The Science of Risk-Seeking

    Sometimes we decide that a little unnecessary danger is worth it because when we weigh the risk and the reward, the risk seems worth taking. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some of us enjoy activities that would surprise and scare the rest of us. Why? Experts say it may have to do with how our brains work?

    The reason why any of us take any risks al all might have to do with early humans. Risk-takers were better at hunting, fighting, or exploring. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} As the quality of risk-taking was passed from one generation to the next, humans ended up with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for risk.

    So why aren't we all jumping out of airplanes then? Well, even 200,000 years ago, too much risk-taking could get one killed. A few daring survived, though, along with a few stay-in-the-cave types. As a result, humans developed a range of character types that still exists today. So maybe you love car racing, or maybe you hate it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    No matter where you are on the risk-seeking range, scientists say that your willingness to take risks increases during your teenage years. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} To help you do that, your brain increases your hunger for new experiences. New experiences often mean taking some risks, so your brain raises your tolerance for risk as well.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For the risk-seekers a part of the brain related to pleasure becomes active, while for the rest of us, a part of the brain related to fear becomes active.

    As experts continue to study the science of risk-seeking, we'll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

A. It all depends on your character.

B. Those are the risks you should jump to take.

C. Being better at those things meant a greater chance of survival.

D. Thus, these well-equipped people survived because they were the fittest.

E. This is when you start to move away from your family and into the bigger world.

F. However, we are not all using the same reference standard to weigh risks and rewards.

G. New brain research suggests our brains work differently when we face a nervous situation.

    Camping without a campfire is not camping at all. Late-night conversations and games around the campfire are essential for a pleasant camping experience. However, you ought to be aware of the fact that camping with a campfire is not all about fun. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you are planning to set up a campfire, or if you are planning to cook during camping, you should remember some fire safety tips.

    Choose a campfire which has a campfire pit (深坑).{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If there is no fire pit, set up your own. However, you should be careful not to place the fire pit near your camping tent.

    When you set up a campfire, make sure that you put the campfire materials in the right order. This can make sure that there will be no flying debris (碎片)once you light your fire. Put the light materials first such as paper or dry leaves. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Finally, make sure that you place stones around the campfire pit.

    Never burn plastics or other poisonous materials, which will disturb your neighboring campground guests. It will also significantly pollute the air and promote the risk of fire spreads. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Use it when all the other fire-making options（choices) fail.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Before you leave your campfire or before you go to bed, make sure that it's completely out. Leaving fire unattended runs high risks of forest fires and the like.

A．Then, put the wood.

B．Camping can give you a lot of freedom.

C．It needs a certain degree of responsibility.

D．One traditional camp activity is making the campfire.

E. This will ensure that you will be able to control your campfire.

F. Once your campfire is set up, do not leave the flame unattended.

G. Do not use petrol every time you make an attempt to light your campfire.

    It can be difficult to meet new people and make friends, especially when you move to a new city or find yourself out of your comfort zone. How will you deal with the situation? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}There are several ways that you can meet people that you might not have considered in the past. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You probably have several acquaintances that you see on a daily basis or a weekly basis. If you get along well with certain people, you can see if this acquaintance would like to go out and do something socially with you. If you have common interests, you might suggest that the two of you do something together that involves your interest.

    Make an effort to accept invitations. Sometimes people that you know may be having a barbecue or other type of social gathering. Try to ensure that you are able to attend and then show up at the appointed time. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you meet people that you click with, you can make a plan to see them again in the future or you can invite your friends to your own event and ask them to extend the invitation to the friends that were at their gathering too.

    Go out, even when you don't feel like it. It turns out that when people invite someone to join them for dinner or a movie or something else, they really want to hang out with you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} {#blank#}5{#/blank#}But once you have used the same methods a few times you will know exactly what works and what does not. Don't give up, everyone is different and it just takes time to get to know people.

A. Expand on current relationships.

B. Trying to make new friends can be annoying at first.

C. Do you work with people that you get along well with?

D. But don't call them several times a day or even several times per week.

E. Be more social and you'll make your life more exciting and fulfilled.

F. If you tend to say “no” often, people will eventually stop asking you to go with them.

G. These types of gatherings often lead to meeting different people who are friends of friends.

    Taking good notes is a time-saving skill that will help you to become a better student in several ways{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Second, your notes are excellent materials to refer to when you are studying for a test. Third, note-taking offers variety to your study time and helps you to hold your interest.

    You will want to take notes during classroom discussions and while reading a textbook or doing research for a report.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Whenever or however you take notes, keep in mind that note-taking is a selective process.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

The following methods may work best for you.

    Read the text quickly to find the main facts and ideas in it.

    Carefully read the text and watch for words that can show main points and supporting facts.

    Write your notes in your own words.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Note any questions or ideas you may have about what was said or written.

As you take notes, you may want to use your own shorthand(速记). When you do, be sure that you understand your symbols(符号) and that you use them all the time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A．Use words, not complete sentences.

B．There are three practical note-taking methods.

C．You must write your notes on separate paper.

D．Otherwise, you may not be able to read your notes later.

E. you will also want to develop your own method for taking notes.

F. That means you must first decide what is important enough to include in your notes.

G. First, the simple act of writing something down makes it easier for you to understand and remember it.

    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, a massive collection of nerves sending 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 are 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. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, so it is also helpful to do some of the back exercise outside.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    When you see cockroaches (蟑螂) in your house, your first thought might be to use a bottle of insecticide (杀虫剂). However, not only would your family be affected by harmful chemicals, but also it might not do much good. So researchers say that besides using chemical treatments, you can also use other methods like traps. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. So, how do you do it?

    As with most insects, prevention is more important. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. That means never leaving dirty dishes in the kitchen and sweeping the floor before you go to bed.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}, so it's necessary to seal (密封) the entries into your home. This may take time, but in the end, it's worth the effort, especially if you live in an apartment and have neighbors who don't reach the same standards of cleanliness as you do.

    Keep your space as cool as possible. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. They increase their activity level and even spread their wings and fly. With more heat they have more strength.

    You can also try turning to a natural insect control company. My insect control company uses diatomaceous earth, a kind of special soil, in the walls of my home.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, it's not harmful for you and your family. Best of all, it works well.

A. Cockroaches can't go very long without water

B. Cockroaches can move through even the smallest spaces

C. Or you can give up chemicals and try just natural methods

D. When temperatures rise, many of these insects become active

E. Because the earth can cause an insect to die without the use of chemicals

F. You have cockroaches in the house, but you don't want to use insecticide

G. Make sure your house is clean, because food remains are attractive to cockroaches