Hi Grace,

    How's it going? Sorry I haven't emailed for a while, but I had so much to do!

    I had told you about my decision to take up a sport. I knew I wasn't fit and I wanted to get some exercise. But that wasn't the only reason that I decided to do a sport. Students who play sports do better at school. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Exercise also helps learning and memory.

     {#blank#}2{#/blank#} First, I tried soccer. I had played a bit of soccer before and I thought it wouldn't be too bad. I knew I couldn't run for very long without feeling tired. On the first day, I was able to run for the first ten minutes, but then I was so tired that I couldn't even kick the ball!

    Then, I tried volleyball. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} I was able to run for the first twenty minutes and I wasn't the slowest runner in the team! After a few weeks, I could run faster and longer. I was doing better and feeling better. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Maybe I'm not a team sport person after all!

    Finally, I tried Kung fu. It's a great sport that exercise the body and the mind. You learn to follow instructions carefully and do what you are asked to do. This is the right sport for me! {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I feel so confident that I even showed some moves to the class last week! Can you believe it?

I hope you're OK! Write and let me know what you've been doing!

    Bye for now!

                                                                                                                                                                               Kristie

A. I got very excited about soccer.

B. But I couldn't decide on a sport.

C. Running helps me to keep fit.

D. Things were a bit better this time.

E. Then I found volleyball terribly boring.

F. They are more confident and less stressed.

G. I practice twice a week and I haven't missed a class.

Writing A Letter To Your Future Self

    Just imagine writing a letter to your future self 5 years from now, then opening it at that exact moment to see how much of it has come true. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    As you read the letter in the future, you can assess how many things agree with your expectations in the past. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Often times, the goals we set and our goal achievement process are affected by a lot of changes along the way. The letter lets you recognize how your current idea differs from the past.

    In addition to that, at the very moment you are writing the letter, your thoughts are stored right there in those words. When you open the letter in the future, you as your future self gets to compare how you used to be in the past with how you are now.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. It's very interesting to do so.

    Take out a pen and paper right now and start writing your letter to your future self. Set a time period to write to. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Then start writing. Think about the type of person you will be, your place in life, what you will have realized then, and so on.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Put it in a safe space where no one can find it. When you open this sometime in the near future, you might gain additional insights(了解) about yourself and your journey in the past few years.

    Cold blesses us all

    It's November, the time of year when people often get blessed more. This is not because God likes cold weather, nor because others are feeling generous with Thanksgiving just around the corner.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Colds and the flu are the most common illnesses people get in autumn and winter as the weather gets colder. They are all caused by viruses, but colds are generally milder—you'll feel annoyed but not as if you want to die.

    Teenagers catch average six to ten colds a year, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health, while adults average two to four. More than 200  viruses cause cold symptoms.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You can be contagious（传染的）one day before symptoms develop and for up to five days after becoming sick.

    The signature symptom of a cold is a runny nose. The flu will make you burn with fever, ache all over, feel extremely tired and cough intensely. The flu can sometimes lead to more serious diseases, such as pneumonia.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}A doctor can test you to see whether you have the flu in the first few days of the illness. But some treatments for both are pretty much the same:

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Many doctors consider water a weapon against the common cold. It helps your blood drive off viruses and flood them out.

    Keep warm. You might be cold one minute and hot the next, and wearing several layers is very important.

    Wash your hands frequently. You don't want to make it worse by spreading the flu to everyone else. Also, avoid sharing cups and eating utensils(餐具) with other people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}But if your flu symptoms get worse, go to a hospital or clinic right away.

A. Most people who catch the flu get better without having to see their doctor.

B. Sometimes, it's hard to tell a cold from the flu based on symptoms alone.

C. Drink lots of water.

D. Taking medicine on time is a good way to prevent the illness.

E. "Bless you!" is a common response to sneezes, the symptom of catching a cold or the flu.

F. Get lots of sleep and take it easy.

G. You can pass on the flu before you even know you have it.

How to Plan a Holiday Trip

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whether it's to grandma's house, a family reunion or simply a holiday getaway, these yearly road trips can often be the source of dread and stress. The thought of being trapped in the car with restless children or the possibility of car trouble along the way is enough to make anyone consider staying home. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Plan out the route for your car trip. If you're planning on driving to your holiday destination, a little planning can help make your trip easy and uneventful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember, it's likely that you won't be the only person on the road during the holidays, and traffic is always a factor. Alternate routes or shortcuts can help reduce time spent in traffic jams and get you to your destination sooner. This information can also come in handy in case of road construction or other situations that might block your primary route.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Although traveling by air can be quick and convenient, it can also be much more expensive. Start planning your trip early to take advantage of advance purchase discounts and avoid sold out flights. Many airlines become extremely busy during the holidays so booking in advance can also help ensure that you get the flights that you want. High traffic destinations such as New York, Los Angeles or Atlanta can be extremely crowded during the holidays. If you have the option, consider booking your flight to a nearby airport and renting a car for the short drive to your destination.

    Consider your luggage needs. If you're traveling by car, the issue of luggage is only important with regards to the amount of room needed. Before you begin packing, think about how many people will be in your vehicle and how much room they will need to travel comfortably. This could affect the number of bags that you can take along. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not only is the possibility of lost luggage an issue, but most airlines now charge extra for checked baggage.

    For a family of four, carrying a few bags each could result in several hundred dollars worth of baggage fees during your trip. Try to pack as lightly as possible.

A. As an alternative to driving or flying, check into the possibility of traveling by train.

B. Plan your trip to avoid peak travel times.

C. Luckily, with a little planning, these situations can be avoided.

D. Book airline tickets.

E. Each year, millions of people load up the family car and set out on a holiday trip,

F. For traveling by air, the number of bags that you take is a much bigger concern.

G. Consider your starting point and desired destination, and investigate several possible routes.

    Britons are well known for the amount of tea that they drink. The average person in the UK consumes around 1.9 kg of tea annually. That's around 876 cups of tea. Tea is drunk by all sections of society. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The fast majority of tea is grown in India and China. So, how did it become an important part of British culture?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}At this time, British ships were exploring the world and came across the drink in China. It was not long before green tea was available to buy. However, this was only available to the richer sections of society.

    At the beginning of the 1700s，the amount of tea arriving in Britain increased gradually. Black tea arrived at this time. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They soon discovered that it makes really well with a little milk and sugar, giving the drink a special British characteristic.

    In the 1800s Tea was still a product enjoyed only by people with money. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}This involves drinking tea with a snack around 4 p.m. to avoid feeling hungry between lunch and dinner. It is a tradition that is still going today, but has become less popular in recent times.

In the late 1800s, the price of tea decreased sharply as more tea began to arrive on ships from India and China. It was no longer a drink just for rich people. Tearooms—shops where you could buy and drink tea —started to appear across the country. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}At the start of the 20th century, Britons began to make tea in their homes whenever they felt like it. Kettles became essential in every kitchen.

A. At this time, they begin to have afternoon tea.

B. People in lower classes could not afford it.

C. Let's have a look at its history.

D. People enjoy drinking tea and socializing in these places.

E. But tea does not grow in Britain.

F. Tea arrived in London in the 1600s.

G. At first, people drank this tea exactly as it was in China.

Daily Habits to Help You Get Healthier in 2024

Many of us hope to make changes for the better for the new year, and health goals tend to be at the top of that list. Sometimes New Year's wishes require some sacrifices. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Below are some achievable daily habits that keep your overall health.

Prioritize sleep.

Your body needs time not only to rest and recharge, but also to do important work like learning new things. Experts suggest teenagers should get. at least eight hours sleep each day. If this is a challenge for you, turn to your circadian rhythm, which tells you the right time to sleep and wake up. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Just go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

Take a break from electronics.

In fact, studies have found that screen addiction has a negative influence on our health. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Keeping away from screen can improve your sleep, and reduce depression and anxiety. Thus, remember to spare time each day when you're screen-free.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Your health y habits can also be fun and rewarding. What have you always wanted to do? Your answer to that question might point you toward a new hobby to explore in 2024. And getting into it can help you reduce stress and boost mental well-being. Plus, some hobbies can get you moving, boosting your physical and mental health. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Ultimately, you can pick one or two healthy daily habits. And I am sure you'll be moving toward a healthier, happier 2024.

A. Fight against stress.

B. Take on a new hobby.

C. Fortunately, doing the opposite is beneficial.

D. Then how do you use your body clock for better sleep?

E. For better sleep, perhaps make that the last thing before bed.

F. However, we don't have to give up too much to realize them

G. Maybe playing basketball or doing yoga will be a good choice