Chopsticks

    Right now, millions of people are digging into their food with two sticks that have school the test of time as a utensil(烹调用具)for humans. But what's so special about them? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Personally, I think they teach us the importance of:

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    If you're ever tried using them, you know that you can't get what you want by just randomly stabbing at the plate. To be able to get what you want, you have to aim for it. There's no way you can pick up everything in one go. Know what you want, and just do it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    Practice

    Using chopsticks doesn't come naturally. You can't learn to use them by just reading about them. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is the same with the real life. You can read as much as you like about all the things you want to do, but it will just amount to dreams and theory if you don't try actually doing it.

    Slowing Down

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Why? Because it allows your stomach to tell your brain you're full before you overeat. Eating with chopsticks is a slower process, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes we need to slow down and take things one step at a time, so that we have time to think and realize that we don't have to keep charging full speed through life.

A. Aim

B. Motivation

C. What can we learn from them?

D. You have to practice using them

E. Those who eat too fast were less successful at losing weight

F. Sometimes, a little bit of focus makes the difference between failure and success

G. A common health tip is to try to eat with chopsticks when you can

    There was once a lonely girl who wanted love very much. One day while she was walking in the woods， she found two birds.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} She took care of them withlove and the birds grew strong. Every morning they greeted her with a beautiful song.

    The girl felt great love for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The larger and stronger of the two birds flew out of the cage. The girl watched worriedly as he flew above her. She was so afraid that he would fly away and she would never see him. So as he flew close, she caught him quickly. She felt very happy.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Her love had killed him. She noticed the other bird standing at the door of the cage. She could feel his great need for freedom and his need to fly into the clear, blue sky.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The bird flew around her once, twice, three times. The girl looked happily at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart did no longer care about her loss. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her hand. It sang the sweetest song she had ever heard.

    The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight; the best way to keep love is to give it wings!

A. One day the girl left the door to the cage open.

B. She lifted him from the cage and freed him.

C. She took them home and put them in a small cage.

D. The birds were so beautiful that she loved them very much.

E. She wanted the bird to be happy.

F. She realized her mistake.

G. However, when she opened her hand, she found the bird had died.

    What is stereotype? It is commonly known as a fixed, over generalized belief about a particular group or class of people, consisting of gender, age, occupation, etc.

    Gender stereotype refers to a judgment about someone according to their sex instead of believing in their ability. Men have been thought to be a leader, strong, aggressive and brave. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Age stereotype is that someone judges other people's behavior and appearance because of the age. Children are often described innocent, naughty. Then, young people are usually stereotyped impatient, rebellious and indulge in comfort. Adults are related to responsibility. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Because the old people are stereotyped weak and sick, not moving flexibly, which means to be a big trouble.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A concept can easily be formed that star is a descent and charming job with a lot of fun and more opportunities to contact fashion and celebrity, to dress up, and to taste delicious food in high-class restaurants. But not all stars can have these wonderful experiences. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They have to work on the other business to earn money under the pressure of life.

    Some view stereotype a good way to enable them to response to different things, judging if they are good or bad, as well as adapt into a new environment. However, some stereotypes are not quite consistent with the reality. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Society is developing every day, if we are always looking at it with stereotype, we will lose another side of it. Therefore, it is a good choice for us to deal with issues in wider perspective.

A. Women can also take charge of the nation and run their business.

B. There are more stereotypes about stars than other occupations.

C. Occupation stereotype also occurs in our minds.

D. So most people consider it easy to produce prejudice or misunderstandings.

E. Some stars' salary is lower than common white-collar workers.

F. But women are thought to be attached, weak, compromised and soft.

G. Nowadays, many adults are not willing to attend to their parents.

    In life, everyone wants to have friends who he or she can trust forever. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is scary because in most cases you have to get out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there.

    However, once the strangeness becomes a thought of the past, it becomes much easier to talk to potential new friends. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Get over the shyness of meeting new people and be yourself. Start out with a simple conversation like "Hello, I like your coat" or a discussion about the weather. Those icebreakers will give you the time to feel comfortable and help you open the floor for future conversations.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}It can be attending a book club or maybe just enjoying a cup of coffee. Making new friendships means learning about someone and sharing stories about each other's life. Think of your new friendship as a plant. In order to grow, you have to water it and provide it with sunlight. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you want to make new friends, you have to be willing to make the effort. Keep in mind that some people are more outing than others and it's okay to be reserved(矜持). But it's necessary to make use of opportunities to develop your newly-found friendship.

    One thing to be cautious about, when you meet new people, is to be always genuine(真诚的).{#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you don't like fishing or running, then don't pretend that you do just so someone will be friends with you. Find people that share common interests and goals and build your friendship. Then you'll find it's much easier to keep friendships.

A. Friendships are quite similar.

B. Friendships are great support systems.

C. In most cases, you are your biggest road block.

D. Be true to yourself and don't be someone that you are not.

E. However, making new friends is much easier said than done.

F. Building new friendships means spending quality time together.

G. Then find a common ground and build your friendship around that.

    Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem?

    A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason. Loyal and affectionate, a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem(自尊)as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows.

    A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues. The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness. A dog offers genuine unconditional love. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    All dogs need exercise, so taking his dog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life, says mental health specialist Dr. Alan Cohen. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins (内腓肽) into the brain, which create positive responses in the body, including improved self-esteem.

    Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends, suggests HELPGUIDE. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A dog is a great ice-breaker, avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets. The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his dog, the more his self-esteem will improve.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, more extreme action may be required. In these cases, professional help should be sought. Parents who suspect that their teen's low self-esteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice.

A. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge, question or criticize.

B. In some cases, having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem.

C. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression.

D. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want.

E. In particular, someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial.

F. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling, jogging and throwing a ball.

G. A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class.

    There are several different types of fire departments. Some hire full-time paid firefighters and some are run entirely by volunteers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, a firefighter must go through strict physical and academic training to ensure a strong knowledge of fire safety and the physical strength to handle the tasks required by member of a fire department.

    Joining a fire department requires that both physical and written tests are passed with scores showing a thorough knowledge of fire safety. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    The first step in joining a fire department as a paid firefighter is to submit an application as well as acquire the appropriate training. Usually firefighters must have a high school diploma, and some complete two-or-four-year programs in fire science at community colleges and universities. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, and if a candidate already has connections at a fire department, he may apply for a position straight out of high school.

    Once a candidate applies and is accepted for training at a fire department, he must then complete several weeks of training at the department's training center. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. When this is done, the candidate is sent to a fire company for a period of probation (实习). He has to continue training in the new position while being directed by experienced firefighters. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. An application must be submitted to the volunteer fire department, then if the application is accepted, the candidate will take a training program and then be required to pass a physical and written test. Firefighters must also become certified (认证) as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The level of EMT certification is determined by the individual departments.