How similar are language and music

    Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live m the world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

    ·Both language and music have a writing system.

    In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music{#blank#}2{#/blank#} By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. We can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of years ago.

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    You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language they use. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

    Both share emotion.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my word'. Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share in that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness{#blank#}5{#/blank#}I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics.

A. Both are expressive.

B. Both vary with culture.

C. How do you know that I am angry?

D. We use language to express our thoughts.

E. So just as you read English, you can read music.

F. Similarly, music is part of many people's lives.

G. In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.

Forgiveness

    To forgive is a virtue (美德), but do one has ever said it is easy. When someone has deeply hurt you, it can be extremely difficult to let go of your hate. However, forgiveness is possible, and it can be surprisingly beneficial to your physical and mental health. People who forgive show less sadness, anger and stress and more hopefulness, according to a recent research.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Try the following steps:

    Calm yourself.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You can take a couple of breaths and think of something that gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love.

    Don't wait for an apology. Many times the person who hurt you does not intend to apologize. They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don't sec things the same way.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Keep in mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean becoming friends again with the person who upset you.

    Take the control away from your offender. Rethinking about your hurt gives power to the person who causes you pain. Instead of focusing on your mounded feelings, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you understand your offender, you may realize that he or she was acting out of unawareness, fear, and even love. You may want to write a letter to yourself from your offender's point of view.

    Don't forget to forgive yourself.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}But it can rob you of your self-confidence if you don't do it.

A. Why should you forgive?

B. How should you start to forgive?

C. Recognize the benefits of forgiveness.

D. Try to see things from you offender's angle.

E. For some people, forgiving themselves is the biggest challenge.

F. To make your anger die away, try a simple stress-management technique.

G. If you wait for people to apologize, you could be waiting an awfully long time.

    We all know it is not always so easy to be happy. We also know how stressed (有压力的) you are, with homework, exams, sports meetings and extra outdoor activities, let alone trying to have a life outside school. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Exercise

    Physical activity produces all sorts of things which help us to relax and feel good. Exercise can also make us feel more confident, which certainly makes us happier. You don't have to be a future Olympian. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}If you hate P.E., find something less competitive: go for a walk, dance around your room or hit a park.

    Thankfulness

    It is easy to take the good thing in life without thinking about them or showing you're thankful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} An easy way to do this is to make a list before bed of five things you're thankful for. They can be big things, like your family and friends, or little things, like a good hair day.

    Laugh

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}But research has shown that a good laugh reduces stress and, even if you start by forcing yourself to laugh, improves how you feel.

    Sleep

    Get enough ZZZs. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not getting enough sleep makes you angry and sad, so leave your phone outside your room, turn off the lights and let yourself have a good sleep. Sweet dreams!

A. Teens especially need at least eight hours of sleep.

B. If you're feeling blue, know that you're not alone.

C. You can increase happiness if you exercise with a friend,

D. So here are our top tips on being happy and staying happy.

E. Everyone can get something good from moving a little bit.

F. But studies have shown that giving thanks can make you happier,

G. Some days, laughing is just about the last thing you feel like doing.

    Have you ever had the following experience? You have been given the task of organizing a conference, which includes a must-do list about a mile long. There is the conference site, the guest list, the materials, the technology and even the food and drink to think about and plan. If you are beginning to feel the stress, slow down and take a breath. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Write down your goals. You will need to clearly define what you hope to accomplish with this conference because this will shape the rest of your decisions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Develop your budget. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Then break that budget into different parts such as conference site, materials and speakers' fees. Stick to your budget, and make sure your assistants are keeping their monetary limits as well.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. When searching for locations, keep in mind the number of participants, the convenience of the location, parking and closeness to public transportation, airports and hotels. Your goal in finding a place to hold the conference should be making it as easy as possible for participants to attend.

    Seek help from the staff of the conference site. If you have chosen a site that is known for holding conferences, you can seek help from the staff there as organizing meetings is what they do every day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. They should be able to answer any questions or concern and provide advice when needed.

    Of course, full preparations also include a walk-through. Go to the site and meet with the staff the day before to be certain that everything is in place and to take care of any small details.

A. Decide on a schedule for the meeting

B. Choose your conference site

C. Read the following skills to figure out how to organize a conference

D. Knowing what you want to achieve can ease your stress

E. Make full use of this important resource

F. You can do nothing without knowing how much money you have to spend

G. Turn a blind eye to it

Claustrophobia

    Claustrophobia, or fear of enclosed spaces, in one of the most common fears. Claustrophobia can be deep fear or even panic as a result of being in a small space.

    Claustrophobia can develop after a troubling childhood experience, or from another unpleasant experience later on in life related to small spaces. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. This response then becomes programmed in the brain, making an association between being in a tight space and feeling anxious or out-of-control. As a result, the person often develops claustrophobia.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Claustrophobia symptoms can include: sweating, accelerated heartbeat, upset stomach, shaking, breathing problem, etc. The claustrophobia sufferer will look for an exit when inside a room, avoid driving on the highway or major roads where there is heavy traffic when inside a car, or stand near a door when at a party. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Claustrophobia can have harmful social and psychological effects, since the patient will often avoid situations in which she thinks she will have an anxiety attack, leading to hiding and sadness.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Exposure treatment, a form of mind-behavioral treatment, usually results in a total reduction in anxiety symptoms if conducted properly. Flooding is a type of exposure treatment in which the person is exposed to a situation until the anxiety attack passes. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Medications to help treat claustrophobia include things which help to ease the heart beating to fast often associated with anxiety attacks.

A. According to some doctors, claustrophobia is worse than the fear of heights

B. The past experience can trace back to the moment of birth

C. The good news is that claustrophobia is very treatable

D. When a person with claustrophobia finds herself in a restricted space, her body responds in certain ways

E. In extreme cases, the very sight of a closed door can lead to feelings of anxiety in a person

F. Treatment for claustrophobia can also include medication or a combination of several treatments

G. When a person experiences such an event, it can often cause a frightening panic attack

Cats in ancient Egypt

    Many of us love cats. They are beautiful, soft, clever and loving. The ancient Egyptians(埃及人) considered cats, also known as Mau, to be very important. They honored them with great respect. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For one thing, cats helped people by keeping their homes free of mice, rats, and snakes.

Without cats Egypt could not have been the important grain-growing(谷物种植) center that it was. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Though I don't know what other pets the Egyptians had, cats were probably the most important. Cats were also trained to help hunters. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The Egyptians loved cats so much that Bast, an Egyptian goddess, was pictured in the form of a cat. Bast appeared in artwork. She was the protector of the house. This idea made a special connection between cats and children. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The safety of all cats was of great concern to ancient Egyptians. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Foreigners sometimes took cats out of Egypt secretly and took them to other lands. Egyptian soldiers were sent to pick up cats found in other countries and bring them back home to Egypt.

A. There were good reasons for that.

B. Two types of cats appeared in ancient Egypt.

C. In grain fields, cats helped catch rats and mice.

D. They were able to help pick up the wounded birds.

E. There were even laws against getting a cat out of Egypt.

F. Anyone who killed a cat on purpose would be put to death.

G. That's why most Egyptian families had cats for good luck.