【推荐1】There’s no need to be ashamed about dozing off in class. It is actually a natural phenomenon. Studies have shown that people can only stay completely focused on something for a maximum of 10 minutes.     1     Dozing off during an important activity or event on a regular basis can develop into a habit that you might carry into other areas of your life.

Scientists have found that avoiding overeating before class is one of the most effective ways to beat class sleepiness. Most people have experienced “food coma (昏迷)” after eating a large meal. Eating too much results in a feeling of heaviness that uses up your energy. This happens because the body releases chemicals that signal drowsiness after eating.     2    

Carbohydrates (碳水化合物) release more serotonin (血清素) from the brain, which makes you feel good.     3     Basically, not all foods have the same impact on your body. While some foods can increase your energy, others can make you sleepy. Also, tasking your body with digesting a large meal is exhausting. Eating large portions — especially of unhealthy foods — will leave your body with little energy to use elsewhere.

    4     This gives your body the opportunity to digest smaller amounts of food at a time, leaving you feeling energized instead of tired after your meals.

Also, avoid heavy foods and choose healthy, balanced meals instead.     5     An example of a well-rounded breakfast to have before class would be a glass of milk, an egg and a salad containing at least three vegetables.

A．Finally, it helps deliver oxygen to your vital organs.

B．However, too much serotonin can lead to drowsiness.

C．Unfortunately, most classes last longer than 10 minutes.

D．Falling asleep in class can cause poor academic performance.

E．A healthy meal should include fruit, vegetables and healthy fats.

F．This is particularly true if you eat a meal that is high in carbohydrates.

G．It is recommended that you keep a stable level of energy by eating smaller meals.

【推荐2】Why Do Movie Theaters Serve Popcorn?

The savory smell. The crunchy bite. The buttery finish. Americans will recognize the smell and flavor of their favorite moviegoing snack anywhere. Why is it that we feast our taste buds on these crisp kernels while our eyes focus on the big screen?

    1    The main reason is the snack’s price, convenience, and timing. Popcorn was cheap for sellers and for customers, and making it didn’t require special equipment.

    2    That is how popcorn got introduced to the silver screen.

Popcorn does not refer to the popped kernel alone.     3    It was originally grown in Central America and became popular in the U.S. in the mid-1800s. Compared with other snacks at the time, it was super easy to make, and it got easier in 1885 when the mobile steam-powered popcorn maker was invented. In the late 19th century a large number of independent popcorn suppliers became widely available.     4    

Since popcorn was cheap to make, it was also cheap to buy, which increased the popularity of this treat during the Great Depression. The Depression increased consumer spending on cheaper luxury items such as popcorn and movies, and the two industries teamed up.     5    By the mid-1940s, however, movie theaters began to have their own concession stands in the lobby. The introduction of the popcorn-driven concession stand to movie theaters kept the movie theater industry running smoothly, and popcorn has been a basic movie-watching food ever since.

A．A few aspects made popcorn the typical movie snack.

B．They were like the great-great-grandfathers of food trucks.

C．Therefore, movie theaters attracted more and more customers.

D．The secret of popcorn’s pleasant taste lies in the special material.

E．It’s also the name for the specific type of corn that is used to make the snack.

F．Theaters would allow a popcorn salesman to sell right outside for a daily fee.

G．Popcorn also got popular at a time when theaters badly needed an economic increase.

【推荐3】It's difficult not to admire the talent of a skilled musician. Whether it is a pianist, a violinist or a drummer, these individuals have shown devotion and passion over a long period of time to reach the highest levels of performance. But they say it is never too late to learn a musical instrument.    1    

Learning to play an instrument when growing up can improve hearing in adulthood. According to a study by Professor Nina Kraus, children who played musical instruments were better at recognizing different frequencies. This enhanced hearing skill into later life.Moreover, it could also have some academic benefits too,     2    

For the adults who don't have the opportunity to learn one in childhood, whether you choose to play the piano. or learn a drumbeat, you could end up joining a band or orchestra. This can in turn enrich your social life.     3     Mastering the perfect chord is one way, but what if you got together with a bunch of friends and entered into a competition-and won?

    4     Obviously, picking up an instrument can help them kill time. But more importantly,it can effectively prevent them from dementia(老年痴呆)as several regions in the brain are active in the process of playing instruments.

    5     Why not begin by yourself? Chances are that you can establish a band with your children and parents.

A．They also take pride in their own achievements.

B．Will you simply admire others' talents and performances?

C．Positive effects on those who have retired cannot be ignored.

D．So what are the benefits for children, adults and even seniors?

E．Learning an instrument can also give you a sense of achievement.

F．A band or orchestra always needs performers of different instruments.

G．Students involved in musical activities scored significantly higher in maths.

【推荐2】There are plenty of concerns about robots stealing jobs from hard-working, flesh-and-blood humans. However, Japan’s Henna “Strange” Hotel has fired half of its 243 robot staff, because these labor-saving machines were causing more problems than they were solving— and requiring humans to come in and fix things as a result.

One of the victims of the robot layoffs was a doll-shaped robot called Cheri, which functioned as an artificial intelligence assistant. Unfortunately. Cheri tuned out to be pretty poor at answering questions from hotel guests. A pair of dinosaur robots, which worked at the hotel check-in, were also made non-existent by the firings since they wound up being unable to do many of the jobs required of 8 receptionist. A concierge (服务台职员) robot, meanwhile, was replaced by a human better able to answer important questions about nearby tourist attractions. Humans are also now going to carry luggage to the rooms, one quarter of which the previous porter robots were only able to reach—and only in excellent weather conditions.

Not surprisingly, the hotel, recognized in 2016 as the world’s first robot-staffed hotel by Guinness World Records, allured curious visitors from all around the world. Encouraged by the success the hotel s owner, Sawada opened seven additional locations across Japan and announced plans to build at least 50 more.

In the end, though, it seems that—as great as robots can be—they’re simply not suitable for every role just yet. With the rise of robot bar-tenders, robot-staffed restaurants and the like, it will be interesting to see how many similar concepts fall apart in the coming years. After all, once the novelty of a dinosaur robot on reception wears off, you’re just faced with a receptionist who can’t properly understand you and lacks an effective number of fingers on each hand to properly photocopy your passport.

1. Which of the following was used to answer such questions as scenic spots?

A．A porter robot.	B．A dinosaur robot.
C．A concierge robot.	D．A doll-shaped robot.

2. What does the underlined word “allured” refer to in Paragraph 3?

A．attracted

B．relaxed

C．thrilled

D．upset

3. What does the author think of the robot staff?

A．They did better than humans.

B．They couldn’t replace humans entirely.

C．The rest of them will be fired.

D．They were a big challenge for humans.

4. What might be the most suitable title of the text?

A．World’s First Robot-staffed Hotel.

B．Robots Perform Various Functions.

C．Humans Will Replace Robots Eventually.

D．Japanese Hotel Fires Half Its Robot Staff.

【推荐3】What to Do If Your Child Can’t Sleep

Sleep issues are not particular to infants and toddlers, but can linger well into the school-going age bracket. If parents have reached the stage where their older child doesn’t sleep well, they may feel resigned to the situation – and it’s true that the older the child is, the more difficult it may be to change deeply rooted sleep associations and expectations – but there’re still some things you can do.

Sleep strategies – Explain: Talk to your child about the changes that you intend to make. Do this during the daytime, on a walk or over lunch. Let your child be involved in the decisions to give them a sense of control over the situation. Ask for their input, suggestions and their own impressions of what they would like their bedtime to include. Then rearrange the bedroom together, or simply choose the books and pajamas.

Environment: Make sure your child’s bedroom is a calm, safe place. Avoid too many distractions or stimulating activities in advance of sleep. Keep electronics and televisions out of the bedroom and limit their use at least 1-2 hours before bedtime, as using gadgets shortly before sleep can make it difficult for your child to “switch off”. If lots of non-sleep time is spent in the bedroom, the room itself does not represent the big separation that is sleep.

Diet and exercise: Outdoor exercise and fresh air are significant components to healthy sleep, and at least one hour a day is the recommendation. Don’t do this too close to sleep time though, as that’s when you need to be helping relax your child’s body, not stimulate it.

A growing child will need good sleep, so they need three structured meals and plenty of water throughout the day. But sugary or processed foods should be avoided. Allow them time to digest the food they’ve eaten before having them go to bed, although warm milk can help promote sleep.

1. According to the article, the underlined word “bracket” in paragraph 1 probably means _____.

A．a kind of basket	B．a particular range
C．a kind of relationship	D．the name of an age group

2. According to the article, why should parents involve their children in the decision-making about sleep issues?

A．To strengthen their connection with their children.

B．To warn their children that they should sleep well.

C．To inform their children that some changes about their sleeping habits will be made.

D．To make the children feel they have the ability to make their own decisions about their sleep issues.

3. If parents want their children to sleep well, which food should they try not to give their children?

A．Boiled eggs.	B．Candy bars.
C．Warm milk	D．Homemade dumplings.