Everyone can benefit a lot from reading books. The following is about the various benefits of reading books.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whenever you read something, you learn information that you otherwise wouldn't have known. It can be a fact about history or a theory you didn't know. If you want to learn new words, reading books is a great way to enlarge your vocabulary.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Similar to solving puzzles, reading books allows your mind to practice its processing skills. Going without books for too long will turn your mind into a whirl (混乱).

    One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop your critical thinking skills. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Wherever you are faced with a similar problem in real life, your mind is able to put its mystery-solving skills to a test.

    One of the real benefits of reading books is that the information in it can be accessed over and over again. For example, reading a cookbook allows you the luxury of reviewing the procedures whenever you need to. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Don't even think about writing the information down because you may lose the paper you wrote down on sooner or later.

    These are just some of the wonderful benefits of reading books.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you can't even go outside, you can download free e-books on line and read them on your computer. That way, you can see how advantageous reading can be for yourself.

A. Reading books will make you smart.

B. You can improve your memory by reading.

C. Reading books provides you with new knowledge.

D. Following a recipe from a cooking show will be difficult.

E. Reading mystery novels, for example, sharpens your mind.

F. Reading keeps your mind in good condition.

G. Why don't you drop by the bookstore or library and pick a book up?

    "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.

    Imagine looking out of your window and seeing a whale swim by.That's the sight that surprises New York City residents recently.In the past years,humpback whales have been spotted in the two rivers surrounding the island of Manhattan,the Hudson River and the East River.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Experts say that river cleanup efforts have improved water quality and led to an increase in the number of fish there.Fish are on the humpback's menu.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The sighting is also an encouraging sign that conservation efforts are helping humpback whales come back.In 1973,the species was listed as the endangered.Now scientists say humpback whales are making a comeback.

By the middle of the 20^th century,hunting whales for profit had nearly wiped out many whale species.In 1973, the U.S. set up the Endangered Species Act.People were no longer allowed to hunt them in the U.S. waters.In 1982, the International Whaling is illegal worldwide.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Last September,it was announced that nine groups of humpback whales are no longer endangered.Four groups are still endangered and a fifth is threatened.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}The number of them is growing particularly faster in the Southern Hemisphere like Tasman Sea and Coral Sea.And the number of humpback whales in Hawaii has made an amazing recovery.In 1966,there were fewer than 1,500 humpbacks there.Today there are about 10,000.But humpbacks in other parts of the world are still struggling.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“We still have a lot of work to do,”says Angela Somma,head of NOAAS Fisheries' endangered Species division.“But with the right protection,the number of humpback whales should continue to grow.

A. Those efforts to save whales are paying off.

B. People are frightened when seeing whales in the river.

C. Last year,one even swam past where the mayor lives.

D. Today there are about 100,000 humpback whales worldwide.

E. The extra food in the rivers is mainly what's attracting the whales.

F. Scientists have carried out further research on the number of the whales.

G. Scientists say that the focus needs to be on the whales that are still struggling.

    Do you want to be at the top of your class? Add these tips to your life and you should be on your way to being a top student!

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} I cannot stress how important it is to pay attention to what your teacher is teaching you. Take part in class discussions if you have something worthwhile to add. Pay attention during class, especially during lectures.

    Taking notes is important. You don't need to write down every single word your teacher says but write down what he/she writes on the board, or any special fact you think you might need for a test. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This way it will help you learn more effectively by actually thinking about what you are writing.

    Don't skip school. You will be missing out on stuff. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, you will have more work and you have missed lectures and in-class movies. Also, try not to be late for class. It's most likely that your teacher won't appreciate it and you will get yourself behind.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you have an "I don't care about school or this class" attitude, then teachers will be less willing to help you with problems or offer you extra credit. The same goes for lazy attitude. Have a respectful attitude to the teacher and other students. Try not to laugh when other students make a mistake.

    Always ask questions.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you don't understand, ask someone. Read your textbook and notes, and then if that fails, seek help. Ask a teacher, friend, classmate, parent, etc. Get a tutor if you need one.

A. There is no shame in needing some help.

B. Staying organized will be helpful.

C. Be prepared.

D. Pay attention to everything the teacher says.

E. Write in your own words.

F. Keep a good attitude towards things.

G. It is true that you could make up the work.

    If you are already making the time to exercise, it is good indeed! With such busy lives, it can be hard to try and find the time to work out. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Working out in the morning provides additional benefits beyond being physically fit.

    Your productivity is improved. Exercising makes you more awake and ready to handle whatever is ahead of you for the day. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Your metabolism(新陈代谢) gets a head start. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you work out in the mornings, then you will be getting the calorie(卡路里) burning benefits for the whole day, not in your sleep.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Studies found that people who woke up early for exercise slept better than those who exercised in the evening. Exercise energizes you, so it is more difficult to relax and have a peaceful sleep when you are very excited.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you work out bright and early in the morning, you will be more likely to stick to healthy food choices throughout the day. Who would want to ruin their good workout by eating junk food? You will want to continue to focus on positive choices.

    There are a lot of benefits to working out, especially in the mornings. Set your alarm clock an hour early and push yourself to work out! You will feel energized all day long.

A. You will stick to your diet.

B. Your quality of sleep improves.

C. You prefer healthy food to fast food.

D. There is no reason you should exercise in the morning.

E. You can keep your head clear for 4-10 hours after exercise.

F. After you exercise, you continue to burn calories throughout the day.

G. If you are planning to do exercise regularly, or you're doing it now, then listen up!

    How Many Cups of Coffee per Day Are Too Many?

    From cappuccinos to cold brew, coffee is a must-have to start the day for many people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, a new study suggests too much coffee can be harmful.

    This is what a recent study shows. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} A University of South Australia study led by Elian Hypponen suggests a couple of cups to start your day probably won't hurt — and may even be good for you. But drinking six or more cups of coffee a day can increase your risk of heart disease by up to 22%, the researchers found. A cup was defined as eight ounces of coffee.

    Knowing the limits of what's good for us and what's not is necessary. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} About one in four deaths in the United States is due to heart disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. That's why Elian set out to discover how much caffeine causes high blood pressure. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Elian says her findings suggest that sipping two to three cups per day is pretty safe and possibly beneficial. She also notes that if you're generally healthy, lots of evidence suggests that four cups per day shouldn't be harmful.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Even though the research says five cups of coffee is permissible, each person should know his or her own limit. If we begin having difficulty sleeping or feeling nervous, we might have reached our limit for the day.

A. Drink no more than six cups per day.

B. Over the limits and our health will pay for it.

C. Coffee is the most popular drink in the world.

D. But of course, don't forget to listen to our body.

E. The relation between them is quite complicated.

F. As we know, it is a key heart disease risk factor.

G. It sets you off on an energetic morning and prepares you for a busy day.