Home improvement isn't just about adding new value to your property. If you make the right investment decisions, you can also use your home improvement decisions to improve your quality of life.

Common changes like replacing your kitchen and bathroom can be a good idea for some homeowners. 1 ． If you've been looking for a way to update your property for a while now, we have some fun ideas that could be perfect for your lifestyle.

Convert your garage into an entertainment room

Converting your garage into an entertainment room is much easier than you'd think. Make sure you do your research and find out whether you need planning permission before you get started. Once you're finished with the paperwork side of things, you can speak to professionals like joiners, builders, and electricians to help you bring your ideas to life. 2 ．

Transform your garden

3 ． However, these days, there are more ways to update them than ever before. You could install your very own summer house, complete with a hot tub where you and your friends can relax all through the summer and winter months. Alternatively, if you have the space, you could look into creating a bricked-out space where you can build your own pizza oven for cooking in the sun with your family.

4 ．

Having funky home lifts are becoming increasingly attractive as a unique home improvement option for these days. They're great for making your property seem more stylish and luxurious, plus they're convenient for people of all ages. For young families, a lift is a great way to get around the house when cleaning or carry things upstairs without risking a fall. 5 ． Today's modern designs ensure that you can get something a lot more attractive than your standard stair lift.

A ． Install a home elevator

B ． Replace elevator with stairs

C ． However, others like to get a little more creative with their home improvement strategies.

D ． When making home improvements, a lot of people forget all about the outdoors.

E.As you get older, you can use it to avoid the risk of tripping and falling down the stairs.

F.This is the perfect way to create some extra space in your property, and spend more time doing the things you love.

G.It would be to get in from a long day of work, and use the elevator to get upstairs, rather than trudging up there yourself.

Travelling is a very enjoyable experience as it provides an opportunity to see new things. 1 ． The following article discusses the advantages of traveling. Traveling gives you the opportunity to disconnect from your regular life. People all have crazy schedules, work and a family to take care of, and traveling alone or with some friends can give you distance and perhaps even make you realize how important these people are to you. 2 ．

Another great benefit is the relaxation you get. 3 ． When you come back you feel energetic and you are happy to be back to your daily routine. 4 ． They will create a bond that nothing can erase no matter what happens to the friendship/relationship. You can create photo albums and when you feel nostalgic ( 对往事怀恋的 ) you can experience the trips again by looking at your pictures.

It’s never been this cheap to travel. With increasing oil prices the cheap travel era might be coming to an end. 5 ．

With the Internet and all the new technology, you can plan your trip exactly the way you want it. You can choose your budget, the duration of the trip and what you want to do.

A ． It’s nice to enjoy a stress-free time.

B ． As the saying goes, you never know what you have until you lose it.

C ． When traveling with friends or family it creates memories of a lifetime.

D ． Discovering different values and ways to get by in life is really interesting.

E.Going on a trip means that you are most likely going to spend time outside.

F.However, there are still many budget airlines fighting for your dollar right now.

G.There are many benefits other than enjoying yourself that can be realized when you travel.

There are two types of people in this world: those who can sleep on flights, and those who can’t. If you happen to be one of these unfortunate souls, you may fail to enjoy a long trip. Being sleep-deprived and jet-lagged, you’re unable to function for at least 72 hours. 1 ．

Grab a row

We all know the vital part of sleep is managing to lie down to create the illusion of being in a bed. 2 ． If you’re limited to economy class, give yourself a fighting chance by choosing a middle seat when booking. Couples and families are unlikely to go either side of you, preferring to stick together.

3 ．

It might seem silly, but preparing for “bed” the way you usually do at home means you’re more psychologically ready for sleep. Changing into pyjamas, brushing your teeth and removing your make-up can all get you in the right mindset. If you normally always read before bed, do it now too. These are signals to your brain that the “being awake” portion of the day is officially over.

Switch off

4 ． Plan when you ideally want to sleep and half an hour beforehand shut down the electronics. Instead, do a bit of reading or, better yet, indulge in a 20-minute meditation ( 冥想 ) to really calm the neurons.

No pressure

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself; instead, just see it as a chance to rest your eyes for a bit. 5 ． If you do, it’s a bonus. If you don’t ... well, just hope they’ll accept your answer of “bleisure”( 商务休闲旅游 )as you walk unsteadily through security.

A ． Stick to your routine

B ． Get the right sleeping mask

C ． But fear not-there are ways of securing more sleep.

D ． Obviously, you can guarantee this by paying money for business class.

E.Using devices just before bed means your brain is all lit up like a Christmas tree.

F.It’s easier said than done, but stressing about not being able to sleep is a certain way of not being able to sleep.

G.Get comfortable and relaxed, and remind yourself that it’s not the end of the world if you fail to get some shuteye.

The opening ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was held at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 23, 2021 after a year of waiting due to the pandemic. Let's take a look at the highlights which make this opening ceremony unique.

No spectators

There are no spectators during the opening ceremony in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infections. About 950 people, including officials and journalists, will watch in the main stadium, organizers said. Fewer athletes are expected to attend the ceremony because many are not allowed to stay for the entire Games due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Male and female flag-bearers

The International Olympic Committee has actively encouraged all delegations to select two flag-bearers at the opening ceremony, including one woman, as women's participation in the Tokyo Games reaches 48.8 percent, making it the most gender-balanced Olympics in the history of the event.

Oath ( 宣誓 ) session updated

One of the most symbolic parts of the opening ceremony—the Olympic oath—has been significantly adapted in order to “highlight the importance of solidarity, inclusion, non-discrimination and equality”. The number of oath-takers is also extended from three to six—two athletes, two coaches and two judges.

Simplified ceremony

In the 30-second video showing the rehearsal of the opening ceremony released to the public, the performances are integrated with dances, scenery and other display elements used in Japanese traditional festival activities.

In order to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic and manage the cost, the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee said that the performances of the ceremony will be greatly simplified, with more light and shadow technology used instead of real decorations at the scene.

1 ． Why isn't there any spectator during the opening ceremony?

A ． To limit the number of people present.

B ． To highlight the spirit of the Olympic Games.

C ． To control the spread of an infectious disease.

D ． To make room for the athletes all over the world.

2 ． Why is each delegation encouraged to select one woman as a flag-bearer in Tokyo Olympics?

A ． Women will be in a leading position in sports.

B ． Women athletes make up a larger percentage than ever.

C ． Women will play a more important part in society.

D ． More and more women will take part in the Olympic Games.

3 ． Which of the following statements is True according to the passage?

A ． Oath-takers are made up of six athletes.

B ． Tokyo uses more real decorations to cut the cost.

C ． About 950 people watch the entire games in the Tokyo Games.

D ． The opening ceremony presents the traditional culture of Japan.

As an eco-minimalist, Su Yige has maintained an environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle for the past three years while studying in Canada. She takes her own bag when she goes grocery shopping and uses second-hand items as often as possible. She avoids almost all paper-related products unless she has to use a public toilet while away from home.

Diligence and thrift are time-honored traditional Chinese virtues. Su's family is a good example of this, according to the native of Weihai, Shandong province. Although they have little formal “green” knowledge, her parents lead a very environmentally friendly life.

For example, the family has used the same hair dryer for more than a decade, and Su remembers many of her mother's clothes from as far back as kindergarten. “As long as something can still be used, my mother will not replace it with a new item,” she said.

“I frequently asked my father to bring the plastic bag back home after dumping our waste in the trash bin. He was unhappy, and argued that instead of making that request, I should go downstairs to dump the waste myself” she said. In another move, her father criticized her for doing too much shopping online. Eventually, they both made steps toward becoming better environmentalists. Her father brings the bag back for reuse and she has only bought two pieces of clothing online in the past six months.

Back in Canada, Su is looking forward to finding a job related to sustainable development in China after she graduates as a computer science major in the summer.

1 ． Which of the following best describes Su Yige?

A ． Conservative. B ． Nostalgic. C ． Economical. D ． Productive.

2 ． What can be found about Su's mother according to the third paragraph?

A ． She has a lot of formal green knowledge.

B ． She regards using the same items as a lifestyle.

C ． She always wears old clothes due to lack of money.

D ． She will not replace the old items until they are out of style.

3 ． What can be inferred about Su and her father?

A ． Both of them like to criticize each other.

B ． Su's father is particular about her clothes.

C ． The relationship between them is very tense.

D ． They urge each other to become more environmentally friendly.

4 ． What can we learn about the author soon after she graduates in Canada?

A ． She will stay there to look for a job.

B ． She will put effort into computer science.

C ． She will devote herself to her motherland's future.

D ． She will come back to China to stay with her parents.