A hobby is an inverstment of time. It also can be an investment of money and commitment. Many people choose to developing more than one type of hobby. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} When it comes to choosing the hobby, consider the following factors.

    Hobbies are usually an activity of some sort that brings out a certain skill that you have. When you have a talent like painting or woodworking, it can be easy to determine which hobby suits your skill. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Skill can be developed and challenged as you go along. It is not a necessary requirement. A hobby is fitting because you love it, not because you're a professional at it.

    Some people particularly enjoy taking part in hobbies that they can do in a group with others. It can be a lot more fun to become a member of a hobby group than to sit alone in your basement. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's important to share interests and network with other hobby enthusiasts that do what you do.

    Hobbies are generally an activity that you undertake because of the joy it brings you. Of course many people have discovered the joy that also comes with a hobby that earns you a living. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Just make sure you make the choice that fits your lifestyle and personal preference.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But most of the skilled hobbies like art, building or writing have a series of lessons or tutorials that you can take to further your skills. In some cases it's a really good idea to take lessons, especially if you are clueless as to where or how to begin. Step by step books for most hobbies can often be found in bookstores as well.

A. However, hobbies don't have to be skill related.

B. Most hobbies can easily be done within your own home, at your leisure.

C. Look one up or start your own.

D. Read hobby books to learn more about your chosen hobby!

E. Make a list of things that you enjoy or don't know about.

F. It can be a necessary part of selecting the hobby that is right for you.

G. Whether it's full time, part time or not at all, you must decide whether your hobby applies to you

    It is very important for kids to be courageous. A brave child is more likely to withstand negative peer pressure, say no to temptations（诱惑）and flight the good fight.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It boosts kids' resilience（适应力）, confidence and willpower as their as well as their learning, performance and school engagement. Here are several ways to develop kids' courage:

    Model courage. Kids who watch their parents stick their necks out to do the right thing are more likely to do the same.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Then express how good it feels when you conquer your fear instead of taking a shortcut. Your kids will learn how to take on the tough challenge they face by witnessing how you tackle your fears.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research finds that kids are more likely to be courageous if they believe that their parent them to support those in need. Discuss bravery with your kids: Tell hem Courage is making the choice to do what you know is right even if you are afraid.”

    Ask your kids to share their acts of bravery. Learning to be brave takes practice, so encourage your children to do something courageous every day.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}A mom I talked to had her kids share their brave deeds at dinner time.

Teach your kids how to reduce their fears. If not kept under control, fear can be powerful.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You might encourage positive self-talk, such as saying, “I can handle this” or “I have courage to do this.” Or teach your child to take slow, deep breaths to find courage.

A. Talk about values and courage.

B. Courage has other surprising benefits.

C. The good news is that courage can be taught.

D. Teach your child simple strategies to be brave.

E. Let your child see you step out of your comfort zone.

F. In today's uncertain world, kids will need courage and confidence.

G. Then take time to focus on their courageous breakthroughs.

    The key to losing weight is to understand what really motivates you. Have you ever been excited about losing a few pounds?{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And to help you keep your weight under control, you need some coping strategies.

    Ask questions. When you're researching different dieting products and plans or even talking to a doctor about diets, ask as many questions as you can.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Ask questions like: Do I have to purchase special meals or supplements? Does the program include a part to help me maintain my weight loss?

    Get real.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Don't burden yourself with unrealistic expectations. Remember, large amounts of weight loss are not realistic and are most likely not safe or healthy. Talk with your health care professional to determine a healthy weight goal.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}To maintain your weight, you must balance your intake of calories with the energy you burn. Just 30 minutes of fast walking in most days can take about 10 pounds off your weight each year.

    Weigh yourself weekly. It's important to track your weight on any diet or weight loss plan, but don't get on the scale every day. Weighing daily won't show you the big picture.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Stay balanced.

B. Once a week is fine.

C. Stick with your healthy eating plan.

D. Losing one to two pounds a week is a realistic goal.

E. Being well informed will help you choose the best diet for you.

F. Regular weight check-ins will show you your progress over time.

G. If so, you must find a way to turn that excitement into determination.

    Summer is the perfect time to relax. As you plan for your trip, here are some tips on how to protect yourself. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Fight against the mosquitoes in the hot spots.

    There are many mosquito-borne illnesses in tropical regions, which are traditionally vacation hot spots. Therefore, mosquito repellent (驱蚊剂) that contains DEET should be an essential item in your travel bag.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    In lesser-developed countries there is less equipment for clean water and public health. If you can't avoid unhealthful water, make sure you bring along a tea or coffee—making pot that will boil water for you. You'd better buy a case or two of water and check that all bottle caps are sealed to assure the bottled water isn't just a refilled bottle of dirty tap water.

    Always protect your feet.

    It's best to wear slippers in the shower, but if you must be barefoot, put a towel down on the floor. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. You should never walk barefoot in any area of a foreign country, including your hotel room.

    Be sure to eat safe fruits.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. They may have been washed in the same water, or wiped with the same rag used to clean work surfaces in kitchens. The best advice is to bring your own peeler（削皮器）so that you know that something clean has been applied to the fruit.

    Enjoy the smell of roadside stands, not the food.

    Unless the food is piping hot when served, it's best to stay away from roadside stands, no matter how good the smell of the food might be. If you are concerned about whether a restaurant is clean, order the food to go. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    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.

    What will you do if you can't eat everything bought in the canteen? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} According to a survey, what students waste every year could feed over 10 million people.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} According to Xinhua News Agency, the food wasted by Chinese people is about 50 million tons of grain every year, which could feed 200 million people.

    Food waste, which has become a global issue, serves as a mirror that reflects various cultural and social issues in different countries. In the West, for instance, consumerism, the belief that it's a good thing to use a lot of goods and services, is often to blame for food waste. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Chinese people are well known for being hospitable and generous. Many even feel that they lose face if their guests have eaten all the food. On campus, a generation of single children is less aware of the food waste issue. Students nowadays are well protected by their families and hardly have any concept of how much toil (辛劳) others go through in order to provide them with the food they eat.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} There are over 925 million hungry people in the world, most of whom live in underdeveloped countries and areas. They don't have enough food to eat. Many children die for lack of nutrition each year in some African countries. And farmers work very hard to grow the crops. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's also important that everyone should think about how they can do their bit to reduce food waste.

A. Most of us would simply throw away any leftover food.

B. Students' waste is extremely serious.

C. China features its own eating culture.

D. Compared with them, some live in a different world.

E. But canteen waste is merely the tip of the iceberg.

F. So there's no excuse that we should waste our food.

G. Students can never realize the serious food crisis.