Testing the five-second rule

    You may have seen a friend drop food on the floor, pick it up, and eat it, while declaring, “Five-second rule! ” It's said that food dropped on the floor for five seconds or less is still likely to be clean. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Students at Britain's Aston University, led by microbiology professor Anthony Hilton, tested the rule and found it to have some scientific basis. The study's results show that food dropped for five seconds is less likely to contain bacteria than if it sits there for longer, according to Hilton.

    The students also found that the type of flooring where the dropped food lands has an effect. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Bacteria are most likely to transfer from tiled (铺瓷砖的) surfaces to moist food when the food has stood there for more than five seconds.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Therefore, consumers should still be cautious. “However, the findings of this study will bring some light relief to those who have been employing the five-second rule for years, despite a general consensus that it is purely a myth,” professor Hilton said in a statement.

    The research team at Aston also surveyed 500 people to find out who employs the five-second rule. Of the people surveyed, 87% said they would eat food dropped on the floor, or have done so in the past. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} “Our study showed people are also more likely to follow the five-second rule, which our research has shown to be much more than an old wives' tale,” Hilton says.

    Still, scientists say you should be careful about eating food dropped on the floor, especially if you have doubts about the cleanliness of the surface. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. But is that true?

B. Carpeted surfaces posed the lowest risk.

C. Of those people, the majority were women.

D. We've just lost our last excuse to eat food off the floor.

E. Usually people recover from the infection in five to ten days.

F. There is still a risk of infection if certain bacteria are present on the dropped surface.

G. A biologist points out that one in six Americans get sick from food poisoning every year.

    How to Welcome Change in Your Life

    Do you embrace(欣然接受) the road you are now on or resist and avoid change at all costs when a recent event has shaken you greatly? Here are things you can do in the midst of uncertainty to choose differently to change the track of your life.

    Don't react.

    What do we do when we don't know what to do? First, stop, take a deep breath and don't do anything.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is having faith and trusting what you do know in the unknown.

    Reflect on the past.

    Another activity is to recall times in your life when you were faced with an unknown. Then, think about how you handled the situation.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Use your past experiences to bring you strength, and to remain you what you are capable of.

    Make conscious decisions.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, more possibilities open up when we are at peace. Go over your list of what ifs and make a more balanced list of the best and worst situations possible. Then talk to loved ones about what you would do in each situation and the choices you do have.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    We often see fears as our greatest enemy, yet they provide us with an enormous opportunity for self-growth. What if we were to see them as friends who want to help us become a better person? Let your fears help you instead of hurting you. Then, write down what comes to you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Don't panic.

B. Befriend your fears.

C. You may be surprised by the answers.

D. When we are fearful, our options seem limited.

E. Then try to feel at ease with the state of “not knowing”.

F. Learning from past failures helps you make better decisions.

G. Remembering these incidents will remind you that you've gone through difficult situations.

Why is volunteering important?

    When it comes to service work, it is important to realize that the actual goal should be getting the most out of your volunteering work.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Gaining new/social experiences.

    Volunteering allows students to get involved with new things and develop social and academic skills that couldn't be learned in a classroom environment.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Giving back and helping others.

    Volunteers create better environments for others—they create healthier communities and they brighten lives. Jil, a senior student, had been a volunteer in her community（社区） for more than three years.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} “They always tell me how great we sound and how they wish they had taken time to learn an instrument in their youth.”

    Creating connections with people.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not only does the volunteer work you do show who you are as a person, but it reflects many positive qualities that possible employers and admission officers want to see. Volunteering allows you to meet a wide variety of people from all sorts of walks of life.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Volunteering isn't one of the most attractive jobs, but it is one of the most beneficial and uplifting（令人振奋的）. It's taking some time out of your day to help others. Volunteer work makes us feel good. It builds self-confidence and lifts up the spirits.

A.Building career choices.

B.Raising the spirits.

C.Volunteering means a lot more.

D.Building relationships with people is very important.

E.Volunteering is an excellent way to improve your independence.

F.She volunteers by performing in concerts for senior citizens.

G.Volunteering allows you to experience different environments and situations.

    Have you ever been in a situation where first aid was required? Did you know what to do? Did you feel adequately equipped and confident enough to perform first aid procedures? At the SOS Center, trained professions provide some one-on one and group courses in first aid. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    First Aid For Infants (婴儿)

    This course is designed for first- time parents who do not have a basic knowledge of first aid for infants and babies, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, or if you want to avoid more life threatening problems and illnesses, you will get them from these topics.

    First Aid for Children

    Every parent knows the fear of releasing their small child out into the world, away from their watchful eye. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. This course teaches parents how to determine when an injury requires stitches (缝针), how to treat basic cuts, as well as how to treat sunburns and other wounds.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Our most popular course offers all kinds of approaches to applying first aid. In this two-day course, you'll learn some basic skills such as how to respond when a child or adult chokes, what to do if someone has a heart attack or stroke, how to react to snake bites and spider bites, and more. This course is highly recommended for learners of all ages.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. In addition, we are planning to open special courses in community centers around Beijing. For more information on SOS and our course selection or to register for a course, please visit www.firstthigsfirst.com.

A. Basic Training Course in First Aid

B. Various First-Aid Courses for Babies

C. When you want to ease your baby's discomforts

D. If you want to avoid the risk of your parents' injuries

E. Classes are offered on a regular basis at our main office

F. We offer a variety of courses designed to meet particular needs

G. As children grow more adventurous, the risk of injury increases as well

    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 -- {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Discuss your concerns with a friend, parent or teacher. 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#}, do some research. Try the library, your guidance adviser and teachers, and other people who could help you.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If your goal is something you no longer want, change it. Identify the barriers to getting your goals. Consider ways to overcome them. 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. If you're not sure what skills you'll need

C. talk to someone you trust

D. Goals exist to serve you

E. Balancing goals in life

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

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