How to Read a Book

    Books can be your best friends.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} They can introduce you to things you may never see… But do you know how to read them in order to get the fullest enjoyment possible? The following tips should help.

    ① Find a book. Look in the library or in one of the large bookstores. You could also ask friends if you could have a look at their book shelves. Search the shelves until you find a book that looks good Read the first page to see how it reads, and the cover text on the back of the book, if it has any{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    ② Buy or borrow it and take it home. Do not start to read it until you have the time.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}And set aside time to do nothing else but read, as it can be, at times' suspenseful (悬疑的), exciting and relaxing.

    ③ Get comfortable on the couch. Have a lamp (灯) behind you, lighting the area where you are reading. Make sure the television is off and that anything else that, could distract you has been attended to {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ④ Start the book by turning the pages and really enjoy it. Do not think about anything else but what you are reading. Put yourself into the action or location in the story. Once you concentrate completely, it will be difficult to put the book down. And remember that reading is not running your eyes over a book.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, if you need t0 read the book quickly, then you do not need to pay attention to every word.

A. If you are busy doing other things, you should wait until you have finished them.

B. Get warm if you are going to be sitting still for a few hours.

C. If you are already concentrating, then buy it or borrow it.

D. Try to imagine the story in your head.

E. They can take you to places that you may never go.

F. You should read it actively and enjoy it completely.

G. Otherwise, you will miss it.

    Reading is really a good way to improve ourselves.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you don't believe me, please consider these reasons to read more books.

    ⒈You will optimize your brain power.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Unlike watching television, which requires no thought process, reading is an active learning experience that will keep your mind sharp（even in old age）.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you're looking for entertainment on a budget, you can't beat books. Thanks to the popularity of electronic reading devices like the Kindle and re-selling websites like eBay, it's never been easier to entertain yourself for hours at a time, for the low cost of a few dollars.

    ⒊You will reduce stress and get into a good night's sleep.

    Exposing yourself to artificial light on your cellphone or TV reduces your body's production of melatonin （褪黑激素）, which can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Just replace that with a good book, which is a much better sleep-friendly alternative.

    ⒋You will change your life.

    I firmly believe that if it were not for books, I wouldn't have achieved so much in my life; nor would I have the knowledge, imagination or creativity that I depend on as a writer, business owner, and coach.

    Do you have the desire to read books now?{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. You will entertain yourself at any time.

B. You will entertain yourself at a low price.

C. The more books you read, the better your life will be.

D. This shouldn't come as a shock, but studies suggest reading makes you smart.

E. I hope these reasons encourage you to unlock your potential with the power of reading.

F. You should know that it is wise to keep a book in your purse or car at all times.

G. You would be wise to cut off all electronics at least an hour before bed.

    Health is the most important thing in the world. Nothing is more important than health. If one takes away our money, houses, cars, or even our clothes, we can still survive. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} That is why we always try to eat in a healthy way and exercise regularly.

    How can we keep healthy? In order to eat healthily, I usually avoid eating food high in fat, like French fries or cookies, which are junk foods. Besides, I only eat a little meat. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Taking exercise every day helps us build a strong body. Regular exercise is an important part of keeping me healthy.

    What's more, I think friends are an important part of one's health.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}I always feel better when I am with friends than when I am alone. When I am with my friends, I always laugh. Laughing is also an important part of health. It is good to stay with my friends.

    By eating properly and exercising regularly, I can keep my body at a proper weight and keep healthy. By spending time with my friends, I can keep my mind as well as my body happy. These things sound easy to do, but not many people can manage them.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. I think a strong will is necessary if we want to keep healthy.

B. But if our health is taken away, it is certain that we will surely die.

C. I eat a lot of vegetables and fresh fruits which are full of vitamins.

D. There are some people who like staying alone, but they keep healthy.

E. Many studies show that people with a range of social contacts don't get sick.

F. On the other hand, doing exercise is very important.

G. Some people appear fat because they often eat too much.

Spreading smiles at Birchwood

    When Ava McCarver was in kindergarten, her class visited a nursing home (疗养院). Ava learned that many of the residents (住户) there receive few visitors. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}"I asked my mom if I could visit them," she says. Soon, Ava and her mom became volunteers at Birchwood Health Care Center.

    That was six years ago. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}She enjoys hanging out with Mary, Shirley and other residents during her twice-monthly visits. "I paint their nails, and I talk to a lot of them," she says. Sometimes she helps lead craft (手工艺) projects. Other times they play card games. "It's good for the residents to see little kids," Ava says. "That makes them really happy."

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}She has raised money for the nursing home by making refrigerator decorations and selling them at a craft fair. She has also collected used puzzles from garage sales and donated them to Birchwood.

    Ava wrote a book called The Squirrel Family. In the book, two squirrels raise a family and eventually move into a place called Birchwood where they live happily. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Ten stores in her city agreed to display the books, along with a can to collect money. Ava's project raised about $750. Birchwood used that money to buy furniture for the residents.

    Ava says she enjoyed the look of "pure joy" on a resident's face after a hug from her. That's why she started visiting Birchwood — to bring happiness to others.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}"It's really fun," she says. "They have good stories, and I enjoy my time there."

A. She decided to take action.

B. But she has gained happiness for herself, too.

C. Since then, Ava has made many friends at Birchwood.

D. Ava used her book to raise money for the nursing home.

E. Birchwood needs more volunteers for its craft project.

F. Ava has found some creative ways to help her friends at Birchwood.

G. Ava's book has achieved a great success and earned a large amount of money for her.

    One of the easiest and most pleasing ways to express your creativity (创造力) is by drawing. In addition, drawing can calm you down in many ways. It can help keep you away from negative thoughts and clear your mind. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Draw something that makes you comfortable. Content (内容) does not matter as much as the meaning you connect with whatever you choose to draw. If you find mountains or trees relaxing to be around, try your hand at drawing. You can also draw things like pets or buildings. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, draw a dog's head on a pig's body with a horse's legs and tail.

    Just draw. Experiment on drawing with different color patterns (色型) and emotions. Believe it or not, drawing can help realize physical relaxation by lowering your blood pressure. Color your drawing with bright, exciting colors. Draw patterns. Start with changes of circles, as they're easier to draw. Simply cover a page in a pattern. Keep your subjects smile. Whether you are drawing mountains, humans, or animals, add a face with a smile. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Go somewhere where you feel calm. Choose some quiet places. Turn off your phone, and avoid areas with television or computers. Some private (私人的) places are best, as your drawing will not be forbidden by the presence of others, and you will be less likely to be bothered. Get outside. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Drawing outside can also give you ideas of things to draw.

    Have fun. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't worry about the final product. And don't judge your artistic abilities. Lose yourself in the experience of creation! Sitting down to draw for just a few minutes can brighten your feelings. You'll feel energetic and may feel even more open­minded for the rest of the day.

A. Let yourself enjoy the process.

B. Listen to music when you draw.

C. Simply being outside will calm you down.

D. Sure, it's silly but you'll probably smile back.

E. Hang up your work somewhere it will catch your eye.

F. You can even try combinations of different animal parts.

G. And the enjoyment of drawing can help keep your stresses away.

    Research suggests that at least 64% of people now spend up to four hours daily of spare time in front of a screen. Just as TV watching has been linked to higher chances of being fat and getting diseases, this extra sedentary (久坐不动) time is bad news for our health. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

⒈Choose outdoor activities over technology

    When you're at home, make it a rule that you can't be online if the sun is shining. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Then, after taking these healthy physical activities, you can pull out your phone or tablet, or take a seat at the computer. This rule should be fit for everyone in your family.

⒉Limit social media use

    According to some experts, the effect of technology on human relationships is worrying as technology has become a substitute for face-to-face human relationships. And social networks have changed computer and mobile use for people of all ages.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Avoid aimless browsing (浏览) and give your time online a purpose: research holidays or catch up on the news of the day. Then log off.

⒊{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Challenge yourself to read at least 30 pages of a great book before you check your computer or mobile phone. Pick the right reading material and you'll soon find you've discovered an enjoyable pastime.

⒋Create projects for yourself

    It's amazing how much you can achieve when you're not glued to (长时间盯着) a screen.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.Some suggestions are organizing kitchen cupboards, and cleaning your bedroom. Then try doing one each evening.

A. Set aside reading time

B. Choose the suitable reading materials

C. Make a list of one-hour evening projects

D. Here are some ways to stop technology addiction

E. Whether it's Facebook or Twitter, limit the time online

F. The following are some ways to make better use of leisure time

G. Instead, you have to go for a walk, ride a bike, or swim at least an hour