3 . There is plenty of complaints about how social media—texting in particular—may harm children’s social and intellectual development. But a new study suggests that constant instant messaging (IM’ing)and texting among teens may also provide benefits, particularly for those who are introverted (内向的).

British researchers studied instant messages exchanged by 231 teens, aged 14 to 18. All of the participants were “regular” IM’ers. The researchers analyzed150 conversations in the study, and reported the results in the journal Computers in Human Behavior. In 100 of these chats, the study participant began IM’ing while in a negative emotional state such as sadness, pain or anger. The rest were conversations begun when the participant was feeling good or neutral. After the chat, participants reported about a 20% reduction in their pain—not enough to completely get rid of it, but enough to leave them feeling better.

“Our findings suggest that IM’ing between adolescents and their peers may provide emotional relief and consequently contribute to their well-being,” the authors write. People who talk with their real-life friends online report feeling closer to them than those who just communicate face-to-face, implying a strengthening of their bond.

Why would digital commutation improve human contact? The reasons are complex, but may have something to do with the fact that users can control expression of sadness and other emotions via IM without revealing emotional elements like tears that some may be considered as embarrassing or sources of discomfort. Studies also show)that the anonymity (匿名) of writing on a device blankets the users in a sense of safely that may make people feel more comfortable in sharing and discussing their deepest and truest feelings. Previous research has shown that expressive writing itself can “vent”. emotions and provide a sense of relief—and doing-so knowing that your words are reaching a sympathetic friend may provide even more comfort Researchers also found that introverted participants reported more relief from IM conversations when they were painful than extraverts (内向的) did. As Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, wrote recently for TIME: Introverts are often full of thoughts and care deeply for their friends, family and colleagues. But even the most socially skilled introverts sometimes long for a free pass from socializing or talking on the phone. This is what the Internet offer; the chance to connect—but in measured amount and from behind a screen.

4 . Las Vegas can offer a lot more than you expect. Here are the best guided tours to help visitors make the most of their Sin City getaway.

Admire the glittering lights downtown on this evening double-decker bus tour. Along the drive, you’ll pass well-known buildings before hopping off to enjoy the free light shows on Fremont Street. Tour-takers praise the guides for their informative, friendly account.

Passengers can board the buses at the LINQ Promenade starting at 7 p.m. each evening.

When you need a break from the city life, put on a cowboy hat and boots for a sunset trail ride through Red Rock Canyon. On the ride, you’ll follow a guide through the picturesque desert landscape, watching for wildlife. Travelers warn that it can get chilly on the ride, so they advise wearing warm layers.

Trail Rides are offered Tuesday through Sunday.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters’ Grand Celebration tour offers bird’s-eye views of sought-after sights, like Eagle Point and Lake Mead. The tour also includes a Champagne picnic. The pilots and staff earn praise for their friendliness and professionalism.

There are several daily departure options.

Every day Secret Food Tours take groups of 10 participants to five-star restaurants on the Strip to sample a variety of cooking delights, including pizza, chocolates and lobster. During the walking tour, highly praised guides teach tourgoers about the city’s food and culture. Travelers say the food on the tour is plentiful and tasty, but they warn that you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Tickets include all food tastings.

6 . A broken heart and a sad ending to a long friendship. That’s something most of us have experienced, or probably will. After all, it’s part of human life. But the experience can be hard to get over.

But research shows there are pathways through the heartache. Listening to sad music is a major one. It can help you begin to feel joy and hopefulness about your life again. It can arouse (激起) the desire to connect with others.

Sad music can help heal (治愈) and uplift you from your broken heart. A recent study from Germany found the emotional influence of listening to sad music is an arousal of feelings of empathy (同情), and a desire for positive connection with others. That, itself, is psychologically healing. It draws you away from concentration on yourself, and possibly towards helping others in need of comfort.

Another experiment, from the University of Kent, found that when people were experiencing sadness, listening to music that was “beautiful but sad” improved their mood. In fact, it did so when the person first consciously accept the situation causing their sadness, and then began listening to the sad music. That is, when they intended that the sad music might help, they found that it did.

These findings link with other studies that show accepting your sad situation emotionally leads to healing and growth beyond it. It seems unbelievable but it does make sense. For example, research from Cornell University found that accepting discomfort about a life experience or new situation, and viewing it as a step towards growth and change, encourages people to find a pathway through it, beyond it. As Churchill famously said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” That discomfort points you towards creating a plan, a new action. It brings hope.

7 . David sat on the hard ground, scratching (乱划) his name with a stick. As he finished the last letter “d”, he noticed a rosy old ________ shone in the dirt.

“David!” his mother called. David looked ________, glared at the yellow farmhouse that was now supposed to be his home, put the key in his pocket and walked down the hill.

Grandpa had ________ away last year, leaving the house and farm to David’s mother. She had chosen to ________ her job and move to the farm. David had been very unhappy about leaving his friends.

In the city, dinnertime had always been an opportunity for conversation between David and his mother. Here, ________, he had nothing to say. He knew his silence hurt his mother, but surely it was better than the angry stream of ________ that waiting behind it. After swallowing up a plateful of spaghetti (面条), he quickly said, “Thanks,” and went to his room.

Later, he went out to look for something to read. In the deep silence, he saw his mother sitting alone. On her lap lay a ________ album. Looking up, she smiled ________, “See what I found, David? Here’s your great - grandfather. He’s about your age in this picture. Do you think you look like him?”

David stuck his hands into his pockets and shrugged (耸肩). He ________ the old key.

“Here it’s his wedding day. Next to him is his bride.” his mother continued. David moved ________ and glanced down at the photograph. Then something else caught his ________. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing to a painted wooden box in front of her.

“It’s a ________ music box,” she put down the album and took the box gently with both hands. “Years ago, my brother dropped the key somewhere. We searched and searched but never ________ it.”

David opened his hand. His mother’s eyes sparkled ( 闪烁) . “That’s it! How did you...?”

With trembling hands, she fit the key into the hole and wound up the music box. With its sweet music ________, mother and son smiled.

“It has been silent for a long, long time,” the mother said.

“It’s so clear!” said David. “It sounds as good as new.” The ________ had been broken.

8 . It was a busy morning and I had several things to do before the day became too hot to be outside the house. As I was walking by the side of a busy road, I saw an old lady, maybe in her 80s, standing dangerously close to the traffic. Although my mind was preoccupied, I thought to myself that I should warn her not to stand so close to the busy traffic rushing by. When I reached the spot where the old lady was standing, I noticed that she was trying to get attention of passers-by who of course were too busy to take note of her.

She kept pointing to the middle of the road. When I tried to gently move her back further away from the edge of the busy road, she said that she was standing there because she dropped her house key in the middle of the road and was unable to enter her house without the key. I looked around and no one seemed to be interested in the two of us. I knew I was getting delayed but decided to help.

The traffic was busy on the road with people on two-wheelers or in cars as well as school buses rushing with school children. It was the worst time of the day to cross a busy road without a traffic light. I asked the old lady to stay at a safe distance, took a deep breath, and carefully stepped onto the road waving my hands crazily, fearing to be hit by an oncoming vehicle. At first one lane (车道) stopped and then I moved further on to the middle of the road continuing to wave my hands.

I quickly picked up the key and ran back to the old lady waiting by the side of the road and returned the key to her. As I turned to continue my hurried walk, the old lady pulled me by my hand and gave me a big warm hug. I felt so happy to have helped this old lady.