Both men and women are living longer these days in industrialized countries. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In general, they can expect to live six or seven years more than men. One reason for this is biological.

    One important biological factor that helps women live longer is the difference in hormones between men and women.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Between the ages of about 12 and 50, women produce hormones that are involved in fertility(生育能力). These hormones also have a positive effect on the heart and blood flow. In fact, women are less likely to have high blood pressure or to die from heart attacks.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They help the body defend itself against some kinds of infections. This means that women generally ger sick less often and less seriously than men. The common cold is a good example: women, on average, get fewer colds than men.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Scientists are still not exactly sure how influence aging, but they believe that they do. Some think that a woman's body cells have a tendency(向) to age more slowly than a man's. Others think that a man's body cells have a tendency to age more quickly.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Christmas is a time for relaxing, having fun and spending time with family and friends.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It can be difficult to find the motivation for study when everyone around you is having so much fun. So, here are my top five tips for revising effectively over the Christmas break.

    Set aside a few hours a day to revise.

    Find the best time to revise and make sure that you stick to your timetable! For example, I find that I work best in the morning.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Plan something fun to do every day.

    Even if it's just going for coffee with a friend or watching a film at home, this will give you something to look forward to and motivate you to finish your revision.

    Explain to your family why your revision is important.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}So, make efforts to tell them why your exams are important. Perhaps you can agree to do something nice with them when your exams are over.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It is important to take some time to relax. When you do get back to revising, you'll probably find it easier to concentrate. Pick the most important days for you and your family to concentrate on celebrating Christmas!

    Remember that it won't last forever.

    You might have to spend your Christmas revising this year, and perhaps for a few more years, but soon enough you'll be free of exams forever.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Have a great Christmas and make sure you find a balance between studying and celebrating. Good luck in your exams!

A. Spare your time for your family.

B. Make sure that you take a few days off!

C. So I get up fairly early and do a few hours of revision.

D. Sometimes it can be difficult for family to understand you.

E. However, for many of us, it is also time to prepare for January exams.

F. Otherwise, you may probably fall into trouble with your friends and family.

G. And after spending time revising, your future Christmases will seem even better!

Rich and Famous

    Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today's situation is quite different. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, or an actor—in other words, they hope to become a celebrity.

    According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let's take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes' best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they'll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

    In spite of these disadvantage, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living—they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

    While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won't realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A. The younger generation don't favor these professions any more.

B. In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

C. Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people's life.

D. Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

E. People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

F. This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

G. The reason is that they don't realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

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(品质) 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 chores(琐事) 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. The people doing the chores before will greatly appreciate the help.

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

E. It will make your life more pleasant.

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

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

Best Way to Save Money

    Although the best way to save money can vary from person to person, depending on age, family size and other characteristics, there are still some easy things that all shoppers can do to keep more money in their bank accounts.

    Avoid impulse (冲动的) purchases.

    When you shop, a best way to save money is to have a plan in mind to help you avoid impulse purchases. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And you only carry the exact amount of cash that you will need for your planned purchase. Some shoppers agree to discuss any purchases over a certain dollar amount with their spouses (配偶) first.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Sometimes the best way to save money in the long term is to spend a little more money right now. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A high-quality pair of shoes will last longer than a bargain pair and prevent foot pain. Leaner (瘦的) cuts of meat and organic produce provide health benefits for your family.

    Buy secondhand.

    Check classified ads, thrift stores and garage sales for used clothing, toys, furniture, and much more available at a part of their original cost. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} And there members offer unwanted items for free to anyone willing to pick them up.

    Borrow instead of buy.

    If you're only going to use something once, try to borrow it instead of spending your money on it. Borrow a tool from your neighbor. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Check out the resources at your local library. You'll also be reducing disorder in your home.

A. Make things by yourself.

B. Exchange books with a friend.

C. Know when to pay for quality.

D. Refuse to buy things you can't use.

E. For instance, you might leave your credit cards at home.

F. A good piece of furniture can stay in the family for decades.

G. For the most secondhand savings, check out groups like Freecycle.

3-2-1 GREEN!

    You already know an environmentalist's three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are three things you can do for the Earth Day.

    Be a real cut-up

    The next time you're about to throw out the plastic rings that hold a six-pack of soda together, reach for a pair of scissors.

    As a young turtle, Peanut got stuck in one of these rings. As she grew, the ring stayed put, forcing her shell to grow around it. By the time someone found her and cut her free, her shell was permanently deformed. Thanks to her hard shell, Peanut is alive and well. She now lives at a nature center in Missouri. But most animals that get caught in six-pack rings die.

    WHAT YOU CAN DO

    Easy! {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Hunt for vampires（吸血鬼）

    You know all those electronic inventions you've got at home? Even when you switch them off, they are really still on. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Anything with a glowing LED off/on light, a remote control, or a clock display is always on.

    WHAT YOU CAN DO

    Just pull out the plugs or tap the OFF switch till you really need the electronics.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Matt Damon really cares about clean water. So in February, he announced that he was going on strike against toilets. " Until everybody has access to clean water and sanitation（卫生设备）," he said. "I will not go to the bathroom!" He was kidding but to make a serious point. Around the world, he said, "780 million people lack access to clean water; 2.5 billion people lack access to a toilet."

    WHAT YOU CAN DO

    No need to go on a toilet strike. Just don't waste water. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Take shorter showers.

A. Use water wisely.

B. How to recognize vampire electronics?

C. Cut the rings apart before you trash them.

D. Use toilets less.

E. But how else can you help?

F. Don't run the water while brushing your teeth.

G. Things that can help with good living conditions are important.