Since the day of its birth, the United Nations has been the subject of much debate.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Others think that it is too weak. We can better understand this debate if we learn more about the U.N. and its history.

        The U.N. was started for two reasons. First, when the idea wasborn, people all over the world were tired of war. They felt that there must be peaceful answers to the world's problems.

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        The second reason was that modern science had developed newbombs and airplanes.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} National borders were beginning to lose theirmeaning. Science would develop even more dangerous weapons in the future. Onlyan international organization would be able to control modern science.

        Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. President at the time, believed thatthe Allies (联盟) should plan for peace before the war ended. On December 1, 1943, Roosevelt, Britain's Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin from Soviet Union agreed to start anorganization for world peace.

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        During the next year and a half, the idea of such anorganisation was debated around the world. Then came the big day. On April 11,1945, the first international meeting of the United Nations took place in SanFrancisco. The goal of the meeting was to write the U.N. Charter (宪章). All of thefifty-one nations at the meeting had their own ideas to offer for the Charter.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Every nation present voted for the Charter. Noone voted against it.

A. The U.N. Charter is a beautiful piece of writing.

B. After a long debate, a final Charter was agreed upon.

C. Even the smallest country on earth can have its voice heard.

D. They asked all countries, large and small, to join theorganization.

E. These weapons made it almost impossible for a country todefend itself.

F. Some people attack the organization because they think it istoo powerful.

G. They also felt that only an international organization couldkeep world peace.

    Have you ever felt a sudden feeling of joy because you heard a favorite song playing? Then you know that music can have a strong effect on your emotions. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It can help get you out of a bad mood (心情) or stay in a good one, says Alicia Ann Clair, professor at the University of Kansas. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    To cheer up, listen to Latin music or anything with a strong beat or a fast speed{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. When you want to relax after a busy day, music with a slower speed can calm you down.     

    Listen to calming music before you start any stressful activities, advises Dr. Clair. "Once you' re in a good state of mind, it' s easier to keep it." You can lower stress at work with music, too, by playing relaxing tunes (曲调). {#blank#}4{#/blank#} "If you listen to them all day long, you'll stop noticing them," Dr. Clair explains. Then the music won't have any effect.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}."To feel energetic, start with something relaxing, and then gradually increase the speed and beat," says Dr. Clair. For example, first play some nice slow love songs, and then listen to something more energetic. When you want to calm down after a busy week at work, just do the opposite.

Five ways to improve creativity

    Creativity is the ability to go beyond traditional rules, ideas or relationships and create something new through imagination or progressiveness. There are many ways to improve your creative mind.

    Exercise the mind. Exercising your mind is an ideal way to boost creativity. Like the body, the mind needs exercise to work the creative muscles and make them stronger. Exercise your brain by learning new subjects, getting into a debate about politics and talking to other creative and intelligent people.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Be passionate. One aspect of creativity is passion.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Find your internal motivation and follow your passion to improve your creativity.

    Change your routine.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}To boost your creativity, consider changing one to two elements of your daily routine. If you are working on a certain project, consider stopping one project to work on another project at regular intervals throughout the day or week.

    Read. While reading provides many intellectual benefits, reading is also beneficial for boosting creativity, exercising your brain and provide creative inspiration.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Consider reading about subjects that were previously uninteresting to you. This change in the norm might spark your creative interest.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Our packed schedules have no room for creative thinking. Take a certain amount of time every day to quiet, refresh and clear the mind while relaxing the body. This quiet time can consist of a yoga workout, meditation or simply sitting still in a dark and quiet room, in a peaceful garden or on a beautiful beach.

A. Schedule quiet time.

B. It can become weak due to stresses

C. Creativity is a natural quality

D. Often, creativity is blocked due to a too familiar routine

E. These activities will encourage a flow of creativity.

F. Read as much as possible about several different subjects.

G. Typically, students will do well in subjects they are interested in

    Have you ever wondered how the trainers at Sea World get the 19,000-pound whale to jump 22 feet out of water and perform tricks? They get that whale to go over a rope farther out of the water than most of us can imagine. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

So how do the trainers at Sea World do it? The first thing they do is reinforce(强化) the behavior that they want repeated — in this case, to get the whale to go over the rope.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, in a position where the whale can't help but do what's expected of it. Every time the whale goes over the rope, it's given positive reinforcement and gets fed with fish. But what happened when the whale goes under the rope? Nothing — no criticism, no warning and no feedback. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Positive reinforcement is the key of that simple principle that produces such splendid results. And as the whale begins to go over the rope more often than under, the trainers begin to raise the rope. It must be raised slowly enough so that the whale doesn't starve.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Make a big deal out of the good and little stuff that we want consistently. Secondly, under-criticize. People know they need help when they mess up. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, people will not forget the event and usually will not repeat it.

    So we need to set up the circumstances so that people can't fail. Over-celebrate, under-criticize…and know how far to raise the rope.

A. This is a great challenge

B. And the whale stays right where it is

C. If we figure out a way to motivate the whale

D. They start with the rope below the surface of the water

E. If we under-criticize, punish and discipline less than expected

F. Whales are taught that their negative behavior won't be acknowledged

G. The simple lesson to be learned from the whale trainers is to over-celebrate

    Life is full of surprises and events that sometimes change one's daily routine. Some of them might be good and pleasant. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, during an examination, you discover that you don't know the answers; one morning you are suddenly told that you get fired from your job. These unexpected events may cause anxiety and stress. So you need to find some ways to be less affected by them.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even if you live the same kind of life, doing the same things day after day, there could be unexpected events. So you need to realize that such events can't be avoided and you need to be prepared for them. In this way, you'll find it easier to deal with whatever happens in your life.

    Have a positive attitude. Not all unexpected events are bad. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, even getting fired for work could finally turn out well, as you might find a more satisfying job.

    Introduce small changes into your life. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can try eating a different breakfast or drink tea in the morning instead of coffee, or do things that you usually do, but in a different way.

    Always focus on the present moment, learning from it and making use of new changes that come your way. In other words, make the most of the present moment, instead of thinking about what you lost, or how bad the situation is. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Stress is so common that many people choose to ignore it. But without proper management, stress can become much more serious. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Breathe

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Slow, deep breathing stops the mind focusing on whatever else might be going on, and actively lowers stress levels.

    ⒉Write

    Instead of allowing a jumble (混乱) of thoughts and ideas to jump around inside your head, let them fall out onto your computer keyboard instead. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They don't even have to make sense. Minutes later, you might be surprised at how light and airy you feel.

    ⒊Walk

    If you're feeling stressed, drop everything and go for a walk. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Walking provides your body with an ideal outlet(完美的出口) for the energy that stress can create.

    ⒋Laugh

    If you're stressed, the last thing you probably feel like doing is laughing. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you are able to smile during your day, you'll soon begin to see the effects of stress slowly disappear.

A. Stress is not good for people's health.

B. Here are four ways to deal with stress.

C. Deep breathing lowers the blood pressure.

D. Laughing can calm the nerves and reduce stress.

E. Or write down your feelings onto a piece of paper.

F. Keep yourself at an easy speed and breathe properly.

G. Taking a deep breath in stressful situation is helpful.