Make Your Brain Smarter

    You know that eating a proper diet and getting plenty of exercise help make your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter? Studies show that when the brain is forced to do something new, it creates new neural (神经的) pathways. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

    ● Limit your TV viewing.

    Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting (忽视) physical exercise.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you watch TV, choose something educational and informative.

    ● Use your non-dominant (非支配的) hand.

    If you are right-handed, use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks. Brushing our teeth is something we do daily. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But maybe we should. Experts suggest that we can force the brain to work by changing things up and working with our non-dominant hand. So the next time you brush your teeth, open the tube, apply your toothpaste and brush with the opposite hand.

    ●{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Jump in the shower and shut your eyes. Even if you drop the soap—that's okay. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Searching for the soap while feeling the textures (质地) with your eyes closed works. Using your fingers to make fine distinctions between objects or textures can reconnect the brain areas involved in touch, suggests Larry Katz, a professor of neurobiology at Duke University Medical Center and author.

A. Shower with your eyes closed.

B. Smart people rarely follow a set pattern.

C. The more pathways you have, the smarter you will be.

D. Use your different senses.

E. We really don't put that much thought into it.

F. Put your brain to best use.

G. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do.

    After eight months' delicate preparations, an evening gala（聚会）Sail to the Future for leaders and representatives attending the 9th BRICS Summit was held at the Banlam Grand Theater in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It consists of five chapters including Wind from the Sea, Sky and the Sea, Rhythm of the Sea, Tide and the Sea as well as the Dream from the Sea, highlighting the unique Fujian culture while introducing the strongest features of Xiamen.

    Taking advantage of “sea” element to promote cooperation. Sea was the central idea that ran through the whole gala{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is a city with three sides facing the sea.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In the second part, the popular Chinese song The Sea, My Sweet Home featured the life of the people living in this area, and their proud Fujian, or Minnan culture.

    “The unique geographic advantages of the costal city and the local lifestyle gave us much inspiration of the evening gala,” said Xie Nan, general director of the evening gala.

    “Many Minnan culture elements, including Fujian opera, fishing culture and Fujian Nanyin, are honored as a 'living fossil' of ancient Chinese music.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}”

    “A good performance requires close relationship between composing and dance rhythm. At first, we asked the composer and dancer to create their works on their own{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It was not a simple progress. They needed not just perfect time but inspiration and team work,” Zhang Dongxin, executive director of the evening gala, said.

A. The gala is based on the theme of “sea”

B. And they were taken into the stage performance

C. The gala is meant to be held beside the sea

D. That is the end of the whole wonderful performance

E. “Billowing waves” was performed as the opening dance

F. It is also one of the most distinctive characteristics of Xiamen

G. Then they had to discuss with each other again and again to find the balance

    Do you know how to pick a good book you'll really like? Here are some tips. Start With Your Interest.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. You can pick something that you love to read, not for school. They can be ancient martial (武术) arts, computers, or fashion design. You name it, there are books about it.

    What's Your Type? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction (or both)? Fiction books, like novels, can transport you to another world or help you imagine something beyond your own experience. Nonfiction books give you the who, what, when, and why of something.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Many of them read like novels from start to finish.

    Read the description. The reviews and quotes on the back and inside covers of many books give you an idea of what the book is about. They can also help you pick future books, too. If you find a book you really like, take a minute to read the quotes and see which authors praised the book.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Find a Family Favorite. Which book did your mother love best when she was at your age?{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Find out and give them a read — then you can share your thoughts about the book.

    Finally, you'll probably enjoy what you're reading a lot more if you find a quiet place and make time for the book.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. You can put on some good music, get yourself some tea and let yourself be carried away by the book. You'll see that time does fly when you're reading something you love!

    Radar is an electronic device that detects planes, ships, coastlines, landmarks, and even storm clouds. The name radar comes from the first letters of the words radio direction and ranging. As the human eye uses light waves to see, radar "sees" with radio waves. Without radar, planes could not land safely in bad weather and ships could not move safely in thick fog. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In the 1800s it was discovered that radio waves could be reflected from objects. But scientists did not make great advances in radar research until the 1930s, when the world was threatened by war.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It has been used widely in almost every conflict since then.

    Echoes make it possible for radar to work. When a beam of radio waves is sent out, it strikes on an object and returns an echo. This echo is picked up by radar and recorded on a screen similar to television screen. On the screen an observer sees a flash, or a blip, that shows the direction and distance of the object. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Airport control towers use radar to guide planes in for safe landings. Almost all large ships depend on radar to prevent collisions with icebergs or other ships. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Weather forecasters "see" the size, direction, and speed of storms on radar screens. Astronomers can even use radar to measure accurately the distance to the moon. Thus, the device has generated major advancements.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Huge radar antennas have been installed all over the United States. They guard us against possible enemy attacks. We have ballistic—missiles (战略导弹)warning systems that can alert us to attacks when missiles are more than 1,000 miles away. Other radar systems warn us against enemy aircraft and even spying space satellites.

A. Police track speeders in radar-equipped cars.

B. These measurements are now highly accurate.

C. The device can be used in a wide range of fields.

D. It is therefore especially valuable to shippers and travelers.

E. During World War II many countries used radar effectively.

F. Today radar is used by commercial airliners and weather forecasters.

G. Strengthening national defense is one of radar's most important functions.

    The new school year is coming and you have to go back to school. This marks the end of much freedom during the winter time. Adjusting your sleep habits to once again fit your school schedules may seem like a burden.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even if you have not yet get a detailed schedule of classes, you should at least find out the start time of your first class. You should get the rest of the information as soon as possible in order to decide how to adjust your schedule and sleep habits. By finding out when you starts, you will know when to wake up or when you will have some spare time.

    Begin the sleep adjustment for your school schedule as early as possible.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} But if you feel you will need some extra time to adjust, start earlier. Set your alarm clock to decide when you should wake up and when you should go to bed. When the alarm sounds for sleep, end whatever activities you are involved in and go to bed.

    Tire yourself out. If you have got used to going to sleep very late, it will be helpful to tire yourself out.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This may be a good time to add some exercise to your routine that will enable you to be worn out at bedtime.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These may differ from person to person, but they usually prevent you from completing your goal of going to sleep on schedule. These include bright lights or the flickering light of a computer. Ensure that your bed and the temperature of your room are comfortable and that you have comfortable pillows and blankets.

A. Relax before you go to bed.

B. Review and revise your schedule.

C. Starting a few days early will be enough.

D. However, it will actually help you become more adaptable.

E. It is difficult to be comfortable and to sleep on a full stomach.

F. Remove distractions to ensure that you are able to sleep comfortably.

G. Your body will be less likely to be restless at bedtime if you are actually exhausted.

How to Make Friends

    Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. It offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leave us without a friend.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

    ⒈Associate with others.

    The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

    ⒉Start a conversation.

    Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

    ⒊{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.

    ⒋Let it grow.

    It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

    ⒌Enjoy your friendship.

    The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be. Become the kind of friend you will want your friend to be to you.

A. Be cheerful.

B. Do things together.

C. Do not wait to be spoken to.

D. Try not to find fault with your friends.

E. For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

F. So you will need to give your friend time to react to you.

G. Making new friends comes easy for some people.