Work Hard, Play Hard
翻译：努力工作，尽情玩乐
It can be hard to make time for a hobby when we have many important things to do.
翻译：当我们有很多重要的事情要做时，为爱好挤出时间来并不容易。
But hobbies might be more important than you think.
翻译：但爱好可能比你想象的更重要。
Physical hobbies like going hiking or playing tennis can help you to stay healthy.
翻译：像徒步或打网球这类运动型爱好可以帮助你保持健康。
They keep you fit, and they can even lower stress and improve your memory and concentration.
翻译：它们不仅使你身强体壮，甚至还能缓解压力、增强你的记忆力和专注力。
Other types of hobbies can also keep us healthy.
翻译：其他类型的爱好也能让我们保持健康。
Some scientists believe that making music can lower our blood pressure and make our body stronger.
翻译：一些科学家认为，音乐创作可以降低我们的血压，增强我们的体质。
This makes it harder for us to fall sick.
翻译：这让我们更不容易生病。
Playing an instrument also keeps our brains young.
翻译：演奏乐器还能让我们的大脑保持年轻。
So, if you think that playing the guitar is a waste of time, remember that this hobby is actually a great way to stay healthy!
翻译：所以，如果你认为弹吉他是在浪费时间，记住，这个爱好其实是保持健康的好方法！
Hobbies are also good for your emotional well-being.
翻译：爱好也有益于你的情绪健康。
Creative hobbies like painting or writing can help you deal with negative emotions by giving you a way to express how you feel.
翻译：像绘画或写作这类创造性爱好，为你提供一个表达感受的途径，帮助你应对负面情绪。
They can even make you feel good about yourself!
翻译：他们甚至能让你对自己感觉更加良好！
In one study, after just 45 minutes of making art, most of the participants reported feeling more confident in themselves!
翻译：在一项研究中，仅45分钟的艺术创作后，大多数参与者就表示对自己更加自信了！
However, while hobbies have many benefits, it is important to find the right balance.
翻译：然而，尽管爱好有很多好处，但找到适当的平衡很重要。
Playing computer games or chatting online may be fun, but such hobbies usually involve a lot of screen time.
翻译：玩电脑游戏或在线聊天可能很有趣，但这类爱好通常需要长时间盯着屏幕。
That could cause problems such as eye strain or poor sleep.
翻译：这会导致诸如眼睛疲劳或睡眠不佳等问题。
These activities are also usually done alone, and that could cause some people to feel lonely.
翻译：这些活动通常也是独自完成的，这可能会让一些人感到孤独。
Why not choose an outdoor hobby instead?
翻译：为什么不选择一项户外爱好呢？
Fresh air, green spaces, peace and quiet—these things help us to relax and feel good.
翻译：新鲜的空气、绿色的空间、宁静的氛围——这些都有助于我们放松身心、改善情绪。
And if you go hiking or fly a kite in the park, you can take a friend with you!
翻译：如果你去徒步或在公园放风筝，可以带上一个朋友！
Hanging out with friends reduces loneliness and can be a good way to build relationships.
翻译：与朋友一起外出可以减少孤独感，也是建立关系的好方式。
Regardless of what your hobby is, it is important to make time for it.
翻译：无论你的爱好是什么，都应该为它留出时间。
After all, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!
翻译：毕竟，只工作不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻！
All About Sneezing
翻译：关于打喷嚏的一切
If you had to list different ways of protecting yourself, sneezing probably would not be on the list.
翻译：如果要列举保护自己的不同方法，打喷嚏很可能不在清单上。
But when you sneeze, that is exactly what is happening.
翻译：但是当你打喷嚏时，这正是身体在进行自我保护。
Sneezing helps you protect yourself from things like germs, dust, and smoke.
翻译：打喷嚏能帮助你抵御细菌、灰尘和烟雾。
In fact, it is the body's way of getting rid of things that may harm you.
翻译：事实上，这是身体清除可能危害自身的物质的一种方式。
People cannot really control their sneezes.
翻译：人们无法真正控制自己的喷嚏。
If something starts tickling the inside of our nose, our brain takes over.
翻译：如果有什么东西开始刺激我们的鼻子内部，我们的大脑就会接管身体的反应。
It knows that something inside the nose should not be there, so it sends a message to the body to get it out.
翻译：大脑察觉到鼻子里面有不该存在的东西，于是向身体发送信号，将其排出体外。
When we sneeze, many things happen in a very short time.
翻译：当我们打喷嚏时，短时间内会发生很多事情。
Usually, our eyes shut, our tongue presses against the top of our mouth, and the muscles in our stomach and chest get tight.
翻译：通常，我们的眼睛会闭上，舌尖抵住上颚，腹部和胸部的肌肉变得紧绷。
Next, a sudden blast of air comes out of our lungs and then our nose.
翻译：接下来，一股突如其来的气流从肺部经鼻腔喷出。
As the air goes out of our nose, it carries germs, dust, and tiny drops of water with it.
翻译：当气流脱离鼻腔时，它会携带细菌、灰尘和微小的水滴。
Some unusual things can also make us sneeze.
翻译：一些特殊情况也会使我们打喷嚏。
For example, some people sneeze when they look at a bright light.
翻译：例如，有些人一看到强光就会打喷嚏。
If people have an allergy, certain plants or animals might also make them sneeze.
翻译：如果是过敏体质者，某些植物或动物也可能让他们打喷嚏。
If they are allergic to certain plants, they might sneeze a lot in the seasons when the plants bloom, but not in others.
翻译：如果他们对某种植物过敏，可能会在植物开花的季节频繁打喷嚏，其他季节则不会。
If they are allergic to dogs or cats, they usually cannot have one as a pet.
翻译：如果他们对猫狗过敏，通常就不能养它们当宠物。
While sneezing is good for the person doing it, it can be very bad for the people nearby.
翻译：打喷嚏对自己有益，但对附近的人却非常不利。
Sneezing is one way that diseases spread.
翻译：打喷嚏是疾病传播的一种途径。
Millions of germs from one sneeze can travel up to about 8 metres at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour!
翻译：一个喷嚏携带了数百万个细菌，以每小时160千米的速度传播至8米开外！
These germs can stay in the air, and if other people breathe in those germs, they can get sick too.
翻译：这些细菌可以悬浮在空气中，如果被其他人吸入，他们可能也会生病。
If you sneeze, always cover your nose and mouth.
翻译：如果你打喷嚏，一定要捂住鼻子和嘴巴。
After that, make sure to wash your hands.
翻译：之后，记得洗手。
Sneezing helps your body protect itself, but doing these two things can help you protect everyone else!
翻译：打喷嚏是身体的自我保护，但做好上述两点可以帮助你保护他人！
Laughter Is the Best Medicine
翻译：笑是最好的良药
Do you often laugh with friends?
翻译：你经常和朋友一起笑吗？
Do you giggle at jokes?
翻译：你听到笑话会咯咯笑吗？
If you do, that is great, because just as the saying goes: Laughter is the best medicine!
翻译：如果答案是肯定的，那太好了，因为俗话说得好：笑是最好的药！
People start laughing from a young age.
翻译：人们很小就会笑。
At around three months old, babies learn to laugh.
翻译：大约三个月大的时候，婴儿就学会笑了。
Even babies that cannot see or hear can laugh.
翻译：即使看不见或听不见的婴儿也会笑。
Laughter is a natural part of life!
翻译：笑是一种与生俱来的能力！
But why is it so important?
翻译：但是，笑为什么如此重要呢？
First of all, laughter is good for our body.
翻译：首先，笑对我们的身体有好处。
When we laugh, our body takes in more oxygen.
翻译：当我们笑的时候，身体会吸入更多的氧气。
Every part of our body needs oxygen to work well.
翻译：我们身体的每个部位都需要氧气才能良好运作。
Laughter also makes our body work out.
翻译：笑也能让我们的身体得到锻炼。
Our heart, stomach, and even our shoulders work hard when we laugh!
翻译：当我们大笑时，我们的心脏、胃甚至肩膀都在努力工作！
But after we laugh, our muscles feel more relaxed.
翻译：但笑过之后，我们的肌肉会变得更加放松。
A good laugh can help you feel relaxed for up to 45 minutes.
翻译：一次开怀大笑产生的放松效果可以长达45分钟。
Over time, laughter helps our body to get stronger, fight off more diseases, and even create special chemicals to help us feel less pain!
翻译：从长远来看，笑能帮助我们增强体质，抵御更多疾病，甚至还能促使身体产生特殊的化学物质来帮助我们减轻疼痛感！
Laughter also has many benefits for our mood.
翻译：笑对我们的情绪也有很多好处。
When we laugh, it makes us feel less stressed or anxious, and things will not seem so bad.
翻译：当我们笑的时候，压力与焦虑的情绪会得到缓解，事情也会显得没那么糟糕。
Laughing also causes our brain to release chemicals that make us feel calm and happy.
翻译：笑还会促使大脑释放让我们感到平静和快乐的化学物质。
Scientists even think that smiling often is enough to increase these chemicals in our brain.
翻译：科学家甚至认为，经常微笑就足以增加我们大脑中的这些化学物质。
But it is not always easy to laugh on our own.
翻译：不过，一个人独处时没那么容易笑出来。
We are 30 times more likely to laugh when we are around others.
翻译：而在与他人相处时，我们发笑的概率会高出30倍。
According to some scientists, laughter can show others that we want to be close to them.
翻译：根据一些科学家的说法，笑声可以向他人表明我们想要亲近他们。
Monkeys clean one another's fur to show friendship.
翻译：猴子通过互相梳理毛发来表达友谊，
But people laugh so that others will know that they are being friendly.
翻译：人类则用笑声来向他人传递善意。
Some people even join laughing groups.
翻译：有些人甚至加入了“笑群”。
Although they force themselves to laugh at first, after hearing other people laugh, their laughter becomes real!
翻译：虽然一开始他们只是强迫自己笑，但在听到别人的笑声后，他们的笑声变得真实起来！
Before long, the whole group of people is laughing hard.
翻译：没过多久，群里所有人都在放声大笑。
The next time you feel unhappy, try thinking about something funny.
翻译：下次感到不开心时，试着想些有趣的事情。
Although you might not want to laugh when you are sad, doing so can make you feel better!
翻译：虽然你难过时可能不想笑，但这样做能让你感觉好一些！
The Sahara Desert
翻译：撒哈拉沙漠
Located in Africa, the Sahara Desert spreads across 30 per cent of the continent.
翻译：撒哈拉沙漠地处非洲，覆盖了这片大陆 30% 的面积。
This vast desert, also known as 'the great desert' in Arabic, is about 9 million square kilometres in size.
翻译：这片广袤的沙漠，在阿拉伯语中也被称为'大荒漠'，面积约900万平方千米。
It is also at least 4.6 million years old.
翻译：它至少有460万年的历史。
This means that it is one of the oldest places in the world.
翻译：这意味着它是世界上最古老的地方之一。
All deserts are dry, and the Sahara is both dry and hot.
翻译：所有的沙漠都很干燥，而撒哈拉沙漠既干燥又炎热。
It is the largest hot desert in the world.
翻译：它是世界上最大的热沙漠。
We may think that all deserts are hot, but in fact some deserts are very cold!
翻译：我们可能认为所有沙漠都很炎热，但实际上有些沙漠非常寒冷！
Many scientists believe that Antarctica, for example, is a type of cold desert.
翻译：例如，许多科学家认为南极洲就是一种冷沙漠。
Most of the Sahara is rocky ground.
翻译：撒哈拉大部分地区是岩质地面。
But there are also places with grass, lakes, mountains, and even sand seas.
翻译：但也有草地、湖泊和山脉，甚至还有沙海。
A sand sea is just what it sounds like—it looks like a sea of sand!
翻译：顾名思义，沙海看起来就像一片由沙子汇成的海洋！
When the wind blows, the sand looks like waves.
翻译：风吹过时，沙子仿佛波浪般起伏。
Life in the Sahara is difficult.
翻译：撒哈拉沙漠的生活很艰难。
About two million people live in the Sahara. They usually move from place to place.
翻译：大约有200万人居住在撒哈拉。他们通常四处迁徙。
There is water in a few parts of the Sahara, and some people live in these places all year round.
翻译：撒哈拉仅有少数区域存在水源，部分居民全年都生活在这些地方。
Not many animals can live in a place with such a dry and hot climate.
翻译：在如此干燥炎热的气候下，仅有少数动物能存活下来。
They must adapt to survive.
翻译：它们必须适应环境以求生存。
Camels, for example, go for a long time without drinking water.
翻译：例如，骆驼可以长时间不喝水。
When they do find water, they can drink more than 100 litres of it in 13 minutes!
翻译：当它们找到水时，可以在13分钟内喝下超过100升水！
Fennec foxes live in the desert too.
翻译：耳廓狐也生活在沙漠中。
They have large ears to help their bodies stay cool.
翻译：它们的大耳朵有助于身体保持凉爽。
Today, the world's largest hot desert is getting even bigger.
翻译：今天，世界上最大的热沙漠仍在扩大。
It is now about 10 per cent larger than what it was about a century ago.
翻译：面积比一个世纪前大约增加了10%。
But why is it growing?
翻译：但为什么沙漠在不断扩大呢？
Some scientists believe that part of the reason is climate change.
翻译：一些科学家认为，部分原因是气候变化。
As temperatures rise, summers in Africa grow hotter and less rain falls.
翻译：随着气温上升，非洲的夏季变得更加炎热，降雨量却在减少。
Water bodies get smaller and the ground gets drier and drier.
翻译：水体萎缩，地表也愈发干旱。
If we do not take effective measures, the desert will keep growing!
翻译：如果我们不采取有效措施，沙漠将继续扩大！
Storm Chasing: A Dangerous but Important Job
翻译：追逐风暴：一项危险但重要的工作
Are you afraid of big storms? Many people are.
翻译：你害怕大风暴吗？很多人都害怕。
But did you know some people go out to chase tornadoes?
翻译：但你知道有些人会出去追逐龙卷风吗？
Such storms can hit suddenly and move very quickly, so storm chasers always have to be prepared.
翻译：这类风暴往往骤然来袭、移动迅速，因此风暴追逐者不得不时刻做好准备。
When a tornado is about to hit, professional storm chasers try and get close to it to collect important information.
翻译：当龙卷风即将来袭时，专业的风暴追逐者会设法靠近它，以收集重要信息。
Storm chaser Tim Samaras designed and built many different instruments for studying tornadoes.
翻译：风暴追逐者蒂姆·萨马拉斯为研究龙卷风设计并制造了许多不同的仪器。
Throughout his career, the engineer chased down more than 120 tornadoes.
翻译：在他的职业生涯中，这位工程师追踪过120多场龙卷风。
Often, he filmed the storms while they were happening just a few kilometres away.
翻译：他还常常在距离风暴仅数公里的地方，拍摄风暴肆虐的画面。
During a storm, storm chasers put special equipment in the way of the tornado.
翻译：在风暴期间，风暴追逐者会将特殊设备安置在龙卷风的路径上。
The equipment collects information about things such as wind speed and air pressure.
翻译：这些设备会收集风速、气压等信息。
This helps scientists to make better forecasts.
翻译：这有助于科学家们更好地进行预报。
It can even help people understand how powerful the winds can be, and as a result, change how we build our houses.
翻译：它甚至能帮助人们理解风力能达到的强度，从而改变我们建造房屋的方式。
Storm chasing can be exciting, but also very dangerous. The storm chasers' knowledge and experience are not always enough to keep them safe.
翻译：追逐风暴非常刺激，但也极其危险。风暴追逐者的知识和经验也未必总能保障他们的安全。
On 31 May 2013, Samaras and his team were chasing the El Reno tornado in Oklahoma, USA.
翻译：2013年5月31日，萨马拉斯和他的团队，在美国俄克拉何马州追逐埃尔雷诺龙卷风。
To their surprise, the tornado behaved in an unexpected way.
翻译：令他们意想不到的是，这场龙卷风飘忽不定。
It grew rapidly and changed its speed and direction.
翻译：它迅速扩大规模，并改变了速度和方向。
On that terrible day, the largest tornado ever recorded appeared.
翻译：就在那恐怖的一天，有史以来最大的一场龙卷风降临了。
It was 4.2 kilometres wide and had winds topping 480 kilometres per hour.
翻译：它的宽度达到4.2千米，风速峰值高达每小时480千米。
While the tornado was moving towards them, Samaras and his team were driving as fast as they could.
翻译：当龙卷风向萨马拉斯团队逼近时，他们正驾车以最快速度逃离。
Sadly, when the tornado hit their car, it threw their car into the air like a toy.
翻译：不幸的是，龙卷风最终还是击中了他们的车辆，整辆车像玩具般被卷至空中。
All three men in the car died.
翻译：车内三人全部遇难。
The story of Tim Samaras is very sad, but his work continues to play an important role in weather science.
翻译：蒂姆·萨马拉斯的故事令人痛心，但他的成果至今仍在气象科学领域发挥着重要作用。
Though storm chasing remains a dangerous job, the goal of storm chasers is to learn more about storms to keep people safe.
翻译：尽管追逐风暴依然是一项危险的工作，但风暴追逐者的目标是通过加深对风暴的认识来保障人们的生命安全。
For people like Samaras, that goal makes it all worth it.
翻译：对于萨马拉斯这样的人而言，这个目标让一切付出都值得。
Symbols of Chinese Culture
翻译：中国文化符号
Chinese culture is one of the oldest in the world, and it is rich in traditions and beliefs.
翻译：中国文化是世界上最古老的文化之一，蕴含着丰富的传统与信仰。
Many of the things you see, hear, or even taste in China may be symbols with special meanings!
翻译：你在中国的所见所闻，甚至品尝的很多东西，都可能是具有特殊意义的象征！
In many Western stories, dragons are frightening monsters.
翻译：在许多西方故事里，龙是令人恐惧的怪物。
However, people in China are not frightened of them!
翻译：然而，中国人并不惧怕龙！
Instead, they think dragons are a symbol of power and good fortune.
翻译：相反，他们认为龙是权力与吉祥的象征。
Chinese dragons are so popular in China that you can see them in many places, such as vases, buildings, money, clothes, paintings, and jewellery!
翻译：中国龙在国内广受欢迎，你在花瓶、建筑、钱币、服饰、绘画和珠宝等许多地方都能见到它！
The word for 'dragon' even appears in names and idioms.
翻译：“龙”字甚至出现在名字和成语中。
For example, 'to hope that one's children become dragons' means that parents hope their children will do well in life.
翻译：例如，“望子成龙”表示父母希望他们的子女未来能有出息。
In China, people think dragons are so powerful that they call themselves the descendants of the dragon!
翻译：在中国，人们认为龙非常强大，故自称龙的传人！
In China, red is a powerful colour with special meaning.
翻译：在中国，红色是具有特殊意义的颜色。
Many people think it brings good luck and wealth, so you will see red decorations such as paper-cuts, couplets, and lanterns during festivals like the Chinese New Year.
翻译：人们常认为红色能带来好运与财富，因此在春节等节日期间，随处可见剪纸、对联、灯笼等红色装饰。
People think red is so lucky that they wear it during celebrations.
翻译：人们认为红色非常吉利，因此在庆祝活动中常穿戴红色服饰。
At traditional Chinese weddings, both the bride and groom wear red.
翻译：在传统中式婚礼上，新娘与新郎都身着红装。
Red also has positive meanings in other cultures. For example, a red carpet shows importance, and red roses symbolize love.
翻译：红色在其他文化中也有积极寓意。比如红毯象征尊贵，红玫瑰代表爱情。
However, in Western culture, red could sometimes mean loss.
翻译：然而，在西方文化中，红色有时代表亏损。
The Boy and the Elf
翻译：男孩与精灵
(Adapted from Selma Lagerlöf's The Wonderful Adventures of Nils)
翻译：（改编自塞尔玛·拉格洛夫的《尼尔斯骑鹅旅行记》）
[Nils, a young Swedish boy, is standing next to a desk. His parents are by the door, ready to leave.]
翻译：[瑞典小男孩尼尔斯站在书桌旁。他的父母站在门边，准备离开。]
Nils, we're going out. Make sure you study, and don't be mean to the farm animals.
翻译：尼尔斯，我们要出门了。好好学习，不许欺负农场里的动物。
I haven't been mean to the animals in ages.
翻译：我很久都没欺负过动物了。
Yesterday you pulled the cat's tail.
翻译：昨天你还拽了猫的尾巴。
And you ran after the hens.
翻译：而且你还追着母鸡跑。
And we've just caught you throwing shoes at the cow.
翻译：我们刚才还撞见你拿鞋子扔奶牛。
[Laughing.] Okay. I promise to be good!
翻译：[笑着说。] 好啦，我保证乖乖的！
[Nils's parents shake their heads and leave. Nils sighs and sits down.]
翻译：[尼尔斯的父母摇摇头离开了。尼尔斯叹了口气，坐了下来。]
Reading is so boring! I haven't had any fun for so long. I wish something would happen.
翻译：看书太无聊了！很久都没发生什么好玩的事儿。真想来点有意思的！
[An elf enters quietly through the front door. Nils sees it.]
翻译：[一只小精灵悄悄从前门溜了进来。尼尔斯看见了它。]
An elf! I've never seen one of those before ... I'm going to catch it!
翻译：一只小精灵！我还从来没见过呢⋯⋯我要抓住它！
[Nils catches the elf.]
翻译：[尼尔斯抓住了小精灵。]
[Screaming.] Let me go! I'll give you an old coin.
翻译：[尖叫着。] 放开我！我给你一枚古钱币。
I'm not sure ... What else have you got?
翻译：这个嘛⋯⋯你还有什么好东西？
A silver spoon ... and a big gold coin!
翻译：一把银勺子⋯⋯还有一枚大金币！
Okay ... I could let you go.
翻译：好吧⋯⋯我可以放你走。
But actually, I don't think I will. Come here!
翻译：不过，其实我不打算放你走。过来！
Unusual Volunteers
翻译：非同寻常的志愿者
'Come here! What a good boy!'
翻译：“过来！真是个好孩子！”
Those were words I never expected to hear from my mum when I visited her in hospital.
翻译： 在病房探望妈妈时，我从未想过会听到她这样说。
Mum has been sick for a long time now, and she often seemed sad and tired.
翻译：妈妈病了很久，常常显得忧伤而疲惫。
I didn't expect to hear her laughing.
翻译：我没想到会听见她的笑声。
It has been a long time since I heard my mum sounding so happy!
翻译：已经很久没听到妈妈这么开心的声音了！
But when I rounded the corner, I understood everything.
翻译：不过，当我转过拐角时，我明白了一切。
Mum had a very unusual visitor—a dog!
翻译：妈妈有一位非同寻常的访客——一只狗！
'A regular volunteer at the hospital, Anna, was there with her therapy dog, Banjo.'
翻译：作为医院里常来的志愿者，安娜带来了自己的治疗犬班卓。
Anna was kind enough to share her story with me.
翻译：她非常友善地与我分享了她的故事。
An animal lover from an early age, Anna has always had a dog or two at home since she was young.
翻译：安娜从小就热爱动物，家里一直养着一两只狗。
Often, just playing with them was enough to help her feel happy and relaxed after a long day.
翻译：通常，漫长的一天结束后只要和它们玩耍就足以让她感到快乐和放松。
'But one day, Anna realized that not everyone was lucky enough to have a pet.'
翻译：但有一天，安娜意识到并非所有人都能幸运地拥有宠物。
She started thinking: What could she do? Could she work with her own dogs to help others?
翻译：她开始思考：她能做些什么？能不能和自己的狗一起帮助他人呢？
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