I used to believe. . . | |
When I was small, I thought my toys played at night, just like what the toys did in the movie Toy Story. I often woke up to watch my toys, but they did not move at all. So I learned that some movies are not true in life. Trisha | When I was young, I thought Santa Claus was real. With my brother, I put flour(面粉) on the floor on Christmas Eve. The next day, we found some big footprints(脚印). One day, when I was 13, my father told me he made the footprints. It was funny. Celia |
When I was a little boy, my parents often touched my nose and then they put the thumb(拇指) between their fingers to make me think that it was my nose and they had taken my nose. Anon | When I was a little kid, I thought people could be anything they want. So I decided to become a giraffe when I grew up. Daniel |
I took a job as a receptionist(接待员) for a vet(兽医) almost fifty years ago. As a strong animal lover, I couldn't stand seeing any animal in pain, so it's really not an easy job for me.
At the end of my first week, we were closing the office for the day when a young man ran up to us holding a seriously injured Doberman dog in his arms and begging us to save his life.
The doctor and I ran back into the operating room. The vet worked patiently and tirelessly for 3 hours, stitching(缝合) his skin back together again. What's worse, the dog had also broken many bones. Even if he could live for the next few days, we were sure he would never walk again.
That day forever changed my life. With the guide of the vet, I became his helper. One of my jobs was to give that dog physical therapy every day. I moved his little legs to let him do a little exercise to keep his muscles from becoming withering(萎缩). Weeks later, I'm glad that he could use his legs again.
As I saw more and more patients. I started forgetting this dog. 5 years later, I walked into the clinic's waiting room and called the name of the next patient. Suddenly a huge Doberman who had been standing quietly with his owner jumped up excitedly and ran towards me. I found myself pinned(按住) against the wall with this big dog standing on his legs, washing my face with lots of happy kisses!
"Ms. Mraz, I beg your pardon for my pet's extreme excitement, but I'm afraid he just can't help showing his great love and thankful feelings for you!" The owner ran in the room and apologized(道歉). I stood still for quite a moment and my eyes were filled with tears.
There is an old saying in English, "Laughter is the best medicine". Until recently, few people took the saying very seriously. Now, however, doctors have begun to study laughter and the effects it has on the human body. They have found evidence(证据) that laughter really can improve people's health.
Tests were carried out to study the effects of laughter on the body. People watched fun films while doctors checked their heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and muscles. It's found that laughter has similar effects to physical exercise. It increases blood pressure, the heart rate and the rate of breathing.
Other tests have shown that laughter appears to ease the pain on the body. In one experiment doctors make two groups of students listen to different radio programs. The group which could bear the pain for the longest time was the group which listened to a funny program. The reason why laughter can make pain less seems to be that it helps to produce endorphins(内啡肽)in the brain.
____, some doctors in the United States now hold laughter clinics(诊所), in which they try to improve their patients' condition by encouraging them to laugh. Even if their patients do not really feel like laughing, making them smile is enough to produce good effects similar to those caused by laughter.
Can plants talk? Modern research has found something amazing: they do communicate with each other.
It has been known for some time that plants use chemicals to communicate with each other. This happens when a plant gets attacked（攻击）by insects. The plant gives out chemicals from the leaves that are being eaten. This is like a warning, or a call for help. When another plant gets the chemicals, it starts to give out its own, different chemicals. Some of these chemicals drive insects away. Others attract the wasp（黄蜂; 蜜蜂）! The wasps kill the insects that are eating the plants.
More surprisingly, plants also use sound to communicate. People can't hear these sounds, but plants are making them. Some plants make noises with their roots. Corn and chili plants do this. Some trees make clicking noises when there is not enough water.
Most surprisingly of all, plants have an amazing system of communication that can link nearly every plant in a forest. Scientists call this system the "wood wide web". The wood wide web is linked underground by fungi（霉菌）. It links the roots(根) of different plants to each other. It is in some ways similar to the Internet we use. Using the wood wide web, plants can share information and even food with each other.
Scientists are learning more every day about the secret ways plants talk to each other. Maybe one day we will know enough about plant communication to be able to "talk" with them ourselves.
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How to build self-confidence?
One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about herself is to examine her walk. People with confidence walk quickly. They have places to go, people to see, or important work to do.
Listening to an inspiring speech is also a good way. Unluckily, chances to listen to a great speaker are few. You can fill this need by creating a personal speech. Read it aloud in front of the mirror!
In school, offices and some other public places people always sit at the back of the room, because they're afraid of being noticed. Try to sit in the front of these places.
During group discussions many people never express their opinions because they're afraid that people will judge them for their saying something stupid. In fact, most people are dealing with the same fear. Try to express your opinions, you'll become a better public speaker.
Physical fitness has a huge influence on self-confidence. If you're out of shape, you'll feel sad. By making your body fit and strong, you improve your physical appearance and refresh yourself.
A. Make a Personal Speech. B. Dare to speak up. C. Speed up D. Sit in the Front Row. E. Improve your appearance. F. Keep fit. |
I'll always remember the first time I tried ballet. My mother was a 1 and I wanted to be like her. But after making many mistakes during my first class, I felt like I would 2 right away. As it was only my first day, however, I told my mum I couldn't wait to dance again.
Weeks passed and my dancing didn't make any 3 . So when my teacher announced that we were to perform in a show, I was afraid of 4 over in front of hundreds of people and disappointing my mum.
Even though I practiced for the 5 as much as I could, I still couldn't get the hang of it. Finally, feeling nervous and 6 , I told my mum how difficult dancing was for me. My mother gently smiled and encourage me that she would try her best to teach me.
My mum quickly 7 how bad I was at ballet, but she still taught me with the greatest 8 , love and understanding. When I fell, she was always there to catch 9 . And when I lost my balance, she reached out her hand. We kept trying, day after day. By the time the show arrived, I was 10 for it.
The music started and I began moving to the music without 11 a step. When the music stopped, I ran off the stage 12 .
After the show, my mum gave me a huge hug, telling me how 13 she was. I told her that 14 could have happened without her. With tears in her eyes, she said warmly that it is my continual hard work that led to 15 . Through this all, I realized one important fact: My mum will always be there to catch me if I fall.
Children love getting dirty, without paying attention to the colors of their clothing. Actually, playing with mud could be good their health, too.
"Don't get dirty!" parents would always warn (they) children about that. Whether they were running through farmers' fields, catching (insect) or climbing trees, there was no doubt that children's white clothes would turn brown before the day was over, which annoyed their parents.
, according to latest research, the dirt outside includes some friendly microorganisms（微生物）that can train the immune system. It's useful (deal) with some illnesses.
So far, many studies (show) that outdoor activities play an important role in our health. Our brains are developed in a (nature) way and valuable learning experiences are offered through outdoor play. For example, the act of playing with mud can help children connect their movements (proper).
Thus, the scientists suggest people in their childhood (play) with mud. Because those who grow up on farms have fewer chances to get illnesses, such as asthma, allergies, or auto-immune disorders.
Dear Li Ping, How time flies! It's been four years since you left the English summer camp. I have changed a lot in the past few years. The biggest change for me is my personality. Could you please tell me about your changes? By the way, how is your English now? Did you make any progress? How did you make it？ I am looking forward to your reply. Yours, Jack |
Dear Jack,
Li Ping
