Being "Cool" in Middle School

  A new study shows that gentle and quiet kids in middle school will grow up to rule. Or, at least, they'll live healthier and more productive lives than the "cool" kids will.

  The study looked at 13-year-olds who acted old for their age by having "cool" behavior, such as early romantic relationships. They were seen as "cool" and popular kids. But as they grew up, things changed. The study found that these kids tended to have problems with drugs and relationships by their early 20s.Their behavior was no longer linked with popularity. Instead, they were thought to be less socially skilled by their peers. Besides, the average "cool" kids, by age 22, did more poorly than the average kids in the study. They had a 45 percent greater rate of problems due to drugs and alcohol. They also had a 22 percent greater rate of criminal behavior. The study also found that these kids failed to develop important life skills. They spent so much time trying to seem cool. They didn't develop the skills needed for meaningful friendships.

  The study followed 86 male and 98 female middle school students for a 10-year period. It has some surprising findings. In particular, the study notes that the so-called "cool" behavior is a predictor（预示）of future problems with drugs and alcohol. In fact, it is a better predictor than drug and alcohol use in middle school. However, one conclusion of the study is welcome. Researchers said that parents shouldn't worry too much if their kids don't seem that popular. If a kid prefers to spend Saturday nights at home watching a movie or reading instead of going out with friends, that is not a cause for concern. Many "uncool" kids, they said, do much better later on than the popular kids do. 

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Who Is James Bond?

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Moderate Earthquake Strikes England

    A moderate earthquake struck parts of southeast England on 28 April 2007, toppling chimneys from houses and rousing residents from their beds. Several thousand people were left without power in Kent County. One woman suffered minor head and neck injuries.

    “It felt as if the whole house was being slid across like a fun-fair ride," said the woman.

    The British Geological. Survey said the 4.3-magnitude quake struck at 8:19 a.m. and was centered under the English Channel, about 8.5 miles south of Dover and near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel.

    Witnesses said cracks appeared in walls and chimneys collapsed across the county. Residents said the tremor had lasted for about lo to 15 seconds.

    “I was lying in bed and it felt as if someone had just got up from bed next to me. "said Hendrick van Eck,27,of Canterbury about 60 miles southeast of London.“I then heard the sound of cracking,and it was getting heavier and heavier.It felt as if someone was at the end of my bed hopping up and down.’

    There are thousands of moderate quakes on this scale around the world each year,but they are rare in Britain. The April 28 quake was the strongest in Britain since 2002 when a 4.8-magnitude quake struck the central England city of Birmingham.

    The country's strongest earthquake took place in the North Sea in 1931,measuring 6.1 0n the Richter scale.British Geological survey scientist Roger Musson said the quake took place on 28 April in an area that had seen several of the biggest earthquakes ever to strike Britain,including one in 1580 that caused damage in London and was felt in France. Musson predicted that it was only a matter of time before another earthquake struck thi8 part of England. However, people should not be scared too much by this prediction, said,as the modern earthquake warning system of Britain should be able to detect a forthcoming quake and announce it several hours before it takes place.This would allow time for people to evacuate and reduce damage to the minimum.

During the April 28 earthquake,the whole England was out power.

A. Right                 

B. Wrong

C. Not mentioned

The Channel Tunnel was closed for 10 hours after the earthquake occurred.

A. Right               

B. Wrong                 

C. Not mentioned

It was reported that one lady had got her head and neck injured,but not seriously. 

A. Right              

B. Wrong                

C. Not mentioned

France and several other European countries sent their medical teams to work side by side with the British doctors. 

A. Right         

B. Wrong           

C. Not mentioned

Many walls and chimneys were damaged during this quake.

A. Right              

B. Wrong                

C. Not mentioned

The April 28 quake was stronger than the one of 2002.

A. Right

B. Wrong

C. Not mentioned

The country's strongest earthquake took place in London in 1580. 

A. Right              

B. Wrong                

C. Not mentioned

Musson predicted that another earthquake would occur in south-east England sooner or later. 

A. Right

B. Wrong                 

C. Not mentioned

It can be inferred from the passage that England is rarely hit by high magnitude earthquakes. 

A. Right

B. Wrong                

C. Not mentioned

The modern earthquake warning system of Britain could detect a forthcoming quake.

A. Right

B. Wrong                

C. Not mentioned

The British Summer

  Britain is well known for its rainy climate. People joke that even in the summer time the country never gets any sun and that the skies stay disappointingly grey even during the months of July and August.

  Last summer though, it was So hot that people could hardly believe it. British people weren't used to such high temperatures, so every day on the news there were stories about people struggling to work in such unusual weather conditions. Radio and television programmers also reminded everyone to drink more water and not to stay too long in the sun. When the sun comes out, British people tend to spend time in their garden if they have one. lt's common to invite friends and neighbours around for a barbecue where everyone sits outside and eats food like grilled meat ( 烤肉) and salads. There' s always a back-up plan in case of rain though, and the meal sometimes has to be cooked in the kitchen and eaten indoors.

  People also spend a lot of time in parks during the summer, having picnics or playing sports. In every green area, there's always at least one ice cream van, a kind of car that plays children's music and sells ice creams.

  Towns like Blackpool and Brighton are popular for their beaches and amusement arcades ( 游乐场 ) . People go there to swim, sunbathe and eat fish and chips. The water can be quite cold, though, and that's why quite a lot of people prefer to go abroad for their summer holiday instead. Popular destinations include Spain, Germany and France: all countries that promise a lot of sunshine!

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Mental Illness Hits Small Business Owners Hard

While there is a growing focus on mental health in the workplace, there are fewer resources and support available to those running small businesses.

There are many reasons people choose to have their own business being their own boss, working on something they love, being able to set their own hours, or having some control over whom they work with. Yet the reality many small business owners face is far less attractive-financial stress, long working hours and unclear boundaries between work and family life. And all of these factors can have a huge impact on their mental health.

Leanne Fawkner is a business owner of an award-winning skin-care range(系列产品)She knows very well the impact that a small business can have on, the mental health of its owner. When her successful business struggled due to the global financial crisis, she suffered a lot mentally. "As business slowed, I was more and more affected, "she says. "I couldn't separate myself from my business. It was the worst experience of my life. I could no longer go to work and was crying all day ?”

Fawkner was diagnosed with depression. She had to take several months off work. Fortunately, her husband was able to keep things going while Fawkner was recovering. She saw a counselor (咨询师)for help and took part in a workplace mental health promotion program. This program was designed for small to medium business owners.

"The stories on the DVD in the program were so helpful. I was crying because I didn't feel so alone. " For Fawkner, small business owners are overlooked. While employees in larger organizations often have access to employee assistance programs, small business owners are struggling on their own.

A. flexible working hours

B. support from others

C. available resources

D. life experience

A. a more colorful life

B. a bigger profit

C. less stress from work

D. longer working time

A. it was taken over by her husband

B. she had a serious mental problem

C. it was hit by the financial crisis

D. she started a-mental health program

A. she had her family around

B. she could watch DVD at work

C. others had similar experiences

D. the counselor was helpful to her

A. financial aid

B. technical knowledge

C. management skills

D. mental health assistance