Population Change

Why is the world’s population growing? The answer is not what you might think. The reason for the explosion is not that people have been reproducing like rabbits, but that people have stopped dropping dead like flies. In 1900, people died at the average age of 30. By 2000 the average age was 65. But while increasing health was a typical feature of the 20^th century, declining birth rate could be a defining one of the 21^st.

Statistics show that the average number of births per woman has fallen from 4.9 in the early 1960s to 2.5 nowadays. Furthermore, around 50% of the world’s population live in regions where the figure is now below the replacement level (i.e.2.1 births per woman) and almost all developed nations are experiencing sub-replacement birth rate. You might think that developing nations would make up the loss (especially since 80% of the world’s people now live in such nations), but you’d be wrong. Declining birth rate is a major problem in many developing regions too, which might cause catastrophic global shortages of work force within a few decades.

A great decline in young work force is likely to occur in China, for instance. What does it imply? First, China needs to undergo rapid economic development before a population decline hits the country. Second, if other factors such as technology remain constant, economic growth and material expectations will fall well below recent standards and this could invite trouble.

Russia is another country with population problems that could break its economic promise. Since 1992 the number of people dying has been bigger than that of those being born by a massive 50%. Indeed official figures suggest the country has shrunk by 5% since 1993 and people in Russia live a shorter life now than those in 1961.Why is this occurring? Nobody is quite sure, but poor diet an above all long-time alcoholism have much to do with it. If current trends don’t bend, Russia’s population will be about the size of Yemen’s by the year 2050.

In the north of India, the population is booming due to high birth rates, but in the south, where most economic development is taking place, birth rate is falling rapidly. In a further twist, birth rate is highest in poorly educated rural areas and lowest in highly educated urban areas. In total, 25% of India’s working-age population has no education. In 2030, a sixth of the country’s potential work force could be totally uneducated.

One solution is obviously to import foreign workers via immigration. As for the USA, it is almost unique among developed nations in having a population that is expected to grow by 20% from 2010-2030. Moreover, the USA has a track record of successfully accepting immigrants. As a result it’s likely to see a rise in the size of its working-age population and to witness strong economic growth over the longer term.

Nowadays, advertisements can be seen everywhere. They have made a really bad i  (1)  on people for various reasons. First of all, their constant   (2)  (出现) on different media disturbs people’s normal life. Besides, the skillful methods are used so   (3)   (频繁地)to cheat consumers that they have great difficulty d  (4)  useful information from lies. However, despite the s  (5)  mentioned above, advertisements do play an important role in our daily life. With different products being developed everyday, advertisements make it more   (6)  (方便的）for consumers to get necessary information and make comparisons, thus purchasing the best goods. What’s more, public service advertisements, or PSAs, provide people with e  (7)   about health, safety, or any other problem that affects public welfare. By dealing with widespread s  (8)  concerns, they us lead better lives.  (9)  (因此), instead of blaming advertisements all the time, we have to admit that they are indeed b  (10)  to each person as well as the society.

Do People in Public Life Have a Right to Privacy?

People, famous or not, have a right to privacy, which is a basic human right. Although some of them have voluntarily made themselves known to the world, they are still entitled to live a life without others following them all the time.

However, we have to distinguish between famous people. Basically, there are those who were seeking a public life—or at least knew to some extent what they were going into—and those who were not. Politicians, athletes, actors, musicians and entertainers belong to the former. The latter are ordinary citizens who become significant, because of their extraordinary experiences, for example, victims of crimes or tragedies, but also criminals.

The number of ordinary citizens who receive their celebrity(名人) status unwillingly is quite big and the privacy of those people needs to be especially respected and maintained. Names, addresses or pictures that could lead to the identification of a person should never be made public. It is not of interest for the readers, and it usually does not make a difference for them, what the name of someone is, but for the one concerned publication of identity could mean embarrassment and harassment(骚扰). Suspected criminals, for instance, could lose their jobs, their families could break up or their whole lives could get destroyed, even when they are innocent. Apart from that, as soon as someone is well known, they are pursued and harassed by journalists demanding interviews. Also in cases where a family just had to experience the loss of a dear person, the press usually shows little respect for that.

In the case of politicians or other powerful people, the right to privacy comes into conflict with another right, the publicˈs right to know. Therefore, the right to privacy of certain politicians sometimes has to be neglected to ensure a rightful running of the country. But do we need to get informed about everything there is?

Actually, the position of politicians in the eye of the public is especially difficult to judge. On the one hand politicians use their happy family and home in campaigns; on the other hand, we know personal behaviors have nothing to do with competence in running a country and private details, even if completely irrelevant, can still ruin careers. Sometimes only due to the intrusion(侵入) of privacy, corruption or similar crimes can be made public, but at the same time not everything in oneˈs life is connected to oneˈs office.

When personal morality and family values are deliberately used by politicians as a reason for them to be elected, they have chosen to make it a public issue rather than a private one. This is a sad fact, but it does not justify intrusion of the personal lives of all politicians. A politician still is, like everyone else, entitled to privacy.

Get ahead by taking advantage of summer

Summer provides the best opportunity for future college applicants to separate themselves from the crowd. As the number of students who apply to colleges continues to rise, so too does the need for students to make an effort to distinguish themselves. Here are some great options to get you off to a head start:

A taste of college at home

Some universities and colleges offer a variety of advanced classes during the summer. Students can find a class that is not offered at their high school, which can help them find the pace of the real class more comfortable when they eventually start to take it.

Recently, online classes for credit（学分）are gaining popularity. One resource students can access is the Virtual High School – my.vhslearning.org. It is a nonprofit organization for online education that offers 24 AP courses, as well as dozens of other classes.

A taste of college far away

Experiencing a real college campus during a one-week or multi-week summer program is a great way to get a better understanding of whether the college is a good fit. Many of these programs offer hands-on experiences or guest lectures from experts.

Some are under the mistaken impression that attending a summer program at a good school gives them an advantage in the admissions process. “I don’t know that they are impressive just because a student did an academic program,” Greg Zaiser, head of admissions at Elon University, told The Charlotte Observer. “What impresses us the most is that students have identified something they want to study after the program.”

Community service

Volunteering is a great way to show interest in something you care about. It also lets you give back to your community, explore a career path and grow personally. Find ways to volunteer what matches your interests. Check out opportunities at hospitals or libraries; teach your favorite sport to disadvantaged youths; or work with animals.

1，Modern English appeared during the Renaissance in the 16^th century. Because of this , Modern English includes many Latin and Greek words. Pronunciation also   (1)      (2)    huge changes during this period. Of course, this was not the end of the changes in the English language. The question of   (3)   English will keep on changing in the future is easy   (4)     (5)  _.,

2，PSA are often run   (6)     (7)   , and   (8)     (9)     (10)   educate people about health, health, safety, or any other problem that affects public welfare.

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It is promoted that we should all prioritize some simpler life improvements to live better lives.The explanations for how and why they better our life serve as powerful reminders that we might be prioritizing the wrong things,and undervaluing what makes life worth living.

Smoking drinking,exercise and even heart problems are not predictors of a person's longevity—a person's close relationships and social integration are.Our human connections have the positive impact on all aspects of our well-being,including our physical health.Those with intimacy（亲昵）in their lives,and those with frequent face-to-face interactions were not only physically and emotionally healthier,but they also lived longer.

It's why women,who tend to prioritize spending time with their friends more than men,live an average of six years longer.It's not enough to text or email.The actual health benefits of socializing are only achieved through in-person contact because face-to-face contact releases chemicals that protect you now and well into the future like a vaccine.

People who spend time on social networks,dating apps and even online news sites are found less happy.Most things we do for pleasure,like reading a book or watching a movie,have an end.But scrolling（卷动）on the phone is endless and we don't know when to break away.And those who do set limiting rules for their technology use are able to enjoy life more.Life becomes more colorful,richer,when you have better conversations with the person who is there with you.

The chase for happiness doesn't make us happy.In fact,constantly evaluating our own happiness is actually contributing to feelings of hopelessness and depression.Happiness is a fickle（变幻无常的）emotion,based on a moment or an experience.It's not a lack of happiness but lack of meaning that's really making us feel sad.

Meaning can be obtained in four forms: belonging,purpose,transcendence （卓越）and storytelling.The first is having people in your life who truly love and care about you.The second is having purpose.Most people find purpose through work because it's how we feel like we're adding value or contributing.So finding something to drive you forward is a crucial slice of having meaning.Transcendence is about finding something like art or church or doing yoga that can take you outside of yourself,that can make you feel like you're part of something bigger.With storytelling,that's all about our personal narratives.We're the author of our stories,and we can change how we're telling them.Your life isn't just a list of events.

 Alanis Morissettte is a 30-year-old Canadian singer and songwriter. Her most famous   (1) __ came out in 1995. Since then she has made several other ones and has continued giving great  (2)_ on stage.  Last Thursday night, she performed at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge, England. It was the first time she had played in England since she won this year’s Grammy   (3)_ for the best rock tone. The singer has a strong fan base in England, so although it was an   (4)__ cold night, there was not an empty seat anywhere in the concert.  The concert lasted for three hours and the singer sang many songs from her award-winning album and a few from her new album. These songs   (5)_ feelings such as anger, love and joy. Although the concert hall was cold and the sound ___(6)___ caused a few problems, the ___(7)___  still enjoyed the concert and sang along to nearly every song.   (8) __ the concert, the   (9)__ was exciting and everyone was greatly  ___(10)_  by her brilliant music and singing. Alanis Morissette showed that she was a true performer and a real superstar.

College helps students dream of more than a salary

From the earliest days of our country, we have seen education as the foundation for democracy and citizenship. Yet high school students and families are increasingly questioning its value. Is investing in a college or university education still worth it? The answer is definitely “Yes”.

From a financial point of view, a college education surely pays off. Students who graduate from college can expect to make about 60% more than those who do not, well over a million dollars over a lifetime. Completing college makes an even greater difference to the earning power of young women. A 25-34 year-old female with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make 70% more than if she had only completed her high school diploma. But what about the benefits of college that are more difficult to measure?

College is a passport to different places, different times, and different ways of thinking — from learning new languages to considering the arc of human history to diving deep into the building blocks of matter. It gives students a chance to understand themselves differently, seeing how their lives are both like and unlike those who inhabited other eras and other lands.

College introduces students to people they’ve never met before? One of the most important ways in which students learn at college is by interacting with people who are different from themselves. I recall one student who was admitted to Harvard but wasn’t sure he would fit in at a school in the Northeast. However, one night he found himself debating the characteristics that define a genuine hero with other admitted students from around the world. Not everyone agreed, but the differences were what made the conversation exciting, and he realized how much he could learn at a place full of engaging people with a wide range of viewpoints.

College teaches students the virtue of slowing down?No one denies the value of speed, connectivity and the virtual world in an economy that thrives on all three. But “thinking” is a word that is too often forgotten. College teaches students to slow down, to change information into insight and knowing into understanding. It nurtures critical thinking. The result is that students grow in knowledge and in wisdom for a lifetime.

To conclude, investing in a college or university education is well worth it. College opens opportunities reflected in earning and employment statistics. But more importantly, in college students have acquired a new way of transforming the world, through the power of learning, analyzing, changing to adapt to what they have come to understand.

College helps students dream of more than a salary

For years, you’ve dreamed about hopping on a plane and disappearing into the horizon. You’ve bought your ticket. You’ve packed your bags. And your parents have finally built up the courage to let you go. Congratulations!

When you travel alone, the only person you need to think about is you. Taste the opportunity of complete freedom, and make your own route. There’s nothing wrong with caring only about yourself and seeking out the opportunities you want to experience, as long as you respect others and their freedom to choose. When you travel with family or friends, you often play a certain role. It can be the irresponsible little brother, the spoiled sister, or the shy friend. Now all that can change. Who do you want to be? Step outside your comfort zone and try on a different role. Don’t hide behind a mask or give in to social expectations.

When you fail to plan, you have to suffer the consequences. You need to imagine different situations, and try to think of possible solutions to them. Of course, a perfect plan doesn’t guarantee a smooth trip. Things happen on the road. That’s life. Experiences teach you the delicate art of forward thinking.

You prove to yourself that you can take on new challenges and deal with problems as they arise. Yes, it’s difficult and you will have to live with your mistakes. But better make mistakes than not to have lived at all. You learn to be kind and forgiving to yourself. After all, you’ve got to like your own company. You learn to nurture and protect your confidence, because you know it’s one of your most valuable assets.

Fear of heights. Fear of spiders. Fear of being alone and unloved. We’ve brought some heavy luggage on board. I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news: You’re not alone with your fears. Others have them, too. It’s what makes us vulnerable and human. Find comfort in this. The bad news: There’s not a fast cure to overcome your fear. There’s no pill to swallow. There’s no app to download. The reward is worth the struggle. Your fears are stubborn and they will return. You must fight back every single time. 

Traveling invites you to experience the unknown. To make the most of what the world has to offer, you better have an open mind. This is your key. Without it, you won’t go far. The world is full of imagined barriers. You break them down by evaluating your own prejudice. You’re quick to judge, but fortunately travel brings awareness to your ignorance.

When the luggage limit is low and your bag is full, you know it’s time to say goodbye to a few things. This can be difficult at first, but after a while it becomes a welcoming routine. Besides, you can buy it again, if you have to. In the end, relationships and memories matter most. You don’t need souvenirs to live a rich life. Sure, less is more when you travel alone, but some things are hard to live without. Say your passport and money for example. These are your personal belongings and you need them. Observe your surroundings and be careful in large crowds and tourist areas.

You will build new relationships on your journey, even if you’re shy. It doesn’t take much. It can be a friendly smile, a helpful hand, or a shared fear. Indeed, nothing brings people closer than fear. It’s tempting to check your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts when you’re traveling. You don’t want to miss what’s right in front of you! Take the chance to get to know someone.

Drunk driving, a major concern currently, is not a funny thing, ___61____ has killed many people and ruined the lives of many others. At present, traffic accidents become "the worldˈs first harm".

Two months ago, my friendˈs uncle ___62______ (intend) to drive the car home but he wasn’t able to make _63__. Why? Because he was __64___(heavy) drunk, but he still drove home by himself. On the road near his home, an old lady was going across the road,___65___ his uncle didnˈt notice her and he was still moving on under the influence of alcohol. And the old lady didnˈt see his uncle, either. In the end, the lady died. Later, a blood test showed the alcohol in every 100 cc of his uncleˈs blood____66___(reach) 175.7 mg, __67____(indicate) he was seriously drunk. Had it not been for his uncleˈs drunkenness, the terrible accident_____68______(happen). If the lady __69______(die), she would live a happy life with her daughters and sons. And his uncleˈs home was also destroyed by his uncle. Therefore, two families were destroyed.

I wish more people____70__(can)realize the seriousness of drunk driving and obey the traffic regulations faithfully. Always remember: refuse to drink and drive, and give a safe world to you and me!