【推荐2】What do you do when you feel unhappy? Do you listen to music? Do you talk to a friend?

Maybe next time you feel sad, you should try going outside if it is sunny. Doctors know that how much sunlight we get can change how we feel. Scientists learned this by interviewing (采访) people who live in different parts of the world. In the far north, in Alaska of Finland, for example, the days are very short in winter. People living in these places say that they are unhappy in winter. The reason is the amount (数量) of sunlight these people get each day. Sunlight changes the chemicals (化学物) in our bodies, and these chemicals can change the way we feel. Several hours of strong sunlight can help your body make the chemicals. These chemicals can make us feel happy.

Another way to feel happier is to get some exercise. Just like sunlight, regular (规律的) exercise helps our bodies make certain chemicals, which make us feel happier. What’s more, exercise helps people sleep better. Enough sleep often makes people feel happy. Exercise also helps you get rid of stress (压力). When you are angry or upset about something, exercise is a way to get those bad feelings out of you.

【推荐1】Very hot weather is common in many parts of the world. Although hot weather just makes most people hot, it can cause medical problems and death.

Floods, storms and other terrible natural events kill thousands of people every year. And we hear much about them in news reports. We general hear little about heat（热）, which experts say may be nature’s most dangerous killer.

Health experts say that since the year 1900, very hot weather has killed more people in the United States than any other natural event. One year—the unusual hot summer of 1980 heat caused about 1,700 deaths in the United States. In 1955, more than 600 people died in another heat wave in one city—Chicago, Illinois.

Besides drinking lots of cool water, doctors say there are some other things to do to protect against the health dangers of heat. Stay out of the sun, if possible. Wear loose and light-colored clothes. Wear a hat while in the sun. Eat fewer hot and heavy foods. And, cook foods during cooler time of the day. If possible, rest more often.

Health experts say these simple steps can prevent the dangerous health problems caused by heat. They will prevent sickness, help you feel better and may even save your life.

【推荐2】When the big earthquake hit Japan several years ago, workers in a supermarket in Japan didn’t run away. Instead, they held on to the shelves and tried to stop the goods from falling down.

Reporters from NHK, the country’s largest TV station, stayed calm in front of cameras during the earthquake, even though some were facing real danger.

The earthquake was the most powerful one to hit Japan in the country’s history. But Japan’s reaction to the earthquake has shown that it is the most earthquake-prepared country in the world. The calm that they showed during and after the quake has impressed the world.

This is because Japan has an earthquake culture. Japanese people are taught how to prepare for and react to an earthquake from a young age.

One way kids learn about earthquake safety is from the cartoon character Maruko, a 9-year-old student. In Chibi Maruko Chan (《樱桃小丸子》), Maruko has to wear a protective hat in an earthquake practice. Schools in Japan organize earthquake practices every month. They make students become familiar (熟悉的) with being in an earthquake.

Japan also has a good earthquake warning (警告) system. The warning system is unable to predict an earthquake, but it can usually alert (使警觉) people about 15 seconds before they feel the effects. Even 15 to 20 seconds can be enough to save people’s lives.

【推荐3】Yesterday I had one of the most terrible experiences of my life! A storm woke me up early. I got up and looked out of the window of our hotel. I listened to the thunder (雷声) and watched the lightning (闪电). It wasn’t scary at that time— it was exciting!

But then I looked at my phone and saw on the news that a hurricane was coming. I asked my dad what a hurricane is and asked him if he knew what to do. He told me not to worry because a hurricane is just a big storm. We stayed in our hotel room and by the afternoon, there was even more rain. And the winds were getting stronger and stronger.

In the evening, a hotel worker asked all the visitors to go to the dining hall. When we were all inside, we put tables in front of the doors and then we got down on the floor together in the corner. We waited and waited. The winds got louder, the rain became heavier and then it suddenly went dark. I was so scared that I held (抓住) my dad’s hand. We stayed there for a long time.

Finally, morning arrived. _______ I felt so happy that we were safe (安全的). I hope I will never have a night like that again.

【推荐1】Do you know what birds use to build their nests? You may say that birds usually build their nests with sticks, leaves or grass. But do you know that birds are also building their nests with rubbish these years? The rubbish includes cigarette butts (烟头) and plastic bags.

A group of European scientists looked into about 35,000 studies on bird nests. They found that birds have used man-made things in nests almost everywhere on Earth except Antarotica. Some rubbish seems to be helpful. This is why birds “like” putting it in their nests. For example, cigarette butts have special smell, so they can keep insects away and protect the baby birds. Plastic bags are useful in keeping the animals warm, and other hard things, such as paper cards, can make nests stronger.

However, in the end, human rubbish may only bring more harm to birds. The toxic (有毒的) chemicals in cigarettes hurt the baby birds. They may get sick or have shorter lives, according to a study. To make matters worse, if the cigarette still burns when the bird brings it back to its home, it may set fire to the nest. Pieces of fishing net may also trap birds, and it’s impossible for them to get out by themselves. If the baby birds eat other kinds of rubbish by accident, they will also get hurt. Our bird friends in the air are feeling the bad effects of humans polluting the environment.

【推荐2】Swimming is very popular in the world. Many people like swimming in summer. Water makes people feel cool and swimming makes them keep healthy. But sometimes it’s also dangerous if you don’t know how to keep safe when swimming.

If you swim in the wrong place, it may not be safe. A lot of people died (死) when they were enjoying themselves in water, and most of them were students. Now some people are not careful (小心的) enough in swimming. They often think they can swim very well, so nothing will happen to them in water.

If you go swimming in summer, please remember the following very useful rules. Don’t get into water when you are alone. You should be with your parents or friends. If there is a “No Swimming” sign, don’t swim there. If you remember these, swimming will be safe and enjoyable (舒服的).