Whether you're a grandparent who takes care of the little ones once or twice a week and is looking for interesting ways to keep them entertained, or a long-distance grandparent relying on technology to stay in touch, we've got you covered with the best apps for grandparents.

    Story Patch (iPad)

    Great for boosting creativity among the little ones, but also a challenge that you and the pint-sized writer of your family can do together. The app allows children to create their own themed tale, paired with a choice of over 800 illustrations.

    JBaby Grandparents Frame (iPad, iPhone, Android)

    They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Perfect for grandparents who want nothing more than to be involved in every step of their grandchild's development. It does require a Wi-Fi frame to work, but this can be bought from an electronic store.

    Zero to Three - Let's Play (iPad, iPhone, Android)

           With a little help during play time, anything is possible. The app features "boredom killers" and provides fun ideas classified specifically by age group. Particularly useful when looking after babies or toddlers.

    Little Peanut on the Go (iPad, iPhone)

           Ideal for parents who want to stay well-connected to their caregivers and children while away. It allows them to share schedules with you if you're in charge of the grandchildren and it may just give them some peace of mind if they're leaving their children for the first time.

    Toilet Finder (iPad, iPhone)

    Especially useful when you happen to find yourself in a sticky spot (after your grandchild has alerted you to their "need" at the last minute, of course). Through 'satellite navigation' signals, your phone or tablet tracks the nearest toilet to your current location. A potential life-saver when you're out and about.

    I was never very neat, while my roommate Kate was extremely organized. Each of her objects had its place, but mine always hid somewhere. She even labeled(贴标签) everything. I always looked for everything. Over time, Kate got neater and I got messier. She would push my dirty clothing over, and I would lay my books on her tidy desk. We both got tired of each other.

    War broke out one evening. Kate came into the room. Soon, I heard her screaming, "Take your shoes away! Why under my bed!" Deafened, I saw my shoes flying at me. I jumped to my feet and started yelling. She yelled back louder.

    The room was filled with anger. We could not have stayed together for a single minute but for a phone call. Kate answered it. From her end of the conversation, I could tell right away her grandma was seriously ill. When she hung up, she quickly crawled(爬) under her covers, crying. Obviously, that was something she should not go through alone. All of a sudden, a warm feeling of sympathy(同情) rose up in my heart.

    Slowly, I collected the pencils, took back the books, made my bed, cleaned the socks and swept the floor even on her side. I got so into my work that I even didn't notice Kate had sat up. She was watching, her tears dried. Then, she reached out her hands to grasp mine. I looked up into her eyes. She smiled at me, "Thanks."

    Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn't always agree, but we learned the key to living together: giving in, cleaning up and holding on.

    Sherry, a young friend of mine, suffers from insomnia (失眠) but she's found a new way to deal with her sleeplessness. Instead of tossing and turning in bed all night, she turns on the computer in her living room and connects with other night owls through a live streaming (网络直播) app. As she hums (哼曲子) pop tunes or talks about her day, people will post messages on the Internet and sometimes even send her virtual gifts.

    Sherry is just one of hundreds of millions of people who have been drawn to live streaming, the hottest new trend in social media, which lets people share their lives spontaneously (自发地) in real time. Live streaming, itself, isn't new. People have been able to watch sports events and lectures live online for years. But with new apps that became more convenient in 2007, viewers can now interact with whom they see on the screen by posting questions and comments, and this has turned ordinary people, like Sherry, into stars.

    However, this new trend has also drawn the attention of government regulators (政府监管机构) who are concerned about the content of some live streaming broadcasts. In April, 19 live streaming platforms were convicted (判罪) of allowing "improper" content to be broadcast. Defining "improper" content can be difficult, but generally, it means anything that has to do with politics or is considered morally harmful. And there is now a new law that requires live streaming apps to hold a license to operate and to keep records of broadcasts and on-screen comments.

    My friend Sherry has nothing to fear from the government regulators. If anything, her broadcasts are extremely dull (sorry Sherry!), as are most peoples broadcasts. But dullness is a small problem compared with the bigger problem of letting strangers see too much of your personal life. You've probably been warned about giving out personal information online and the same is true with live streaming. It can be dangerous. If you're not careful, strangers can find out where you live, where you spend your free time.

    A live broadcast in your living room can be fun, but remember to be safe and please, please, please... don't be dull!

    Next time you raise an eyebrow at the views of your partner, friend, sibling (兄弟姐妹) or colleague, remember they could be helping to make you smarter.

    New research shows that intelligence is not fixed but can be improved throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching (延伸) careers.

    The study challenges the commonly held belief that intelligence is static by the age of about 18. Current scientific consensus (共识) suggests that intelligence is controlled by genes, with environmental factors such as schooling and nutrition playing a partial role up to this age. After this point, IQ scores stabilize (稳定).

    But James Flynn, professor of political studies and psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand, argues that people can "upgrade" their own intelligence throughout their lives. He believes intellectual stimulation (刺激) from others is crucial as the "brain seems to be rather like a muscle —the more you use it, the stronger it gets". However, the opposite is also true—so people sharing a home or workplace with those who are intellectually challenged risk seeing their IQ levels fall as a result.

    He found the "understanding quality" of a family changes the IQ of all members, especially children. It can "lift" or hold back, depending on the "gap between their brightness and that of their siblings and parents". A bright ten-year-old with brothers and sisters of average intelligence will suffer a five to ten points IQ disadvantage, compared to a similar child with equally bright siblings. However, children with a low IQ could gain six to eight points by having brighter siblings and special educational treatment to help pull them up.

    Professor Flynn also concluded that although genetics and early life experiences determine about 80 percent of intelligence, the remaining 20 percent is linked to lifestyle. This means that people can raise their IQ, or allow it to fall, by ten points or more. Therefore, the best way to improve IQ level is to mix with bright friends, find an intellectually challenging job and marry someone cleverer.

    As you're busy with your studies, the weeks during the Spring Festival can be a time when training and healthy eating plans go out of the window. But you can continue running and avoid weight gain during the holiday seasons.

Pick a race

    Having a race on your calendar is the motivation to keep running during the holiday.  Check our active.com or Running in the City for events near you.

Don't skip breakfast

    If you're going to a holiday party in the evening, don't make the mistake of skipping breakfast. You may think you're saving calories for later.

Bring your own healthy dishes

    Chances are that most of the dishes at holiday gatherings are going to be high in calories. Bring your own healthy appetizers(开胃食品) to the party. The host will appreciate it, and you know there will be at least one wise choice on the buffet table.

    If you're heading to an evening event, eat regular meals and snacks every few hours up until party time. You won't arrive at the party ready to attack appetizers. Make sure you include fiber at each meal because it keeps you full longer.

Plan your runs

    It's easy to say that you'll keep running regularly during the holiday season, but sticking to it requires a strategy. Schedule your runs like appointments, so you make them the first thing during a busy week.

A. Treat yourself

B. Eat small meals

C. Try some or all of these strategies(策略).

D. In fact, it may lead to overeating later in the day.

E. Buy yourself a gift of some new running shoes and clothes.

F. If you have runs scheduled, you are more likely to get them done.

G. Once you choose one that is in a few weeks, set a plan and stick to it.

    Long long ago there lived a king called Numitor in Italy. But his brother Amulins drove him away and made himself king 1. He killed Numitor's sons and shut his brother's daughter Silvia in a temple  2 no one would marry her.

    However, Silvia did 3 and soon twin sons were born. When he heard of them, Amulins was very 4 and ordered his servants to kill the babies, and put Silvia into prison.

    The men took the boys to the river Tiber, 5 to drown (溺杀) them, but then felt sorry for the 6 babies.

    They made a basket and 7 them out on the river in it. Soon it got 8 in the branches of a fig tree (无花果树). The babies, cold and 9, began to cry loudly. A hungry wolf heard their cries and 10 to save them from the basket and was about to eat them when the babies began to keep 11 to her warm fur, which 12 her of her own little children. The little boys grew strong and healthy in the wolf's care.

    13, a hunter found them and adopted them and named them Romulus and Remus and brought them up as his own 14.

    One day Numitor living in the country, saw Remus and found that the boy 15 his daughter, Silvia. On questioning their adoptive parents, he soon put together the whole story. It was not long 16 the two headstrong youths took their mother from the 17, put their merciless great uncle to death and helped their 18 Numitor become the king again.

    A short while later, they decided to 19 a city for themselves and that is 20 Rome, one of the greatest cities of all time, came into being.

    Air pollution  (connect) with a lot of health problems including allergies (过敏症) and anxiety so far. But exercise is very important to your health, and chances are that you can train safely outside—no matter where you live— taking a few simple measures.

    Experts recommend that people use air-quality information  (plan) their outdoor workouts, so they can get the exercise that's so important to health while also reducing their  (expose) to air pollution.

    Keep an eye on AirNow. gov or download the free Air Now App,  provides air quality forecasts for nearly 400 U.S. cities. Just as you check the weather forecast to decide if you should take  umbrella, you can check the air quality forecast to help you decide about your outdoor  (activity).

    You can also reduce the amount of pollution you're breathing in  (simple) by taking your workout somewhere with less automobile traffic—like a local side street, a park, or a wooded trail(小路). And the research also  (suggest) that a diet high in olive oil (橄榄油) can protect you against bad air.  (lead) a healthy lifestyle can help reduce air pollution's effects.

Dear sir,

    I'm writing to request a valuable chance to be one of the host families for the British students. Locating in a beautiful and quiet neighborhood, our large fully-equipped apartment meet all their needs. Apart from the convenience public transportation, our own car can also take them to some nearby place of interest. With fluent English and an outgoing personality, I' sure I will have no difficulty communicate with them. Above all, we host two British students last year, through that we've gained lots of experience. By addition, my mother's expert cooking can ensure them a wonderful chance of tasting delicious Chinese food.

    I would greatly appreciate if I could have the chance to host them and make friends with them.

Yours Faithful,

Li Hua

注意：1）词数不少于80词；2）可适当增加细节,以使行文连贯。