Ways to protect eyes from screens

    Too much screen time may cause serious eye strain(眼疲劳) and even a sharp decline of eyesight. That's a big problem a lot of people are faced with nowadays, especially those who work on a computer. The following tips may be helpful.

Get regular eye tests.

    Experts recommend having a comprehensive eye exam every year to detect (探测) problems before they develop. During this test, you should tell the doctor how often you use your phone and your computer. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Tell your doctor about it, and your eyes can be tested more accurately at that distance.

Give your eyes space

     {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Studies on computer-related eye strain suggest that screens should be no closer than 40cm from your face. If this makes it hard for you to read, consider increasing the size of the text rather than moving the screen closer.

Take breaks

    This may not always be practical if you're quite busy, but it's important not to stare directly at a screen for too long.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#} While surveys have shown that many office workers take no more than half an hour a day away from their computer, it's recommended that you take a 15-minute break after every two hours spent at your screen.

     {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Staring at a screen continuously for hours on end may make it difficult for you to focus. To avoid this, many eye experts recommend the “20-20-20 rule” --looking away from your phone/computer screen every 20 minutes and focusing on an object at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. The science behind his trick is that looking at objects at a distance relaxes the focusing muscle in the eye.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    When your pet is sick, you know it needs medication. But pets, like babies, don't know the pill you want them to take will help them. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some tips to help get your pet to take liquid medicine.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If the answer is yes, then your easiest path is to mix it with canned food. First give your hungry pet a small amount of canned food without the medication. It's important that the pet nibbles (一点一点地吃) at the food and sees that there's nothing wrong.

    Next, while the pet is still hungry, mix the medication in a small amount of food and present it. Repeat as necessary to get the entire dose (剂量) down. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If the pet decides not to finish the meal, the dose will be wasted.

    If the chemist says the medication cannot be taken with food, you need a syringe (注射器) or a dropper to get the liquid down your pet's throat.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Keep a cheerful tone in your voice so the pet doesn't sense your stress or hesitation. Position your pet where it cannot run away, perhaps having a dog sit with his back against a wall or chair – or a cat on your lap.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Use your other hand to insert the syringe or dropper between the cheek and back teeth. Slowly squeeze the medication so the pet won't choke. Try to keep your pet's mouth closed for about 30 seconds until you see it has swallowed. If your pet is being obstinate (倔强的), stroke its throat gently or blow on the face.

    Be sure you end the process with praise and perhaps a treat so your pet will not associate medication with a bad experience.

A. Before you call your pet in, be sure to have the medication and any other materials you'll need ready.

B. Once the pet is in position, use one hand to gently open the pet's mouth from above, tilting back the head slightly.

C. Ask the vet if the liquid medication can be given with food.

D. You should know the reason why the pet refuses to take medicine.

E. Never mix the medication with the full meal.

F. They just know it smells funny and they don't want it.

G. Don't force your pet to swallow all the medicine.

    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.

    The most universal facial expression is the smile --its function is to show happiness and put people at ease. A smile says, "I like you. You make me happy."

    That's why dogs make such a hit. They are so glad to see us that they almost jump out of their skins. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    A baby's smile has the same effect. Have you ever been in a doctor's, waiting room and looked around at all the sad faces waiting impatiently to be seen? There were six or seven patients waiting when a young woman came in with a nine-month-old baby. She sat down next to a gentleman who was more than a little impatient about the long wait for service. The baby just looked up at him with that great big smile that is so characteristic of babies,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Soon he struck up a conversation with the woman about her baby and his grand-children and then the entire reception room joined in, and the boredom and tension were changed into a pleasant and enjoyable experience {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Telephone companies throughout the US have a program called "phone power" which is offered to employees who use the telephone for selling their services or products. In this program they suggest that you smile when talking on the phone. Your "smile" comes through in your voice.

    You don't feel like smiling? {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. If you are alone, force yourself to whistle or hum a tune or sing. Act as if you were already happy, and that will tend to make you happy.

    Your smile is a messenger of your goodwill.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.To someone who has seen a dozen people frown or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds Especially when someone is under pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers or parents or children, a smile can help him realize that all is not hopeless that there is joy in the world.

A. He smiled back at the baby

B. Your smile brightens the lives of all who see it

C. Smile gets much easier with practice

D. So, naturally, we are glad to see them

E. Well, force yourself to smile

F. We should give others a real smile, a smile that comes from within

G. The effect of a smile is powerful, even when it is unseen

    Even if you think that your parents are mean-spirited at times, loving them is a normal part of life.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some ways to love your parents.

    Tell them you love them every morning. A gentle "good morning" and "I love you" will warm a coldest heart. Remember that they brought you into this world.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Respect them more and value the moments with them. You can use these moments to learn from them, preparing yourself for when you're off on your own. It's OK to get angry but angry actions don't help you or your parents.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}After this, share your feelings with your parents.

    Obey their requests. It will make your attitude better and earn you more respect from them. It may seem as if you are going through hell when you don't get what you want.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Understand that parents are human beings and make mistakes. Forgiveness is the key. Since you can forgive your friends, why not forgive your parents?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Do things with your parents like watching TV, or go somewhere with them. Anyway, spend as much time with them as you can.

A. Keep them company.

B. Parents will in turn express their love to you.

C. You love them because they created you and raised you.

D. Act calmly, write down your feelings, or talk with your friends.

E. Please remember parents are the dearest people for us in the world.

F. However, you should remember it is your parents who love you and protect you.

G. Without your parents, we might still wander at an unknown comer in an unknown world.

Some Myths You Strongly Keep Believing Are Untrue

    There are varieties of false myths we spread from day to day.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Otherwise, people will continue to believe such ridiculous myths undoubtedly. You will realize some of the most acceptable facts are completely untrue.

    Men get beer bellies from beer.

    We blame the beer for the belly. It is widely believed that men who constantly drink beer end up with a beer belly. However, it is not the beer that's to blame, but the abundance of unhealthy snacks that often accompany the drink. Alcohol in beer irritates the stomach, therefore causing an increased appetite. Dr. Michael Jensen, an obesity specialist in Minnesota USA says that drinking beer makes liver burn alcohol instead of fat, leaving the latter to accumulate in the waist.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, while the one of women's accumulates in the hips and  bottoms, as a result of different sexual characteristics.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    We are told that dogs see the world in black and white. But the truth is that they can distinguish colors just not in the same way we do. Jay Needs from the University of Washington in Seattle proves that our furry friends are able to receive a limited range of colors, which means they can distinguish objects of the same shape. In general, a dog's vision is very similar to that of a person with red-green color blindness.

    Carrots improve eyesight.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. This myth came into existence during the Second World War. The British Army claimed that fighter pilots had excellent night vision as a result of their consumption of large quantities of carrots. Actually, they had radars onboard which made it faster and easier to detect the enemies. The myth about the amazing power of carrots was invented and spread by the media so that enemies would not learn about the fact.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Dogs can distinguish colors

B. Men's fat is stored in their bellies

C. Dogs see the world in black and white

D. Men's fat is not mostly accumulated in these parts

E. Eventually, it spread all over the world and people are still convinced of it

F. We agree with the view that eating carrots plays an essential part in good vision

G. It is high time that scientists created a separate department dedicated to exposing the truth