1 . What I Think of Boxing as a Sport
Boxing is a popular sport. Newspapers, magazines and sports programmes on TV frequently cover boxing matches. It could be the toughest of all sports to survive. It takes boxers hours in the gym and years to develop the specific characteristics needed to be a great boxer.
It seems to me that some people, especially men, find it appealing because it is an aggressive sport. When they watch a boxing match, they can identify with the winning boxer. This gives them the feeling of being a winner themselves.
To conclude, I am personally not at all in favor of aggressive sports like boxing.
A.However, boxing can be a very dangerous sport. |
B.Sometimes fans are rooting for a particular boxer. |
C.In boxing, fighters are required to hit a moving target. |
D.Many fans are drawn to the sport because they love the competition. |
E.Perhaps that is the reason why successful boxers are treated as big heroes. |
F.I think it would be better if less time was given to aggressive sports on TV. |
2 . Childhood Media Shaping Futures
Much of the media we consume during our formative years shapes us into the people we are today. Reflect on a particular piece of media from our childhood—perhaps it’s the TV show we eagerly awaited every weekend during visits to our grandmother’s house.
While they might have been restricted from social media accounts until a certain age, once given access, they tend to be more prepared. The media exposure of our generation has undoubtedly led to an increased maturation at younger ages.
Simply looking back at previous generations and the rate of consumption and processing of information that we experience every day, the effects of such are only beginning. As soon-to-be or current adults, we are already facing issues such as depression, anxiety, and delays in certain learning and social skills, just to name a few. Are we “more mature?” or are we overexposed and at risk for exceptional mental, physical, and emotional consequences?
In conclusion, childhood media consumption significantly influences our lives.
A.Such media doesn’t just entertain. |
B.You can easily pick out the differences among your siblings. |
C.As we journey through adulthood, it’s crucial to reflect on its impact. |
D.Media exposure during childhood impacts each child in distinct ways. |
E.Additionally, media have proven to have long-term effects on individuals. |
F.However, our mental and physical states may not be adequately equipped to handle it. |
3 . Water is a key ingredients in a healthy diet and lifestyle.There are many health benefits of drinking water. It helps flush impurities and toxins out of our systems.
In past decades, concerns about tap water and its impact on overall health led some people to tun to bottled waters. You could pay to have a company deliver large bulky plastic bottles of water for the water cooler. Or you could purchase gallon jugs of distilled or “drinking water” at the grocery store.
In recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of different bottled waters available, with big distributors such as Coke and Pepsi jumping on the bandwagon. But are bottled drinking waters like Coke’s Dasani brand, Pepsi’s Aquafina, or Wal-Mart’s store brand really any healthier than your tap water?
As we have learned more about the water we drink,the technology behind drinking water filters and purification systems has improved dramatically. There are filters to remove impurities, chemicals,heavy metals, bacteria and almost every contaminant you can think of.With the right size and filter combination for your specific home, your tap water can be exceptionally pure and healthy.
There may be additional expenses to replace carbon filters or lamps in an ultraviolet light water treatment device. These expenses can add another $100 or so to the annual cost of operating drinking water filters and purification systems.
While some people may hesitate to spend so much each year for clean, safe drinking water, they are probably paying more for bottled drinking water. They understand that it is more expensive, but they are still willing to pay the extra money because bottled water is thought to be safer and healthier than filtered drinking water.
A.Drinking water filtration systems have also become more affordable and easy to use. |
B.After all, bottled water is often marketed as “natural spring water” or “pure glacier water.” |
C.It aids in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. |
D.And with a water filter, you at least know where the water you drink came from. |
E.Or would you be better off with a drinking water filtration system? |
F.So how do you tell if the water you are drinking is safe? |
4 . Taking responsibility for yourself and your actions is an important part of personal growth. It’s never too late to start practicing the positive habit of accepting responsibility for yourself.
Improve your confidence.
Remove the excuses. To break the harmful habit of excuse-making, ensure you’re honestly acknowledging what really happened. Next time you’re faced with the negative result of a situation, ensure you say something like “Sorry, I messed it up. How can I make up for it?”
Take positive actions. If you want your family and friends to show more interest in your life, get interested in theirs. If you want a more satisfying job, figure out what you need to do to achieve it. Your actions will affect what you get out of life, so ensure you’re acting in a way you get what you want.
A.How can I be more powerful? |
B.Change your thought patterns. |
C.Realize who you are as a person. |
D.No matter how old you are, you can easily begin today. |
E.Don’t worry-—your honesty will earn you respect from others. |
F.Spend some time reflecting on your strengths and how to use them. |
5 . Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education is the formal teaching and care of young children. It primarily focuses on learning through playing to encourage children’s different kinds of development.
Studies with Head Start programs throughout the United States have shown some evidence that there are quite a few advantages to early childhood education, which can produce significant gains in children’s learning and development. Compared with a child who does not attend pre-school, children completing their early education programs are found to be better at math and reading skills. They are excited to learn and have the tools to do so.
Early childhood education gives most children a jump-start on education for their kindergarten and primary school years. It is clear that early childhood education do a lot of good to children.
A.The long-term influence of early education is significant as well. |
B.They can benefit greatly from encouragement in their early childhood. |
C.Yet its quality must be assessed to see what kind of benefits it actually provides. |
D.They are also able to relate to others in a superior way and that improves their social skills. |
E.Many experts of education, however, are concerned about what early childhood education means today. |
F.It consists of activities that serve children in the pre-school years and is designed to improve later school performance. |
6 . Do you ever find yourself studying really hard for a test but ultimately not doing so well? You spent hours reviewing your notes, only to receive a grade that doesn’t reflect your hard work.
Method #1: Try explaining the concepts/theories that you’re studying to family members or friends. If you can explain it to them to a point where they can understand it, then that means you understand it.
Method #2:
Method #3: Study with friends. If you’re able to stay focused, studying with a group might be more fun and motivating than studying alone.
Method #4: This one shouldn’t be much of a surprise - flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to memorize important material! To make it more fun, write your flashcards using colorful pens and highlight important parts.
A.It also often shows you that you know more of the material than you think. |
B.Try using some of these methods when you study for your next test, and see if you’ve improved. |
C.It’s not that you’re not smart - it’s just that you’re studying the wrong way. |
D.Identify what to compare and make sure it ties to the important content to be learned. |
E.Create compare-and-contrast tables for different concepts/theories. |
F.It’s also great to hear other people’s thoughts on the course material in case there’s anything you missed or misinterpreted. |
7 . Ensuring that disabled people have an easy life is very important, not just because they are human, like all of us, but because their dignity and social well-being should not be ignored just because of a disability. Disabilities can occur through illness, aging, accidents and other different causes that may happen to anyone or affect us all at some stage in life.
We are all human beings and so have the same basic needs. But we should remember that there is a wide range of what we call a disability, and while the basic needs are all the same for everyone, the different lifestyle needs are entirely individual. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all method to improve quality of life. It is best to find out people’s needs from spending time with them.
If they are interested or able, pets can be great companions.
A.Plan regular trips. |
B.Stay with them in a friend way. |
C.It is wise to check the abilities of the individuals. |
D.You won’t know if they can help if you don’t ask them. |
E.Do not let pets be their only companions. |
F.The great thing is that it is not hard to make disabled people’s life easier. |
8 . The new semester has begun, and it’ll be a fresh start for you. First of all, congratulations !
A.You’ve successfully graduated from junior high school. |
B.However, studying is not the most important thing. |
C.So from now on, try to explore the field you’re interested in. |
D.Many say that they make lifelong friends in high school. |
E.Indeed, you shouldn’t be afraid of moving up to senior high school |
F.In truth, it is about preparing for the future and being responsible. |
9 . Creating a good study environment takes a little planning. It is well worth the time as the end result will be much productive study time. Many people fail to do this and wonder why they cannot concentrate. After a couple of times of studying the right way most people will be surprised at how much they can actually enjoy studying.
Know that concentration is the key. Reduce every possible distraction. Turn off the television and go in an area where you will not be interrupted by people.
Find a place that is proper to read. If it is too dim, your eyes will be strained and leave you tired and wanting to close your eyes. The sun is a light that naturally wakes you up and helps you think.
Choose a comfortable seat.
Keep something to drink and snack on close by to keep your blood sugar stable. Obviously sugary food will give you a quick rush but you will also have a quick low afterward.
A.Learn more to make study environment different. |
B.Turn on some music. |
C.If you can, turn off your cell phone. |
D.It should have a good back support and a good seat. |
E.Some people can study with lots of activities going on. |
F.Read on to learn how to create a good study environment. |
10 . Make Your Brain Smarter
You know that eating sensible diet and getting plenty of exercise help make your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter? Studies show that when the brain is forced to do something new, it creates new neural pathways.
◆ Limit Your TV Viewing
Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise.
◆ Use Your Non-dominant (不占优势的) Hand
If you are right-handed, use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks. Brushing our teeth is something most of us do daily. We really don’t put that much thought into it -- but maybe we should. Experts suggest that we can stimulate this right brain by changing things up and working with our non-dominant hand. So the next time you brush your teeth, open the tube, apply your toothpaste and brush with the opposite hand.
◆Shower with Your Eyes Closed
◆
Can playing “Chopsticks” on the piano make you smarter? Well, according to a study published in The Journal of Neuroscience, it can. Kids who received at least three years of instrumental music training outperformed children without training in fine motor skills (精细运动技能), vocabulary and non-verbal- reasoning skills. Apparently, people who are better able to move to a beat show more consistent brain responses to speech than those with less rhythm. The study findings suggest that musical training might sharpen the brain’s response to language -- making you a little smarter.
A.Learn a New Language |
B.Move to the Beat of Your Own Drum |
C.Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do. |
D.Walking for exercise requires little time and brings the same result as running. |
E.Hop in the shower and shut your eyes. |
F.The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have. |