Attraction of the Minions

When it comes to film, people usually favor good over evil,focus on the hero and ignore the supporting characters. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Originallycomedic background characters in the film Despicable Me(卑鄙的我), these yellow pill­shaped nuts, havetotally stolen the show and turned into a popular figure. This summer thecharacters debuted(首演)in their own self­titled movie in theaters abroad, having the second biggestopening weekend of all time for a cartoon film according to USAToday.Recently, McDonald's has been including Minion toys with kids' meals in someareas, causing loyal fans to flock to the restaurant to collect them all. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Themovie's huge popularity even surprised its writers.“We never knew the Minionswere going to be so popular.It just became a force of nature，” the film's co­writer Cinco Paul toldthe LosAngelesTimes.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For many, the appeal is obviously their cuteness.Their simple nature can easilysurpass cultures and age groups.Even children can draw them.Thousands ofexamples of fan­made Minion art from fingernails to Halloween clothes arevisible on global social media platforms.

Butthere's more to the phenomenon than just cuteness.US entertainment website HitFix explains that their way of communicating makes the creatures influential aswell. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it seems everyone can understand them through theirexaggerated(夸张的)movements and expressions.

Moreimportantly, their childlike mannerisms is a brand of humor that winshearts.“Clumsy, foolish Minions are recognized as the ultimate betapersonalities，”wrote Peter Debruge of US entertainment magazine Variety.

Theydesire nothing more than to serve their most despicable master. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“Perhaps we love Minions because they remind us of ourselves，” HuffingtonPost associate Web editor SaraBoboltz wrote, “or an evil version of ourselves.”

    All over the world people enjoy sports. Sports help to keep people healthy and happy, and to live longer.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}They buy tickets or turn on their TVs to watch the games. Often they get very excited when their player or team wins.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Football, for example, has spread around the world. Swimming is popular in all countries near the sea or in those with many rivers. What fun it is to jump into a pool or lake, whether in China. Egypt or Italy!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Think how many lovers to skate or ski in Japan, Norway or Canada.

    Some sports or games go back thousands of years, like running or jumping. Chinese wushu, for example, has a very long history. But basketball and volleyball are rather new. Neither one is a hundred years old yet.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Water-skiing is one of the newest in the family of sports.

    People from different countries may not be able to understand each other, but after a game together they often become good friends.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}One learns to fight hard but fight fair, to win without pride and to lose with grace.

A. And think of people in cold countries

B. Sports help to train a person's character

C. Not a few people participate in different sports competitions themselves

D. Many people like to watch others play games

E. People aren't inventing new sports or games

F. Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere take part in them

G. People are inventing new sports or games all the time

    China has been the birthplace of many of the world's greatest inventions. It was, for example, the first country to produce paper money. Before the invention of paper money and coins, people used many different kinds of things for buying and selling. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This exchange of goods and services for other goods and services is called bartering（物物交换）.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In 1200 BC, people in China began to use shells as money. Usually the shells used as money were very small. This made it easier for people to carry money over long distances, and allowed for trade to develop between different parts of the country.

    In the years which followed this invention, many other countries around the world began to do the same. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The next development was in 1000 BC, when China started making bronze and copper shells. It wasn't long before the Chinese made round coins out of metal. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} By 500 BC, metal coins had begun to appear in countries like Persia and Greece, and later in the Roman Empire.

    About 1000 years later, leather was used as money in China, and in 806 AD, the first paper banknotes were produced by the Chinese people. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. As time went by, trade between countries increased.

B. People also began collecting foreign coins as souvenirs.

C. They also used tiny shells as money for buying and selling.

D. It was still many years before paper money appeared in Europe.

E. However, as economies developed, such exchanges became impractical.

F. During that time, for example, buying a chicken might cost several potatoes.

G. The very first coins often had holes in them so that people could tie them together.

    “Helicopter parenting” describes a style of raising children where parents are overprotective and do too much. It describes parents who watch over their kids at home and on the playground like a helicopter. Today, modern technology allows these helicopter parents to watch over from even far away.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott wrote a book titled Break Free of the Over Parenting Trap and Prepare Your Kids for Success. In her book, she gives readers a closer look at this parenting style.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Julie Lythcott says she experienced the effects of helicopter parenting firsthand when she worked as dean of first year college students.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} But many were unable to take care of themselves. They were turning to parents constantly for guidance, for problem solving, to have them make the choice about something.

So as a parent, what can you do if you want to break the over-parenting “helicopter” cycle?{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Stop saying “we” when you mean your son or your daughter. All too often a parent would say “we are on the travel soccer team.” Well, no, your son is or your daughter is.

    Stop arguing with all of the adults in our kids' lives. You need to teach your kids to stand for themselves.

    Stop doing your kids' homework.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Teach them to cross the street, make a meal, and remember to put their own items in their backpacks, which becomes a briefcase one day. When kids have all the skills to take care of themselves, they will be prepared for adulthood.

A. The following are some ways to stop over-protecting your children.

B. She also explains why parents should stop it.

C. Your kids have to do the things they can all by himself.

D. They can give their children directions at any moment from anywhere.

E. Build your kids' skills.

F. The freshmen were very smart and did well in their paper work.

G. Your kid is eager for more freedom, but should you give it to him?

Healthy eating begins with learning how to eat smart—it's not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, as well as defend against bad mood. Moreover, learning the habits of healthy eating can increase your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize(稳定)your mind.

    Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about the food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down between meetings or on the way to your school.

    Eat with others whenever possible.

Eating with other people has a lot of benefit—particularly for children—and allows you to follow healthy eating habits.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes.

    Chew your food slowly and taste every bite. We always tend to rush through our meals, forgetting to taste and feel the food in our mouth. Reconnect with the joy of eating.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.

    Eat breakfast and smaller meals throughout the day.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}And eating small, healthy meals throughout the day(rather than the standard three large meals)keeps your energy up and your metabolism(新陈代谢)going.

A. It is also about how you think about the food.

B. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating.

C. Listen to your body.

D. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full.

E. A healthy breakfast can start your metabolism,

F. It is about where you eat your food.

G. Drink more water when you are hungry.

    Nobody can live without money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, money cannot buy everything. You can't buy the following things only relying on money you have.

    Time

    Money is a tool for trade. We spend most of our time in getting, spending, worrying and fantasizing（想象）about money. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead, money takes away your time that could have been spent playing with your children or having a long walk with your friends. When the sun sets, a day goes away from our life forever. No money has power to bring that back to life.

    Self-respect

    There are a lot of examples to prove that no money can buy self-respect. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you are your worst enemy, gods of money can't save you from the self-destruction（自毁）you add to yourself.

    Health

    As I write this, I find that one of my best friends has brain cancer, and it is in the last period. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But no money can buy insurance for his life. We buy insurance for just about everything including our life but money can never bring our life back.

    Happiness

    This is doubtful. Money can buy happiness if it is spent bringing greater financial safety for the family. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Going after money every day can never find its destination（目的地，终点）with great eagerness（渴望）to get more.

A.Show your respect for others.

B.Self-respect is got from within.

C.Money can buy a lot of things.

D.You can't buy time or save it in your storeroom.

E.Of course money can give him the best health care.

F.So you should not try your best to earn money without caring about your health.

G.But money can't buy happiness if the purpose is to make much more money.