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)

Drink, Blink and Rest

Not many people realise how much strain modern life can put on their eyesight. Working on a computer, watching television and driving at night are just some of the things that can affect your eyes. (1) __________, even sunlight can be damaging to your eyes if you do not wear sunglasses to protect them from ultraviolet light.

It was traditionally believed that being long-sighted or short-sighted was a condition that was inherited. But recent studies have shown that this is not always the case. One study in Spain has shown that there has been an increase in eye problems among schoolchildren. Another in America suggests that up to 80 per cent of children may be short-sighted. It appears that (2) __________.

New problems, such as the massive increase in the number of people using computers at work, (3) __________. Using a computer means that the eye works in a different way, and it has to work harder. And the problems become worse the longer you spend in front of a screen. Experts have estimated that (4) __________.

Office workers suffer from additional problems because of central heating and air conditioning. The trouble here is that the eye becomes dry, (5) __________. One recommended way of combating this problem is to close the eyes for one minute every hour, to rest them and keep them moist. There are also many eye exercises that can help reduce the symptoms of eye strain.

There are many people who can speak many languages, or hyperglots, in the world today. With globalization, there will be a growing number of them in the future. A central question is whether hyperglots are born or made. Are their achievements genetic or do hyperglots have secrets (1) __________?

These people generally have advantages they are born with. Hyperglots seem to possess excellent memories and have brains that are more efficient in processing speech sounds. (2) __________. This means that the difference between a top performer and someone who is just “very good” is that the top performer has practised for 10,000 hours instead of 6,000.

The fact is that most ordinary language learners lack these natural advantages and (3) __________. So is there any hope for us? Research on hyperglots can offer some useful lessons. For example, they often have limited ambitions in terms of individual languages. They are happy to get by, or (4) __________, or not to have a perfect accent. Additionally, they are practical. If they cannot travel, they look for opportunities to use the language closer to home. Some simply imagine conversations in their heads. (5) __________. Finally, they are never afraid to make mistakes or appear stupid and so never give up.

(Adapted from Outcomes)

Numerous studies highlight the advantages of employee mentorship in the workplace. According to an article from Forbes, (1) _______. With 84% of Fortune 500 companies implementing mentoring programs, it is clear that employers recognize the value of mentorship. Beyond the workplace, mentorship also holds significant potential for young people's futures. (2) _______ if they had received mentorship during their teenage years.

One of the main benefits of mentorship is the guidance and support it provides. (3) _______. Whether dealing with academic difficulties, career choices, or personal issues, mentors can be a source of support. The lack of life experience often leaves young people unsure of themselves when making critical decisions. A mentor helps boost their confidence by encouraging them and highlighting their strengths, (4) _______.

Mentorship also opens doors to new opportunities by broadening professional networks. Mentors can connect mentees with industry experts and (5) _______. By sharing their knowledge and expertise, mentors help mentees acquire the practical skills necessary for their careers. This guidance accelerates the learning process and equips young individuals with the tools needed to thrive in life beyond education.

A 4D cinema is an exciting place to watch movies. It is different from regular cinemas because it has special effects that make you feel like you are inside the movie. In a 4D cinema, the seats move, and sometimes you feel things like wind, water, or even smells during the movie, (1) __________. For example, if there is rain in the movie, you might feel a light spray of water. If there is an action scene, (2) __________. Many people like 4D cinemas because they make watching movies more exciting. Kids, in particular, enjoy these effects because it feels like a real adventure. (3) __________ who want to try something new and thrilling. Watching a movie in 4D can be a little expensive, (4) __________.

However, 4D cinemas are not everywhere, so some people may need to travel to a big city to find one. Some people might not like the movement and effects if they feel dizzy or uncomfortable. But for those who enjoy it, a 4D cinema makes movies unforgettable. It turns a normal movie experience into something special, (5) __________.