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here, we look at two examples

    A recent study by researcher Kraus shows that playing a musical instrument can improve a person's hearing ability.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The people in the first group were musicians, while those in the second group had no musical training. The musicians were able to hear the talking person more clearly.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Think about violinists in an orchestra (管弦乐团). When the violinists play with the group, they hear their own instrument and many others, too. But the violinists must listen closely to what they are playing, and pay no attention to the other sounds. In this way, musicians are able to focus on certain sounds, even in a room with lots of noise.

    Schlaug, a doctor at Harvard Medical School, works with stroke (中风) patients. Because of their illness, these people cannot say their names, addresses, or other information normally. However, they can still sing.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Why does this work? Schlaug isn't sure. Music seems to make different parts of the brain work, including the damaged (损坏的) parts. This might help patients to use that part of the brain again.

    Music improves concentration (注意力), memory, listening skills, and our overall language abilities.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Playing an instrument or singing can help us do better in school and keep our brain sharp (敏锐的) as we get older. Music is not only enjoyable, it's also good for us in many other ways.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Sam wants to have fun playing in the water and he likes playing beach volleyball.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Jim likes watching dolphin shows and he also wants to ride on the roller coaster.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Kate would like to go to a theme park. Micky Mouse is her favorite.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}William decides to visit a museum，he wants to see an IMAX film there.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Nancy is a nature lover. She prefers to watch wild animals.

    Good morning, everyone! I'm Miss Li. I am an English teacher.  There are twenty boys and twenty-two girls in my class. This is Betty. She is an American girl. She likes football. This is Tony. He is an English boy. He likes basketball. His favourite day is Saturday. Yellow is his favourite colour. This is Daming and he is Chinese. He likes white best. Table tennis is his favourite sport.

    Ways to Increase Your Confidence

    There are some ways you can use to increase your self-confidence. Some of them you'll need to practice a lot before they start to work. It's like playing the guitar or soccer. They might not work too well the first or second time you try them. But as you do them, you build a deeper confidence in yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Exercise will improve your confidence and your way of looking at life. Plus, being healthy and looking better can also help you feel more confident.

    Create something.

    Everyone is a creative(有创造力的) person. Rediscovering your creativity is a good way to improve your confidence in yourself. Creating something is a wonderful but not always easy experience. But when you're done, you not only feel good about yourself. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Use your body.

    If you start to walk fast you'll soon start to feel nervous. If you start to walk slower you'll soon start to feel more relaxed. To feel more confident, use your body in a more confident way. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Learn how confident people around you or on the TV use their bodies.

Compare yourself to yourself.

This will take away a lot of unnecessary pain in your life. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Compare yourself to yourself. Improve yourself and see how you grow and become a more successful, more confident and happier person.