Five Simple Ways to Increase Your Intelligence

    Your IQ, which stands for Intelligence Quotient, is a scientific assessment(评估)of your intelligence. While there are limits based on native intelligence levels, recent studies have shown that it's possible to increase your intelligence. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. Here are five simple techniques to exercise your brain.

    Minimize(使减少到最低程度)television watching.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your friends or family, turn your television off and have a conversation.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy.

    Read Challenging Books. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability, you should read books that make you focus.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Besides, it will make you think in more precise, elegant English.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than lack of sleep. You'll be most rejuvenated(恢复活力的)if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours.

    Take time to reflect. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance to organize your thoughts and prioritize(优先处理)your responsibilities.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Early to Bed, Early to Rise.

B. Take some time to exercise

C. Think of new ways to do old things

D. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world

E. Watching television doesn't use your mental ability or allow it to recharge

F. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding of what's important and what isn't.

G. Just as sitting at your desk all day is bad for your physical self, sitting in the same mental seat all the time is bad for your bran.

    The news media in the U. S. consist of radio, television and newspapers. Together they are everywhere on the lives of many Americans and influential on their daily routines. Many Americans begin their day by reading the newspaper or watching a morning news program on television while drinking their coffee.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Throughout the day the news is broadcast repeatedly on the radio and television.

    In the evening news is a main feature on television with up to two hours of news in the early evening and more news late at night. For those who prefer reading, the evening newspaper offers the reader the possibility of reading the news others see and hear on television.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}It is up to the general public to choose what to read, watch or listen to. Therefore, the media must have sensitivity to the interests of the public.

    News is a big business. However, it is a very competitive business, as each station or each newspaper competes for audiences and readers.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} When an item becomes news worthy, such as an election or a war, Americans will become familiar with the details as the news media try to be as informative as possible.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The news media report the same news items regarded as the most interesting and impressive.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, most Americans would not criticize their news media too harshly. The truth of the news media is generally acknowledged and accepted by the American public.

A. Americans don't have to pay for the services.

B. The news media are free of government control.

C. But the result is that the news becomes repeated.

D. Sometimes they have to bear boring advertisements.

E. Each tries to present the news Americans want to know.

F. While driving to work, the news can be heard on the car radio.

G. Listeners, viewers or readers might find it difficult to be selective.

    On many websites, experts share advice on how to achieve your life goals. Most of the experts agree on one thing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some ideas on how to start your day on the right foot.

    Get up an hour early.

    People who get up early in the morning get a jump on the day. In American English, we like to say, “The early bird gets the worm.” Here, if you were a bird, the worm would be the reward. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, they are more likely to succeed.

    Exercise!

    Some people may disagree with this one. Exercising in the morning may not be for everyone. Some people like to exercise after work or at night. However, at the end of the day, you may not have the tune or energy to exercise. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Think about your day at night.

    Take time at the end of the day to think back on all the things that have happened. And spend a little time thinking about tomorrow. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it may help you to prepare if you take a few minutes to think about what you need to do next day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You probably won't have time to do everything you've planned. But that's fine. If you have done one thing, that means you are one step closer to your goal.

A. This is not the best way to start your day.

B. Starting your day in a right way is most important.

C. Also, know that your day will probably change.

D. You've already gotten your exercise!

E. Exercising in the morning prevents that from happening.

F. So this expression means that people who rise early have an advantage.

G. Some people who talk about “living in the present” may disagree with this.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} While these compulsive(无法控制的) actions may appear to be irrational or pointless, and may even result in negative consequences, the individual experiencing the compulsion feels unable to stop him or herself.

    The compulsive behavior can be a physical act, like hand washing, or a mental activity, like counting objects. When an otherwise harmless behavior becomes so consuming that it negatively impacts oneself or others, it may be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)(强迫症).

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}The former is an overwhelming desire to do something, while an addiction is a physical or chemical dependence on a substance or behavior. People with addictions will continue their addictive behavior, even when they understand that doing so is harmful to themselves and others. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Unlike compulsions and addictions, which are acted out uncontrollably, habits are actions that are repeated regularly and automatically.

    Habits typically develop over time through a natural process called "habituation," during which repetitive actions that must be consciously initiated eventually become subconscious and are carried out habitually.

    While there are good habits and bad, unhealthy habits, any habit can become a compulsion or even an addiction. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} For example, the good habit of exercising regularly can become an unhealthy compulsion or addiction when done to excess.

    Common habits often develop into addictions when they result in a chemical dependency, as in the cases of smoking. The habit of having a glass of beer with dinner, for example, becomes an addiction when the desire to drink turns into a physical or emotional need to drink.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}While we can choose to add good, healthy habits to our routines, we can also choose to break old harmful habits.

A. A compulsion is different from an addiction.

B. It currently affects about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the U.S.

C. Some of these behaviors are visible actions while others are mental behaviors.

D. In other words, you really can have "too much of a good thing."

E. Compulsive behaviors are actions that a person feels "compelled" or driven to do over and over again.

F. Alcoholism, smoking, and gambling are perhaps the most common examples of addictions.

G. Of course, the key difference between a compulsive behavior and a habit is the ability to choose to do them or not.

    We often spend a lot of time complaining about the things we don't have or thinking about the things we want to have in future, and forget those things we have now. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. One of the best ways is to make a list of all the things you are grateful for.

    Having a comfortable family

    Even if you have a difficult relationship with your parents, you should be thankful to your family. Whether you come from a small quiet family or a big noisy one, remember that these people truly love you, even if they don't show it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

Having a good relationship with friends

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, be grateful for having them, even if you have only one. Personally I can say that one good friend is always better than a few so-called friends. Be thankful to your friends and try to remind them how much you care as often as possible.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    We often forget our health until we are sick. Whether you have a headache or something more serious, you can't accomplish your tasks and you can't focus on anything else. If you are a healthy person，be thankful for it each day, and make sure you lead a healthy lifestyle.

    Valuing the past failures and mistakes

    Every person should be grateful for their failures and mistakes. Every failed relationship or missed job chance makes you a better person. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Just don't dwell(细想)too much on your past.

A. Keeping your body in a good situation

B. No matter how many friends you have

C. Realizing the condition of your sickness

D. They will always be ready to help you in any situation

E. When your friends point out your past failures and mistakes

F. If you fell down, you should remind yourself that you are actually a happy person

G. Sometimes mistakes are great since they help you become better if you learn from them

Everyone can help to save the world

    We are all environmentalists now. We all know about acid rain and the ozone hole. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} As consumers we have the power to make decisions which will contribute to a better world and it is in our power to do what we can to protect the earth.  

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In this way we have the power to influence retailers (零售商) to sell us those so-called "green" products. Therefore, the supermarkets have understood the message and are now trying to improve their environmental image. They are turning to less wasteful and recyclable packaging. The range of "green" products will continue to expand to meet the growing demand. This message has also reached the manufacturers. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They have realized that protecting the environment may start as an advertising campaign but in the hands of intelligent people it can become a very profitable business. Besides, we can do more.

    Furthermore, we also know there are other areas where all of us can make a positive contribution to a cleaner, healthier and safer environment. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}There are a number of ways we can do this. For example, we now know how important it is to have our homes well insulated (隔热). We should choose the best energy efficient technology, such as modern light bulbs which can reduce electricity consumption by 80% over the older ones. We must also work hard to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce. We all produce tons of rubbish and waste disposal has become a big problem. As an environmentally-conscious consumer we should buy products which do not have so much packaging. Also, we should try to avoid non-returnable goods at all costs. In Scandinavia and Germany, for example, plastic bottles and cans are now returnable goods.  

    In conclusion it is important to emphasize once again the rise of consumer power. We must realize that we are all part of the problem. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. We can all reduce energy consumption at home and so cut the emissions from power systems.

B. For example, when we walk into a supermarket we can choose to buy environmentally friendly products and reject products which damage our planet.

C. There are some other ways to protect the environment.

D. Companies are developing environmentally friendly products that maintain a high quality and a low price.

E. But what are we doing about these problems?

F. Nevertheless we must also realize that we have the responsibility to be part of the solution.

G. Everybody has the duty to contribute to a cleaner world.