1 . Does the happiness of parents play a role in shaping the overall happiness of their children? Scientific studies have shed light on the far-reaching connection between parental happiness and the positive development of kids. It seems that parental happiness has an important influence on the emotional, social, and cognitive (认知的) development of children.     1     If they know their mental and emotional happiness has an impact on their children, perhaps it can motivate them to view it as part of being a good parent.

    2     For example, they can join in activities that bring them joy and satisfaction. This could include hobbies, exercise, pursuing personal goals, or taking time for relaxation. When parents improve their own happiness, they can better support their children’s happiness.

Another great idea is sharing experiences and creating many memories together. The idea is twofold.     3     At the same time, the shared experiences and showing their children how happy they are to do something they love can be incredibly valuable as well.

One of the main aspects of being happy parents is feeling comfortable, confident and able to be themselves, despite their new status and huge responsibility. Honestly, when parents prioritize their own happiness, it has positive effects on the overall happiness of the family.     4    

When parents put their own happiness first, they become role models for their kids. They see the importance of self-care, pursuing passions and maintaining healthy relationships.     5     So, parents should accept their uniqueness, enjoying life!

A．However, part of being responsible is being honest.

B．They are passing on some major life skills and attitudes.

C．They may lose a bit of their sense of self when caring for children.

D．Parents can adopt practical ways to enhance their own happiness.

E．A joyful and harmonious family environment benefits everyone involved.

F．This can happen when parents prioritize their own happiness according to Inc.

G．Firstly, the parents continue to be themselves and do something they love.

2 . All parents tell their children little white lies from time to time. For example, they always say, “Of course father Christmas comes down the chimney!” It is all part of the magic of childhood. However, there is one lie that’s bigger than all the others. It’s “I don’t have a favorite child”.

American writer, Jeffrey Kluger writes, “95% of parents in the world have a favourite child, and the other 5% are lying.” He may be exaggerating (夸大) the figures for dramatic effect, but scientific research shows that Kluger is not far off the truth, although every parent refuses to admit that they have a favorite child.

According to one recent study by the researchers from the University of California, which followed 384 sibling (兄弟姐妹) pairs and their parents for three years, 65% of the mothers and 70% of the fathers showed a preference for one of their children. As this study was among families that knew they were being monitored, there is a strong possibility the true figures could be significantly higher.

Generally, parents would say there is no favoritism in their families. But interestingly, a lot of personal stories from parents shows that they or their siblings were indeed their mother or father’s favorite children. It seems everyone knows favoritism exists, but nobody wants to put their hand up and say they are guilty of it themselves.

Another research suggests that mothers do tend to show a preference for their first-born son, while fathers often choose their youngest daughters as their favorite. Parents will often be drawn to the child who is easiest to get along with, or the child that share similar features to them. For example, mum will have a special bond with their sensitive, arty son while dad focuses attention on his sporty daughter.

Professor Scott says being least favoured in a family can colour our behaviour as adults. “Children who feel they are less loved within their family are more likely to develop anxiety, depression and low self confidence.” But some experts believe being less favoured can have positive consequences. Professor Scott agrees that favored children can sometimes find life difficult when they have to live in the real world without their parents.

1. The passage mainly tells the readers about _______________.

A．parents’ preference for their children

B．different ways of raising children

C．people’s love for their parents

D．parents’ influences on their children

2. What can be learned from Paragraph One and Two?

A．There was no father Christmas or chimney at all.

B．People remember the magic of their childhood.

C．Parents really want to lie to their children.

D．Few parents admit they have a favorite child.

3. Who is most likely to become a mother’s favorite child?

A．The son who shares similar features with his father.

B．The most beautiful youngest girl in the family.

C．The son who loves art and has a sensitive feeling.

D．The daughter who plays basketball very well.

4. What might happen if someone is the least favoured in a family?

A．His behavior as an adult will be affected.

B．He will have a colorful life in the future.

C．He will become more confident.

D．He will find that life is difficult.

3 . How to Feel Connected

It's easy to feel disconnected from what is going on around you in today's fast-paced world.     1     You can get in touch and feel connected, however, by following the tips below:

Consider why you feel disconnected. Knowing what is making you feel disconnected can help you choose the best ways to address it.     2     Ask yourself these questions: Are you keeping yourself occupied with work too much? Do you rely on electronic communication instead of face to face communication? Do you lack friendships that are satisfying?

Interact with people in person. Technology is a great way to stay in touch, but sometimes you need to spend time with other people in person.     3     You can also take steps to feel more connected by making small-talk with strangers who are sharing parts of your day.

    4    

Your loved ones could feel shy, so you may never know how to improve your relationship unless you ask the right questions. Asking them to open the doors can give you some insight on what you can do. Learning this information can help to strengthen your bond.

Show your commitment to them. Simply showing up and being there for your loved ones says a lot about how much you value your relationships. Putting in the time shows them that you are committed and want to stay connected.     5    

Show appreciation. A simple “thank you” goes a very long way. Unfortunately, it is something that people who are close often take for granted. Telling someone you appreciate their time, love, and efforts can strengthen your bond and help you to become more connected.

A．Ask others what they need from you.

B．Sometimes you can feel isolated and distant from the ones you love.

C．Be brave to express your love.

D．Reach out to people to schedule a time to get together.

E．Attending family events, or simply visiting someone once a week can help to strengthen your relationship and keep it strong.

F．Targeting your efforts toward those issues allows you to close that distance more effectively.

G．You can have a gift delivered to friends on special occasions.