Many people believe that dogs should not be kept in large cities. They say that pet dogs should be banned because they are dangerous to man since they carry diseases and that they attack people especially young children.   (1)   For example, they eat large quantities of food that could go to feed the poor and the starving of the world. What's more, many people spend large amounts of money on their dogs, even buying them beds and toys,taking them to doctors when they are sick, burying them in pet cemeteries when they die.   (2)  

    However I disagree with these arguments. Many animals carry diseases not just dogs. In fact people carry more dangerous diseases than dogs.   (3)   And if they are it is because they have attacked or frightened the dog. As for money spent on dogs, what people do with their money is their own business. Finally there will always be the poor in the world.

  Let us now look at why dogs are good animals.   (4)   They can also help the police to search for drugs and explosives (炸药). In addition, dogs are able to save people's lives after an earthquake when they are buried under fallen buildings. What's more, dogs are used to protect property (财产) as well as women and children.   (5)  

   For all these reasons I believe that pet dogs should not be banned from cities.

You’d think the human race would have understood sleeping very well by now, but many of us are still sleeping poorly. Part of the problem is that we have wrong information and beliefs about this important health need. Let’s set the facts straight.  (1)  

①More sleep is better for you.

There could be such a thing as too much sleep. The amount of sleep we need varies by person and also changes as we age. Harvard researchers found that a lot of sleep (9 hours or more) is linked with poor sleep quality.  (2)   Aim for better sleep.

②  (3)   

Alcohol can help most people fall asleep. However, it also can cause you to wake up more during the night, decreasing your sleep quality. Consider drinking non-alcoholic drink before bed instead.

③ If you wake up in the middle of night, lie in bed until you eventually fall back asleep.

   (4)   We all hope to quickly fall back asleep. So we tend to stay in bed hoping it’ll happen at any minute now. If that doesn’t happen, though, within 15 minutes, most exporters recommend getting out of bed to do something that occupies our bodies and brains without over stimulating (刺激) us. Try not to check the clock, either.

④ You can catch up on sleep on weekends.

When we lose sleeping during the week, we accumulate a kind of sleep “debt”.  (5)   Not so true. This might actually make you sleepier the next week. Instead of waking up later on the weekends, you’d better go to sleep earlier or perhaps take a nap in the afternoon.

Ways to Stop Worrying

A little worrying now and then can be self-protective.  (1)   But too much worrying can lead to many problems, such as reduced concentration, poor sleeping habits and the inability to handle everyday difficulties. What’s more, it may also cause physical health problems, such as high blood pressure.

Here are some tips to help you lighten up and enjoy life more.

1  Note down your worries

Writing in a worry journal helps create some distance between you and your concerns. Write down your thoughts briefly every day, perhaps the first thing in the morning, before you start your regular routine.  (2)  

2  Pack away your worries

  (3)   Imagine tucking (塞) away your anxieties in a small box and closing the lid (盖子). Set aside some time each day to open the box and examine your worries, but otherwise, keep it closed.

3  Share your worries with a friend

Don’t be embarrassed.  (4)   Then, he or she may give you some practical suggestions. Telling someone your fears helps lift the burden of worry and gives your friends a chance to offer comforting thoughts.

4    (5)  

Select a quiet spot in your home where you can focus on your worries without being interrupted (打扰). Stay there every day for 10 to 20 minutes. Make sure you maintain a strict time limit and try to avoid worrying except when you’re in your designated (指定的) “worry space”.

Learning English online is an effective way to improve your English. But with any type of learning you need to be prepared. This passage will give you advice and tips on how to get the most out of your online lessons.

  (1)  

  This is an obvious point but also the most important one. A computer, a good Internet connection and a headset are what you will need to take classes online. A web camera is also pretty important. Make sure that your computer is turned on, that everything is plugged in correctly and that you have tested the connection. Doing this before the class means that you will be ready when the lesson starts.

 Take the classes somewhere quiet.

   (2)   Trying to listen and participate(参与) in English classes is very difficult when there is noise around you. So find a quiet room and make sure that no one disturbs you while you are taking your lesson.

   (3)  

 When grammar or anything else is being taught, make sure that you understand it. You won’t need to practice it at this time; just make sure that everything is clear. If you don’t understand what is being taught, ask your teacher to explain it again. Your teacher will be more than happy to deal with whatever puzzles you.

 Practice speaking English.

 Every class is an opportunity to practice your English speaking with a native and qualified teacher. Try to allow the conversation to flow by listening and talking in a natural way.   (4)   The teacher should note the mistakes and correct them at a later time.

 Relax.

 Come to class feeling relaxed and excited.  (5)  Come into the class excited about learning English. You will be able to get more out of the class this way.

As you know, it is quite a different experience being around positive people versus

negative ones. If you are striving to be more positive yourself, here are 5 ways you can do so:

1“Failure is part of learning.”  

        (1)   They understand that failure is an event, and doesn't define who they are. Negative people are emotionally disabled by failure because they allow it to define who they are. They fail to understand that it's part of the learning and growing process.

2“I can do hard things.”

Positive people love to be challenged.  (2)   Positive people embrace difficulty, and look for ways to overcome them. Negative people love the easy road. Because obstacles increase the likelihood of failure, they try to avoid them like the plague. To negative people, hard times don’t make you, they break you.

3  (3)  

Positive people focus on giving their best effort, regardless of the situation. They understand that there are many things they cannot control, but effort is not one of them. No matter what, the positive person strives to give their best even if it isn’t much. Negative people want things to come easy to them. If they have to try hard, they believe they just aren’t good at it and give up. They are more likely to give their absolute best if they know people are watching them.

4“What can I do better?”

Positive people embrace feedback. Because they are always striving to get better, they are open to learn anything that will enhance their skill set. Negative people get offended when they receive correction or feedback.  (4)  

5“You’re so good!”

Positive people like to spread positivity.  (5)   Negative people say, “Why would I compliment people for things they are supposed to do? What they don't understand is, it’s not about the compliment, it’s about showing the other person that you notice them. A simple compliment can strengthen relationships and motivate the person to do even better. Positive people don't underestimate the power of encouraging words.