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 taking. {#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, orexploring. {#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 youlove 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#} Tohelp 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.

      Mean taking some risks, so your brain raisers your tolerance for risk as well.

      {#blank#}5{#/blank#}   For the risk-seekers a partof 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 continueto study the science of risk-seeking, we'll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

A. It all depends on your character.

B. Those are the risks you shouldjump to take.

C. Being better at those thingsmeant a greater chance of survival.

D. Thus, these well-equipped people survived becausethey were the fittest.

E. This is when you start to move away from your family and into thebigger world.

F. However, we are not all using the same reference standard to weighrisks and rewards.

G. New brain research suggests our brains work differently when weface a nervous situation.

    Each of us must communicate with others in this world. Sometimes communication is easy and your behavior is in harmony with (与……协调一致) others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  There are times when you are completely misunderstood. Therefore, it is really necessary to follow the tips below to increase your communication skills.

    Nod your head.

    People can think far faster than you can talk. If you want someone to agree with you, nod your head slightly up and down. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    Be respectful of space.

Everyone needs some space. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most people are not close talkers. Standing too close during conversations makes some people want to get away. Keep this in mind, especially if you've eaten garlic for lunch.

    Smile.

    Smiling will not only make you feel better, but also make whomever you are speaking with feel better. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}  This takes practice, but the benefits of learning how to eye smile can produce communication candy.

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    When you first meet someone, be sure to look directly into his eyes with a smile when shaking his hand. There is nothing worse than receiving a careless handshake from someone. Handshakes can tell you a lot about people.

A. Smile with your eyes.

B. Shake hands correctly.

C. However, this is not always right.

D. If you don't have anything good to say, say nothing.2

E. Don't stand too close to someone that you are speaking with.

F. There are many ways that we can improve our communication skills.

G. This body language will encourage whomever you are speaking with to agree with you.

    Tips for Confident Decision Making

    Are you a good decision maker? Do you sit on the fence?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}If you'd like to be more content and confident with your decision making, then these four tips are just the things you need.

    Do your “homework”

    Make choices based on what is the most important to you.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You may even want to speak to someone else who has been through this before. Then when you are ready, just decide.

    You are in charge.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}By blaming others you give your power away. Just believe you have made the right choice and take responsibility for the result. This will be a real encouragement to your self-confidence.

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    It's great to stick with your decisions. There are times however when you need to change your mind. Don't worry about making a wrong choice. The good thing about being wrong is that you will know where to correct yourself and when to take action.

    You're going to make it.

    Sometimes it is going to be hard to be persistent(坚持不懈). You know you are doing the right thing and it's just taking so much time, effort, money and energy. After making bold choice, remember you have a reason why.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Say to yourself out loud “No matter how hard it is, I'm going to make it.”

    Decision making takes courage and there are many things you can do to decide more confidently. So don't delay, you can start right now by deciding to make this new habit.

A. The more confident, the better decision.

B. This will mean you have to do a research and look at all theavailable options.

C. Whatever result you get, you can't blame others.

D. Confident decision making is of great significance.

E. Or are you constantly changing your mind?

F. It's OK to change your mind.

G. Remember you are taking yourself to the next level.

    By sitting at home you can now buy anything from knives to cars. The worry you may have about traveling and parking can be avoided while you shop online. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Online shops have no holidays, closing times or any other problems. You can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}So you can easily find out what other customers think about the product before buying it. When you go for real-world shopping, you can actually touch and feel it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Also if you are shopping online, you have to be careful with your credit cards.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Once you find the required product, put it in a “shopping cart” and continue shopping. After you have got enough in your “shopping cart”, check out the product. You can add or take out the products in your shopping cart. The next step is to login (登录） using a username and a password. Enter the address where you want the product to be sent. Some sites even ask for your email, phone numbers, etc. Then wait for the confirmation (确认) of your order. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Online shopping is a different experience and you can make shopping online easy when you get used to it.

A. You can also cancel the order if needed.

B. Online shopping started not so long ago.

C. If you plan to do any shopping online, do it at home.

D. However, in online shopping you can only see the pictures.

E. With online shopping, you need not worry about the weather.

F. Some online shops also keep customers' opinions about each product.

G. The first step in online shopping is to search for what you want to buy.

    Many people might feel lost during a major transition(转折)in life. Life coaching, however, is the best choice for anyone who is looking for ways to get through the tough path of life.

    —{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some life coaches might focus only on certain types of situations, like advancing careers, while others may be willing to help with nearly any life transition.

A life coach will often act as an advisor for his clients(客户).{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Many times, he will also be able to look at a client's life with n fair eye and ofter fresh ideas on certain situations. In doing so, the life coach will usually be able to help his client work through any problems he may face.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} During this interview, the life coach should find out what the client's wants, needs and goals are in life.

    How to help each client is different to everyone, and it is a very individualized process.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Because of this, a life coach must develop plans based on each client's strengths, weaknesses, abilities and so on. A life coach will also usually take each client's morals and values into consideration.

    Some life coaches may be able to find employment with a few select universities and corporations. There are also a handful of large life coaching firms that hire life coaches as well. The majority of life coaches, however, work for themselves, opening their own life coaching practices.

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A. Methods that work for one client may not work for another.

B. A good life coach should try to satisfy all the needs of his clients.

C. He is often expected to listen closely to their concerns and problems.

D. Before a life coach can help a client, he first needs an in-depth interview.

E. Life coaches offer guidance to all types of people in different stages of their lives.

F. In some cases, life coaches may work together and offer a wider range of services.

G. Generally, there are no strict education requirements for starting a life coaching career.

    During these days, the United States is full of cars. There are still some families without cars, but some families have two or more ones. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}They are also a necessary part of life.

    Cars are used for business. They are driven to offices and factories by workers who have no other way to get to their jobs. When salesmen are sent to different parts of the city, they have to drive in order to carry their products. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Sometimes small children must be driven to school. In some cities school buses are used only when children live more than a mile away from the school. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}  One mother drives on Mondays taking her own children and the neighbors' as well. Another mother drives on Tuesdays, another on Wednesdays, and so on. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Men also form car pools, with three or four men taking turns driving to the place where they all work.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} So more car pools should be formed in order to put fewer cars on the road and use less gas. Too many cars will lead to some problems such as accidents or environmental pollution. Something will have to be done about the use of cars. And the government should encourage the citizens to decrease the use of their cars as much as they can.

A. Too many cars are being driven.

B. This is called forming a car pool.

C. Cars are used for more than pleasure.

D. You can choose your car according to the use of it.

E. Farmers have to drive into the city in order to get supplies.

F. Still, it is not safe for young children to take the school bus.

G. When children are too young to walk too far, their mothers take turns driving them to school.