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.

What Teenagers Can Do to Earn More Respect?

    As teenagers continue to grow and develop into young adults, the transition (过渡) into adulthood has begun. With so many physical and emotional changes going on, certain manners are often forgotten and other adult traits are not yet accepted as a way of life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} By doing the following things, you will earn more respect.

Contribute to the household

    At the very least, clean up after yourself. As a teenager, you are old enough to clean up after yourself. When you make a mess, clean it up. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} All chore (杂活) that you do help to reduce the load of the person who did them before. Now that you're old enough and capable, why shouldn't you contribute to the household? {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Be responsible

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Whether they are basic things, like brushing your teeth or doing your homework, or more involved chores that contribute to the household, simply fulfill your responsibilities on time. When adults know that they can rely on you, their trust and respect for you will increase.

Solve more of your own problem without asking for help

    Instead of taking the easy approach and asking for help, make an effort to solve your problems on your own first. The “easy way” is only easy for you, but it is an extra task for the person from whom you are seeking help. Seek help only after you have made an honest effort to solve your own problems. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you become a good problem solver, you increase your value to the community.

A. Everyone has certain responsibilities.

B. By being aware of these manners and traits, you can manage them sooner.

C. When speaking to a group, speak loud enough.

D. The people doing the chores before will greatly appreciate the help.

E. Depending on the problem, 15 minutes of effort is usually a good guideline.

F. It will make your life more pleasant.

G. This includes, but is not limited to, your dishes and your room.

    When looking to meet new people, try to be open to new experiences.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here is something new you can experience and hopefully you will have some fun.

    Volunteer. Volunteering can be a great way to help others while meeting new people{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Take a class or join a club.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}In those places, you will meet people with common interests. Websites such as Meetup. com can help you find local groups or start your own and connect with others who share similar interests.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Dog owners often stop and chat while their dogs play with each other. If dog ownership isn't right for you, volunteer to walk dogs from a shelter or a local rescue group.

    Unplug(拔掉插头). It's difficult to meet new people in any social situation if you're more interested in your phone than the people around you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Making eye contact and exchanging small talk with strangers is great practice for making connections-and you never know where it may lead!

A. Walk a dog

B. Play with dogs

C. Take a class or join a club such as a book group, dinner club, or sports team

D. Volunteering also gives you the chance to practice and develop your social skills

E. For example, you can share your mobile games when you meet with new people

F. Not everything you try will be successful but you can always learn from the experience.

G. So remove your headphones and put your smartphone away while you're waiting for a bus.

    Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

    Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You appreciate your body for its capabilities and accept its imperfections. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here are some ideas.

    Recognize your strengths.

    Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercise regularly.

    Exercise can help you look well and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don't just happen. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A healthy habit can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Working out can also lift your spirits.

    Respect your body.

    Practicing good habits-regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on—can help you build a positive body image.

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    Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for comedy a quick wit (智慧), and all the other things make you unique. So try not to let small imperfections take over.

A. Be yourself.

B. Just explore talents that you feel good about.

C. So, what can you do to develop a positive body image?

D. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at.

E. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

F. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet.

G. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.

    Thanksgiving Day is special holiday in the United States and Canada. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast (盛宴). {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Everyone brought food.

    In time, other colonies (殖民地) began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbours. But the Canadian thanks-giving Day falls on the second Monday in October.

A. But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest.

B. He declared the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving.

C. The Pilgrims were those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day.

D. Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.

E. The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast.

F. This is why he decided to make it a national holiday throughout the U.S.

G. The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest.

    As we all know, the spine (脊柱）stands at the center of your health, providing your body with structure and support. It also contains your spine cord (脊髓) a massive collection of nerves conveying electric signals from the rest of your body to your brain.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Maintaining good posture is one of the most important things you can do to keep your spine healthy. Proper posture means standing or sitting while keeping your spine straight, except for its natural curves. Posture comes into play even when you are asleep. Sleeping on your side puts less stress on your spine than most other positions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Especially if you work at a desk most of the day, it's important to get up and stretch regularly.

     {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Stretch can help the muscles around your spine relax and allow bones to shift into better arrangement. Strength exercises like push-ups (俯卧撑）can also help by strengthening the muscles around your spine. However, don't overdo the exercise, as repeated movements can strain the muscles around your spine.Finally, your diet affects the health of your spine because many vitamins arc necessary for bones and nerves. In particular, vitamins B and D are essential to keep bones healthy, so you may want to consider taking a supplement (补充). {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, so it is also helpful to do some of exercise outside.

    Many of the actions necessary to keep your spine healthy are identical to those used to preserve your health in other ways. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. It can be hard on your back to stay still for too long

B. So protect your back, the rest of the body will benefit

C. However, the latter can also be absorbed from sunlight

D. Doing yoga to protect your spine is also a necessary step

E. Exercise is also an important factor in your spine's health

F. Try the following exercises to keep your spine more flexible

G .So, to have a healthy spine, you should take the following factors into account