Attraction of the Minions

When it comes to film, people usually favor good over evil,focus on the hero and ignore the supporting characters. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Originallycomedic background characters in the film Despicable Me(卑鄙的我), these yellow pill­shaped nuts, havetotally stolen the show and turned into a popular figure. This summer thecharacters debuted(首演)in their own self­titled movie in theaters abroad, having the second biggestopening weekend of all time for a cartoon film according to USAToday.Recently, McDonald's has been including Minion toys with kids' meals in someareas, causing loyal fans to flock to the restaurant to collect them all. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Themovie's huge popularity even surprised its writers.“We never knew the Minionswere going to be so popular.It just became a force of nature，” the film's co­writer Cinco Paul toldthe LosAngelesTimes.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For many, the appeal is obviously their cuteness.Their simple nature can easilysurpass cultures and age groups.Even children can draw them.Thousands ofexamples of fan­made Minion art from fingernails to Halloween clothes arevisible on global social media platforms.

Butthere's more to the phenomenon than just cuteness.US entertainment website HitFix explains that their way of communicating makes the creatures influential aswell. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it seems everyone can understand them through theirexaggerated(夸张的)movements and expressions.

Moreimportantly, their childlike mannerisms is a brand of humor that winshearts.“Clumsy, foolish Minions are recognized as the ultimate betapersonalities，”wrote Peter Debruge of US entertainment magazine Variety.

Theydesire nothing more than to serve their most despicable master. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}“Perhaps we love Minions because they remind us of ourselves，” HuffingtonPost associate Web editor SaraBoboltz wrote, “or an evil version of ourselves.”

    We all have our favourite teachers—those who treat us equally. But what about those teachers we don't know as well (for even don't like much)?

You can do lots of things to get a relation with your teacher. First，do the following:{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Complete all homework on time.Be attentive，be respectful，and ask questions.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Obviously，your teachers are really interested in their subjects or they wouldn't have decided to teach them! Show the teacher that you care，even if you're not good at math or fluent in French—send the message that you are a dedicated student.

    You can also schedule a private meeting during a teacher's free period.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can ask questions，inquire about a career in the subject，or talk about your progress in class. You may be surprised to learn that your teacher is a bit more relaxed one on one than when lecturing in front of the whole class.

However，here are some things to avoid when trying to establish a relationship with your teacher：

    ⒈{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Teachers sense when your only motivation is to get special treatment，a college reference，or a job suggestion.

    ⒉Trying to be teachers' pet. You just attract the teachers' attention on purpose and your classmates may start to hate you.

    ⒊{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's OK to offer a small sign of thanks to teachers if they've been helpful to you. But a teacher is usually not allowed to accept the wrong message，and a teacher is usually not allowed to accept anything expensive.

A．Giving expensive gifts.

B．Show up for class on time.

C．Not being sincere.

D．Find the practical value in classes.

E．Use this time to get extra help.

F．Show an interest in the subject.

G．Get along better with your teachers.

    Four benefits of writing by hand

    Today is National Handwriting Day! Although we don't write like we used to, here are four ways handwriting is still helpful.

    It's better for learning.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}That's because putting ink to paper stimulates (刺激) the brain.  One study from 2010 found that the brain areas related to learning “lit up” much more when kids were asked to write words like “spaceship” by hand versus just studying the word closely.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Many famous authors prefer writing by hand to the use of a typewriter or computer. Writer Susan Sontag once said that she penned her first drafts (草稿) before typing them up for editing later. She said, “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}” A 2009 study seems to support Sontag's preference for writing by hand: Elementary school students who wrote essays with a pen not only wrote more than their keyboard-tapping friends, but they also wrote faster and in more complete sentences.

    It will prevent you from being distracted (分心).

    The computer in front of you is really a distraction.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}In 2012, scientists even suggested that taking five-minute breaks to browse Tumblr or BuzzFeed could make you a more productive worker. However, when it's time to work on that essay, have only a pen and paper in front of you.

    It keeps your brain sharp as you get older.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}According to The Wall Street Journal, some physicians say that the act of writing is good exercise for those who want to keep their minds sharp as they age.

A. It makes you a better writer.

B. Writing is good for your brain.

C. Of course, the Internet isn't all bad.

D. I like the slowness of writing by hand.

E. Try writing by hand at least 20 minutes each day.

F. Many writers have a preference for writing by hand.

G. One of the most effective ways to study is to rewrite your notes by hand.

    As is often the case, you are trying hard to keep your eyes open in class after a late night doing piles and piles of homework, "{#blank#}1{#/blank#}" You are probably thinking, " This weekend I'll make up for all the sleep I have lost."

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Most people think the same way-if you stay in bed longer on Saturdays or Sundays, you will recover your missed sleep during the week.

    However, this is not correct.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Actually, researchers have just discovered that sleeping during the weekend will not do you any good, but rather make you feel more tired on Monday morning.

    Our body keeps a clock inside. It tells us when to wake up in the morning and when to feel sleepy at night. But the time on our body clock can be changed once we start taking on different sleeping habits.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This may mean on Monday morning we sometimes struggle to get out of bed.

    If we decide to get up only 20 minutes or half an hour later, it won't matter. This is because our body clock can accommodate(顺应) a delay of up to an hour, which means that a short lie-in at weekends is unlikely to have any big effect, we needn't worry about it at all.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    So, what should we do to balance and make up for all the sleep we've missed? Scientists say that simply eight hours of sleep would do the trick, not any longer.

A. You are not alone.

B. I need more sleep!

C. Sleep is important for everyone.

D. Sleeping is nothing like paying back money.

E. However, if we sleep longer our sleep becomes less efficient.

F. But delays of up to two hours or more can throw our body out of order.

G. This is why staying in bed for longer than usual might confuse our body clock.

    Constantly. About a half-million quakes rock the earth every day. People don't feel most of them because the quake is too small, too far below the surface, or deep in the sea. Some, however, are so powerful that they can be felt thousands of miles away.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But you can prepare for the unpredictable with a family safety plan, emergency kit and supplies and act properly when facing it and the disasters it brings.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}On one hand, make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and extra batteries at home. Learn first aid and learn how to turn off the gas, water and electricity. On the other hand, make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Do fix them to the wall or the floor.

    Pay attention to what you can do during an earthquake. Stay calm! If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Stay away from buildings considering something might fall off the building or the building could fall on you.

    Take some useful measures after an earthquake.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Provide first aid for anyone who needs it. Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. You should stay out of damaged buildings. Be careful around broken glass. Wear shoes to prevent cutting your feet. Be careful of chimneys-they may fall on you.

A.Stay indoors before an earthquake.

B.Check yourself and others for injuries.

C.Maybe you think the earthquake can be predictable.

D.Some actions matter to you when an earthquake is coming.

E.That's to say，earthquakes can happen anytime or anywhere.

F.Don't leave heavy objects on shelves because they'll fall during a quake.

G.If you're outdoors，stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall.

Reasons You Should Make Time for the Sunset

    Here's why you should consider making time to watch the sunset.

    ⒈It can slow down time.

Seriously. By witnessing the beauty of the sunset, you can slow down your perception (感知)of time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Amazingly, by taking the time to look at the vast sky, we're actually empowering ourselves to regain control of the clock.

    ⒉It can provide energy for you.

    Even if you have to go back to the office after you watch that last sliver disappear below the skyline, taking a few minutes out of your day to experience some of the golden hour will be worth it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Often when we feel exhausted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized (给予能量)is to connect with nature.

    ⒊It will force you to put your phone down.

    When we regard the experience of sunsets as special occasions, we feel the urge to document and save them——as if keeping photos of their beauty will help us remember that wonderful feeling.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    ⒋It will inspire you.

    There's a reason sunsets are a timeless and constant inspiration to poets, writers and romantics.

    ⒌{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    All of us are drawn to sunsets, but people in a few special places really regard the sunset as a daily opportunity to give thanks；{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Crowds gather to cheer and applaud it, reinforcing (加强)the idea that we should celebrate and be thankful for each day.

A. Nature is fuel for the soul.

B. It will help you appreciate life's gifts.

C. Do you draw inspiration from the sunset?

D. It will allow you to exercise in a healthy way.

E. Do you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day?

F. But if you experience the sunset more regularly, you'll no longer see it through a screen.

G. In places like Santorini, Greece, and Maui, Hawaii, the sunset is regarded as a nightly celebration.