Be careful what you say around your dog. It might understand more than you think.

    A border collie named Rico recognizes the names of about 200 objects, say researchers in Germany. The dog also appears to be able to learn new words as easily as a 3-year-old child. Its word-learning skills are as good as those of a parrot or chimpanzee(黑猩猩).

    In one experiment, the researchers took all 200 items that Rico is supposed to know and divided them into 20 groups of 10 objects. Then the owner told the dog to go and fetch one of the items and bring it back. In four tests, Rico got 37 out of 40 commands right. As the dog couldn't see anyone to get clues, the scientists believe Rico must understand the meanings of certain words.

    In another experiment, the scientists took one toy that Rico had never seen before and put it in a room with seven toys whose names the dog already knew. The owner then told Rico to fetch the object, using a word the dog had never heard before.

    The correct object was chosen in seven out of l0 tests, suggesting that the dog had worked out the answer by process of elimination(排除法). A month later, Rico remembered half of the new names, which is even more impressive.

    Rico is thought to be smarter than the average dog. For one thing, Rico is a border collie, a breed (品种) known for its mental abilities. In addition, the 9-year-old dog has been trained to fetch toys by their names since the age of nine months.

    It's hard to know if all dogs understand at least some of the words we say. Even if they do, they can't talk back. Still, it wouldn't hurt to sweet-talk your dog every now and then. You might just get a big, wet kiss in return!

    The steady increase in women having babies later in life is undeniable. First-time mothers are more likely to be 35 or older than their counterparts (对应者) from two decades ago, according to the Pew Research Center. While the number of first-time moms between ages 20 and 24 falls, the number of births to women in their 30s and 40s keeps growing. In addition, recent wide-ranging studies have found significant long-term benefits in waiting to have babies. These benefits counterbalance (抵消) some worries about being an older mother and the effects it may have on children.

    Longevity for women who wait

    A study in the journal Menopause examined older mothers' life expectancy (寿命) and found that women who had their last child after the age of 33 are more likely to live to 95. In fact, researchers reported that these women had twice the chance of living to 95 or older than those who had their last child before their 30th birthday. The news for women having babies after 40 is equally promising.

    Boosted brainpower for older mothers

    It's also possible that later pregnancies (怀孕) protect against cognitive decline. Researchers at the University of Southern California found that women have better brainpower if they have their last baby after age 35. The researchers looked at the pregnancy history of a group of 830 women ages 41 to 92. Their research provides strong evidence of a positive association between later age at last pregnancy and late-life cognition.

    Increased income over time

    There's a measurable link between the age you have your first child and income gains and losses. Women who start their families when they are older are likely to increase their earning potential.

    Educational and emotional support for children

    Older parents who are less stressed about income or job security tend to be more patient and can spend more time with their children. Parents who have more secondary education can also offer more specific stimulation to their children, which can be helpful for development. An investigation of 8- to 12-year-olds explored how specific parenting beliefs and behaviors—such as reading, constructive play and emotional support—affected child development. The research published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that parent education and income positively affect child achievement.

    Having babies later in life

How to write a business apology letter?

    Drafting a good business apology letter is one of the basic tasks a businessman has to complete{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It can also retain(保留) the customer, and even strengthen your relationship with the customer.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Then a business apology letter can be drafted and sent to the customer without delay. However, if you doubt that there are legal issues, it's better to delay sending a formal reply until you receive legal advice.

    Before drafting a letter of apology, you should first consider the reason for the apology{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Then thoroughly investigate the issue to determine exactly what went wrong. Decide who you need to apologize to, how you should apologize, and when would be the best time to send the apology letter.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 1) Get comprehensive(综合的) details about how the situation unfolded; 2) Stick to the facts of the immediate situation; 3) Acknowledge any pain or damage suffered by the customer; 4) Outline the company's role in the incident; 5) State that the company regrets the situation; 6) Apologize to the customer sincerely, etc.

    Include all of the above elements to produce a concise and appropriate business apology letter. Keep the letter as brief as possible and be mindful of the tone of the letter{#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. Find out if the problem has affected anyone else.

B. A well drafted apology can limit the damage done.

C. Tell the customer that the situation will not occur again.

D. A letter of complaint should be investigated as soon as possible.

E. A good sample letter would take account of the following issues.

F. A respectful and considerate tone will go a long way towards rebuilding a damaged customer relationship.

G. It is better to make an apology, even though the company is not at fault, than to risk losing a valuable customer.

Habits to Be a Highly Effective Student

    Some students are able to get straight A's and at the same time serve as the president of three clubs. However, some students struggle to keep their GPA (Grade-Point Average) above a 3.0{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Although it's true that everyone's IQ is different, good study habits are very important. Here5re several habits you should adopt to get good grades.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you haven't had a planner (规划薄), get one. Many people use their computers and smartphones to make a schedule. The problem with that approach is that they are major distractions (分心的事物). Instead, get an old-fashioned paper and pen planner.

    Create a weekly schedule{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Include time that will be spent eating, sleeping and doing anything not related to school work. That way you know exactly how much you can accomplish each day.

    Take frequent, short breaks. Taking a break from studying for 15 minutes every hour will help keep you refreshed{#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you don't take a break, you may find yourself daydreaming or even falling asleep. Take some time for some water, a snack or a quick chat with a friend.

    Take care of yourself. During final exam week, it is common for students to fall behind on sleep and meals. Make sure you get a good night's sleep and have regular meals. Studying while hungry or sleepy is ineffective and will slow you down in the long run. Also try to make time for friends and family{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Keep things organized.

B. Keep away from your computers.

C. Of course, not everyone needs breaks.

D. Our brains are not meant to work for hours nonstop.

E. Having a good support system will help with all the stress.

F. And they seem to spend all of their time in studying.

G. Then under each day, make a list of things to do each hour.

I'm standing on Rio's beach, one of the most famous 1 of sand. In this lively, multicultural country, the beach is not just a place;it's a state of mind—a way of thinking and living. 

Every Brazilian has his or her own ideas of the perfect beach, 2 to tell you where to find it. I'm happy to take their advice but my ultimate goal is to find my own dream beach. First, I go to Prainha's beach 3 by a row of perfect palm trees, moving softly in the ocean breeze. Its beauty is magnificent-its perfect graceful lines are like something in a 4 . But for me, it's somewhat too perfect. I am searching for something a bit 5 . 

I continue my search heading north to a legendary beach: Jeri. As an international destination, it attracts visitors from Tokyo to Toronto. Luckily, Jeri hasn't been 6 by tourists mostly because of its isolated(偏远的)location—at least five hours from any airport. I take a beach buggy(沙地车), driving for three hours. The boats lie on their sides while nets 7 to dry on lines between fishermen's houses. Peaceful and beautiful! How can it possibly get any better? I 8 . 

My final stop is the islands of Fernando, 9 a few hundred kilometers out in the Atlantic. They once were used as a prison and later by the army. Today, they are a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, 10 with birds and sea life. The beach there is a perfect 11 of sand, sea, and sky. The water is pale blue and warm, alive with colorful fish, 12 , and other marine life; the sand is the color of 13 . In the rocks and strong winds that 14 come in from the Atlantic, there is the wilderness I was seeking. Finally, I've found the beach of my dreams. I 15 my toes in the sand deeply and imagine I can hold on to this place forever.

Fifteen years ago, I loved going to the gym, but family life and work commitments meant I was finding it hard to get there. With the help of my dad and uncle, I built my own gym in the garden. It's basically a beautified room with insulation(隔热层) and electrics and a small heater for the winter. We built a corner desk too intending it to be for me to do the paperwork for my small business. However, the desk served its real purpose when I started my writing journey two years ago.

I've always had stories going through my mind. I could be out jogging and I'd lose myself playing out thoughts in my head like movie scenes. Once seen, they stay in there. I have trouble keeping other information, but when it comes to story ideas, they lock in. I have many full novel ideas in my head waiting to be written. When I was younger, I wasn't brave enough to write. I didn't do well in school and I've spent most of my life in physical work, so the idea of becoming a writer felt laughable.

I now know there isn't a writer type; writers come in all forms. I still use the gym for its real purpose, but some of the equipment has been replaced by books and a small be d for the time when I want to relax and read. I like to have my desk looking colorful—some might say messy. My love for sport is clear to see, with photos around of my favorite boxers and the football team I follow. On the other hand, having my own writing room is important. Without it I wouldn't be where I am now on my writing journey. It's far from charming, but it is mine. It's my happy place.