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 tasking. {#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 at 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 on ration 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.

    How to keep a travel journal

    Are you looking for fresh travel journal writing ideas? Read on these tips to get some ideas for creating a journal you will cherish.

    Just do it. A travel journal is not scholarly (学文精深的).{#blank#}1{#/blank#}There are no rules, and no one is grading what you are write. The best way to get going is to get started.

    Pay attention. Your journal doesn't have to only be about where you go each day.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Did you meet someone new? Where and when? What did you talk about? Recording observations will make your travel journal colorful?

    Try to write something every day. Make a habit of writing something every day or at least every other day.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you let more time pass, it can be different to remember what you did three or four days ago, especially the brief impressions of those experiences. Your journal will be richer if you keep up with it.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If writing paragraphs doesn't fit either you or your trip, try something else. You can make lists, such as your favorite restaurants for dinner or the best places to watch the sunset. Try sketching(素描)too and don't be discouraged if you are not sure as an artist. Sometimes sketching is really the best way to record an experience that would be lost when described with text. As the saying goes, a picture is worth one thousand words.

    Take the bad along with the good. For all the great travel experiences we enjoy, there are days when things go wrong.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Though they are not be highlight of a trip, they are part of your unique travel story and often are as much fun to tell about in the future as the ones that go as planned.

A. Write at a comfortable place.

B. Use different ways to keep a journal

C. Be sure that the size of the notebook is right for you.

D. Then you can catch your thoughts while they are fresh.

E. It is your experiences—written by you, and for yourself.

F. Write about these experiences too for they are just as memorable

G. Stop for a moment, look around and ask yourself some questions.

    As a senior year student, you may have so many pressures coming from so many directions that you can't figure out what to do first.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    When you have many things to do and a lot of demands on your time, you can lose sight of what's important. One of the best ways to see the big picture - what you want out of life - is to lay out your goals.

    Pressure Points and How to Deal With Them

    Confused or overwhelmed - talk to someone you trust.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They may help you find solutions to your problems and worries.

    Being too hard on yourself - ease up, take a break and do something you enjoy. Daydream, read a book, go out with friends — anything that helps you relax.

    Problems, problems, problems — recognize your limits. It's too stressful to try to deal with all your problems at once.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Goal-Setting Tips

    It's important to remember that goals belong to you — not to your parents, your teachers, or your friends. After you've set your goals, identify the skills you have to achieve those goals.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Try the library, your guidance adviser and teachers, and other people who could help you.

    Goals exist to serve you. If your goal is something you no longer want, change it. Identify the barriers to getting your goals.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't get depressed by a big, long-term goal — see what steps you can take to achieve it and set those steps down as short-term, “do-able” goals.

A. Too much to do

B. Balancing goals in life

C. Consider ways to overcome them

D. Discuss your concerns with a friend, parent or teacher

E. Choose what's most urgent and set aside the rest until later

F. As long as you know what skill is important and what isn't

G. If you're not sure what skills you'll need, do some research

    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#}

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    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.

Do's and Don'ts of Donating

    Giving up your unused or unwanted stuff is a great way to make space in your home for the items that you do enjoy on a regular basis. Not sure where to start? Here are some do's and don'ts of donating your belongings.

    Do Prepare Your Clothes

    You've thoroughly cleaned out your closet and drawers, and have a mountain of clothing waiting to be donated.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Make sure all buttons are accounted for, and that you can't see any dirty marks, or damage.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The number one rule of donating your stuff is to make sure that it's in good, usable condition. Don't pass along old clothes or furniture, chipped dishes, books that are missing pages, or toys with lost pieces. Nobody wants to accept your damaged belongings. Find a local company that will recycle these items instead.

    Don't even think of donating these items

    With a little common sense it's easy to figure out items that are ideal for donations{#blank#}3{#/blank#} As a gentle reminder, it's never a good idea to donate car parts, dangerous waste, construction materials and weapons. Don't donate large appliances Major appliances such as stoves, fridges, freezers, washers and dryers typically reside on the 'do not donate' list due to health and safety reasons. All items accepted for donation must be thoroughly clean and in good working order. With secondhand appliances, it can be difficult to guarantee that they fit the bill. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Don't donate recalled items

    Every so often a product recall hits the news headlines. Highchairs, toys, holiday lights for Christmas trees the list of recalled items due to safety concerns is endless.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A dangerous product should be thrown away, and not passed on to an unsuspecting person. Think of the well-being of others before dropping off something that's viewed as a hidden danger in your own home.

A. They're all acceptable items for donation, too.

B. Instead of donating an unwanted large appliance, call your local trash collection company and arrange for their safe disposal.

C. But unfortunately some people will throw away the contents of their home without a second though.

D. Before you bag up these pieces, inspect each one to ensure that they're in good condition and ready to be owned by someone else.

E. Don't donate damaged items.

F. Clothes aren't the only household items that can be donated.

G. Never donate recalled items!