Nowadays a vegetarian (素食的) lifestyle is becoming more and more popular. Keeping a vegetarian diet is one of the best things we can do.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A well planned vegetarian diet provides us with all the nutrients (营养素) we need and avoids fat, cholesterol (胆固醇) found in animal flesh, eggs, and dairy foods. And it can provide protection against various kinds of diseases, including the three biggest killers: heart disease, cancer, and other serious diseases. The American Dietetic Association states that vegetarians have lower rates of death from heart disease, lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and lower rates of high blood pressure. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Scientists have also found that vegetarians have stronger immune systems than their meat-eating friends. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Vegetarians live, on average, 6 to 10 years longer than meat eaters.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Animals raised for food consume the vast majority of their calories simply in order to live, just as we do. We feed more than 70 percent of the grains to farm animals. So it's really a huge waste, isn't it? Try your best to find tips on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Growing all the crops needed to feed animals requires great amounts of water and land.

B. This means that they are less likely to be affected by everyday illnesses like the flu.

C. Vegetarian diets are the only diets that work for long term weight loss.

D. All of these diseases are more likely to happen to meat eaters.

E. Healthy vegetarian diets support a lifetime of good health.

F. It's never too late to turn over a new page.

G. Living on plants also saves energy.

    One of the big challenges that students face in applying to universities abroad is writing the application essay.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Admissions officers(招生负责人) attempt to get at what type of person you are, what motivates you, and what you feel passion for. In a single 500-word piece of writing, they attempt to gather all about you. So your task is to put the stamp of your personality on the essay and make yourself special.

    You can try and guess what the admissions officers like. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The essay will sound empty and become another dull piece of writing, which admissions officers get thousands of each year.

    It is true that admissions officers aren't exactly looking for anything.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If they ask for someone who has inspired you, it could be anyone. It could be a grandmother, a teacher, or even a character from a movie. A lot of people will say their dad. But since you really feel it, you'll have a lot to write about.

    There are some important things to remember. These admissions officers want good writers. You don't have to be Ernest Hemingway, but you have to be able to form an interesting story. That means revision and editing, cutting out stupid grammar mistakes, reading it over several times, leaving it for a few days and looking at it again.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Also, you should use exciting language and really make the reader feel the same passion as you do. It also means finding something unique about your point of view, something that other people might not think of. For example, if you want to write about your dad, you can focus on a specific anecdote(趣闻) about him.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. The essays you are required to write differ from university to university.

B. The answer is just as open-ended as the question itself.

C. Admissions officers love personal stories that ring true.

D. The essay topics all have something in common.

E. You can turn to famous writers to polish your essay.

F. Whatever you do, make sure the essay is as good as possible.

G. But that won't work.

    Do you know how to pick a good book you'll really like? Here are some tips.

    Start with Your Interest. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  You can pick something that you love to read, not for school. They can be ancient martial arts(武术), computers, or fashion design. You name it, there are books about it.

    What's Your Type? Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction (or both)? Fiction books, like novels, can transport you to another world or help you imagine something beyond your own experience. Nonfiction books give you the who, what, when, and why of something. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  Many of them read like novels from start to finish.

    Read the Description. The reviews and quotes(引语) on the back and inside covers of many books give you an idea of what the book is about. They can also help you pick future books, too. If you find a book you really like, take a minute to read the quotes and see which authors praised the book. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    Find a Family Favorite. Which book did your mother love best when she was at your age?{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Find out and give them a read — then you can share your thoughts about the book.

    Finally, you'll probably enjoy what you're reading a lot more if you find a quiet place and make time for the book. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can put on some good music, get yourself some tea and let yourself be carried away by the book. You'll see that time does fly when you're reading something you love!

A. How about your brothers and sisters?

B. They tell stories using facts — but that doesn't mean they're boring.

C. Reading is a good way to improve your English.

D. Most reading is best enjoyed when you can concentrate on it.

E. Often, they'll have similar styles and you might find books you like by those authors, too.

F. So you should read as much as possible when you are free.

G. Reading on your own isn't like reading for school.

    The art of growing dwarf(矮小的)trees, or "bonsai"(盆栽)as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim(修整)the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地). Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

A. Then one must be careful in choosing the size of the container.

B. How can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art?

C. Why do so many people take a fancy to the art of bonsai-growing.

D. But one must get well prepared before starting bonsai-growing.

E. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however.

F. The ideal for bonsai plants are trees just like normal trees in everything but size.

G. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai.

    There is an English saying that goes, "he who laughs last, laughs the hardest." High School Musical star Zac Efron is laughing a lot these days.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Because he was always the smallest in his class and was laughed at because he had a big space between his teeth. In sixth grade, Efron's basketball team made it to be the league championship. In overtime, with three seconds left, he rebounded the ball and passed it to the wrong team! {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Now Efron is one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People, graces (增加光彩) the cover of Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood's most influential magazine, and is traveling the world promoting the third High School Musical film. Director Adam Shankman described Efron as "arguably the biggest teen star in America right now." Simply google "Zac Efron", and you get more than 14 million responses. Yes, it seems Efron has a lot to smile about these days.

    Efron was born and raised in California. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} According to Efron, "he would flip out (发疯) if he got a B and not an A in school, and that he was a class clown." It was his father who encouraged him to act. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} He also took singing lessons. He graduated from high school in 2006 and was accepted at the University of Southern California to study film. But he put it off—why study movies when you can star in them? Efron has risen all the way to the top of the movie business. And he can now laugh all the way to the bank.

How to make the most of your time with your host family

Living and studying abroad can be a meaningful and enriching experience. And living with a host family is one of the best ways to immerse（沉浸） yourself in the culture. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some tips on making the most of your time with your host family.

 {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. You have to understand that host families are sharing the living space with others just because they want to give a kid the opportunity to live abroad. They are willingly changing their lives so you can experience this! With their support, things become easier.

Many people struggle to feel comfortable with their host families at first. This is a completely normal feeling! You've just left everything you've known for years behind to start a new life. It's okay to be confused. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} While you may know the language, some expressions can be hard to understand at first. Be patient with yourself and remember that you will adapt but it will take some time.

Feeling at home can be difficult at the beginning. That's why spending time in common areas is necessary. If you spend all your time in your room, it's going to be hard to feel like you belong . Joining in everyday activities with your host family will help you create a family bond. For example, some families like having dinner together on weekends. Make time for those moments. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

Communication is key. If you are unsure about something, ask! It's normal to know few customs and habits at first, so instead of doing things blindly, just ask. Your host family will understand and help you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you are out with your host family, ask them about these, and keep learning them when you are on your own!

A. The language barrier（障碍） can also be a struggle.

B. Showing gratitude will take you a long way.

C. Keep in mind that when in Rome, do as the Roman s do.

D. Then, you'll have chances to expose yourself to their language.

E. It's also normal not to know a lot about unspoken social rules of the country.

F. Not only will they appreciate it but you will also feel like a part of their world.

G. However, living with a foreign family can be difficult and adapting to it can take some effort.