US City Bans Texting while Walking

    Parents usually teach their children how to cross the street safely, by looking both ways for cars. But do they also teach them to put away their cell phones?

    The city of Honolulu, Hawaii wants everyone to learn that lesson{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Beginning on October 24, you could be fined from $15 to $99 if you step into a Honolulu street while looking at your phone. Honolulu is the first major U. S. city to ban what is called "distracted (分散注意) walking. " It recently passed a law in a seven to two vote. The law says; “No pedestrian shall cross a street or highway while viewing a mobile electronic device. "{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The law's creators hope it will lower the number of people hit and killed by cars in the city. Mayor Kirk Caldwell told Reuters news agency, "We hold the unfortunate distinction (区别) of being a major city with more pedestrians being hit in crosswalks, particularly our elders, than almost any other city in the country. "

    The law includes all electronic devices with screens: cell phones, tables, gaming devices, digital cameras and laptop computers{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Pedestrians may use such devices in the street to call emergency services and rescue workers, such as firefighters and police officers.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}The Governors Highway Safety Association, or GHSA, says pedestrian deaths in the United States increase 25 percent between 2010 and 2015. That trend continued in 2016 with the number of pedestrian deaths rising to almost 6000, 11% higher than in 2015.

    If you still want to text while walking, you could avoid being fined in Honolulu (and be safer, in general) by using a voice-controlled digital(数字的) assistant such as Siri or Google Assistant{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. The law does permit an exception.

B. Or you could just wait until you are again, safely, off the street.

C. You will be sentenced to prison while using cell phones in the street.

D. Pedestrian deaths have been increasing as the use of cell phones rises.

E. Texting while crossing the street will soon be banned in the city.

F. The law permits people to watch TV while crossing the street.

G. In other words, do not look at a screen when you cross the street or you could be fined.

A Few Active Listening Guidelines

    Listening is arguably the most important element of interpersonal communication. Our ability to listen well impacts the quality of all of our relationships, and not just at home with our family and friends—it can also affect our relationships and interactions on the job, as well as the effectiveness and quality of our work.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead, it is a skill that must be cultivated and practiced. Active listening means the difference between simply hearing, and listening with the intent to truly understand. It is a subtle but important distinction.

    ⒈Give focused attention.

    Try to minimize external (外部的) distractions. Turn down the noise, and put down or step away from what you're doing if possible. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't watch the clock, fidget (坐立不安) or go over your to-do list for later.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Direct eye contact shows your attention and intention to listen. This doesn't mean stare, though. Be reasonable, but try not to let your eyes wander to whatever is going on around you.

    ⒊Reflect back.

    Restate, but don't repeat word for word. Paraphrase what you think the other part is saying with responses such as: "What I'm hearing is…" or "Let me see if I'm following you... "{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ⒋Respond appropriately.

    Be open and honest in your responses. Share your thoughts, insights and feelings in a clear, but respectful and considerate manner even if you disagree.

    Active listening is a model for good communication. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It takes practice to develop active listening skills, and it's a habit that has to be reinforced(加强). Remind yourself that the goal of conversation is not merely to trade words, but to truly understand what the other party is saying and to be understood in turn.

A. Maintain eye contact.

B. Instead, focus on what is being said.

C. You do not have to agree on everything.

D. Also, set aside other internal thinking and dialogue.

E. Listening is not something that comes naturally or easily for most of us.

F. Reflecting what you've heard signals that you're attempting to understand fully.

G. Remember that listening is not just to gather information and share ideas, but also to gain perspective and understanding.

    Theatre is a great activity to be a part of. It's an excellent way to make friends, practice the art, show your talents, and explore your creative side. Here's how to prepare yourself so that you can be your shining best.

    Practice, practice, practice!

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}To improve your practice, ask directors for pointers. While no show is perfect, with persistence (意志力), you can create a very satisfying end result.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    When you are in bed, picture yourself on the stage having a great time. Go through your lines, songs, and dance moves, and picture them going perfectly. The key is to stay relaxed and create a positive image of yourself on the stage.

    Don't be nervous when you are on stage!

    It will be dark where the audience is seated, and you won't be able to see their faces. When you aren't saying lines, take deep breaths. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Just have fun!

    Remember to show expression.

    Be proud of your performance and display the emotion that your character is feeling. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Keep in mind that you're not only representing who you are as a performer, but also the rest of your cast and crew members and your directors as well! Smile (if you are supposed to) and have lots of fun!

    Smile during the curtain call.

    The curtain call is when the audience will take pictures, so wear a smile. Depending on the type of show, you might want to stay in character for a few extra seconds before you break out into a smile. Also, if you have one last song to sing at the end, sing it loud and proud.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Just make sure the audience can't tell.

B. This is when all of your hard work pays off.

C. Get good sleep for the last few nights before the performance.

D. Go over every aspect of the performance until you are satisfied.

E. It's also polite to introduce your supporters to the other cast members.

F. Talk about exactly what you want to do on stage, and what you don't want to do.

G. If you are performing an emotional scene, pull the audience into your tale so that it's an enjoyable experience.

    Do you remember those times when your mother told you to avoid talking to strangers? But now you're not a child anymore. In fact, there are advantages of talking to strangers.

    You can meet a really great person.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can meet a person who'll become your best friend in future. You can also meet someone who'll give you a chance to get your dream job or somehow help you in life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You have some opinion about different subjects and you know your friends' and relatives' points of view about them too. But there are millions of other people who think differently and can give you unpredictable yet smart ideas that'll broaden your horizons.

    You improve your social skills.

    Whatever social skills you have, you can make them better when talking to strangers. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can better these skills when talking to a stranger.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If you belong to that shy type of people, talking to a stranger may seem to be a real challenge for you. I'm also extremely shy but I realize it's not an issue at all. You can overcome your fear of being judged by others by talking to strangers and become more confident.

    You can cheer someone up.

    The thing you'll definitely like about talking to strangers is that you can make someone's day better. Smile and people will smile in return. Compliment people and they'll think something pleasant about you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    It is believed that raisins were discovered in the Middle East, where they were treasured. Any food that wouldn't spoil in the hot sun was very valuable. Prehistoric drawings in France show that raisins have been enjoyed in southern Europe for thousands of years.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In 1000 B. C. the Jews paid their taxes with raisins. Two jars of raisins in ancient Rome could buy one slave boy{#blank#}2{#/blank#} In North America, the original mistake of leaving grapes to wither(枯萎)on the vine was not the only time raisins accidentally became popular. In the 1870s many people were growing grapes in California. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most Americans had never heard of raisins at that time. In September, 1873 a severe heat wave struck the area. Before the growers could pick all their grapes, the heat shriveled(使枯萎)them on the vine. The grapes were lost. One grower took the dried grapes to a grocer in San Francisco. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The new accidental raisins grew into a major industry in California. Today almost all the raisins eaten in the United States are grown in California. California produces a third of the world's raisins.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Raisins also provide potassium, magnesium, calcium and certain B vitamins. Without added preservatives(防腐剂), raisins will stay fresh, delicious and nutritious if kept in a cool place. Raisins are tiny, portable and above all delicious.

A. The grapes were either eaten as fresh fruit or were made into wine.

B. The grocer's customers discovered that raisins made a delicious treat.

C. They have been used for necklaces and as religious symbols.

D. The grocer was unwilling to buy the dried grapes.

E. Raisins are high in iron, which is important to children's growing bodies.

F. Roman doctors believed raisins could cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age.

G. Raisins are children's favorite snacks

Waking up in the morning, you find that you forget to set your wake-up alarm and soon you realize you're going to be late for school or work, causing a panic. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. So you often leave home stressed, hungry, and thirsty. If this stressful morning routine is common for you, here are some suggestions to help improve it. 

Wake up on time. It's important to wake up on time(or even earlier)to set a positive tone for the day. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. And you can avoid the last-minute rush and have a more relaxed start to your day, allowing you to face challenges with a clearer head and a more positive attitude. 

Make your bed. This seemingly insignificant act can have a deep effect on your motivation and productivity throughout the day. Research suggests that people who make their beds first thing in the morning are more likely to experience a sense of accomplishment, which can contribute to greater motivation and higher levels of productivity as they handle the tasks and challenges ahead. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

Take a 10-minute morning walk. Walking outdoors in the morning can be an incredibly rewarding experience, especially if you have a dog who enjoys accompanying you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The fresh air that greets you as you step outside has the power to refresh your mind, helping you to get rid of sleepiness. 

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Organized people tend to do this regularly. It helps them stay on top of their tasks at home, work, and beyond. Make use of the morning time to review your to-do list, mark off completed items, and prioritize(优先处理)your remaining tasks. This can give you a sense of control and direction for the day. 

A. Check your to-do list. 

B. Write down things you're grateful for. 

C. There's no time for any food or drink. 

D. It will give you space and time to complete your morning routine

E. You'll be rewarded by a tidy room, and a feeling of self-satisfaction. 

F. Each morning is the start of a new day, so why not learn something new? 

G. But even if you don't, why not try taking a brief walk outdoors each morning?