The Best Way to Nap
A study published in the journal Heart found a link between healthy napping (打盹) and a lowered risk of heart disease. The American Psychological Association points out that naps can improve memory, learning capacity and mood. Sara Med nick,PhD, a neuroscience at the University of California explains that when you fall asleep, your body moves through stages that each play a role in health. Ideal napping times are based around this four-stage cycle.
| Stage 1 | the "dozing off"(打瞌睡)period |
| Stage 2 | muscles, heart rate and brain activity slow down |
| Stage 3 | deep, restorative sleep |
| Stage 4 | REM(rapid eye movement)sleep, when brain activity increases and you're most likely to dream |
| The 20-minute nap | Between 20 and 30 minutes is one napping sweet spot, according to Mednick, who explains that you get enough Stage 2 sleep to switch your body and mind into full relaxation mode, aiding with memory. |
| The 60-minute nap | Stage 3 sleep is a time for your body to repair tissue, strengthen the immune(免疫)system and recharge energy stores. But waking up during this phase can make you feel uncomfortable and sleepy, Med nick says. Most people start to move out of Stage 3 after around 60 minutes, which makes it a good time to set your alarm. |
| The 90-minute nap | A complete sleep cycle is about an hour and a half, and napping for a full cycle can have big benefits. But naps longer than 90 minutes can disturb nighttime sleep and might even weaken memory. |
Not a regular napper? That's OK. "Everyone needs to rest, but not everyone necessarily needs to nap," says Med nick.
Every year in May, art galleries and museums prepare shows to honor Leonardo Da Vinci, who died in France on May 2, 1519. He is remembered as one of the greatest artists and creative thinkers of all time. His most famous paintings are The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
Recently, researchers have been studying a painting-Landscape 8P which, they think, is Da Vinci's earliest-known artwork. They used special lighting to study the artwork and discovered there were two images, not one. One drawing is on the back of the piece, which dates back to August 5, 1473.
The drawing on the front was painted when Leonardo was 21 years old. It shows a river valley and a castle outside the city of Florence. There is little left of the drawing on the back, perhaps because it was wiped off. Only a bridge over a river can be seen. But there is writing on both sides.
The writing on the front gives the date and goes from right to left. Some people would call this "mirror-writing". It's a way Leonardo often wrote in his notebooks. The writing on the back goes from left to right and tells about an agreement, probably to produce a work of art.
Cecilia Frosinini is an art historian. She said, "Leonardo was born left-handed, but was taught to write with his right hand from a very young age. By looking at his writings, including from this drawing, we can see his right-handed handwriting is educated and well done."
Experts compared the two handwriting samples(样本)and said they were both made by Leonardo. They show he could write well using his left hand or his right hand.
The drawing is known as Landscape 8P from its number in an art list. It will be part of an exhibit at Italy's Uffizi Gallery. The gallery director, Eike Schmidt, said by studying the drawing researchers gave us a new way of looking at Leonardo's drawing technique and his abilities in writing.
Scientists in Australia have discovered that they can use the world's smelliest fruits to make devices that could power electric cars. A durian is a fruit that looks like a pineapple. It is a delicacy in some Asian countries, but its smell is so unpleasant that some of those countries have banned it from public places. Its smell has been compared to rotting eggs and even smelly old gym socks.
Vincent Gomes and his colleagues at the University of Sydney, in Australia, used a durian and a jackfruit — another fruit known for its terrible smell — to make energy storing devices called supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors are an alternative to batteries. They can't store as much energy as a normal battery does, but they are much quicker to recharge. Durians and jackfruits contain some of the chemicals used in supercapacitors, which gave Gomes the idea. To make the fruit-based devices, the team heated and then freeze-dried the uneatable cores of the durian and jackfruit to make a special kind of material called an aerogel.
Aerogels are one of the world's lightest solid materials. Often called "frozen smoke", they are made by removing the liquid from a gel（凝胶）and replacing it with air. They have many scientific uses, but one of their special properties is the ability to conduct electric currents, which makes them an important part of supercapacitors. The aerogels made from durian and jackfruit both worked well when placed inside a supereapacitor, although the durian aerogel was found to be the better of the two.
The discovery is important because the materials currently used to make supercapacitors are expensive. Using natural foods like durians and jackfruits, Gomes says, could reduce environmental pollution, as well as costs.
An obstacle usually refers to a difficulty or problem that prevents you from achieving something. Whether it was in your past, or you're presently facing an obstacle, you have to resolve it. Some people avoid obstacles or deny their existence. Others let obstacles control them, and they feel defeated. Your attitude towards obstacles will define the outcome of whether you rise from the challenge, or remain stuck in it. Here are some more great things to love about obstacles.
First, obstacles give you purposes. Sometimes obstacles can reset your goals. You might have always had a particular way of doing things, or wanted to pursue certain goals; but when you're faced with setbacks or difficulties, you're forced to re-think, and re-examine your path. You may end up focusing on something new and exciting. Or, you may concentrate on something that you otherwise wouldn't have if not for the particular setback. By having to overcome an obstacle, you'll be fulfilling a purpose, rather than just going through the motions. Second, obstacles prepare you for the unexpected. Obstacles serve as guides for where to go next. Even though obstacles can bring out many negative emotions in us, such as frustration, anger, or sadness, it's important to realize that they don't stop you from reaching your intended goals. Instead, they, in a way, give you time to stop and think if perhaps there is a new and better path to take and what you can prepare for what will happen along the way. Obstacles shift your perspective.
Obstacles whether you like them or not are unavoidable. Life will never stop throwing you new obstacles. So, the best thing to do is know how to better see and address these obstacles, and transform them into opportunities for self-improvement. The more you're able to see obstacles as being an advantage to your life, the better you'll be at managing them.
Accepting obstacles will be rewarding. It will make you constantly change and adapt to new situations, allowing you to grow into a better version of yourself.
Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste
Plastic has been found virtually in everything these days. Your food is packaged in it. Your car, phone and computer are made from it.. While most plastics are advertised as recyclable, the reality is that they're "downcycled".
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to dramatically decrease the amount of plastic waste you produce.
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One of the easiest ways to keep plastic out of the landfill is to refuse plastic straws. Simply inform your waiter or waitress that you don't need one, and be sure to state this clearly when ordering at a drive-through. Can't stand giving up the convenience of plastic straws?. Restaurant workers will be less likely to bring you a plastic one if they see that you've brought your own.
Use reusable bags
About one million plastic bags are used every minute. A single plastic bag can take 1,000 years to break down. If you're already bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, you're on the right track. Purchase some reusable bags and help keep even more plastic out of the landfill. However, you should avoid those bags made from nylon or polyester (聚酯纤维). .
Use matches
, if you need to light a candle, build a campfire or start a fire for any other reason. These cheap plastic devices can sit in landfills for years and have been even found in dead birds' stomachs. If you can't bear to part with your lighter, pick up a refillable metal one to help cut down on waste.
A. Say no to plastic straws
B. Choose cotton ones instead
C. Don't use plastic containers
D. Choose matches instead of plastic lighters
E. Most restaurants will have no problem with it
F. And you might even chew it daily in the form of gum
G. Purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass drinking straw
A few years ago, I was given a wallet. A beautiful elephant was woven into its front panel. The wallet was1to me by a close friend on my birthday.
The wallet was not only beautiful, but it also had a personality: it loved to run away, as I told my parents over and over again, only to receive eye2in return. "Joey, really, you've lost it again?" they would say every time I replaced it. Fortunately, I would eventually3it in my own house.
One day,4, as I was leaving a football stadium at a school, the wallet once again5 from my pocket. I discovered the6when I got home. I searched the house and I prayed, as usual. Nothing.
But then, around a week later, my parents received a7on their business voicemail. A complete stranger was calling with the8of my wallet. "I'm calling for Joey," a9came from the stranger. This man, to find whom the wallet belonged to, looked inside of it, and found a 10which my parents had written to me. It11have their business phone number on it. Upon getting my wallet back, I wrote a brief letter to the man expressing my 12, and remarking on what an amazing act of kindness he had committed and that he was truly a13person. I would be forever grateful to him. I concluded and14it off to him.
I don't know if I believe in chance or luck, but I do know I believe in15and in the selfless acts of kindness.
China has once again showed its ability (change) the world with its "four new great (invention)"——high-speed rail, mobile payment, shared bicycle, and online shopping.
China's new-generation high-speed train, the Fuxing, is now one of the fastest trains in the world, can travel at a speed of 350 km/h. China (improve)
people's lives in many other innovative ways over the last decade.
Bike sharing, for example, is not new itself. But is much more convenient for people to travel to their destinations through it. Leading Chinese bike-sharing companies are now operating in foreign countries such as Singapore and Britain.
And back in China, when riding shared bike, you can stop to buy and eat whatever you want (simple) with a tap of your phone. You could easily pay with your smartphone by (scan) the seller's QR code. Mobile payment has grown into a (choose) for Chinese people—even a pancake seller is using it.
Besides, the four innovative ways of life are most appealing youths from other countries, and they wish their countries would go further in terms of technological achievement.
注意：
1. 词数80左右；
2. 可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。
参考词汇：学生活动中心Student Activity Center
海报创新设计creative design of posters
Notice
The Student Union
Freddie woke up to see it was snowing. The world outside was white. Snow covered the roads，the houses，and even the driveway Freddie had just shoveled（铲）the day before. He got out of bed and headed to the bathroom for his regular morning shower. As he reached for the tap，his mother appeared in the doorway.
"I've got news，"she said. "There's been so much snow overnight that the roads are slippery and dangerous. So the school is on vacation for one day."
Freddie's eyes lit up. He'd never had a snow day off from school before. "I'm going back to bed！" Freddie headed back to his room and climbed under the covers. After a few minutes，he realized that it was too late. He was already wide awake. He headed down to the kitchen，watching his father fry the eggs and his mother pour juice and coffee. It was relaxing，thought Freddie.
After breakfast his mother suggested he build a snowman outside. Freddie didn't really like the cold and the snow. He'd rather play video games inside.
"You can play afterwards，but how about going outside for a little bit？It's good to get some fresh air，and you might even enjoy yourself," his mother said. Freddie unwillingly put on the warm clothes and headed outside.
Standing alone in the yard，the boy sighed(叹气)，thinking the quicker he completed his snowman，the faster he could go back inside to play his video games. He set to work, packing up some snow into a large ball.
Moments later，Freddie saw his friend Dion appearing up the street. He waved to Freddie. "Hey！I saw you out here and thought you might want company. Snow days are wonderful！" Dion laughed.
注意：1. 所续写的短文词数应为150左右；2. 续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已经为你写好；
Freddie was surprised but happy to see Dion.
Delighted at the idea that they would go sledding(坐雪橇）down the hill in the park next，Freddie excitedly ran into his house.
