If you were like most kids, your mother told you there were three no-no's when it came to your fingers: Don't put them in an electrical outlet, don't stick them up your nose ( at least not in public ), and don't use them when you are counting.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But experts in education and cognition now believe that using your fingers to do math is not only a perfectly good idea but may even help children become superior students.

    It certainly makes sense. When children count on their fingers, they take an abstract concept— mathematics—and translate it into the most basic and visual form.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even when we aren't actually counting on them, they still can help us on math problem,

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}It activates when we respond to heat, pressure, pain, or the use of a given finger. Studying brain scans, researchers discovered that when students aged 8 to 13 work on subtraction (减法) equations, this region “lights up” on the scans, even if the students aren't using their fingers. The more complex the problem, the more activities are detected.

    The connection between finger use and math ability has been shown on old-fashioned math tests as well. With their eyes closed, first graders were asked to identify which of their fingers a researcher was touching,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When college students were given the same quiz, the highest scores once again performed best on calculation tests.

    So what does all this mean? For one thing, parents and teachers shouldn't discourage children from counting on their fingers.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Memorizing the multiplication tables may help, but it is not the best option. “I would like to see interesting and creative representations of ideas.” says Jo Boaler, a professor of math education.

    Recently, a series of activities have been designed to strengthen students' perception of their fingers. Maybe in the near future, there will be only two no-no ¹s regarding the use of fingers.

A. The first two laws of fingers are as true as ever.

B. There is a section of the brain, called the somatosensory finger area.

C. Researchers also stress that students simply learn better using visual tools.

D. Researchers are unimpressed by those students who finish quickly as well.

E. In fact, experts believe the brain is able to “see” a representation of our fingers.

F. That may sound simplistic, but the researchers offer an interesting explanation.

G. Researchers found those scoring highest on the finger-ID questions scored higher on a math test.

    There are three things that will get you ahead in life: good looks, smarts, and being considered as being smart.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And unluckily most of us are not good-looking. Let's explore some different ways to become smarter.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}College doesn't necessarily mean you'll be smarter, just educated. It means you'll be exposed to many different ideas and hopefully you'll learn 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 are a wealth of knowledge you can share with others, thus making you sound very smart. If you do watch television, try watching something that you can learn.

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

    Don't repeat everything people tell you until you know that it's true.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}They hear a strange claim and they repeat it to the nearest ear. You can do much harm to your seek for being smart if you are known for giving bad information.

A. Go to college and get an education.

B. The first is God-given.

C. Get educated inside or outside college.

D. You will have a new word sent to your email address daily.

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

F. Uneducated people and people not considered as being smart tend to do this.

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

    It seems that there is never enough time in the day. But,since we all get the same 24 hours,why is it that some people achieve much more than others?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Keep a to-do list.

    You should have a reminder system to tell you when you need to do what.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Carry a pen andpaper wherever you go and write down the things you need to do, including appointments and deadlines.

Set goals.

    Set yourself specific goals,and make sure that they are realistic. To do this, you first need to examine your present situation and assess（判断）which goals are important to you. Have a secondary route to your goals in case you have to change your plans.

Break down (分解）tasks.

    Break goals down into different parts so that you can accomplish them one step at a time{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Try to complete one task before you go on to the next.

Organize your time.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}A good way to do this is to record everything you do for a week in detail and then examine your record to see how you use or waste your time.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Keep your work space tidy so that you can work efficiently - it's hard to work if things you need to find are buried under a pile of paper! Work to schedule (为...安排时间）so that you can meet deadlines in good time - don't leave everything until the last minute.

A Develop a regular work order.

B. Make a detailed plan.

C. The best time to do something is usually NOW.

D. The answer lies in good time management.

E. Don't try to remember everything in your head.

F.Write these steps down, and try to be as detailed as you can when you do this.

G. Identify areas of your life where you are wasting time and try to reduce them.

    As a senior year student, you may have so many pressures coming from so many directions that you can't figure out what to do first.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    When you have many things to do and a lot of demands on your time, you can lose sight of what's important. One of the best ways to see the big picture - what you want out of life - is to lay out your goals.

    Pressure Points and How to Deal With Them

    Confused or overwhelmed - talk to someone you trust.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. They may help you find solutions to your problems and worries.

    Being too hard on yourself - ease up, take a break and do something you enjoy. Daydream, read a book, go out with friends — anything that helps you relax.

    Problems, problems, problems — recognize your limits. It's too stressful to try to deal with all your problems at once.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Goal-Setting Tips

    It's important to remember that goals belong to you — not to your parents, your teachers, or your friends. After you've set your goals, identify the skills you have to achieve those goals.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Try the library, your guidance adviser and teachers, and other people who could help you.

    Goals exist to serve you. If your goal is something you no longer want, change it. Identify the barriers to getting your goals.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Don't get depressed by a big, long-term goal — see what steps you can take to achieve it and set those steps down as short-term, "do-able" goals.

A. Too much to do

B. Balancing goals in life

C. Consider ways to overcome them

D. Discuss your concerns with a friend, parent or teacher

E. Choose what's most urgent and set aside the rest until later

F. As long as you know what skill is important and what isn't

G. If you're not sure what skills you'll need, do some research

    When I was 16 years old, a boy gave me an important gift. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It was the early autumn of my first year at a junior high school, and my old school was far away. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I was very lonely, and afraid to make friends with anyone.

    Every time I listened to other students talking and laughing, I felt my heart break. I couldn't talk about anyone with my problems. And I didn't want my parents to worry about me.

    Then one day, my classmates talked happily with their friends, but I sat at my desk unhappily as usual. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} I didn't know who he was. He passed me and then turned back. He looked at me, with a smile on his face.

    Suddenly, I felt the touch of something bright and friendly. It made me feel happy, lively and warm {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I started to talk with other students and made friends. Day by day, I became closer to everyone in my class. The boy with the lucky smile has become my best friend now! {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I believe that the world is what you think it is. If you think it lonely, you might always be alone. So smile at the world and it will smile back.

A. At that moment, a boy entered the classroom.

B. He's living in Australia now and he loves it.

C. It doesn't matter because all the dark days have gone.

D. It was a smile.

E. That smile changed my life.

F. It's practically impossible to make friends here.

G. As a result, no one knew who I was.

Reasons Why You Should Go Hiking

    Whether you're looking to lose weight, reduce (减少)pressure, or clear your head and get out into nature, hiking is the best choice. If you're looking for some motivation (动力)to get off the sofa, consider these reasons to start hiking.

    Hiking is healthy. According to the American Hiking Society, hiking is good for your health. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can lose weight, reduce heart disease and slow aging by it. It also offers mental health benefits by reducing pressure and worry.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}As you hike more frequently, you'll begin to develop additional patience, skills and comfort along the way. The beauty of hiking is that we can do it naturally and easily. It's easy to stick with hiking because the frustration (挫败)level for beginners is low and you can find the pace that works for you.

    Hiking is cheap. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Prepare good shoes, some proper clothes, a comfortable pack, and you're pretty much ready to go. Most of you have easy access to parks and natural areas, so you don't have to spend a lot of money or time heading out on a hike.

    Hiking is real. We all spend too much time on computers at home, writing under electric lights or watching TV indoors (often you're writing while watching TV). {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Hiking is a great way to introduce kids to the world of the outdoors. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}So let your kids hike together with you and have a good time.

A. Hiking is simple.

B. Hiking is long and difficult.

C. Hiking offers physical benefits by keeping you active.

D. Compared to any other sport, the cost of hiking is low.

E. It's also a sport in which they'll be able to enjoy their whole lives.

F. When you are hiking, you often feel tired and want to stop at once.

G. However, hiking encourages you to walk out of your house and get close to nature.