{#blank#}1{#/blank#} When a starving man gets a meal, he begins to think about an overcoat; when a manager gets a new sports car, visions of country clubs dance into view.

    The many wants of mankind might be regarded as making up several levels. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    The first and most basic level of wants is food. Once this want is satisfied, a second level of wants appears: clothing and some sort of shelter. By the end of World War II these wants were satisfied for a great majority of Americans. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It included such items as cars and new houses.

    By 1957 or 1958 this third level of wants was fairly well satisfied. Then, in the late 1950s a fourth level of wants appeared: the “life-enriching” level. While the other levels mean physical satisfaction－the feeding, comfort, safety, and transportation of the human body－this level stresses mental needs for recognition, achievement and happiness. It includes a variety of goods and services, many of which could be called “luxury” items(奢侈品). Among them are vacation trips, the best medical care, and entertainment. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    On this level, a greater percentage of consumer spending goes to services, while on the first three levels more is spent on goods. Will consumers raise their sights to a fifth level of wants as their income increases, or will they continue to demand luxuries and personal services on the fourth level?

    A fifth level probably would be wants that can be achieved best by community action. Consumers may be spending more on taxes to pay for government action against disease, ignorance, crime and prejudice. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In this way, we can enjoy more fully the good things on the first four levels.

 A．Then a third level appeared.

 B．Human wants seem endless.

 C．When there is money enough to satisfy one level of wants, another level appears.

 D．There are several levels of wants in one's life.

 E．At this stage, we now may seek to ensure the health, safety, and leisure.

 F．Also included here are fancy foods and the latest styles in clothing.

 G．Different people have different wants on each level 

    The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It lifts the curtain of spring. After that everything turns green and full of energy and people clearly see that the daytime is becoming longer and the weather is becoming warmer.

    ⒈Flying a kite.

    Spring is the best season for kite-flying. As a traditional folk activity, it has a history of more than 2, 000 years.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It also has the effect of promoting blood circulation and speeding up metabolism(新陈代谢).

    ⒉Wearing fabric swallows.

    Wearing fabric swallows is a custom in some regions in Shaanxi. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The custom originated during the Tang Dynasty (618—907). The swallow is a harbinger(预兆) of spring and a symbol of prosperity and happiness.

    ⒊Making a Spring Ox.

    Skilled artists build the frame of an ox out of bamboo strips and the legs with wood. Then they paste(粘贴) some paper and paint onto it.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is said that if more red and yellow paper is used, then there will be a good harvest that year.

    ⒋{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    People in China began holding a special ceremony on the first day of the Start of Spring about 3, 000 years ago. They made sacrifices to Gou Mang, the God of Spring, who is in charge of agriculture. By the Qing Dynasty (1644—1911), welcoming spring had become an important folk activity.

A. Welcoming spring.

B. The image of an ox is complete.

C. At that time, there were eight solar terms.

D. The Start of Spring is the first solar term of the year.

E. Flying a kite can help build one's health and prevent diseases.

F. It is said that the egg can be set upright on the first day of the Start of Spring.

G. People like to wear a swallow made of colorful silk on their chests on Start of Spring.

                                                                                 Are Your Clothes Causing Pollution?

    Very small pieces of plastic, called microfibers, are polluting rivers and oceans.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Clothes worn for outdoor activities and exercise are often made of artificial material, which is useful in keeping warm. But they contain very small plastic fibers, which may also be harming the environment when you wash them. When people wash these clothes, very small pieces go down the drain (下水道) with the wash water.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Pollution caused by plastic is not new, but recent studies have shown the effect of microfibers in the environment.

    Studies show very small microfibers are ending up in our waters, which may come from waste water treatment factories. A 2015 study found them in fish from California.

    Microfibers, effect on food supplies.

    Beyond the waterways, the researchers say microfibers may end up in soil and agricultural lands.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}This means there is much to be learned about microfibers and the environment. Some studies have shown that microfibers end up inside sea animals, like oysters.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Researchers say that the fibers tend not to move into the tissue of the fish, but it needs more study.

    Steps to save or keep microfibers from the environment.

    Until more information becomes known, there are steps to take to reduce the amount of microfibers in the environment. People should use less of the artificial materials. If we already have those in our lives and we're using them, an important step would be washing them less.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A bag is being designed in which to wash these clothes. It traps the microfibers in the bag and it may be available for purchase soon.

A. New technology may also help.

B. Studies on microfibers in the environment.

C. They can also move around the atmosphere.

D. Studies on how much of the microfibers is released.

E. The source of these microfibers may surprise you: your clothes.

F. Washing machines keep microfibers from escaping with wash water.

G So if these microfibers have been found in fish and seafood, are they safe to eat?

    Reading is really a good way to improve ourselves.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you don't believe me, please consider these reasons to read more books.

    ⒈You will optimize your brain power.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Unlike watching television, which requires no thought process, reading is an active learning experience that will keep your mind sharp（even in old age）.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you're looking for entertainment on a budget, you can't beat books. Thanks to the popularity of electronic reading devices like the Kindle and re-selling websites like eBay, it's never been easier to entertain yourself for hours at a time, for the low cost of a few dollars.

    ⒊You will reduce stress and get into a good night's sleep.

    Exposing yourself to artificial light on your cellphone or TV reduces your body's production of melatonin （褪黑激素）, which can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Just replace that with a good book, which is a much better sleep-friendly alternative.

    ⒋You will change your life.

    I firmly believe that if it were not for books, I wouldn't have achieved so much in my life; nor would I have the knowledge, imagination or creativity that I depend on as a writer, business owner, and coach.

    Do you have the desire to read books now?{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. You will entertain yourself at any time.

B. You will entertain yourself at a low price.

C. The more books you read, the better your life will be.

D. This shouldn't come as a shock, but studies suggest reading makes you smart.

E. I hope these reasons encourage you to unlock your potential with the power of reading.

F. You should know that it is wise to keep a book in your purse or car at all times.

G. You would be wise to cut off all electronics at least an hour before bed.

    The Surprisingly Easy Trick That Can Help You Use Your Phone a Little Bit Less

    The first thing I do in the mornings is look at my phone. That's mainly because my phone is my alarm clock, but once my eyes are open and that screen is lit up in my hands, it's an awfully short trip to checking emails and perusing headlines.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}My emails that early in the morning are mainly junk, and the headlines won't change much before I've brushed my teeth and poured a cup of coffee, right?

    My wife says I'm addicted to my phone. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}I'm not terribly active on social media, but I do enjoy me some idle scrolling（enjoy playing the mobile phone）. And, wow, do these tech companies know how to keep those thumbs constantly swiping up.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} While I think we're pretty good about limiting her screen time, it would seem that technology has had its hooks in me from the start. So, I decided to try loosening my phone's grasp on my attention by switching the screen to black and white.

    Changing the display to black and white is very easy. In your iPhone's settings, choose General, then Accessibility. Next choose Display Accommodations, then Color Filters. Tap the toggle on and a list of filters appears. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    But no one wants to go through all this every time they want to turn color back on to check out an Instagram story. Clearly, you don't always want your screen to be black and white. After all, there will unavoidably be photos to view and videos to share. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}In the Accessibility menu, tap Accessibility Shortcut and choose Color Filters. Now, pressing the home button three times will switch your display to color, and then back with another three.

A. There's no reason for me to be doing this.

B. We've got a three-year-old child.

C. Choose Grayscale and you're all set.

D. It can help you use your phone a little bit less

E. I disagree, but I can definitely stand to spend less time looking at it.

F. Here comes a surprisingly easy trick.

G. That is what makes setting a shortcut necessary.

    Do you have a place you've always wanted to visit? If the answer is yes, have you ever considered taking a trip alone there just for a few days?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Although seeing the world on their own has always been a dream in their hearts since childhood, most people have repeatedly been told that the outside world is dangerous. The thought of going on a trip alone excites and terrifies them at the same time. Few end up stepping out of their comfort zone and going on meaningful adventures.

    It is normal to have some trouble traveling alone. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, being alone on the road, you might have to ask strangers to take your photo wherever you go. If you join a tour halfway, you may be asked why you don't have friends or family around. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    First, traveling alone gives you a good opportunity to do everything you wish to do without worrying about others' needs and wants. If you want, you can read on a bench beside a river for the whole afternoon without being disturbed (打扰). You are free to walk around on different streets. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can also remove that dull daily routine (常规) that always makes you feel tired.

If you make good use of it, traveling alone can also be a wonderful journey of self-discovery, as you'll finally have time to think about your life.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} All you need to do is pack your bags, take your passport, gather up your courage and go somewhere. Go out and enjoy being alone, explore the unknown, make some friends, read a book, and get to know more about yourself and the world.

A. Traveling by yourself is also quite easy.

B. You can go to shopping malls and explore the city.

C. For many people, traveling alone can be frightening.

D. There are also some unpleasant moments one might run into.

E. It is important to take some time off and think about the methods.

F. But anyhow, I still suggest that you travel alone at least once in your life.

G. Traveling alone helps us figure out what we really want to fight for in this big world.