Ways to sleep smarter

    Studies show that poor sleep influences people to make good decisions, concentrate on tasks or even manage a friendly mood(情绪) at work. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Today we've got our top favorite sleep tips and facts.

Set a regular bedtime

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Choose a time when you normally feel tired. Try not to break this routine(惯例) on weekends when you will probably stay up late. If you want to change your bedtime, make the change gradually, such as 15 minutes earlier or later each day.

Eat the right food

    Some foods are more helpful to a better night's sleep than others.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Others like bananas, potatoes, and whole-wheat bread are also helpful.

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    Exercising provides lots of good health benefits(好处). A good night's sleep is one of them. But make sure you exercise in the morning or afternoon. The National Sleep Foundation reports that exercise in the morning or afternoon can help deepen sleep. However, those who worked out in the evening hours saw little or no improvement in their sleep.

Reduce(减少) screen time before bed

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A recent study shows that people who use electronic media(媒体) just before bedtime report lower-quality sleep even when they get as much sleep as those who don't.

A. Avoid the alarm clock.

B. Exercise to improve sleep.

C. Try to solve problems in your sleep.

D. Go to bed at the same time every night.

E. There are many ways to increase the quality of your sleep.

F. Everybody knows that warm milk helps people sleep better.

G. Stop watching TV just before bedtime and you'll sleep better.

iPads vs. Textbooks

    What if you could have your whole backpack at the touch of your fingertips? In the first month of the Apple iPads release, 25million were sold! People all over the world use iPads for all sorts of different things, but one of their finest qualities is the ability to be a textbook. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    To begin with, iPad are less expensive. Textbooks become outdated and schools have to buy new books, but with an iPad schools can update them for free. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Schools don't have to spend $500 every year for iPads because they last a while and can be updated.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Students usually have multiple classes, which results in multiple textbooks. Heavy backpacks filled with books can cause back problem. A solution to that is an iPad, which only weighs 1.33 pounds and can hold all of a student's textbooks.

    Third, schools should get rid of their textbooks and get iPads because they have more capabilities. Some might think all of the apps are distracting, but the apps actually make iPads more efficient. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Textbooks cannot do those tasks, but iPads can easily do them with just a tap of the fingertip.

    Lastly, iPads are a better choice for schools instead of textbooks because these devices allow students to access their learning anywhere at any time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} With iPads, they find it easier to get their homework done.

    In conclusion, schools should get rid of their clumsy textbooks and switch to iPads. iPads have allowed this generation to have their entire backpack in the palm of their hands.

These tablets are perfect for busy students.

B. Second, iPads cost less and are more popular.

C. Therefore, they can use the saved money for other programs.

D. iPads have already replaced textbooks in over 600 American counties.

E. Moreover, in high school, textbooks have an average of 4.8 pounds each.

F. Schools have every reason to do away with their school books and switch to iPads.

G. iPads absorb the need to buy calculators, dictionaries, and other items that are found within the device.

    Social media and the mobile web have given rise to a strange phenomenon called the selfie(自拍). It refers to a picture of yourself, usually shared on any social networking website.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some selfies are extreme close-ups(特写镜头), and others show part of an arm held straight outward. A few of them even feature the subject standing in front of a bathroom mirror.

    Everyone takes selfies, but the younger crowd seems to be especially involved in the trend. Young people are relatively heavier digital users. They are interested in staying connected to their friends.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    There are also kinds of psychological factors driving people to take a selfie and upload it to a social networking site.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} A quick and easy way to attract other's attention is to get "likes" and comments from friends. Secondly, it's human nature to show off your own great achievements. When you feel good about yourself or look good, it's far too easy to take out your phone and document it all through one or several selfies.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}That's right. Sometimes people are bored at work, bored at school, bored at home and even bored on the toilet. Last but not least, social media is about being social! If that means uploading as many selfies as possible, then so be it. It's fun, and it's a cool way to sort of document your own life.

    Finally, there are things to be mindful of when you're posting. It's easy to think you're sharing a photo with a few people.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}So don't post anything online, selfie especially.

A. There are lots of selfie styles.

B. The rise of selfies has become universal.

C. Social media, to some extent, is the driving force of their selfie activity.

D. The desire to take, post and get "likes" on selfies goes back to a biological behavior.

E. But the whole world of social media is public and every individual can get access to it.

F. There are also people who will take selfies because they have nothing else better to do.

G. The leading factor is that people want to get attention from as many people as possible.

    Many of us live with a roommate at times. Sometimes, there can be problems. Such as whose turn it is to take out the trash, or who should be the one to clear up after dinner?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}There's always someone to talk to, so you need never be lonely.

    Besides these obvious benefits, there are some you may not notice.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}when living with others. To examine the effect of living alone, Australian university researchers did much research and found that people living alone tended to eat less fresh food including fruits and vegetables, which can have side effects on long-term health. However, those living with others generally got benefits from a more varied diet compared to those living alone.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The researchers believe the social and cultural roles played by cooking, food preparation and eating may be important considerations. For example, those living with friends have someone else to go shopping with, and thus, they are more likely to buy higher-quality fresh food regularly.

    In addition, a person living alone can eat whatever they want at any time of the day. However, it's helpful to have someone around who questions your decision to eat frozen pizza at 3:00 am.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    So, if you now live alone, fighting a losing battle against poor eating habits, why not consider sharing a home with someone else?

A. However, There are always ways to solve these problems.

B. You know that there's always someone else around who can help you feel safer.

C. However, living with another person also comes with many benefits.

D. For example, we're actually more likely to eat healthier food.

E. In other words, roommates can draw your attention to such an unhealthy routine.

F. Living with roommates will have a good atmosphere.

G. What could explain this?

Ways to have a happy school life

    Your schooldays should be some of the best and happiest days of your life. How can you gain(收获) the most from them, and ensure you do not waste this wonderful opportunity to learn?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Don't say things are difficult or boring. Be interested in school-life and your school subjects. Join in lots of activities. Go round the school with a big smile.

    Expect to work. School is not a holiday camp. If you are not working, you are wasting your time at school. Teachers cannot make everything enjoyable.

    Keep fit. If you do not eat a good breakfast, you will be thinking about food in class. If you go to bed late and do not have enough sleep, you will be sleepy in class. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you get behind the class, it is very difficult to get back in front. You cannot finish a race if you rest all the time.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Everyone will fail in some tests, lose some matches and have bad days. Don't make small problems seem very big and important.

    Set study targets. If your last grade was a D, work for a C. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Think of small targets: "l will speak in class four times this week." or "I will get two more marks this week."

    Follow my advice and have a happy school life!

A. No pains no gains.

B. Be positive about school.

C. Try to make progress bit by bit.

D. We are expected to get a perfect score.

E. Do not say you will do things tomorrow.

F. Play some sports to keep your body strong.

G. Don't be too disappointed if things sometimes go badly.

    Everyone wants to be self-confident, but maybe we just don't know how to be. Here are some tips on how you can feel more confident about yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Everyone has shortcomings. When you have found your shortcomings, work to overcome them. If you are a shy person, take part in social activities, such as parties, and speak to at least one or two people there.

    Second, try to spend more time with positive people. Successful and confident people have their own ways of settling problems. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Third, set goals for yourself. With each goal you achieve, you self-confidence will increase. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} We are afraid that we might lose. Stop thinking like that and give yourself a chance.

    Fourth, start each day with a sense of opportunity. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Think positively about yourself.

    Actually everyone has his or her own way of becoming confident. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Friends might have useful suggestions, too.

    In short, as long as you try new things, you are sure to become more confident.

A. You should talk with your friends.

B. Pay attention and learn from them.

C. First, don't think about your weak points.

D. It's not always right to ask friends for help.

E. sometimes we might be afraid of trying new things.

F. First, you should know what your weak points are.

G. Start your day by reading something encouraging.