Yash Gupta

    Yash Gupta has worn glasses for many years. When they broke one ay and he was not able to wear thenm to school, he had a big problem.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}At the end of the day, he realized that he had learned nothing that day!

    Yash quickly got his glasses fixed, but his experience changed his life. He realized that there were probably many kids around the world that did not have proper glasses to help them learn in school.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}He found out that 13 million children around the world don't have proper glasses to help them see in class. Instead of just shaking his head at this problem, he decided to do something about it.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Its goal is to help find glasses for other kids and teens that need them.

    He created Sight Learning in 2011 and since then he has changed the lives of thousands of young students around the world! The organization has tried to provide eyeglasses to students who need them but cannot afford them. It has collected and given away over $1,000,000 worth of eyeglasses.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    As Dr. Seuss, a famous writer, once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”{#blank#}5{#/blank#}He has taken action to not only improve his own life, but those of others.

A. Yash is such a teenager.

B. So, he did some research.

C. Yash started a small organization, Sight Learning.

D. Here is an easy way to help Yash and Sight Learning.

E. He could not see much of what was going on in his classroom.

F. He learned that not having glasses can cause a 20% loss in learning!

G. This has helped over 20,000 young people in 5 countries to see better!

    "So, what do you want to do after graduation?"{#blank#}1{#/blank#}However, you have to make up your mind as your last high school year begins. Whether your plans include college, heading straight for the workforce, or taking a year off, here are some practical tips to prepare yourself for the journey.

Going to College

    Some people know from an early age exactly what they want to be and how they plan to get there. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} According to a recent survey, 75% of students change their majors after they enter college. After all, school is also not just about careers and getting a high-paying job after graduation -- it's a place for learning about yourself and the world.

    Selecting a School

    If college is in your future, you need to plan. Start by asking yourself questions about your preferences. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Once you've narrowed down your choices, ask the schools to send you literature or visit their websites.

Getting a Job

    Maybe you've decided that college isn't for you -- right now, anyway. If you want to join the workforce, opportunities are out there for people who don't have degrees. Some products-selling or service industry organizations offer training programs to high school graduates. Search the classified ads in the newspaper and do some Internet research.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Taking Time Off

    What if you intend to go to college but just don't feel ready to start yet, for whatever reason? {#blank#}5{#/blank#}This practice is common in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where it's called a "gap year". Even if you decide not to apply to college, it can be a great idea to take a year to do something you may not have an opportunity to do again. Lots of volunteer organizations would welcome your time and energy and would provide you with a wonderful learning experience.

A. You might want to get a high-paid job first.

B. Many juniors and seniors get bored answering that question over and over.

C. You might want to take a year off to pause.

D.  This is the fact that young people have to take into consideration.

E. Ask friends in college about their schools and other schools they're familiar with.

F. Most large companies list their job openings on their websites.

G. Not all of us are so sure of our plans, though, and that's OK too.

    How Can I Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never amount to anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many people always lack sleep, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation（动力）once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more active method, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that are around them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film.

    Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may finally follow your example and perform their own task. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.

B. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

C. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

D. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

E. To fight family laziness, set an example.

F. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

G. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

    We need to be responsible for our environment. Being a frugal consumer (节俭的消费者) is one way to help. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Use It Up.

    You can use things up instead of wasting them. Squeeze (挤) that last bit of toothpaste out of the tube.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't throw away any bits of the biscuit at the bottom of the box.

    Wear It Out.

    You do not always need to have new things. Suppose your sneakers (运动鞋) have broken laces (鞋带) , but they still fit you. Repair them and wear them longer. You don't have to have the latest iPhone until the old one doesn't work any more. Then you can get a new one. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Make It Do.

    When something you want is not on hand, look for something else that you already have to take its place. Suppose you are packing your lunch for tomorrow and want a butter sandwich. You are out of butter. Have a cheese sandwich instead so you can use all of the cheese. Learn to fix broken toys instead of just throwing them away. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Think about all those things that you would like to have. Do you really need them? How long will you really play with that new toy you saw on TV? Making the things that we want uses up our world's resources (资源). And, getting rid of the things we don't want any more takes up even more resources and space.

A. Do without it.

B. Throw it away.

C. What exactly does that mean?

D. Do you know what to consume?

E. Use the last little piece of soap.

F. With a little thought, you can make something do.

G. Think twice before replacing something that still works.

Children's Games in Ancient China

    Unlike the children nowadays, the children during ancient times didn't have smart phone, iPad or computer to entertain(娱乐) themselves. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Let's take a look.

    Flying kites

    Kites have quite a long history. The earliest kites were made of wood, instead of paper. Nowadays, the three most famous kites are the Beijing kite, Tianjin kite and Weifang kite. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, the swallow-shaped kite is a well-known Beijing style.

    Playing hide-and-seek

    Hide-and-seek is a traditional game for children, popular around the nation. Even nowadays, many children like playing it. There are two ways to play. One way is covering a child's eyes while other kids run around to tease(戏弄) him. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The closest thing to watching a film or television for entertainment during ancient times was going to see a shadow play. Folk artists manipulate puppets behind the screen, narrating stories and accompanied by music.

    Setting off firecrackers(鞭炮)

    Firecrackers have a history of more than 2,000 years. It is said that there was a beast (野兽)named Nian in ancient China. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} After gunpowder was invented, it gradually replaced the bamboo joint cracker. Crackers are still set off during Spring Festival to symbolize auspiciousness(吉利).

A. Watching shadow plays

B. Each of them has special features.

C. Different materials are used to make the kite.

D. Shadow plays were the popular entertaining form in ancient times.

E. And to scare off the beast, people burnt bamboo joints to make it blast.

F. More commonly, participants hide and one child must try to find them.

G. Instead, they came up with(想出) interesting games to play in their childhood.

    Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences, or easily one of the worst.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Follow these five tips to avoid the common mistakes that make good roommate relationships worse.

    Talk things out.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If something happens, sit down with your roommates and have a face-to-face conversation. Complaining about your roommates behind their backs creates nothing but awkward situations and general unhappiness.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don't. Don't put pressure on yourself or your roommate to reach this level, especially when you first meet. Remember, you are trying to make a new friend, not scare your roommate away. And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend, there is no need to worry about it.

    Clean up after yourself. Or at least, keep your mess on your side.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}But being considerate with where you put your own stuff will help you avoid the arguments.

    Ask before you take. This applies to food, clothes, supplies and anything else that you don't own.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Even if you both agree to share everything you should still ask.

A. Don't expect to be best friends.

B. Communication is of vital importance.

C. You don't need to keep the room clean and organized all the time.

D. Rooms can be really easy for a mess to pile up.

E. If you want to have a good relationship with your roommate, it all starts with you.

F. Not all roommates can become your best friends.

G. Show your roommate that you have respect for his or her belongings.