To son, Cecil,
When I wrote this, you were 8, still a little boy. In 2002, I was called to active duty in the Marine Corps in the war on Terrorism (恐怖主义). On the 11th of September 2001 when America was attacked, I knew that I would eventually have to go and I was filled with a deep sense of sadness. That night as you and Keiko were asleep, I looked at your little faces and couldn't help but fight the tears.
I knew it would be hard for you because I had a similar experience. When I was a little boy aged 6, my dad, your Grandpa, was sent to Vietnam during the war there. I remember how much I missed him, too. But now unfortunately I have come to realize just how rough it must have been for Grandpa to be away from his children for a year. Thinking about this, I wanted to put my thoughts and feelings down for you and your sister. I am so sorry that I had to leave for such a long time. There is no place I would rather be than with you and Keiko. You two are the lights of my life. I have known no greater joy than in the few years since you two were born. I hope to have many more years with you. If this doesn't happen, then know that I love you more than words can express.
If for some reason I don't make it home, I will need you to take care of your little sister and your Mom. You will be the man of the Cawley family. Be good my son and God will watch over you as he has me. I will be waiting impatiently for the time when we can all be together again.
All my love, Dad
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without mountains of wrapping paper covering the floor on 25 December. Or would it?
A rise in interest in crafting (手工艺), coupled with a greater awareness of the environment under lockdown, has led to an increase in interest in furoshiki -the Japanese art of fabric wrapping一this year.
Furoshiki are traditional Japanese cloths used to transport food clothes or gifts. They are increasingly being accepted by shoppers as an alternative to paper. The clothes are easy to use: gifts are placed in the centre of the fabric, which is then tucked (卷起) around the object and fastened with a knot (结).
Because fabric is so much more malleable (可塑的) than wrapping paper, it can be used to make even the most awkward . shaped gifts look professionally wrapped. The Covid-19 pandemic(大流行病) has brought the environment into a new focus for people, causing people all to make more environmentally conscious decisions around what we buy.
Part of the appeal of fabric wrapping is that it is a present in itself. The receiver can not only enjoy a beautifully wrapped gift but can then reuse the cloth to give a gift of their own.
Some customers use their cloth within family or friendship circles, so that it eventually makes its way back to them. There's a certain magic and tradition in passing it from person to person.
Then there's the rising interest in craft. Fabric wrapping is often handmade. Compared to standard wrapping paper, fabric wrapping offers more chances to experiment with different folding techniques and the way it lends itself to botanical decoration. There is a huge appetite for people wanting to learn new craft skills and perhaps create their own gifts for friend and family.
The practice of using furoshiki became widespread during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868), when people bundled (捆) their clothes in fabric while visiting public baths. The custom was generally the preserve of older people in Japan, but younger generations are getting on board as a result of the pandemic. They have started to reconsider their ways of life.
It has been known for a long time that obesity tends to run in families, but it was not until about 20 years ago that scientists started to discover that changes in specific genes can have very large impacts on our weight even from early childhood.
One of these genes MC4R makes a protein that is produced in the brain where it sends signals to our appetite centers, telling them how much fat we have stored- When the MC4R gene does not work properly, our brains think we have lower fat stores than we do, signaling that we are starving and need to eat.
A new study, led by scientists from the University of Cambridge and the University of Bristol, has found that around one in every 340 people may carry a disruptive mutation (变异) at MC4R. People who carry these mutations were more likely to have a greater weight from early childhood and, by 18 years of age? they were on average 17 kg heavier, with the majority of this excess weight likely to be fat.
These results were found by studying the MC4R gene in a random sample of around 6,000 participants born in Bristol. Whenever a mutation was found, the researchers went on to study its frequency and effects in the laboratory. Based on the frequency of mutations in this study, it was estimated that around 200,000 people in the UK carry a substantial amount of unexpected fat because of mutations in MC4R.
Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, one of the researchers, said, "Parents of obese children are often blamed for poor parenting and not all children obtain appropriate professional help. Our findings should encourage a more sympathetic and reasonable approach to overweight children and their families- including genetic analysis in all seriously obese children.'
Though the MC4R gene is a striking example, this is only one gene of many that affect our weight. "In the longer term, knowledge of the brain pathways controlled by MC4R should help in the design of ding that help restore people to a healthy weight," Stephen added.
Cat behavior can often be puzzling and confusing to humans. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her expertise on some common and strange cat behaviors to help you understand why your cat behaves the way it does.
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, it's how they make their paws sharper. If cats do not have a suitable surface to scratch, they will choose your furniture or carpet. To protect your furniture, provide at least two scratching posts. These posts need to be stable so they don't rock or tip over.
Cats tend to scratch when they wake in the morning, so place one post close to where they sleep. Cats love high places, which give them a sense of safety and allow them to watch everything going below.And make sure you have several cat items in front of windows so your cat can look outside. If your cat can watch from high up and see the world outside of his home, he is less likely to climb onto the kitchen cupboard and knock down the bowls.
They have the surprising ability to tie themselves in knots without any difficulty. They curl up in unconventional beds, like vases, because they have special bones on the back that allow them to do this. And they take great pride in showing this to you continuously.
If cats eat grass, there are several reasons. They may be seeking the nutrients in the g have an upset stomach, inducing vomiting (催吐). It is not a problem if your cat enjoys eating ensure it hasn't been treated with pesticides. Alternatively, offer your cat a pot of clean cat grass to chew, especially indoor cats.If you have any concerns about your cat's behavior or frequency vomiting, please talk with your vet.
A. Sleeping positions of cats are unusual
B. They need nutrients in the grass more.
C. Having a rough surface is also required.
D. This is available from most plant gardens.
E. However, there's often an explanation for their actions.
F. Meanwhile, high places offer them larger space to jump.
G. Put up several shelves so your cat can leap from one to another.
Misty didn't always feel so confident in herself. The challenges she has 1over almost 20 years of dancing have made her strong
At the young age, Misty was a shy child and 2 the spotlight (聚光灯) But she loved 3 and movement. When she was 13. her coach 4 she attended a free ballet class at the Boys & Girls Club. At first, Misty was 5 to join in it and felt out of place in the class. 6, she discovered that her body- especially her long legs and flexible 7 was just right for ballet, which 8her up. However, at the age of 19, she suddenly gained 9.
My body changed 10 over the course of several months," she says. Misty had always been long and 11_, which was considered "perfect" for a ballet dancer's body. But now, she says, "I was being told that my proportions(比例) just weren't right anymore. " 12 ， Misty was the 13 African American in a company of 80 dancers. So she sometimes felt as if she didn't fit in.
Misty says this time was "one of the 14 moments of my life." Even though Misty felt discouraged, she didn't break 15. She talked with others who had struggled with similar problems. With the support of these friends, things slowly 16Today, Misty says, "I've learned to accept my appearance, skin color, and figure." She wants to help other dancers 17 themselves, too. In her own book, Firebird, Misty tells readers to 18 their dreams: "No matter what that dream is," she writes, "you have the 19 to make it come true with hard work and 20."
Digital devices(设备) have become common in our lives. Today, kids often type with a keyboard instead writing by hand. But a recent study shows that you can learn(well), and possibly remember more, by handwriting your notes.
"Some schools have become(complete) digital," noted Audrey, who(lead) the study. She measured what's happening in the brain to better understand learning and behaviors. Her study found that(use) a pen or pencil to write notes involves more of the brain than typing on a keyboard. This is because writing needs more complex movements, makes more areas of our brain activate.
Think about it: you move your handssame way to type each letter on a keyboard. That's different from when we write. Our brain needs(consider) the shape of each letter. And we must control our hands to shape different letters with a pen or pencil, all of which uses and connects more areas of the brain.
So learning only by typing could be(harm). However, the human brain connects with the world in as many(way) as possible. That's why it's important to learn to write by hand and to type with a keyboard in the meanwhile.
1）用眼存在的问题
2）爱护眼睛的意义
3）提出倡议
注意：
1）词数80左右
2）可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯
Every Christmas, people in shopping malls, grocery stores and on street corners collie donations for the Salvation Amy's programs for those in need. And bell-ringers are volunteers helping collect donations. That probably doesn't seem like a big deal to most people, but | find it difficult - in fact, ridiculously hard" to ask people for anything, even though I quite enjoy helping others when they need a hand.
My friends will tell you I'm outgoing, independent, even adventurous. Yet, when I'm sick I'd rather stagger out of the door half-dead to buy some chicken soup than ask a friend or neighbor for help. When | sign up for a run to raise money for cancer, I donate the cash myself rather than asking others. The thought of asking a friend for a ride to the airport is way too stressful, even though I know the answer would be yes.
So, I decided one Christmas | would take a baby step in learning to ask. I'd do a few shifts (轮班) as a "bell-ringer" to see how it felt to ask perfect strangers to give.
| arrived early and tried to calm my nerves as I approached the man standing by the donation box. For weeks, I had prepared myself for this. I put the instruction sheet on my refrigerator and re-read it many times. But I could not have felt worse as | slipped on the Salvation Army vest (背心and took my spot beside the donation box.
The man who had been a volunteer for a decade gave me some tips before he left. | thanked him and consciously tried to follow the tips. Stand (don't sit), smile, make eye contact, and don't ring the bell too loud or too often.
It felt awkward at first. My location on the second floor of shopping mall wasn't a busy spot, so | tried to smile and catch the eyes of every passerby. Most quickly glanced away. | worried | was making them feel guilty. | didn't like that at all.
注意：
1）所续写短文的词数应为150左右:
2）应使用5个以上短文中标有下划线的关键词语:
3）续写部分分为两段,每段的开头语已为你写好:
4）续写完成后， 请用下划线标出你所使用的关键词语。
Para 1: I was starting to wonder whether this bell-ringing thing was for me when a lady walked purposefully toward me.
Para 2: For the rest of my shift, I became relaxed and were impressed by different people coming to me,
