The Medicine Label (标签)

One day last December, a student who calls himself Muqing at Tsinghua University was doing his physics homework. Suddenly, he discovered a problem on page 11 of a report on the 2022 Noble Prize in physics. It seemed that two “-” signs there should be two “+” signs instead.

Muqing was not sure about his discovery at first. After all, he was just a newcomer to physics while the report was from the highest authority (权威) in the area. What’s more, the problem was not very important since it might be just a clerical (书写的) error (错误) .

But the problem kept being on his mind. So Muqing asked his teacher Wang Xiangbin for help. Wang patiently worked on the problem with Muqing tate into the night. After several rounds of calculations (计算) , they made sure that there was really a fault.

Wang later emailed the Roval Swedish Academy of Sciences. The organization made the report and pointed out the problem. Soon Sara Gustavsson, a member of the organization, replied to Wang, thanking him and his student for telling them the error.

Muqing was very pleased, but after the story went around, he asked reporters not to show his real name. “When I get to achieve something really amazing, then please show my real name.” he said.

Through this event, Wang said his students should learn that in science, there is no absolute (绝对的). “Everybody can raise a fair question. Such is the beauty of science.” he said.

The Chinese ping feng (folding screen) is an ancient invention and traditional Chinese furniture (家具) . Its earliest common use dates from (追溯) the Han Dynasty. The term ping feng means protection from wind. showing its purpose at the very beginning.

As time passes, it has been made into different sizes with colorful paintings. On screens usually appears a dragon. It’s a symbol of light, growth and life-giving water. It also stands for nobility (尊贵) and power. The peacock, a beautiful bird, can be seen on screens, too. It’s a symbol of everlasting (永恒的) life. Beautiful flowers, which mean wealth and good luck, are also chosen as a popular design of the ping feng. All the designs carry people’s beautiful wishes.

Behind the ping feng lies an interesting story. In the past the unmarried daughter of a rich family was not supposed to see or be seen by men except her father, brothers or very close male cousins. When an admirer (追求者) paid a visit, however, she might take a secret look at him from a screen behind which she would be completely hidden. Her father would discuss poems with the young man and ask him to create one. If the daughter and her father were satisfied with the young man’s poem and his look, she might agree to take him as a husband.

Today the ping feng is back in fashion for its beauty and its practical (实际的) use as furniture. Acting as a moving wall or divider, it can be the perfect match for modern sofas and walls, which adds style to them. The ping feng is more than beautiful furniture.

①Have you ever thought about what’s more important, looking fashionable or feeling comfortable? You might have noticed many people choosing style over comfort and some even go to extremes (极端) to follow fashion. But we should remember: being fashionable isn’t everything. It’s more important to be healthy.

②Some people believe that they need to be a certain size to look beautiful. So, they start extreme diets (日常饮食) that are not good for their health. They might not eat meals or eat too little, which can make them feel sick. Is it a healthy way to live?

③Also, many girls wear shoes with very high heels. They might think high heels make them look taller. But these shoes can actually hurt their feet and make it hard to walk comfortably, and it can increase risks of falls. Some even wear tight (紧的) clothes that influence blood circulation (循环) making it hard to breathe. Should we put fashion over comfort and physical health?

④Besides, some boys and girls spend a lot of time and money changing their hair color. The material they use is usually harmful to their health. To make their hair straight or curly, they also use tools that are hot enough to burn their hair. But using these tools too often or at very high temperatures can make the hair dry or even burnt. Is it really worth it to risk our health, spending so much time and money?

⑤So, let’s rethink what’s really important. Is it fashion or is it our well-being? Clothes or hairstyles don’t tell us anything about a person’s character. Instead of spending a lot of time choosing clothes, we could use that time to do fun things with friends. And instead of following extreme diets, let’s eat properly and exercise regularly. Remember, your worth is not decided by your appearance, but by who you are as a person.

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High school students have to decide something important about their future. Should they go to college after they finish school? Or, should they take a gap year?

    37     The students are given time to experience the world and find themselves. Some may decide to get jobs and make money. However, most decide to do things to help them grow. Many give their time to help others.     38    

For some, gap years are beneficial. Students get out of their comfort zones (舒适区) and see new things. They learn new skills to help them become good speakers and leaders. What’s more, they learn about themselves.     39     They want to make that happen, so they go back to school and work really hard.

For others, gap years are less good.     40     Should you take a gap year? Only you can decide that.

Sometimes people come into your life. They may teach you a lesson to help you ______ who you are or what you want to be. You never know ______ these people may be: your classmate, your neighbor, relative or even a stranger.

Sometimes ______ happen to you. At that time, they may seem terrible, painful and unfair. But after thinking them over, you realize that if you don’t get over the difficulties, you will ______ know your potential (巨大潜能) . Everything happens for a reason and nothing happens ______ accident or by good or bad luck.

The successes and failures you experience create who you are. Even the ______ experiences can be learned from. To be honest, they are probably the worst ______ the most important ones.

So my child, whatever happens to you, just make every day count, enjoy every moment, for you may never experience it ______. Talk to people you have never talked to before. Learn something you are not good at. Try your best to do everything well without thinking about the result. Tell ______ that you are great and you can make it. The way to get successful is different. ______ your own life and then go out to enjoy it.

From deserts and beaches to playgrounds, sand is everywhere. But you might not know that sand is also     51     useful resource (资源). Sand is the second most-used resource in the world after water, the BBC reported. However, the UN said that sand is limited (有限的) and that we might be using it up.

Sand is made up of very small     52     (piece) of rock, soil and minerals (矿物质). It can take tens of thousands of years to form (形成) . But now we are using sand more     53     (quick) than it is being formed. According to the BBC, we use about 15 billion tons of sand every year to build houses, roads and other things.

Also, sand     54     (put) in the sea to make new islands. For example, the Palm islands are made up of three large man-made islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In 2010, they     55     (take) 94, 000, 000 m³ of sand to build. If people keep     56     (use) too much sand, it will run out in many places. For example, Vietnam may run out     57     construction (建筑) sand by 2020, Live Science noted.

    58     people need so much sand, they are trying to mine (开采) more of it. But this is     59     (harm) to the environment. Mining sand may cause beaches to disappear     60     more floods to happen in places close to the sea. Also, this may affect the habitats (栖息地) of many plants and animals.