1 . We all know that men and women have their differences. But do they really think differently?     1     In my opinion, men and women still behave in the same way that they were designed to centuries ago. We have different interests, different ways of speaking, of showing how we feel, and of coping with stressful situations.

    2     This can have a negative effect on our relationships. We often become angry or frustrated with the opposite sex because we expect them to behave and communicate like we do. So why does a man behave as he does? Evidence suggests that men were programmed with the instinct to hunt silently for animals. They had to be able to focus their attention on one thing.     3     And also why he’s so good at reading maps and giving directions.

Women, on the other hand, are usually very good at doing several jobs at once.     4     In the past, women often worked in groups, which required a lot of communication, so they’re generally more talkative and sensitive to other people’s feelings.

Men and women seem to think differently too. Women usually score higher in writing tests. Men are seven times more likely to score in the top 5% in scientific exams. They’re often talented at problem-solving and making quick decisions.     5    

3 . It was through Bill Bryson’s book The Lost Continent: Travel in Small-Town America that I first experienced small-town travelling. I was interested instantly on reading it, for driving across the countryside is always something I like.

    1     True, the convenience and modernity are what small towns don’t have. However, caught up in the crowd, people tend to lose the true meaning of life. They are moving quickly in the streets, as if there were steamy lava (炙热的熔岩) chasing them.

Many tourists don’t realize the real purpose for travelling is to relax.     2     They manage to escape a nine-to-five schedule of annoying work, only to dive into a nine-to-five schedule of shopping or forcing themselves into packed tourist sites.     3     You don’t get trapped in space filled with tourists, but miles of fields and woods. You don’t get tiny parks with crowds of people, but natural forests where rare animals can be seen. Villagers say hi to you warmly as you drive here and farmers will warmly invite you home.

I once travelled to the Midwest and drove through the countryside. The scenery was absolutely magnificent.     4     Farmers’ houses were in and out of sight behind golden corn. Ponds (池塘) hid themselves behind woods, where a lone fisherman sat there, enjoying life.

Suddenly, it seemed to me that life couldn’t be better. Just throw away the sadness and burdens (负担) that annoy us. What matters is the simple happiness of enjoying life.     5    

4 . Traditional tea processing techniques and social practices in China were added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List (非物质文化遗产名录) on November 29. China now ranks first in the world with 43 items on the list.

    1     They include the knowledge, skills and practices about tea planting, picking of tea leaves, and the processing, drinking and sharing of tea. According to UNESCO, in China traditional tea processing techniques are closely associated with geographical location and natural environment.     2     Based on natural conditions and local customs, tea producers have developed several popular kinds of tea: green, yellow, dark, white, oolong and black teas.

In China, there are 44 registered items of national intangible cultural heritage related to tea. More than 40 vocational (职业的) colleges and 80 universities in China offer majors in tea science or tea culture.     3    

Tea is everywhere in Chinese people’s daily life. You can find it at home, work, tea houses, restaurants, temples and even at social events like weddings or ceremonies.     4     Sharing tea with guests and bonding over tea-related activities is a common practice among various ethnic groups. It helps to create a sense of identity and community for individuals, families, and neighborhoods.

Tea has delighted and fascinated the world for many thousands of years. It is a shared cultural treasure of mankind.     5     They have also influenced the rest of the world through the ancient Silk Road and trade roads. Being included in the list of UNESCO will also help better protect and hand down the techniques and related tea culture.

5 . The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was quitting my job and biking alone across western China.     1     So it was a huge physical challenge but I got stronger every day, and eventually, I could easily bike for eight hours each day.

One of the best parts of the whole experience was the people. I met people from across China and once got to attend a Tibetan wedding-something I never thought I would do.     2     One time I even met a group of Chinese men traveling by motorcycle, who invited me to cook fish that they caught in the lake over a fire with wood. Another instance was when I met a group of cyclists. They were in their 60s and 70s and still cycling better than I was.     3    

The people were some of the best parts of the trip, but mostly each day, I was alone with nature. Throughout the rolling hills and the flowing streams, western China is home to some of the most amazing scenery in the world.       4     With thick forests, icy glaciers, and peaceful lakes, there is so much to see in China.

    5     I got to taste local snacks in every place I went. There are so many different options! My favorite was the cooking of Sichuan, a province known for its hot flavors and interesting dishes. No matter how much I ate, I never got sick of having different Chinese foods.

It was indeed an experience I will never forget. If anyone has an interest in traveling, I would highly recommend going by bicycle!

6 .     1     With our upright posture (姿势), flexible joints, and strong leg muscles, our bodies were literally designed with walking in mind, which is what makes it such perfect exercise. Why not focus on walking with a purpose?

To get started, sit down with a map and make a plan. Ask yourself what you want to get out of walking aside from health benefits.     2     See new places? Explore a city? Knowing your priorities helps decide on the type of walk you want.

If making friends and socializing is your goal, call up your friends and schedule walks with them. Go online and look up your local mall (购物中心), which has groups that come daily to “walk the mall” and are always happy to include one more walker. Similarly, at your local park, you might find open groups of dog walkers who conduct diverse group hikes.     3     In most cities, such walks are going on almost every weekend in support of cancer research and other humanitarian causes.

If lone walks are what you’re after, ask the local tourist authority about local hikes that get you out of town and into the wilderness or countryside. Thanks to the Rails to Trails program, railways across America are being transformed into scenic walking paths.     4    

Headed to a new city? Then tie on your walking shoes and prepare to get to know it from the ground up! Many historic cities offer detailed and well-planned walking tours.     5     And small towns generally have a scenic route that will carry you past its best shops and cafes.

7 . Some Reasons Why Random People Follow You on Social Media

For anybody who has used social media services for any extended period of time, you’ll be well accustomed to the occurrence of random follows or adds, whether it’s on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or any other social media site.     1     That’s a question social media users ask themselves a lot. Below is a list of possible reasons for a random to be following you.

A case of mistaken identity.

    2     It’s more common if you have the same or a similar name to someone they intend to add, but it can also happen if you look alike. If you’re using a service that includes profile pictures, then it’s understandable if someone adds you under the assumption that you’re a particular person.

    3    

There isn’t always a hidden agenda or a strange reason behind this phenomenon. Sometimes a person may feel as though that’s what occurs on the Internet. Maybe they are new to the social network game, or maybe they genuinely wish to have “friends” to contact and communicate with.

They added you because they liked what they saw.

Perhaps they saw a post of yours that was humorous, and they figured you have the same sense of humour as them. Maybe you made a post that featured you promoting an activity they enjoy, like the gym, and: they found a connection with you there.     4    

Their account has been hacked.

Whatever service is being used, there always exists the possibility that you can be “hacked”. It means a virus, a bot, or some other similar kind of mean software has taken control of your account.     5     The bots will then proceed to spam you through the channels of communication the social media platform uses — private messaging, wall posting, etc.

9 . As the snowmelt sand flowers begin to bloom, many of us look forward to experiencing warmer weather and brighter, longer days.    1    While the act of sorting and dusting aren’t necessarily fun, getting the house cleaned and organized is good for your mental health for several reasons.

    2    Spring cleaning is an example of what psychologists refer to as “temporal landmarks”. Those are the moments in the time that signify a change, like a new term at school. A well-organized or redecorated living room might help your brain make that shift that you’re entering into a new phase of the year.

It gives you a sense of control.    3    Cleaning your house is a great way to achieve that. After all, you might not be able to control the price of groceries, but you can control how organized your desk is. And while you can’t control the weather, you can control how comfortable your home feels.

It may set other good habits in motion.    4    Getting your house in order may motivate you to get other areas of your life in order. You might feel inspired to get more exercise now that you’ve removed the stuff on your treadmill(跑步机), or you might go to sleep earlier because your room feels more peaceful.

It can improve social life. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about the condition of your home to let anyone come inside, you’re not alone.    5    However, a cleaner space might help you feel more comfortable about opening up your home to others.