【推荐1】There are proverbs (谚语) around spoken English. We do not normally put them in a composition or letter. Sometimes it is helpful if you know what common proverbs mean. Here are a few examples:

Once bitten, twice shy. If a dog bites me, I shall be twice as careful in future when I see it. This proverb is also used to apply to many things and not only to dogs. If you have been cheated at a shop, you will not go to the same shop again.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If I am a hunter, trying to catch birds, it is better to catch one bird than to see two birds in a bush but not be able to catch them. Thus this means that what you have already got is better than the chance of being able to get something bigger in future.

Too many cooks spoil the broth (soup). When too many people do something together, they get in each other’s way and cannot do a good job.

To pour oil on troubled waters. It is to try to calm things down. Oil is lighter than water. If a ship is in trouble at sea, another ship may come to help it. The second ship can send small boats to rescue people. However, it may first pour oil on the sea to make the sea less rough.

Don’t be a dog in a manger (槽). It means “Don’t be selfish.” In a stable (马房), the manger is the place where the horse’s food is put. Sometimes a dog will sleep in the manger and bark when a horse comes to get its food. The dog does not want to eat the hay in the manger but it will not let the horse eat it.

He is sitting on the fence. It means that somebody will not say whether he is in favor of a plan or against it. He is sitting on a fence between two opposing sides, perhaps waiting to see which side will win.

He who pays the piper calls the tune. A piper is a musician. The man who employs or pays a musician can say what tunes the man will play. Thus this means that if a man provides the money for a plan, he can say how it will be carried out.

You cannot get blood out of a stone. Means that you cannot get something from a person who has not got any of the things you want. For example, you cannot get a million dollars from a poor man.

【推荐3】The human sense of smell is weak.That is well known, and is suspected by many anthropologists of being the result of a trade-off(协调) in favor of visual processing power. In the specific case of people, however, the relative weakness of smell compared with sight extends to language, too. Humans have no difficulty putting names to colors but are notoriously bad at putting names to smells.

That might also be caused by how the brain is wired. But some doubt this. They suggest it is more likely a consequence of the tendency of languages to contain words useful to their speakers. Since smells matter little to most people, most languages have few abstract words for them. A study just published in Current Biology, by Asian Majid at Radboud University in the Netherlands and Nicole Kruspe at Lund University in Sweden supports this.

Dr. Majid knew from previous work she had done that the Jahai, a group of hunter-gatherers who live in western Malaysia, are remarkably good at naming smells. Dr. Majid suggested that it might, in part, be because the Jahai have a dozen wards dedicated to describing different sorts of smells in the abstract. For example, the Jahai use the word “cŋεs” for stinging(刺激的) sorts of smells associated with petrol, smoke and various insects, and “pleŋ” for bloody, fishy and meaty sorts of smells. According to Dr Majid, only “musty” is able to act in this way in English without drawing on analogy (banana-like, gooseberry-noted, and even earthy and sweet-smelling, are all analogies of some sort).

They also looked at how two other groups of people from the Malay Peninsula(马来半岛)used terms for colors and smells. These were the Semaq Beri who also hunt and gather for a living, and the Semelai, who cultivate rice. They found that the Semaq Beri used abstract terms for smells 86% of the time-about as often as they did for colours, which was 80％. The Semelai also used abstract colour descriptions at a similar rate, namely 78％ of the time. But when it came to describing odours they relied on abstraction on only 44％ of occasions, while resorting to analogies, such as “banana” and “chocolate”, 56％ of the time. Given these findings, Dr.Majid and Dr.Kruspe argue that it is the hunting-and-gathering way of life, rather than the use of a particular language, that is crucial to the use of abstract names for smells.

【推荐1】Are you carrying too much on your back at school? I’m sure lots of children of your age will say “Yes”. Not only the students in China have this problem, but children in the United States also have heavy school bags.

Doctors are starting to worry that younger and younger students are having back and neck problems as a result of school bags being too heavy for them.

“It’s hard for me to go upstairs with my bag because it’s so heavy,” said Rick Hammond, an 11-year-old student in the US. Rick is among students who have common school bags with two straps (带子) to carry them, but many other students choose rolling bags. But even with rolling bags, getting up stairs and buses is still a problem for children. Many of them have hurt their backs and necks because of the heavy school bags.

But how much is too much? Doctors say students should carry no more than 10% to 15% of their own body weight.

Scott Bautch, a back doctor, said children under Grade 4 should stay with 10%. But it is also important that older children don’t stay with over 15%, because their bodies are still growing. “Children are losing their balance and falling down with their school bags,” he said.

Parents and teachers are starting to tell children to only take home library books they will be reading that night. Some teachers are using pieces of paper or thin workbooks for students to take home.

One of the best answers is, as some children said, to have no homework at all!

【推荐2】The idea that you can use humor, laughter, and play to make you healthier probably seems too simple to be true. However, it is really true and simple. The sense of humor, laughter and play plays an important role in keeping you healthy.

Treat the blues with a sense of humor, which is closely tied to laughter. Laughter is infectious. Have you ever heard a big laugh of a young child and been able to keep yourself from smiling? When laughter is shared between people, it makes them closer to each other and increases their happiness. Smiling is the beginning of laughter and a smile is also just as infectious as laughter is. You can experience something by smiling at everyone around you, and you will feel happier just by sharing a smile, even with a stranger.

Play is an important part of making sure that we stay healthy. We are often encouraged to make sure our children play, and are told of the benefits of being out playing. However, what we often forget is that it is just as important for old people to make play be part of their life as it’s for children. Physical play is important for the old and it certainly helps prevent illness. While the studies are still in the early stages, the studies that have been done have shown that physical play certainly plays a part in preventing cognitive (认知的) falling.

Anyway, adding humor, laughter, and play to our life will influence us mentally, physically and socially and bring us many advantages. So we should make full use of humor, laughter and play to make our life more active, more interesting and happier.

【推荐1】Many college students want to look for seasonal, short-term or part-time jobs to get extra cash, to stay busy or to get working experience.

The job is a great opportunity to build your fitness, keep people safe and be outdoors to enjoy some fun on the beach in the sun. The average hourly wage for lifeguards is $ 9.31, but those with certifications or previous experience may be able to earn a bit more.

Students can find plenty of positions as parents scramble (争抢) to arrange activities and find care for their children. Students who enjoy spending time with kids, staying active and being outdoors can spend their leisure time making money without even feeling like they’re working. Nannies make $ 14.56 per hour.

Students who enjoy spending their time with children, being a leader and monitoring fun outdoor activities are perfect for camp consultant positions. The average hourly wage for camp consultants is $9.28, but those with many years’ experience or specific academic backgrounds may be able to earn more.

Although it may not seem like the most attractive way to spend a weekend, working as wait staff allows students to build up their social skills, stay active, enjoy free meals at work and posily educate themselves about different cuisines. However, food servers need to be on their feet for hours at a time and must be able to multi-task like professionals, so take this into account before submitting an application. The average salary is $ 9.00 hourly, but trips can raise that number.

【推荐2】Camps for Grades 6-8

Camps for Curious Minds are going virtual! Get ready for hands-on experiences this summer   from the comfort of your home. Group sizes are kept small and led by two virtual counselors so that these at-home experiences are interactive and engaging.

Art and Animation (动画制作)

When: July 27-31 (1-4 pm), August 10-14 (1-4 pm)

Cost: $ 275 / $ 250 PacSci members

Create and animate a story using different artistic media and styles. Campers will   explore physical media to create their art and then choose from a variety of animation styles to translate it into a digital animation.

Chef University

When: July 6-10 (9 am-12 pm), August 3-7 (1-4 pm)

Cost: $ 225 / $ 200 PacSci members

Get started learning basic cooking skills such as cutting, sauteing, emulsifying and baking, and about the scientific processes behind some of the most common food phenomena.

Anthrozoology

When: June 29-July 3 (9 am-12 pm), July 27-31 (1-4 pm), August 24-28 (9 am-12 pm)

Cost: $ 225 / $ 200 PacSci members

Be an anthrozoologist for the week, bring your curiosities to life as we discover the relationships between humans and animals! Uncover the worlds of wildlife conservation, veterinary ( 兽 医 的 ) sciences and zoology. Deepen curiosity about our natural world by creating global solutions to human and wildlife interactions.

Ready, Set, Action

When: June 22-26 (9 am-12 pm), July 20-24 (1-4 pm), August 17-21 (9 am-12 pm)

Cost: $ 225 / $ 200 PacSci members

We’re spending so much of our time in front of screens, so let’s use them to make something awesome! In just one week, we’ll learn all about movie-making, storyboards, and setdesign. We’ll explore the possibilities of using video-conference software to create unique and creative short films.

Wherever my teacher calls on me in class, my heart beats quickly. I’m afraid I’ll give the wrong answer and everyone will laugh. So I say “I don’t know”.

Candy

You are not the only kid who feels this way. Talk to a parent or your teacher for ideas. You can also set small goals (目标). Try your best to answer questions and put up your hand in class once a day. Remember, it is really OK to be wrong sometimes.

Lisa

My friend is starting to hang out with a girl who used to bully (欺负) her. And my friend doesn’t seem to want to be around me at all anymore.

Wendy

It’s normal for friendships to change, and it’s possible that the girl has become kinder over time. Try not to worry about that, and pay attention to how your own friendship is changing. Hanging out, just the two of you, might help to mend your friendship.

Lisa

My mom and I often argue. Sometimes she starts it. Sometimes I do. Either way, I feel sad and alone after arguing. A way to stop?

Carl

Find time to talk to your mom. Tell her that you’re unhappy after arguing with her and that you’d like to work out a way to avoid arguments.

Lisa

I want to be a writer. But when I go back to reading a story I’ve written, it sounds stupid and I don’t want to finish it. Should I keep trying to write?

Nick

Every writer has been where you are --a place where nothing he writes sounds right. What’s important is keeping writing as much as you can. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Also, keep reading. You can learn a lot about writing by reading.

Lisa

【推荐1】Can you resist cream cakes? I miss my sugar! I’ve decided to lose weight and I had to give up cakes. It’s difficult because I have a sweet tooth and I love cream cakes.

Not having treats can be good for your health. I’ve heard that the Burts, a family of five in South East England，lived sugar free for a whole year after they found out their daughter had diabetes (糖尿病). It wasn’t easy. To avoid temptation, I don’t go to any bakeries, but this family actually owns one, which makes up to 3,000 cakes a week.

They were in shock when the doctor said that their 16-year-old Lucy had to check her blood sugar levels regularly and take insulin (胰岛素). He advised her to eat a normal, balanced diet, but the Burts went further and got rid of sugar altogether.

And how does it feel to live without sugar for a while? Jason Burt said that for a month they felt weak. But later on it all changed. He says he feels “more awake” and full of energy.

And what about the Burt family business? It had to keep using half a ton of sugar a week and any cook worth his salt knows that you have to taste a recipe to know if it’s right. No problem there, says Jason Burt’s wife, Clare. She points out that she’s got lots of people offering to taste the cakes for them. The family is also thinking about selling more delicious products.

I wonder what makes us have a strong desire for sweet food. Anyway, I’ve decided to forget about the sweet taste of sugar for a while. As British model Kate Moss says：“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

【推荐2】Due to a scheduling accident, one Waffle House worker was left alone to run the entire restaurant on a Sunday night.

Ethan Crispo was just one of about 30 hungry customers who wanted food at midnight. After sitting at his table for a while, he noticed there was just one upset employee available to take orders, cook food, clean tables and manage the cash register.

The 24-year-old patron was losing hope of ever getting a meal. The employee who was recognized only by his name tag reading “Ben”-seemed to be on the edge of panic until Crispo saw him speaking to a male customer in a blue shirt sitting at the counter. After a brief conversation, Ben handed him an apron (围裙) and the man got to work washing dishes.

“It was a transition so smooth. I initially assumed it was a staff member returning to his shift,” Crispo told AL.com. “It wasn’t. It was a kind stranger.”

A couple of minutes later, a woman in high heels and a stylish dress walked behind the counter to make more coffee. She then took a few orders before resigning herself to clearing tables. Suddenly, a third customer in a red shirt marched over to help as well, though Crispo failed to catch his name or take a photo of the man at work.

The term “customer service” took on a whole new meaning that night. “It was the most fascinating thing,” Crispo said. “It was just one of the wildest instances of really, really cool people just coming together. It made a difference to many people that night. Certainly, their actions made an impact on me,” he added. “Humanity isn’t just good－it’s great.”

【推荐3】My daughter recently asked me what a travel agency does. There is one located on our street and it has just been completely rebuilt. I told her that they helped people book their trips and vacations. “Why haven't we ever been there？” she wanted to know. “Because we do everything ourselves online these days” I explained. “But why do it yourself if other people want to do it for you？” she wondered out loud.

The answer is that the travel agency makes a little bit of money on each ticket you book through them. If you book your ticket yourself online, you save that money. Saving money sounds great except that when you think about it you typically spend three evenings comparing prices to end up saving $30 on a $300 trip. All those $30 discounts add up of course so I guess we should be happy with that.

Consider books for a moment. Buying your book at Amazon saves you maybe 30% to 40% on each book. Add to that the convenience of shopping from home and getting the package delivered to your home address. So far so good. Unfortunately, that does mean you spend too much time browsing Amazon. com while you could do something fun instead. Like maybe reading an actual book?

Then the package arrives and you aren't home and end up having to pick it up at the local post­office. All in all I wonder how much time I end up investing in the whole process. Time sounds free, but to most of us, it is more valuable than money.

The Internet Economy promised to get rid of the middle—men and we loved it. Somehow, I'm starting to get the feeling that we ourselves ended up doing the work of that middle—men we were so eager to get rid of.

In any project you can always pick two of these: fast, cheap or good. We seem to have focused a lot on 'cheap' and 'good' but the extra time we need to invest to also keep it 'fast' comes out of our own pockets.

You can always make more money but you can never make more time.