What is a fair wage? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} These are some of the questions the United Nations International Labour Organisation(ILO) has recently investigated.

    With a global population of over seven billion, is it actually possible to measure an average amount? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Using the total wage bill from over seventy countries, they have multiplied the amounts by the number of earners in each country. The economists then tallied up the results and divided them by the total number across the world The result was a world average wage equivalent to $1,490 a month. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    This figure might seem very high because they calculated the amount using purchasing power parity dollars, which takes into account the fact that it is cheaper to live in some countries than others. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Calculating an average sum like this might not be a completely fair representation, but these figures do help us to understand how the world is developing, both economically, in the quality of life people are experiencing and their standard of living.

    But the result shows that the average wage is still relatively low and there remains a huge difference in levels of affluence around the world. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Is this fair? For many, pay equality still seems very far out of reach.

A. The ILO has now tried to work out the sums.

B. The ILO used statistics from over 70 different countries

C. Why aren't more people in the world offered pay equality?

D. That is approximately $75 a day for a 20-day working month.

E. Some people live on just two dollars a day, while others are earning more than a million dollars a year.

F. When someone works for themselves, what are they called?

G. The data also did not include the huge number of people who appear in poverty statistics or who are self-employed.

    People lie all the time, but depending on how skilled they are, it can be difficult to determine when someone is lying to you. Do you know how to recognize the signs that someone is lying to you? Some of the signs are obvious while others are more subliminal(难以察觉的), but there are ways to catch someone in a lie, you just need to know what they are. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

1） Liars make false eye contact.

    A person who is lying to you won't make eye contact with you or they make too much eye contact. If a person is lying they may feel you are watching him and he will look down at the floor or away from your eyes. Some people try to stare you in the face deliberately. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

2）Liars avoid using contractions(缩略形式)

    The liar will say “I did NOT notice that.” instead of “I didn't notice that.”{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Usually it ends up making the story a lot less believable.

3）Unnatural Body Language.

    Liars often feel uneasy, turn away from the person to whom they are speaking, blink(眨眼) rapidly, smile less and have pitch changes in their tone of voice. They may cross their arms which is a sign of being “closed” or trying not to reveal too much information. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They could touch parts of their face, an ear or a nose or play with keys or another item that they have in their hand.

4）Liars provide additional information without being asked for it

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The result is the more complicated the story is, the less believable it will be. You will have the feeling that nothing could be further from the truth.

A. This is an attempt by the liar to be absolutely clear what they mean.

B. Here are some easy ways to recognize liars and catch lies.

C. Sometimes people look unnatural when they are lying

D. They will get angry if you doubt their story

E. They seem to think that by telling their story in detail, you will find it more believable.

F. They try to change the subject or move the conversation in a different direction

G. In this way they feel like making eye contact will make what they are saying more believable.

    Christmas is a time for relaxing, having fun and spending time with family and friends.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It can be difficult to find the motivation for study when everyone around you is having so much fun. So, here are my top five tips for revising effectively over the Christmas break.

    Set aside a few hours a day to revise.

    Find the best time to revise and make sure that you stick to your timetable! For example, I find that I work best in the morning.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Plan something fun to do every day.

    Even if it's just going for coffee with a friend or watching a film at home, this will give you something to look forward to and motivate you to finish your revision.

    Explain to your family why your revision is important.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}So, make efforts to tell them why your exams are important. Perhaps you can agree to do something nice with them when your exams are over.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It is important to take some time to relax. When you do get back to revising, you'll probably find it easier to concentrate. Pick the most important days for you and your family to concentrate on celebrating Christmas!

    Remember that it won't last forever.

    You might have to spend your Christmas revising this year, and perhaps for a few more years, but soon enough you'll be free of exams forever.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Have a great Christmas and make sure you find a balance between studying and celebrating. Good luck in your exams!

A. Spare your time for your family.

B. Make sure that you take a few days off!

C. So I get up fairly early and do a few hours of revision.

D. Sometimes it can be difficult for family to understand you.

E. However, for many of us, it is also time to prepare for January exams.

F. Otherwise, you may probably fall into trouble with your friends and family.

G. And after spending time revising, your future Christmases will seem even better!

Boosting(促进) your Brain Power

    Who hasn't wished that they were just a little smarter? Maybe you're in school and just want to get a better grade on a test. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some ways you can go about boosting your brainpower.

    Sleep is one of the easiest things to do, yet one of the ones that most of us don't do. We live in a busy age and often it seems that we don't have enough time to get everything done. So many of us sacrifice our hours of sleep to accomplish our daily tasks. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Read a book. Being smarter is not only about thinking but knowledge plays a big part in it, too. Reading helps your brain stay active.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Think of it as exercise for the brain.

    Try turning off that television set and going for a walk. A walk will stimulate your body and relax your mind. Just as watching too much TV can hurt your body, it also causes your brain to slow down as well.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} There is a big difference between knowing something and being able to teach it to someone else. There is nothing like trying to break something down into simpler terms for others to help you understand it better than you did before.

    Work on a puzzle. It can be anything from the newspaper crossword or the new Sudoku puzzle. Puzzles help you use your brain to figure out the answers.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Your brain needs exercise just like your body does to be able to function in top form.

    So go out there and boost your brainpower, your mind will thank you.

A. The more you read, the more you know, and the smarter you will be.

B. By writing about things you know, it helps you to understand them better.

C. Crossword puzzles also have the added benefit of increasing your vocabulary and knowledge.

D. Maybe you want to show your boss that you are good enough to get a promotion.

E. Giving your body the rest it needs every night can boost your ability to function at your best the next day.

F. Skipping meals can make it harder for you to think and perform at your best.

G. Learn something new and then teach someone else how to do it.

    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!

Each year, thousands of U.S. families open their homes and hearts to visitors from all over the world. In a homestay, students can observe, learn and experience a new lifestyle and culture, while practicing English skills in a home environment. Successful homestay experiences can help to ease homesickness for international students.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

What makes homestays special is the daily experience of living with hosts who are eager to share their way of life. Homestay hosts will reflect the diversity of the region in which they live. They may be single parents, retired couples or young families.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}What they will have in common is a desire to share their homes and their time with international students.

       {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Most homestay hosts will give the student a list of simple house rules to help everyone live happily together. They may give guidelines about Internet usage, lawn勿(洗衣房), television viewing, meal times, keeping the bedroom and bathroom clean, and money matters.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}For example, at the University of Delaware, all homestay hosts living more than one mile from campus(校园)must provide transportation to and from campus every day of the week. Hosts must also provide each student with a private, furnished room which has a desk, a bed, a closet and enough lighting. Students will have access to a shared or private bathroom as well.

       There is no better way to gain special insight into U.S. culture, while improving English language skills, than by participating in a homestay. It's not only important to get high scores in English testing, but to also learn how to get along with people from all over the world.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Occasionally, problems arise that cannot be solved. In these cases, the student can ask for another homestay or explore other housing options. The homestay coordinator(协调员)will work closely with the student to ensure that the next homestay will be a good match.

A. Unfortunately, not all homestay matches are perfect.

B. Living in a homestay will always require an adjustment period.

C. They will come from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.

D. Homestay hosts are expected to provide an English-only speaking environment.

E. Homestays provide students with a well-rounded education and great social skills.

F. Also, they can help students smoothly adapt to the life of an American university.

G. For universities offering homestays, it's important to set standards for licensed hosts.