Scientists have found a new use for children’s imaginations(想象力)—to make Stomachaches go away.   

The BBC reports a new study that shows: “Children can be taught to use their Imaginations to deal with stomachaches.” This may be very good news for parents who need a quick cure for their sick children.

Any mother or father understands the stomach problem is one of the most frequent(时常发生的) things their children complain about. Around twenty percent of children suffer from stomachaches that doctors cannot find a reason for.

This new research is especially good for kids with active imaginations. Researchers found that the more creative the child is, the better he or she is at imagining the pain away.

The researchers used a relaxing CD with children. A voice guided them through different fantasy(幻想) situations. One of these was pretending to be floating on a cloud. Thirty children took part in the tests. Half of them used the “guided imagery” method, and the other half received normal medicines. Researchers found 73.3 percent of the CD users reported a reduction in pain. This compared to only 26.7 percent of kids who got normal treatment.

Study leader Dr Miranda Tilburg was very excited about her findings. She believed that it was a very cheap and easy way to stop children’s stomachaches. She said it would not work as well with adults.

1.The new study may be good news for those who____________.

A. have less imaginations

B. don’t know how to relax

C. want to stop their kids’ stomachaches in a short time

D. can find why children suffer from stomachaches

2.What kind of kids will benefit most from the new research?

A. Kids who like listening to music.

B. Kids who are good at remembering things.

C. The independent(独立的) kids.

D. Kids with active imaginations.

3.From the end of the passage, we know that__________.

A. adults can also use their imaginations to make stomachaches go away

B. Dr Miranda Tilburg wasn’t pleased with her findings

C. the normal cure for stomachaches will not be used

D. a cheap and easy way to stop children’s stomachaches has been found

4.What is the best title for this passage?

A. How to stop stomachaches in public places.

B. Children can “imagine” their pain away.

C. Children’s imaginations are very active.

D. How to develop children’s imaginations.

The World's Largest Insect

??? This giant insect can be used as a toy. A child ties one end of a string to a stick and the other end around the "neck" of an insect. Holding the stick, the child lets the insect go. With a loud whirring sound, the insect takes off, pulling the string in a large curve over the child's head. The child laughs as the stick jumps around. The child is African, and the toy is the African Goliath beetle, the largest insect in the world. 

?? The Goliath is a true insect because it has six legs and a body that is divided into three parts. Like all beetles, it has two pairs of wings. The front pair are thick and stiff and protect the back pair, which are soft. It is these soft back wings that make the beetle fly forward. They also cause the loud whirring sound the beetle makes when it flies. To steer, the beetle twists and turns its legs the same way you steer a bike by turning its front wheel. 

? African children often use the Goliath beetle as a toy. Although it is over 15 centimeters long, it is quite harmless. 

1.The African Goliath beetle is _______.  

A. the world's largest insect 

B. a toy used in many parts of the world 

C. the only insect found in Africa 

D. the world's smallest insect 

2.What made the whirring sound that the child heard?

A. The curved string.??????????????    ???  B. The beetle's soft wings. 

C. The beetle's six legs.     ??????????????? D. The beetle's body. 

3.We know the Goliath beetle is a true insect because it _______.  

A. makes a whirring sound when it flies   ???  

B. has both soft and hard wings 

C. has six legs and a body with three parts  ??

D. can fly 

4. When flying, the Goliath steers by_______.  

A. turning its soft back wings ?????????????

B. twisting and turning its hard front wings 

C. twisting and turning its legs ????????????

D. twisting and turning its whole body  

5. Where is the passage probably from ?

A. A story book .????? B. A newspaper.??? C. A student’s article??? D. A science magazine .

Friends are important to the children. Research shows that children who have no friends can suffer from difficulties later in life. Friendship provides children with more than just fun. In making friends, children learn how to get in touch with the others and solve problems. Having friends even does good to children’s study for they can help each other during the class.
If the parents care about their children whether they made many friends，what matters is that the child is comfortable and happy with his friends. Parents need to understand the steps children take in building friendships. First of all, be a friend to your child. Good friendships start at home. Children begin to develop the necessary ability to go out and meet others through getting with their parents. Greet the child warmly and let him know you are glad to see him. Children learn a lot from how their parents stay with them and other people.
Teach children how to solve conflicts(争端). Being able to work out conflicts is an important skill in getting along with others. If parents know the children have a conflict, let them work it out on their own. Only step in if it is really necessary, for example, an argument is getting physical.
Give children chances to practice staying together. Have children play games that require team work and group problem solving skills. For example, races are fun and provide plenty of practice in teamwork. “In what ways didn’t you work well together? What might you do differently next time?” For these ideas, see books such as Games Book by Terry Orlick, Energizers by Carol Apacki, and Team-Building Activities for Every Group by Alanna Jones.
Encourage children to show thanks to the others. The parents can encourage children to do this by setting the example for them.
【小题1】According to the article, if one child has no friend, he will               .

－The child is only 4 years old, he is not old enough to___ himself.