Food serves as a form of communication in two fundamental ways. Sharing bread or other foods is a common human tradition that can promote unity and trust. Food can also have a specific meaning, and play a significant role in a family or culture's celebrations or traditions. The foods we eat—and when and how we eat them—are often unique to a particular culture or may even differ between rural (农村的) and urban areas within one country.

    Sharing bread, whether during a special occasion (时刻) or at the family dinner table, is a common symbol of togetherness. Many cultures also celebrate birthdays and marriages with cakes that are cut and shared among the guests. Early forms of cake were simply a kind of bread, so this tradition hits its roots in the custom of sharing bread.

    Food also plays an important role in many New Year celebrations. In the southern United States, pieces of corn bread represent blocks of gold for prosperity (兴旺) in the New Year. In Greece, people share a special cake called vasilopita. A coin is put into the cake, which signifies (预示) success in the New Year for the person who receives it.

    Many cultures have ceremonies to celebrate the birth of a child, and food can play a significant role. In China, when a baby is one month old, families name and welcome their child in a celebration that includes giving red-colored eggs to guests. In many cultures, round foods such as grapes, bread, and moon cakes are eaten at welcome celebrations to represent family unity.

    Nutrition is necessary for life, so it is not surprising that food is such an important part of different cultures around the world.

    Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia — short-sightedness, a study suggests. Researchers say the “extraordinary rise” in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.

    Eye experts say that you are short-sighted if your vision is blurred(模糊的) beyond 2m. It is often caused by an elongation (拉伸) of the eyeball that happens when people are young. According to the research, the problem is being caused by a combination of factors — a commitment to education and lack of outdoor light.

    Professor Morgan who led this study argues that many children in South East Asia spend long hours studying at school and doing their homework. This in itself puts pressure on the eyes, but exposure to between two and three hours of daylight helps maintain healthy eyes.

    Cultural factors also seem to play a part. Across many parts of South East Asian children often have a lunchtime nap. According to Professor Morgan they are missing out on natural light to prevent short-sightedness.

    A big concern is the numbers of the students suffering from “high” myopia. One in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment(障碍) and even blindness. These people are at considerable risk-sometimes people are not told about it and are just given more powerful glasses-they need to be warned about the risk and given some self-testing measures so they can get to an ophthalmologist and get some help.

    For decades, researchers believed there was a strong genetic component to the condition. But this study strongly suggests an alternative view. “Any type of simple genetic explanation just doesn't fit with that speed of change; gene pools just don't change in two generations. Whether it's a purely environmental effect or an environmental effect playing a sensitive genome, it really doesn't matter, the thing that's changed is not the gene pool—it's the environment.”

    Discover

    News magazine of science devoted to the wonders and stories of modern science, written for the educated general reader. Published by Disney Magazine Publishing Co., Discover tells many of the same stories professionals(专业人员) read in Scientific American. A truly delightful family science magazine, each issue(每期) brings to light new and newsworthy topics to make dinnertime and water-cooler conversations interesting.

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    Self

    Published by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Self is a handbook devoted to women's overall physical(身体的) and mental health. Every issue contains usable articles such as "Style Lab", in which wearable clothes are mixed and matched on non-models and the "Eat-right Road Map", with tips on how to eat properly.

    Cover Price: $35.86

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    InStyle

    InStyle is a guide(手册) to the lives and lifestyles of the world's famous people. The magazine covers the choices people make about their homes, their clothes and their free time activities. With photos and articles, it opens the door to these people's homes, families, parties and weddings, offering ideas about beauty, fitness and in general, lifestyles. Publisher: The Time Inc. Magazine Company.

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    Wired

    This magazine is designed for leaders in the field of information engineering, including top managers and professionals in the computer, business, design and education industries. Published by Conde Nast Publications Inc., Wired often carries articles on how technology changes people's lives.

    Cover Price: $59.40

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    Traveling to Europe to see its famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Colosseum(古罗马竞技场)in Rome, is not exactly the ideal vacation for kids. Fortunately, Europe has more to offer than lots of old churches and ancient history. You can enjoy some fun with your kids in the sun at some of the famous beaches of the continent.

    Mykonos, Greece

    The closer you get to the equator, the longer the beach season is, and Greece is wonderful for that. You can enjoy beautiful green water, public chairs and lovely umbrellas at the beaches in Mykonos.

    Dubrovnik, Croatia

    There's nothing more attractive than the beautiful beaches bordering Dubrovnik, Croatia's most beautiful city. It's surrounded by stone walls like a castle. It almost makes you feel like you're suntanning(晒黑皮肤)at Hogwarts, where the hero Harry Potter of the story is trained!

    Sicily, Italy

    Rabbit Beach on the island of Sicily offers shallow and crystal clear waters, making it a perfect beach for families with young children. And if you want to add interest to your experience, try snorkeling(徒手潜水).

    Nice, France

    Lined with palm trees and first-class hotels, the city of Nice, located on the French Riviera, offers a whole coastline of Mediterranean beaches. Because they're in the heart of the city, these beaches attract a large crowd. So if you're looking for something more private, you'll have to travel a few miles outside of the city center.

    Ribadeo, Spain

    At low tide, Playa de las Catedrales in Ribadeo, Spain is the perfect beach to take in the natural wonders without urban amusements like restaurants, bars or huge crowds. It boasts beautiful wild flowers and unique rock formations making it truly a picture worthy.

    I used to be crazy about the hunting season. The excitement of waiting for a prey(猎物)and the pride of showing off the kill fascinated me. However, everything changed after that cold morning.

    Early on that day of the late fall, I set off alone for the woods, packing a gun, a bottle of hot coffee and three thick sandwiches. After finding the fresh deer's tracks in the snow, I settled down behind a little bush.

I sat there for about an hour. It was then that I saw him. A deer, a big beautiful deer! There was no cover nearer to him than 30 yards. Surely I couldn't miss! I waited for him to realize I was there. I waited for him to be shocked and run away. But he fooled me completely. He came towards me! He was curious, I suppose, or maybe he was stupid—how else can you explain it? Well, that deer walked right up to where I was sitting. Then he stopped and looked at me!

    What happened next is hard to believe, but it's true. And it all seemed quite natural. Just as when a friendly young deer comes near you, I reached up and scratched his head. And he liked to be scratched. In fact, he practically asked for more. Then, I fed him my sandwich! Yes, I know what a deer eats, but that deer ate my sandwich. Well, he finally went his way, down the hill and up the deer trail. Shoot him? Not me. You wouldn't have either, not after that. I just watched him go.

    When I was about half way back, I heard two shots, followed by a dull slam(撞击)a few seconds later. Those two shots usually mean a kill. I had forgotten there were other hunters that day.

    Those hunters would never know they could have scratched his head.

How to Limit Your Environmental Impact While Travelling

Travelling unlocks a world of endless possibilities and adventures, allowing us to hike through breathtaking landscapes, encounter kangaroos and deer in their natural habitat, and witness the power of volcanoes. However, tourism can also be harmful to the environment. Increased plastic waste and noise pollution can damage ecosystems.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Try to travel by land instead of air.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, it is typically one of the most polluting forms of transport. Taking the train or driving in some countries may be better options. For example, if you're heading to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, driving for around four hours emits (排放) around 75% less CO₂ compared to the one-hour flight (provided you have several friends with you).

Be a responsible hotel guest.

A typical hotel uses about 73,000 gallons of water per year. Laundering towels (洗熨毛巾) is an energy-and-water-consuming process. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. By doing so, you'll reduce your environmental impact.

Make the most of safe tap water (自来水).

Drinking tap water may come as a shock to many travellers.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}, avoid bottled options. Not only are they more expensive, but they have a higher level of pollution compared to treated tap water. Instead, carry a bottle and refill it wherever you can.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. When visiting different destinations, we should recognize the importance of protecting the natural beauty. We mustn't throw rubbish everywhere. And we should avoid activities that may harm wildlife. Additionally, supporting local conservation efforts, such as participating in community-led clean-up projects, can make a positive impact on the local environment.

A. Respect the local environment

B. Explore with big tour companies

C. While air travel can often be quicker

D. The airlines still have 2,100 new planes on order

E. But when you're in countries where tap water is safe to consume

F. Thankfully, there are ways to limit our impact on the environment

G. Thus many hotels often put up signs asking you to re-use your towels