Why don't we get our drinking water from the ocean?

If you're stuck at sea and thirsty, drinking seawater might seem like an option, but it's dangerous. Seawater is much saltier than your blood, (1) __________, making you more dehydrated. Your kidneys try to get rid of the extra salt, but they need fresh water to do that. Without enough fresh water, drinking seawater can lead to salt poisoning, causing serious damage to your cells and organs.

To survive in this situations, you need to find or create a source of freshwater. In the 4th century BCE, a philosopher described two ways of turning seawater into drinkable water: thermal desalination and reverse osmosis. Thermal desalination, an ancient method, (2) __________. Reverse osmosis uses pressure to push seawater through a membrane that filters out the salt. Both methods are still used today to make seawater drinkable, though each has its challenges. In terms of their efficiency, reverse osmosis is more energy-efficient and less wasteful than thermal desalination. (3) __________.

An alternative source of freshwater is wastewater. Reverse osmosis can purify wastewater more easily than seawater, as it contains less salt and fewer contaminants. By producing safe, drinkable water with reduced energy consumption, (4) __________.

In a survival situation at sea, drinking your urine or eating protein-rich foods is not a good idea, as it can make you more dehydrated. (5) __________. In extreme cases, people have resorted to drinking blood from animals as an emergency hydration source, though this is far from ideal and should only be used if necessary.

(Adapted from https://www.ted.com)

Research suggests that laughter offers many valuable benefits for both the body and mind. Scott Aylwin, Senior Director of Addiction and Mental Health at Covenant Health, explains that laughter triggers the brain's reward system, (1) _______. At the same time, it lowers stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which reduces tension. (2) _______ but also offers long-term protection against illnesses caused by chronic stress, such as heart disease, diabetes, and low immunity.

Emotionally, laughter helps people develop a more positive outlook and strengthens their ability to recover from stress or sadness. (3) _______. Scott also notes that genuine laughter and high anxiety cannot exist together—when a person laughs deeply, the body relaxes and tension decreases. For those dealing with anxiety or depression, humour can therefore (4) _______.

On a social level, laughter connects people and strengthens relationships. (5) _______, which helps to build trust and emotional closeness. While depression can suppress the ability to laugh, making a conscious effort to seek humour—through lighthearted films or time with joyful friends—can greatly improve emotional well-being.

Apprenticeships: A Pathway for Adolescents

Adolescence is often seen as a challenging stage in life, but this idea is shaped by modern systems. (1) _______. Confined to restrictive school systems and isolated from real-life experiences, adolescents may feel frustration, apathy, and anger. (2) _______. In many cultures, teenagers are capable of young adults who contribute to their communities.

Dr. Robert Epstein explains that modern schooling and restrictions on youth labor are outdated. These systems were created during the Industrial Revolution and do not fit today's world. (3) _______, adolescents often feel disconnected from adult roles. However, teenagers can succeed (4) _______.

One solution is expanding apprenticeships. These programs, praised by leaders like President Trump, give teenagers practical experience and skills. (5) _______, creating a pathway for career success and personal growth.

It is important to support adolescents by creating opportunities for them to develop naturally. Apprenticeships offer a formal pathway to success and a better connection to the adult world.

Green jobs, which are careers that support environmental protection, are becoming more common for many reasons. Today, (1) _______. As individuals learn how greenhouse gases cause global warming, higher sea levels, and extreme weather, interest in sustainability-focused work has grown quickly.

Green jobs appear in many sectors, not just in one industry. Renewable energy is one major area, with new positions in solar, wind, and biomass power that require trained experts. Waste management also offers roles such as recycling professionals, environmental inspectors, and treatment technicians. (2) _______. Architects, landscape designers, and engineers in green design work on environmentally friendly solutions, (3) _______.

These careers support the green economy, which aims to protect the environment while creating long-term economic growth. Governments and businesses are investing more in eco-friendly technologies, which increases the demand for green jobs. The creation of government policies favoring clean technology (4) _______.

The rise of green jobs has also produced new professions. For example, carbon project developers help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon-offset projects. Climate startups such as Fairtamos contribute to this trend (5) _______.

In general, artists are creative people who want their work to have an effect on those who see it. Great art can definitely inspire positive feelings. However, people's ideas about what "great art" is (1) __________. For example, Impressionist art is now widely considered to be great. However, it was controversial for many years. People said that the style of painting and the use of color were too different from traditional art.

Modern art can be controversial, too. Take Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans. As the name suggests, it was 32 pictures of cans of soup. (2) __________ in Los Angeles in 1962, some experts liked it, but many people said that it was not art. Carl Andre created another controversial piece of art, Equivalent VIII, an installation (3) __________. The Tate, (4) __________ England, bought the unique work in 1976. It was not expensive, but public reaction to the exhibition was negative. People expected to see portraits on the wall, not bricks on the floor. How will people feel about Campbell's Soup Cans and Equivalent VIII in the future? Will people think they are works of genius, (5) __________? Only time will tell.