Sleep is something we all do. But some people need to sleep more than others. Babies sleep most of the time. Children in school sleep about ten to twelve hours a night. Most adults sleep only seven or eight hours.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}All parts of our bodies have to rest after they work.. Our arms need a rest after we lift heavy thing, When we run fast, our legs work hard. They get tired. We have to rest them. Our brains workhard, too.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} We can sit quite still and rest our arms andlegs. But our brains aren't resting. They go right on thinking as long as weare awake.

      Our brains slow down a bit when we sleep and dream.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Instead of thinking wide-awake thoughts, our brains make up dreams. Some dreams are very pleasing. Some are not. Most of thetime we forget them when we wake up.

      Scientists have tried to find out what would happen if people were not allowed to sleep. They asked some people not to go to bed. The people stayed up all night and all the next day. They stayed up the next night too,and the day after. They played games, but they made mistakes. They forgot things.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The people grew rude and mean. They became angry with their friends. Finally they were too tired to stand up. When they sat down, they fell asleep.

Scientists have found that if people are not allowed to sleep and to dream, they act in an unusual way.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}But we do know that we need it to stay well. So tonight have a goodsleep. Lie down under the covers. Shut your eyes. Let your thoughts wander.Soon you'll stop thinking. You'll be asleep.

A. It was hard for their tired brains to work.

B. When we are awake, they help us pay attention to the worldaround us

C. But babies, children, and adults—all of us need to haveour sleep

D. Good sleep helps to improve one's memory

E. No one knows why sleep is so good for us

F. But even as we sleep our brains are doing some work

G. Of course you will have a good sleep

    At times, our worries and anxieties can defeat us.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here is a brief list of techniques that you can use to help gain a better viewpoint on things during the anxious moments.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} A person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off the problem. A person could get some fresh air, listen to some music, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

    Remember that our fearful thoughts are made to seem worse and can make the problem worse.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} When unexpectedly having thoughts that make you fearful or anxious, challenge these thoughts by asking yourself positive questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense.

    Be smart in how you deal with fears and anxieties. Do not try to deal with everything all at once. When facing a current or upcoming task that makes you anxious, break the task into small ones.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Remember that all the worrying in the world will not change anything. Most of what you worry about never comes true. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Then you should leave everything else in the hands of God.

    It is not easy to deal with all the fears and worries. When your fears and anxieties have the best of you, try to calm down and then get the facts of the situation. The key is to take it slow. All you can do is doing your best each day, hope for the best, and when something does happen, take it easy. Take it one step at a time and things will work out well at last.

A. When feeling anxious, stop what you are doing and try to do something relaxing.

B. This will give you the confidence to manage your anxiety.

C. Instead of worrying about something that probably won't happen, concentrate on what you are able to do.

D. The next time you fell depressed, review your list and think about the good things that you have in your life.

E. A good way to manage your worry is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking.

F. In addition, our worries can change our understanding of what is reality and what is not.

G. Completing these smaller tasks once at a time will make the stress more manageable and increase your chances of success.

    Does meeting new people make you nervous(紧张的)? If so, you're not alone. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some simple choices.

    Look your best

    Obviously the way that you look like decides people's impression (印象) of you. But you don't need to look like a model to make a good impression. You just need to take care of yourself. Make sure your clothes are clean, tidy and right for the situation. It is said that blue or black are best for job interviews. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They change how people see you.

    Stand tall

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Standing up straight makes you look and feel confident. When you get close to someone, smile to show you're friendly and interested. Then greet them with a firm handshake.

    Speak up

    Speak loudly and clearly enough that people can hear you. If you don't know what to say, ask questions. Most people enjoy talking about themselves. Listening is just as important as talking. When people are talking, pay attention to what they're saying rather than planning what you'll say next. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} .

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Most importantly, show people you care. Your concern for them will be clear if you smile and listen carefully. Respect other people's time, too. Don't keep them waiting because you arrive late or keep using your cellphone instead of talking to them. Everyone you meet, whether they're a businessperson, a reporter or a bus driver, is important.

A. Don't forget little things like brushing your teeth and washing your hair.

B. Never be late

C. But meeting new people isn't as hard as you might think.

D. Respect people

E. You are stubborn, and others' opinions can't change who you are.

F. The way you stand, sit and move tells others a lot about you.

G. If you're not sure what they mean, ask!

They Just Can't Help It

    My theory is that the female brain is mainly built for empathy — the ability to understand other people — and that the male brain is mainly built for building systems. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For example, women are more likely to read magazines on fashion and parenting, while men will choose magazines that feature computers and sport.

    You may think that these preferences are influenced by the way people are taught to behave when they are growing up. However, this is not the case. A new study carried out at Cambridge University shows that newborn girls look longer at a face, and newborn boys look longer at a mobile. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It has also been observed that girls are better at noticing signs of changes in other people's feelings. Boys, however, seem to enjoy building toy towers and playing with toys which have clear functions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} People whose jobs are in the construction industries are almost male. Math and engineering, which require high levels of systems-thinking, are also male-chosen disciplines. Why do men and women have the difference? Actually women have four times as many brain neurons (神经) that connect the right and left part of their brains. Because of it, women have a better ability to multitask than men. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Men tend to focus on a limited number of problems at a time. They will separate themselves from problems and view tasks as independent from one another.

    Some people may worry that I am suggesting one gender (性别) is better than the other, but this is not the case. My theory says that males and females differ in the kinds of things that they find easy, but that both genders have their strengths and weaknesses. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is not true. The study simply looks at males and females as two groups, and asks what differences exist, and why they are there.

A. Generally speaking, there are clear differences.

B. Their preference for building systems may change over time.

C. You can see the same kind of pattern in the adult workplace.

D. They will consider many sources of information at the same time.

E. It is important to stress that the female brain may be built more for empathy.

F. That suggests certain differences between male and female brains are biological.

G. Others may think the theory creates a belief of what a particular type of person is like.

    Most people think that good looks and being smart will give you advantage in life. The first is God-given. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In this article we explore some different ways to become smarter.

    Go to college, and get an education. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It means that you will have been exposed to many different ideas and hopefully you will have learned how to think. Being able to think outside the box and for yourself are features smart people possess.

    Read books and educational magazines. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Educational magazines such as Discovery or National Geographic are a wealth of knowledge that you can share with others, thus making you sound very smart. If you do watch television, try watching something where you can learn such as the History Channel, Discovery etc.

    Expand your vocabulary. Try to learn one new word a week. It does not seem like much, but adding 52 new words to your vocabulary will really make you appear much smarter. Subscribing to vocabulary.com is a good start. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This way you are actually getting 365 words a year, but that is usually more than most people can absorb.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Uneducated people and people not considered as being smart tend to do this. They hear an outrageous(骇人的) claim and they repeat it to the nearest ear. You can do much harm to your quest for being smart if you are known for giving bad information.

A. That is my exact point.

B. And unluckily most of us are not good-looking.

C. You will have a new word sent to your e-mail address daily.

D. Reading books works the brain out more than viewing television.

E. The programs actually provide you with information you can use.

F. College does not necessarily mean you will be smarter, just educated.

G. Do not repeat everything people tell you until you know that it is true.

Should I live in the city or the suburbs?

    There are three different kinds of areas you can live in: urban, suburban, and rural. You can describe living in a rural area as living out in the sticks or the county. This type of living is seen as idyllic (田园生活的) for those seeking reprieve (暂时缓解) from crowds. Rural areas generally have small, self-sustaining populations.

    Urban living is city living: active nightlife, full of noise, sophisticated public transit system and sometimes small and expensive city apartments. Urban areas tend to be densely (密集地) populated and have more intense traffic and pollution as a result.

    For those seeking an intermediary between urban and rural living, the suburbs might be just the thing. Suburbs are large residential areas away from the core of town yet close enough to the city center.

    Can you afford to live in the city?

    Choosing whether to live in the city or the suburbs is often a matter of budget — where can you afford to live? By and large, living in the city is more expensive than living in the suburbs, though that's not always the case. For instance, in Las Vegas, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and a few other cities, suburban living is not always better on your wallet.

    Your lifestyle influences your happiness in the city or suburbs.

    For someone who enjoys five-star restaurants, vibrant (充满活力的) nightlife, and fast-paced living, residing in an urban hub is a dream come true. On the other hand, if you find crowds and tons of noise unbearable, then a large city might feel like purgatory (炼狱).

    Your lifestyle is one of the primary considerations in deciding where you ought to live. If you are into fishing, hiking, and spending time outdoors, then realize that you may have to drive several hours to enjoy your hobbies if you choose city living.

Is your career better suited for the city or suburbs?

    Your career should also strongly influence your choice about whether to live in the city or in the suburbs. For example, if your job is in landscape, you might find it difficult to find work in the city because there is not a high demand for landscape artists. The fact of the matter is that most city homes don't have large yards with grass to cut, and competition for landscaping contracts is probably fierce. Similarly, a business executive (主管) may find that the suburbs do not offer the convenience afforded by city living.

    The debate of whether to live in the suburbs or the city is long lasting and never-ending. When it all boils down to it, it is a matter of preference and budget, so go with your gut (决心) and you'll make the right choice.