A hobby is an inverstment of time. It also can be an investment of money and commitment. Many people choose to developing more than one type of hobby. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} When it comes to choosing the hobby, consider the following factors.

    Hobbies are usually an activity of some sort that brings out a certain skill that you have. When you have a talent like painting or woodworking, it can be easy to determine which hobby suits your skill. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Skill can be developed and challenged as you go along. It is not a necessary requirement. A hobby is fitting because you love it, not because you're a professional at it.

    Some people particularly enjoy taking part in hobbies that they can do in a group with others. It can be a lot more fun to become a member of a hobby group than to sit alone in your basement. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's important to share interests and network with other hobby enthusiasts that do what you do.

    Hobbies are generally an activity that you undertake because of the joy it brings you. Of course many people have discovered the joy that also comes with a hobby that earns you a living.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Just make sure you make the choice that fits your lifestyle and personal preference.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But most of the skilled hobbies like art, building or writing have a series of lessons or tutorials that you can take to further your skills. In some cases it's a really good idea to take lessons, especially if you are clueless as to where or how to begin. Step by step books for most hobbies can often be found in bookstores as well.

A. However, hobbies don't have to be skill related.

B. Most hobbies can easily be done within your own home, at your leisure.

C. Look one up or start your own.

D. Read hobby books to learn more about your chosen hobby!

E. Make a list of things that you enjoy or don't know about.

F. It can be a necessary part of selecting the hobby that is right for you.

G. Whether it's full time, part time or not at all, you must decide whether your hobby applies to you

    How similar are language and music?

    Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

    Both language and music have a writing system.

    In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. We can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of years ago.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language they use. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

    Both share emotion.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my words. Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share in that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics.

A. Both are expressive.

B Both vary with culture.

C How do you know that I am angry?

D. We use language to express our thoughts.

E. So just as you read English, you can read music.

F. Similarly, music is part of many people's lives.

G. In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.

    Many effects of a lack of sleep, such as being bad-tempered and not working at your best, are well known.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity and heart disease, and it shortens your life expectancy.

    How much sleep do we need?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}But some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it. As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it's likely that you're not getting enough sleep.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}An occasional night without sleep makes you feel tired and irritable( 急躁易怒 ) the next day, but it won't harm your health. After several sleepless nights, the mental effects become more serious. Your brain will- fog, making it difficult to concentrate and make decisions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

How to catch up on lost sleep?

    If you don't get enough sleep, there's only one way to compensate (补偿) —getting more sleep.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you've had months of limited sleep, you'll have built up a big sleep debt, so expect recovery to take several weeks.

    Starting on a weekend, try to add on an extra hour or two of sleep a night. The way to do this is to go to bed when you're tired and allow your body to wake you in the morning (no alarm clocks allowed!).

A. What happens if we don't sleep?

B. Why is a good sleep vital for a long life?

C. It won't happen with a single early night.

D. If it continues, lack of sleep can affect your overall health.

E. However, the cost of all those sleepless nights is more than those.

F. It's now clear that a solid night's sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.

G. Most of us need around 8 hours of good-quality sleep a night to function properly.

    Have you ever imagined the benefits that a good memory can bring to you? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are four ways to improve your memory.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} There is evidence that sleep plays a vital role in the consolidation of memories relating to learning motor skills, such as learning to play a musical instrument or ride a bike. Having a full night's sleep soon after gaining a new skill helps consolidate the processes involved, so they can later be performed well.

    It's rewarding to continue education. Older people are often told to adopt a “use it or lose it” approach to maintaining cognitive (认知的) function. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In a 2016 study, US researchers found participants aged 60-90 who spent 15 hours a week for three months learning a complex skill, such as digital photography, saw significant improvements in memory tests.

    Taking a break counts. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} More than a century ago, German scientists showed that people performed almost twice as well in memory tests if they took breaks.

It's useful to stay social. Having an active social life delays memory loss as we age, US scientists who asked people in their 50s and 60s to do memory tests every other year between 2001 and 2007 found the decline in recall abilities of their most sociable subjects to be half that of the least well connected. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Sleeping well helps strengthen memories.

B. Old people should participate in easy activities

C. Yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques may help.

D. Memories can be destroyed if the brain doesn't have enough rests to sharpen them.

E. In fact, when it comes to memory, research suggests that only certain types of mental activities help.

F. Being able to remember important pieces of information can give you a powerful advantage in your life.

G. Having good friends, volunteering for charities and other forms of social engagement also protect memory.

    Volunteering abroad is a mind-opening experience that exposes one to other cultures, languages and ways of life.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}, the volunteer learns to appreciate the gifts of his home culture, as well as the benefits of the new. These volunteer opportunities often offer additional professional benefits, as well.

    The Satisfaction of Altruism (无私)

    Any volunteer job instills a sense of "giving back." However, overseas volunteering can be truly meaningful in this area. People in foreign cultures understand that you might be giving up numerous creature comforts to help them out.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    New Language Skills

    Overseas volunteers may not only learn a new language during their stay, they may also come to appreciate their native tongue all the more. Total being involved in the culture will require at least a conversational grasp of the language. Often, English speakers are called upon to teach English as a second language, which requires relearning often-forgotten rules of grammar and usage.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Better Manners

    If the expression "ugly American" rings a bell, know that overseas volunteering is an excellent cure for that particular problem.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The lessons may lead to the volunteer thinking twice about how their behavior appears to others in daily life.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    Going to a foreign country for a volunteer experience is a huge boost (帮助) on a resume. Employers love to see a person that can think outside the box and work past their comfort zone. The added benefits of teamwork, foreign language knowledge, and plain old hard work also add polish (品味) to the volunteer candidate. Since business now happens on a global scale, the volunteer is armed with useful, and potentially actionable, information.

A. Professional Benefits

B. An expanded appreciation of different traditions

C. By experiencing day-to-day existence in an area of need

D. Because of this, the act of giving is even more touching and deep

E. This repeat education can lead to better English skills in the long run

F. Volunteers may taste fruits, plants and meats they've never experienced before

G. Volunteers receive a thorough education about movement, gestures, and conversation

    If you are like millions of people around the world, the New Year brings with it new goals. But you get busy. Yet, your goal remains important. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Identify specific goals.

    As you identify your goals, be specific. If a goal is too general, it may be hard to pursue, let alone achieve it. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} That's a fine idea. Yet psychologists might say as a goal, it is too general. To make the goal more specific, you could sign up for a regular exercise class.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Experts say writing down your goals is important. It gets the goals out of your brain and into the real world. Some psychologists suggest that writing a goal on paper is better than typing it on a device or saying it into your phone. Your brain receives information differently when it comes from handwriting. Writing has another benefit: You can post your goals somewhere as a reminder.

    Break down big goals into small ones.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Some can be quite big. And for those bigger goals, experts suggest breaking them down into smaller ones. Say you want to work for yourself. You decide to start your own comp any that supplies food for special events. That is a very big goal. But it is made up of many smaller goals. So, identify them, write them down and set for yourself time limits.

    Tell a friend.

    Telling someone your goals is also helpful. If someone else knows about your goals, you are held responsible for any progress or lack of progress. You feel the pressure of your friend's op inion of you. That can be a big pressure! {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Write your goals down.

B. Not all goals are created equal.

C. Keep your life goals as a reminder.

D. Say your goal is to get in better physical shape.

E. You are bound to achieve your goals if you are determined.

F. So how can we find time to work on these larger life goals?

G. Many people do not want to let others down, especially friends and family.