Space is where our future is—trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Most people would think that aside from comets (彗星) and stars, there was little else out there. But, since our space journey started we have left so much trash there that scientists are now concerned that if we don’t clean it up, we may all be in mortal (致命的) danger.

The first piece of space junk was created in 1964, when the American satellite Vanguard 1 stopped operating and lost its connection with the ground center. However, since it kept orbiting around the Earth without any consequences, scientists became increasingly comfortable abandoning things that no longer served any useful purpose in space.

It is estimated that there are now over millions of pieces of man-made trash orbiting the Earth at high speed. The junk varies from tiny pieces of paint chipped off rockets to cameras, huge fuel tanks, and even odd items like the million-dollar tool kit that astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper lost during a spacewalk.

The major problem with the space trash is that it may hit working satellites and damage traveling spacecraft. Moreover, pieces of junk may collide (碰撞) with each other and break into pieces which fall back to the Earth. To avoid this, scientists have invented several ways of clearing the sky. Ground stations have been built to monitor larger pieces of space trash to prevent them from crashing into working satellites or space shuttles. Future plans include a cooperative effort among many nations to stop littering in space and to clean up the trash already there.

   Leaders shape history and here is a selection of the most remarkable views on these public figures plus first-hand accounts (描述) by those with access to them.

Margaret Thatcher by Charles Moore (2013)

Before Moore published the first volume of his biography, there had already been a mountain of books on Thatcher. Moore’s account is different. He shows that far from being fearless, she could often be fearful without cause. The final volume will include her fall from power.

Churchill by Roy Jenkins (2001)

Jenkins writes a politician as well as a historian, analyzing Churchill’s historic moves from the opinions of one who had also spoken in the Commons. Jenkins had resigned from high positions in battles over policy, as one that changed parties, though not as frequently as Churchill did.

Roy Jenkins by John Campbell (2014)

Campbell calmly narrates many political and personal dramas, including Jenkins’ intense relationship with Anthony Crosland when they were both students at Oxford. Campbell also addresses Jenkins’ various affairs with women. Like Jenkins’ political heroes, he led many lives. Campbell is sharp in describing each of them.

Diaries, Volumes One to Six by Alastair Campbell (2017)

Love or hate him, Alastair Campbell remains the master of the inside story, and not just because of his unusual ideas on the relationship between Tony Blairand Gordon Brown. This is an incredibly detailed book on what it’s like to live inside No. 10: the cruel space of events; and the constant conflict with the media.

Reducing Test Anxiety

Test anxiety arises when a student excessively worries about doing badly in a test. This can become a major hindrance (造成妨碍的事物) to test performance and cause extreme nervousness and memory problems among other symptoms. 【小题1】

Think positively. Scientific research has shown that our expectations can affect our performance. 【小题2】However, if you expect that you’ll do poorly, studying may not be enough to help you perform well. Therefore, it is a wise choice to think positively.

【小题3】 Fear releases adrenaline (肾上腺素) , preparing the body to deal with danger. Your heart rate and breathing speed up and you may feel shaky, sweaty, or dizzy. Anything you can do to reduce these physical reactions will help you think more clearly and feel more confident.

Eat before the test. Don’t skip breakfast to study. 【小题4】 Choose protein-filled snacks and avoid sugar, which can give you quick energy that may run out in the middle of the test. Eat something even if you feel sick—try crackers or toast to settle your stomach. Avoid caffeine and energy drinks, which can increase anxiety.

Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Studies have shown that you will do well in the test if you get enough sleep. 【小题5】 If the test is later in the day or the evening, or if you just couldn’t get a full night’s sleep, take a nap. Research has shown that a short nap—less than an hour—can improve alertness, memory, creativity,  productivity, and moods, and can decrease stress.

I was entering the underground parking lot when I heard a little girl shouted “Mama, Mama!” I looked around and saw the girl in a car alone. I went over to ask her how was the matter. She said she needed to go to the washroom badly. I tell the girl to get out and I would take him to the washroom. She was very gladly and ran with me to the washroom. After she washed her hand, I took her back to car. Still, her mom didn’t come. I really hoped the girl would tell her mom what had been happened to her. But next time the mom wouldn’t leave her little daughter in the car on herself.

With all my best regards.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua