Every day, the news of the world reaches people by over 300 million copies of daily papers, over 400 million radio sets, and over 150 million television sets. Additional news is 1  by motion pictures, in theatres and cinemas all over the world.

    As more people learn what the important events of the day are, 2  still only care about the events of their own household. Nearly four hundred years ago the English writer John Donne said, "No man is an island. "This 3  is more proper today than it was when Donne lived. 4 , wherever he lives, a man 5  to some society and we are becoming more and more aware that 6  happens in one particular society affects, somehow, the life of mankind.

    Newspapers have been published in the 7   world for about four hundred years. Most of the newspapers 8  today are read in Europe and North America. However, 9  they may be read in all parts of the world 10  the new inventions that are changing the techniques of newspaper 11 .

    Electronics and automation have made it 12  to produce pictures and texts far more quickly than before. Photographic copying doesn't need to use type and printing machines. And fewer experts, 13  typesetters(排字工人), are needed to produce a paper or magazine with the 14  method. Therefore, the publishing of newspapers and magazines can 15  more money. Besides, photocopies can be sent over great       16  now by means of television channels and satellites. Thus, 17     can be brought to the public more quickly than before.

    Machines that prepare printed texts for photocopies are being used a great deal today. 18  film is light and small, it can be sent rapidly 19  other places and used to print copies of the text where they are needed. Film pictures can also be 20   projected on a movie or television screen.

    Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp

    Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit—and that can be a very annoying thing.  Read on for some techniques worth trying.  

    ⒈

    People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (阿茨海默症), according to a recent study.  Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.  

    ⒉Go for a walk.

    Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain.

    ⒊Learn something new.

    Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time.  Or go dancing with your friends.  

A. Focus on the future.

B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.

C. It should be something like learning gardening.

D. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.

E. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.

F. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.

G. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.

（1.）

    The ancient Greeks were very good at making conversations, and the greatest talker of them all was philosopher Socrates. His pupil, Plato, recorded some of his supposed conversations, and we read them in ‘The dialogues' of Plato. In many classrooms today, Socrates' method of teaching is used.

（2.）

    The best talkers appear to have a great interest in and love for their fellow creatures; a curiosity about the world in general; some powers of observation and reflection; respect for their own opinions and tolerance for those of others; and quick thinking. And they talked for the fun of it, not to show off their knowledge.

（3.）

    A good voice must have the help of good speech, whose two assistants are clear enunciation(清晰发音)and correct pronunciation. Poor enunciation may suggest to your listeners that you lack consideration, and that you are not especially concerned about their opinion of you.

（4.）

    Pronunciation is settled by common agreement of the community or group speaking the particular language or dialect. For standard pronunciation of words, a dictionary is your best friend. The usage of words is somewhat the same as pronunciation. To be accurate in your use of words is very important in your conversation. Dictionaries usually provide the usage of words. So whenever you meet with new words, it is a good idea to look them up in the dictionary.

（5.）

    Think of meeting a stranger as a chance to have a good time to talk, to make a friend. Look with a smile directly into the other's eyes when you are introduced, and shake hands with a firm, friendly clasp. This will give you confidence. Then try to have a smooth and pleasant conversation with him.

    When Christopher Reeve was picked to play the role of a superhero in films in 1977, audiences across the country cheered. Like Superman, he seemed nearly invincible(不可战胜的). He skied, sailed, flew planes, went diving, rode horses, played tennis, and did them all with skill and ease. No one could imagine Christopher Reeve any other way.

    All that changed on May 27, 1995, when Christopher was in a three-day horse riding competition in Virginia. A terrible accident happened to him, which resulted in paralysis(瘫痪) from the neck down and not breathing on his own. Doctors gave him only a 50-50 chance of surviving at all.

    Gathering his courage, he began to fight for his life. A few days later, Christopher accepted an operation that helped restore(恢复)some feeling to his upper body. Still, doctors emphasized(强调) his limitations. He would never walk again. He would never even breathe again without the aid of a respirator(呼吸器). But Christopher proved the doctors wrong. Later, he was able to breathe on his own.

    Soon after that, Christopher felt ready to face the world again. He had a message to spread. He wanted to tell people that no matter what challenges they faced, they shouldn't give up. Wherever he appeared, his speeches met with ovations(欢呼) and many teary faces. Christopher also went back to work: directing films, which proved he had not lost his creative spark.

    Christopher had his share of "down" times, but after the tears, he always said, "And now, forward!"

He died at age of 52 on Oct. 10, 2004, after several years of living and working with his severe (严重的)disability. He still was—and always will be—Superman!

   People were born in all shapes and sizes, colors and races. Some speak differently while others act differently.

My mother is in a wheelchair. I would like to say something about this special woman I call "Mommy".

   My mom does what a mom needs to do every day. She picks me up from school, drives me to meetings, cooks dinner, and helps me with my homework. This is just part of what makes her great, though.

   She is my best friend and can immediately notice when I am unhappy. She helps me solve problems that my friends do not understand. Mommy makes me laugh when times are tough. I look forward to coming home because I know there is someone there who cares about what I have done.

   Mommy has always tried to be like a "normal" mom. But I think my mother is a wonderful woman and she doesn't need to change. She teaches me life lessons that no teachers or friends can. She shows me how to accept everyone for what is inside, rather than what is on the outside.

   You may have realized that all the qualities I admire have nothing to do with what she looks like. Everyone could be the way she is, but most are not.

   I want everyone to look beyond the surface and see what is inside others. You may fail to notice someone who is very special like my mom because you cannot accept their outside features.

— Few in all my life _____ such a _____ person.