Sports Fans and Identity

    Many people are crazy about a particular sports team. They are big fans and seem to connect their own identity to their chosen team.

    Identity consists of things like gender (性别), personality, abilities, and social groups. The groups we belong to shape our identity. Related to this is the theory developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In knowing who we are, we may more closely identify with our social group than with our gender group. We also decide which group we belong to, based on different aspects of our identity. According to the theory, our self-esteem—how we feel about ourselves—is reflected in the group we belong to. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, we naturally protect the group we belong to, while making other groups less important. We think highly of the team we support, while we may add negative comments about an opposing team.

    Researchers have studied language used by sports fans. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} By using pronouns like “we”, fans show that they feel connected with the team when it is winning. “We really killed that team. They couldn't get the ball past us.” However, when their team didn't do well, the fans would distance themselves from the team, using different pronouns. “They didn't know what they were doing. They had no planning.”

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They have found those fans have more self-confidence and feel more competent. They are quite sure they have the ability to deal with situations successfully or do things to a satisfactory standard. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These people will perform better at work and earn and spend more money, so experts suggest that a winning team may have a positive influence on the economy of a city.

A. They suggested that we naturally classify people into groups.

B. That causes increased competitions between different groups of sports fans.

C. It is probably because the victory reflects well on their personal sense of identity.

D. Comments from group members certainly have a strong influence on our behavior.

E. When their team did well, the fans would closely identify themselves with the team.

F. That leads to the fact that we want our group to be seen more positively than other groups.

G. Social scientists have also studied the effect of winning a championship on the fans of the winning team.

    The holiday season means friends, family, parties﹣﹣and lots of unhealthy food.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Save your pocket money.

    If you're going to relax a few times over the season, concentrate on foods that are special or unique to this time of year not the ones you can get year﹣round to avoid holiday weight gain, says Gary Foster, PhD, chief scientific officer for Weight Watchers. That means letting yourself enjoy a piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The seasonal focus means when the holidays are past, the temptations will go with them and you can return to healthy eating.

    Wait to enjoy.

    "We recommend you delay your drink until you have food in your stomach," says Elizabeth Politti, RD, nutrition director for the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. She explains that food can help delay the absorption of alcohol. "Set some limits for yourself about alcohol such as that you won't have more than one or two drinks."  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}If one glass of wine makes you completely lose your eating inhibitions（抑制）,maybe it's better to hold in the face of food temptation.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If you're a regular gym rat, great. But if not, you can still avoid holiday weight gain by taking every opportunity to stay physically active. That means taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or getting off the bus a few stops early {#blank#}5{#/blank#}And add bits of intensity, short bursts of more activity, whenever you can. These are the best workouts for people who hate exercise.

A. Stay active.

B. And know yourself.

C. When you're tired, your defenses go down

D. but not a stack of chocolate chip cookies at the office Christmas party.

E. Thanksgiving and New Year's aren't really 12weeks of nonstop eating

F. all the little tricks for adding activity to your day you've read before.

G. These expert tips will help you avoid holiday weight gain without compromising the fun.

Live Every Day Like It's A Holiday

    We feel great on holiday because we let go of everyday stresses and strains. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So whether or not you're going away this summer, there's plenty you can do to make sure you benefit from that holiday feeling.

    Sleep like a holidaymaker

    Sleep like a baby when you're on your holidays but stay awake when you're in your usual routine? {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  To reset your sleep pattern, avoid bringing problems to bed. That includes your phone, TV or laptop. Make sure the room is dark and cool. Aim for at least seven hours' ZZZs—just as you would on holiday.

    Get moving

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Given that exercise is cheap, healthy and reduces stress, it makes absolute sense to build it into your day. A walk will release happy hormones, and eases anxiety and mild depression. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    Part of the joy of going away is lingering over delicious food with families. Take up the holiday habit of sitting down as a family for at least one meal a day. Families who eat together experience less anxiety, less depression and less obesity, research has found.

    Be a tourist in your own city

    Part of toe thrill of a holiday is the novelty of discovering a new place and doing new things. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} At weekends, check out a new music venue, visit a different museum or have a drink in that interesting-looking pub you're always walking past. It will get you out of routine and make you feel alive. A bit like a holiday, really.

A. Make your meals a celebration.

B. Carve out some dedicated quiet time.

C. If so, you might need to examine your sleep habits.

D. Just make sure you schedule it into your day or week.

E. But it's also easy to be a holidaymaker in the place you live.

F. Research has even shown that vacations help health and wellbeing.

G. When you're travelling, you walk around new cities without a second thought.

    When I first came to UK from China at 6, I entered the first grade. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. I saw children throw their left over food into the large trash cans — from half-eaten pizzas to untouched burgers. I watched them pour their milk into a white bucket. In China, this was a huge no-no in school. We had to finish everything.

    One day, my first grade teacher announced that we would be having a party and everyone was told to bring something from their country. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. My mom stayed up after her long day of work and made many dumplings. She put them in the fridge and woke up early in the morning to steam them and fry them so they would taste extra fresh when I brought them to school. They smelled great and looked golden brown after they were cooked.

    I was so excited to share these with my class and teachers. It was placed in the corner of the table next to all the other delicious food. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. One or two kids bravely took a piece and knew what they were because they had it with their parents at a Chinese restaurant. At the end of the party, it was cleanup. My teacher walked up to me and asked, pointing to the dumplings, "Would you like to take these home?" I carefully replied, "No…" {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. I thought she was going to share it with other teachers, but immediately after I said that, she threw all the dumplings into the trash and continued cleaning. I was confused; what just happened?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. And today I still witness this frequently in my English fiends. Please eat all your food or take it to go or share it or just get enough so you don't have to throw it away. Thank you.

A. In China, "no" usually means "yes"

B. I got super excited and told my parents

C. It was very impolite to take your gift home

D. This was the biggest culture shock I have experienced

E. When I got home, I shared the experience with my parents

F. Many kids had the cookies and juices and were hesitant to try the dumplings

G. I didn't understand why kids were getting their lunch food and not finishing it

How to Enjoy Life As a Teen

    The "best years of your life"? Maybe not, but you can learn to make the most of your high school days.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Whether it's having a computer, having friends, having a good supply of food, a bed to sleep on, family that loves you or simply being born in this world. Remember that the point of life is for you to enjoy it. Be happy, and life will reward you. Remember that these are the last few years you will be able to enjoy yourself without having to worry about the responsibility(责任) of an adult.

    Choose your friends wisely. Unlike what many articles state, you don't have to be popular and have lots of friends to be happy. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Try to have friends that like you who you are, not just because you are wearing a certain brand of shoes or something like that. These are people who shop at the same store as you; not someone who will sympathize(同情，安慰) with you when your dog dies.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Having a healthy body leads to a healthy and happy mind. Being confident in your appearance makes you more confident in other areas. Be sociable. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}While you only need 4 or 5 close friends, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to meet new people. Participating gives you something to do instead of sitting bored at home and wallowing in self-pity.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} ! If you have a special girl/guy you want to ask out, dance with, etc. just ask! You probably won't be rejected(拒绝)but if you are, remember that there will always be someone else that likes you for who you are. Don't go to sleep that night with regret.

A. Go for it

B. Keep your grades up

C. Play a sport or work out

D. Learn to appreciate small things

E. If you are not good at sports, join a band or choir

F. In fact, many of the "Friends" you have when you are popular are not true friends

G. Joining in clubs, activities and sport increases your chances of meeting new friends

    Once eating alone was just that: sitting down in a restaurant on one's own and eating a meal. Everyone did it sometimes, and when they did so, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. To eat alone might suggest that you didn't have any friends. There was a kind of shame attached to it.

    Nowadays, however, there is more and more solitary (独自的) eating for pleasure. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. "Foodies"—people with a passionate interest in cuisines—do it because all they need is the chance to eat good food. They don't want company or conversation, but only the joy of eating some special dish. Other people eat alone because it's simply practical for them to do so. For instance, it's estimated that nearly a third of all the customers of fast-food restaurants eat alone. They are served with their food fast, eat it fast and then leave fast. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    But the appeal of eating alone is quite different. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . For the hour or so that it takes to have a meal, they can forget all the pressures of their lives. They don't have to deal with their family or job. They can relax and let their mind wander. Maybe they'll bring a book, a newspaper to enjoy a quiet time.

    David Annand, editor of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, who delights in dining alone, speaks of his pleasure in the "rhythm of a meal in a restaurant—its ebb and flow (人来人往), the periodic arrival and departure of the waiter". {#blank#}5{#/blank#} .

A. It's an experience of freedom

B. they might be a little embarrassed

C. People choose to eat alone for various reasons

D. none of them would feel bad about themselves

E. Sometimes staying alone is quite cosy when you don't work

F. This restaurant rhythm allows him to sit back, observe and think

G. It saves time if they have a meeting or a child to pick up from school