1 . The Teenage Brain

Parents, teachers, and others who deal closely with teenagers know how difficult the adolescent years can be. This was thought to be due to the “foolishness of youth.” Now, brain-imaging technology allows scientists to study the physical development of the brain in more details than ever before. Their discoveries have led a new theory of why teens act this way.

Recently, scientists have discovered that though our brains are almost at their full size by the age of six, they are far from fully developed. Only during adolescence do our brains truly “grow up”. During this time, they go through great changes, like a computer system being upgraded. This “upgrade” was once thought to be finished by about age 12. Now scientists have found that our brains continue to change until age 25. Such changes make us better at balancing impulses with following rules. But a still-developing brain does this clumsily. The result, scientists believe, is the unpredictable behavior seen in teenagers.

The studies show that teens are more likely to take risks. Luckily, the news isn’t all bad. As brain scientist B. J. Casey points out, the teen brain inspires such behavior in order to help teens prepare for adult life.

One way the brain does this is by changing the way teens measure risk and reward (回报).

Researchers have found that when teens think about rewards, their brains release more of the chemicals that create pleasure. Researchers believe this makes the rewards seem more important than the risks, and makes teens feel the excitement of new experience.

Research into the structure of the teen brain have also found that it makes social connection seem especially rewarding. As such, teens have a strong need to meet new people. Because it is still developing, a teen brain can change to deal with new situations. So it connects social rewards with even more pleasure. In this way, the brain encourages teens to have a wide circle of friends, which is believed to make them more successful in life.

Unluckily, this need for greater rewards can sometimes lead teens to make bad decisions. However, it also means that teens are more likely, and less afraid, to try new things or to be independent. And in the long run, the impulses of the teen brain are what help teens leave their parents’ care and live their own life successfully.

Most of us say we don't have time for exercise. However, many experts say that exercise plays an important role in making our body healthy.     1     (do) exercise can bring us many advantages. It can reduce weight and the risk of heart disease. Exercise also brings good effects mentally(精神上).It can make us feel     2    (relax)and happy. Actually, exercise can be done in many simple    3     (way). For example, we can take the stairs rather than the lift. Also we can play sports with friends in our free time.

6 . Anna was a 9-year-old girl from a small village. She attended primary school till 4th grade at her village. For the 5th grade onwards, she would have to get an admission(入学) in a school at a city nearby. She got very ________ knowing that she was accepted in a famous school in the city. Today was the first day of her school and she was waiting for her school bus. Once the bus came, she got in it ________. She was very excited.

When the bus reached her school, all students started going to their classes. Anna also made it to her classroom. Upon seeing her ________ clothing and knowing she was from a small village, other students started making fun of her. The teacher soon arrived. She ________ Anna to the class and told them that she would be studying with them from today.

Then she told everyone to write down the Seven Wonders of the world. Everyone started writing the answer quickly. But Anna started to write the answer________.

When everyone except Anna had presented their answer paper, the teacher asked Anna, “What happened, dear? Don’t ________. Just write what you know as other students have learned about it just a few days back. ”

Anna replied, “There are many things. Which seven can I pick to write?” And then she handed her answer paper to the teacher. The teacher started reading everyone’s answers and the majority had answered them ________ such as The Great Wall of China, Colosseum, Stonehenge, Great Pyramid of Giza, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Taj Mahal, Hanging Gardens of Babylon etc.

The teacher was happy as students had ________ what she had taught them. At last the teacher paper started reading Anna’s answer paper. “The Seven Wonders are—To be able to See, To be able to Hear, To be able to Feel, To Laugh, To Think, To be Kind, To Love!”

The teacher stood ________ and the whole class was speechless. Today, a girl from a small village reminded us about the gifts we have, which are truly a ________. So value what we have and use what we have.

7 . The Case for Classics

Many high school students complain when they look at a course syllabus for Chinese and know they should read The Story of the Stone and other pieces of classic literature.     1     But there are some good reasons why reading the classics is an important part of a 21st century education.

    2     As students explore texts that were written hundreds of years before, they know the world as it was in those days. Being able to hear those voices from the past is a good chance young people should be grateful to have.

Furthermore, as students read classic works, they begin to see history in a new way. Living in the modern world, most teens don't think about that human civilization has been around for a longtime.     3     Yet the experiences of those people can help students deal with the challenge today. The wording and writing style may have changed, but the deep themes (love, loss, and courage) are as true today as they were for the authors of these early works.

One of the most important reasons to study classic literature, however, is to expand one's mind.     4     To prove this, a group of scientists gathered volunteers who agreed to have their brains canned while reading phrases from classic literature in both their original form and in modern translations. The result of the study showed a significant increase in the brain activity of people reading the original literature works.

    5     It connects students to history, helps them solve today's problems and improves their thinking. Therefore, if today's teens are going to grow as readers, writers, and critical thinkers, it is important that classic literature remains a part of their education.

Tu Youyou was awarded a Nobel Prize for her discovery of artemisinin,     1     is a life-saving drug for malaria on December 7^th, 2015. Tu Youyou majored in medicine in university and later studied Chinese medicine with experts in the field. In 1969, Tu Youyou was given the mission of setting up a team     2     (find) a cure for malaria. When worldwide scientists failed to find a cure using modern chemicals, Tu Youyou turned to Chinese herbs for help. Despite their limited resources and hundreds of failed     3     (experiment), they found a possible chemical. They tested the medicine on their own bodies. And they finally discovered the most effective drug to cure the disease.

10 . A Welcome Gift

Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them _______ side by side at the piano, playing jazz music to celebrate their new home happily.

However, their happiness disappeared the next morning. Someone had left a _______ under their door during the night. One of their neighbors complained about the sound of the piano. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their _______ and apologize.

“Maybe we could go and _______ everyone in person.” his mother said. “What if we invited them to come here for a party instead? Dario asked. They both loved the _______. Then they started to prepare for it.

Finally, the day of the party arrived. Some guests brought presents. Others brought flowers. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, _______ Dario's mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.

“I heard you playing the other night,” she said. “The sounds woke me out of bed. I _______ that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note I hope you don't think I disliked the playing.”

Dario's mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. “We should apologize to you.” she said. “I didn't _______ how late it was when we were playing.”

“You play, you play!” Mrs. Gilbert pointed to the book she had given them and said, “These songs are not such _______ music.”

“These songs are beautiful music. And we won't play so loud or late!” Dario said. The big smile on his mother's face gave him a feeling of ________ and made him feel that they were home at last.