Nowadays，people often get 【小题1】 (stick) in traffic jams. In the last ten years, the number of cars on the roads in Britain 【小题2】 (rise) by 30% . Some types of cancer are related to traffic pollution and traffic is one of the major 【小题3】 (cause) of global warming and climate change. The average global temperature is about 0. 5 degrees centigrade 【小题4】 (high) than it was 100 years ago. We know that cars are bad for us, but we carry on 【小题5】 (use) our cars so much because we are addicted 【小题6】 them. Jenny Trowe of Greenpeace gives us some advice. First, use our legs. Regular exercise cuts the risk of heart disease by 50%! Second, use public transport. On average, about forty people travel in one bus,【小题7】 the same number occupy thirty-three cars. Third, sharing cars 【小题8】 (be) much cheaper and kinder to the environment. In 【小题9】 word, we can do whichever of these things 【小题10】 suit us. Don’t just sit around and complain!

Change Your Life

Everybody wants to look good, especially young people. 【小题1】

1. Get into shape.

Exercising regularly not only keeps you looking your best, but also improves your health, reduces your possibility of getting certain diseases and gives you more energy.

Healthy adults need 150 minutes of moderate (适度的) aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous (强有力的) aerobic activity each week. Moderate activities include walking and swimming, while vigorous activities include jogging, boxing, and playing basketball. You should do some kind of strength training at least two days per week.

Also, consider joining a gym or local sports team. 【小题2】

2. Keep a balanced diet.

【小题3】 Whether you want to lose weight or simply improve your overall health, what you eat matters.

Your diet should consist of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Read food labels and stay away from foods that contain too much fat and sugar. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, then cut down on alcohol and caffeine, as these drinks will make matters worse.

3. Change your clothes.

【小题4】 Make an effort to look your best on a daily basis. This doesn’t necessarily mean dressing fancifully (花哨地) or formally; rather, find clothes that are fashionable, affordable, and proper.

4. 【小题5】

Get a haircut or dye your hair a different color. Women with long hair should consider getting layers, bangs, or a short bob.

   Researchers are placing robotic dogs in the homes of lonely old people to determine whether they can improve the quality of life for humans. Alan Beck, an expert in the human-animal relationship, and Nancy Edwards, a professor of nursing, are leading the animal-assisted study concerning the influence of robotic dogs on old people’s depression, physical activity, and life satisfaction. “No one will argue that an older person is better off being more active, challenged, or stimulated (刺激), ”Edwards points out. “The problem is how we promote that, especially for those without friends or help. A robotic dog could be a solution.”

In the study, the robotic dogs, called AIBO, are placed for six weeks in the houses of some old people who live alone. Before placing AIBO in the home, researchers will collect data for six weeks. These old people will keep a diary to note their feelings and activities before and after AIBO being placed. Then, the researchers will study the data to determine if it has inspired any changes in the life of its owner.

“I talk to it all the time, and it responds (回应) to my voice,” says a seventy-year-old lady. “When I’m watching TV, it’ll stay in my arms until it wants to go down. It has a mind of its own.”

The AIBOs respond to certain orders. The researchers say they have some advantages over live dogs, especially for old people. Often the elderly are disabled and cannot care for an animal by walking it or playing with it. A robotic dog removes exercise and feeding concerns.

“At the beginning, it was believed that no one would relate to the robotic dog because it is metal and not furry,” Beck says. “But it’s amazing how quickly we have given up that belief.”

“Hopefully, down the road, these robotic pets could become a more valuable health helper. They will record their masters’ blood pressure, oxygen levels, or heart rhythms. AIBOs may even one day have games that can help stimulate older people’s minds.”

How to Help Improve Your Child's Confidence

How can you help your child become more confident in school and prepare him for the stressful situations which inevitably(不可避免地)arise?

School Can Be Frightening for Kids

【小题1】 . Certainly, we get nervous from time to time, but it is easy to forget how the world looks to a child. Of course, some children , have more self-confidence than others, but for others, the school can appear to be a pretty frightening place. Helping your children to build their own confidence now will help them develop important skills that will help them throughout their lives.

【小题2】

Children like it when you pay attention to them. When your child is telling you something  that happened, do your best to give him your full attention and actively listen. 【小题3】 . You should make sure your body language communicates that you are listening as well. If you catch yourself not listening, ask your child to repeat himself and apologize for being distracted( 精神无法集中的).

Helping Kids Outside of School

Outside school activities are rarely a bad thing, so give your child encouragement to try new things. Clubs and groups are great opportunities and good places for your children to make new friends. 【小题4】 .

Being Open towards Your Child

This is a simple tip, but one to live by. 【小题5】 . Make sure your child realizes that you are a part of his team when he is facing difficulties. The world is much less frightening to a child who feels he is not alone.

   It seems that there is never enough time in the day. But, since we all get the same 24 hours, why is it that some people achieve much more than others? 【小题1】

Keep 0a to-do list.

You should have a reminder system to tell you when you need to do what. 【小题2】 Carry a pen and paper wherever you go and write down the things you need to do, including dates and deadlines (最后期限).

Set goals.

Set yourself exact goals, and make sure that they are realistic. To do this, you first need to examine your present situation and assess (判断) which goals are important to you. Have a secondary route to your goals in case you have to change your plans.

Break down tasks.

Break goals down into different parts so that you can complete them one step at a time. 【小题3】 Try to complete one task before you go on to the next.

Organize your time.

【小题4】 A good way to do this is to record everything you do for a week in detail and then examine your record to see how you use or waste your time.

【小题5】

Keep your work space tidy so that you can work efficiently — it’s hard to work if things you need to find are buried under a pile of paper! Work to plan things so that you can meet deadlines in good time — don’t leave everything until the last minute.