3 . “In only six days I lost seven pounds of weight.” “Two full inches in the first three days!”

These are the kinds of statements used in magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads, promising new shapes and new looks to those who buy the medicine or the device. The promoters of products say they can shape the legs, slim the face, smooth wrinkles, or in some other way to add to beauty or desirability.

Often such products are nothing more than moneymaking things for their promoters. The results they produce are questionable, and some are dangerous to health.

To understand how these products can be legally promoted to the public, it is necessary to understand something of the laws covering their regulation. If the product is a drug, FDA(Food and Drug Administration) can require proof under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that is safe and effective before it is put on the market. But if the product is a device, FDA has no authority to require premarketing proof of safety or effectiveness. If a product already on the market is a danger to health, FDA can request the producer or distributor to remove it from the market voluntarily, or it can take legal action, including seizure(查封) of the product.

One notable case a few years ago involved an electrical device called the Relaxacisor, which had been sold for reducing the waistline( 腰围 ). The Relaxacisor produced electrical shocks to the body through contact pads. FDA took legal action against the distributor to stop the sale of the device on the grounds that it was dangerous to health and life.

Obviously, most of the devices on the market have never been the subject of court proceedings(法律诉讼), and new devices appear continually. Before buying, it is up to the consumer to judge the safety or effectiveness of such items.

4 . A scientist turned out to be able to see the future by offering each of some four-year-olds a piece of candy and watching how he or she dealt with it. Some children reached eagerly for the candy they saw. Some lasted a few minutes before they gave in. But others were determined to wait until the last moment.

By the time the children reached high school, something amazing had happened. A survey found that those who were four-year-olds having enough self-control to hold out generally grew up to be more popular, adventurous, confident and dependable. The children who gave in to temptation (诱惑) early were more likely to be lonely, easily upset and inflexible.

Actually, the ability to delay reward is a sign of emotional intelligence which doesn’t show up on an IQ test.

The hardware of the brain and the software of the mind have long been scientists’ concerns. But brain theory can’t explain what we wonder about most, like the question why some people remain upbeat in the face of troubles that would sink a less resistant (有抵抗力的) soul.

Here comes the theory of Daniel Goleman, writer of Emotional Intelligence: when it comes to predicting people’s success, brain ability measured by IQ may actually matter less than the qualities of mind once thought of as "characters".

EQ is not the opposite of IQ. What researchers have been trying to understand is how they work together and how one’s ability handles stress, for instance, affecting the ability to concentrate and putting intelligence to use. Among the ingredients (要素) for success, researchers now gradually agree that IQ counts for about 20%, the rest depends on everything from social class to luck.

While many researchers in this relatively new field are glad to see emotional issues are finally taken seriously, some few fear EQ invites misuse.

Today, I spent a lot of time selecting and reading the Father’s Day cards at the shopping mall. They all had a special message that in some way or another reflected how I feel about you. Yet it occurred to me that not a single card said what I really wanted to say to you.

You’ll soon be 84 years old. Dad, you and I will have had 55 Father’s Days together. I haven’t always been with you on Father’s Day, but I’ve always been with you in my heart. You know, Dad, there was a time when we were separated by the generation gap. You stood on one side of the Great Divide and I on the other.

The Father-Daughter Conflict shifted into high gear(档位)when you taught me to drive the old Dodge while I decided I would drive the Chevy whether you liked it or not. To my surprise, when the police officer sent me home after you reported the Chevy stolen, you were so tolerant(宽容的)about it because I had thought that would probably be the worst night of my life.

Our relationship greatly improved when I married a man you liked, and things really turned around when we began making babies right and left. Somewhere along the line, the generation gap disappeared. I suppose I saw us and our relationship as aging together, rather like a fine wine.

But the strangest thing happened last week. I was at a stop sign and I watched as you turned the corner in your car. It didn’t immediately occur to me that it was you because the man driving looked so elderly and weak behind the wheel of that huge car. Perhaps I saw your age for the first time that day.

I guess what I’m trying to say, Dad, is what every son and daughter wants to say to their Dad today. Honoring a father on Father’s Day is about respect and sharing and acceptance and tolerance and giving and taking. It’s about loving someone more than words can say, and it’s my wish that it never had to end.

I love you, Dad.

Love,

Jenny

7 . I’m sure you know the song “Happy Birthday”. But do you know who wrote the song and for whom it was written?

The retired professor, Archibald A. Hill in Lucasville, USA could tell us the story. Ninety-seven years ago, two of Mr. Archibald Hill’s aunts, Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were asked to write some songs for a book called “Song Storied for the Sunday Morning”. Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were both kindergarten teachers then. They loved children very much and wrote many beautiful songs for the book. One of them was the famous “Good Morning to You.” The song said, “Good morning to you, good morning to you, dear children, good morning to all.” This song was very popular at that time among kindergarten children. But not many grown-ups knew it. A few years later little Archibald was born. As his aunt, Miss Patty Hill sang the song “Happy Birthday” to the melody of “Good Morning to you” to her little nephew. She sang the song like this: Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Archie! Happy birthday to you!

Miss Patty Hill and her sister had never expected that this song would become so popular, but it really did. People all over the world like the song because of its simplicity in tune and friendliness in words.

8 . Glasgow Fireworks

26th May, 2018

Location: Glasgow Green

Tickets: This event is free, and no ticket is required.

Events: Celebrate Bonfire Night (篝火夜), with Glasgow’s famous and splendid musical fireworks show. The night is not just about fireworks, there will be pre-show music and fun with Clyde 1’s Romeo and Knoxy, amusements and food and drink booths (售货摊). Enough to make sure that everyone is entertained!

The timetable:

5:30 p.m. Amusements (ends 9:30pm).

6:30 p.m. Pre-show music and fun with Clyde 1’s Romeo and Knoxy.

7:30 p.m. Fireworks show begins.

Notice:

◆ Entry is free, and it is usually very busy. Make sure you get there early for a good view (unless you’re 7 feet tall).

◆ You should enter Glasgow Green from the west end of the park. There is no other public entry.

◆ If you’re driving, please be concerned about road closing time. All roads to Glasgow Green will be closed to vehicles between 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

◆ Join our mailing list to stay up to date with all the latest information on www.Glasgow Green.com. Should it be put off or called off, we will keep you informed as soon as possible!

For Your Safety

◆ Do not bring fireworks, alcohol or pets to the Glasgow Green Fireworks.

◆ Follow the directions of staff (员工) and police.

◆ Dress properly — We live in Glasgow and there is always a good chance we will get rubbish weather!

9 . What does it mean to be a hero? I think a hero is someone who goes out of his way to make others happy. My hero is Mr. Wright, my chorus (合唱队) teacher.

When I was 12 years old, my grandparents passed away. I was really close to them, and losing them was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to ________ through. I couldn’t eat, sleep, or think; I felt like I couldn't even breathe. It was as if my whole world had fallen down from under me, and I ________ into this huge hole of depression (抑郁).

________ I was battling depression, I was determined to make my high school years the best of my life. It was difficult to be ________ , but I had to try. I joined Women’s Choir. Mr. Wright was the choral director and he was so funny that the first day, I just knew I had made the best ________ of my life.

As the year progressed, I loved chorus more and more. I began to smile again and really enjoy life.

Then one day that all changed. My friends—or those that I thought were my friends—started talking about me behind my back. I was hurt , and I sat by myself. Mr. Wright came over and asked what was wrong. The look in his eyes told me that I could ________ him. Trying hard to ________ back tears, I told him the whole story.

When I finished, he nodded and told me, “If you never learn anything from me, learn this: No one is worth ________ your joy. ” What Mr. Wright said really ________ a chord (心弦）in my heart. He ________ cared about me and what was going on. I’ll never be able to thank him enough, because he not only saved me but has ________ every day of my life since. Any time I feel like giving up, I remember Mr. Wright's words and push forward.

I’m proud to say that I ________ my depression, and I'm now a senior. I’m still a part of chorus, and now I'm also in the best choir at my school.

Mr. Wright is a hero to everyone he meets. He cares about every single person who walks through his door, and he loves what he does more than any other teacher I've known. That’s ________ he deserves to be Educator of the Year. He deserves the ________ not just this year but every year.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet you, Mr. Wright. You are an ________ teacher, and I hope you realize that. You’re my hero.

10 . There’s a whole lot of things that people fill their stomachs with. Some of them keep people alive. Some of them taste good to people. Some of them help people win pie-eating contests. Alcohol does none of those things. Why do people keep drinking it? And what does it do once it gets to their stomachs?

There are all kinds of alcohol molecules (分子)，but the one that people most often pour down their throat is ethanol (乙醇)．Ethanol is very tiny and it dissolves in water, so it gets into all sorts of places that it’s not supposed to. Alcohol heads for the digestive system. Because it dissolves in water, it can get into the water in the bloodstream. Because ethanol, to a certain extent, can pass through cell membranes (膜). It can go almost anywhere. It spreads through the muscles, and is sweated — unmetabolized (未经新陈代新的) and whole — through the skin. It gets into the heart. It even takes a walk through the brain, and this is the secret of its powers.

Alcohol depresses the nerves, and the nerves affect almost every area of the body. Enough alcohol makes people sleep, so people who become unconscious choke on their own vomit (呕吐物). Most worryingly, enough alcohol can shut down those parts of the brain just like any other parts. People become unconscious and their brains simply forget to breathe.

Alcohol is broken down in the liver. Alcohol doesn’t destroy the liver, but products that the liver breaks the alcohol into do cause damage. A glass of wine per day can not do any harm. Instead, it can prevent heart attacks or can make someone functionally young. And it is kind of nice to know that sometimes, relaxation and cheer can be bottled. All that’s needed is to take care how much alcohol is let into a person’s brain.