Vocabulary:

to strengthen - зміцнювати

chain - ланцюжок

link - зв'язок

familiar - знайомий

acronym - акронім

to rhyme - римувати

tool - тут засіб

to get lost - заблукати

peg - вішалка, гачок

list - список

to hang (hung; hung) - вішати

item - окремий предмет (у списку); пункт

patrol - загін бойскаутів

hike - подорож пішки

puddle - калюжа

wacky - жарг. дивний, ексцентричний

an A - "відмінно"

cramming - розм. зубрячка

rarely - рідко

to suggest - пропонувати

to improve - покращувати

to skim - поверхово переглядати

to recall - згадувати

to cement - цементувати, скріплювати

oxygen - кисень

fuel - паливо

Questions:

1. What should one do if he/she wants to have a good memory?

2. What easy tricks can help us remember anything?

3. What is an acronym?

4. Can you create any "peg" words of your own?

5. Do you cram the night before exams? Does it work?

6. Have your ever noticed any connection between your physical exercising and the quality of your memory?

7. What other useful means of training one's memory could you suggest?

Text 3 solitude is sometimes the best society

Occasional solitude is absolutely necessary for a developing mind. To have time to think is rare in the world today and time must be made. To continue living and working without moments of solitude is like expecting a machine to work indefinitely without oil.

Solitude is the best society for artists. The creation of any form of beauty depends on the state of a man's mind, whether the person writes something or paints something. To know one's mind is a thing achieved only by solitude and quiet thinking. And it is this peace that is the force of creation.

But few people like being alone for a long time. The close society of acquaintances and friends, doing useless things to pass the time - these are the necessities of modern world. People are afraid of having time to think, so they go to the cinema, the television set, or a football match, because they can think of nothing better to do. Creative work is fast disappearing; instead, we'll have a generation of watchers and thought will be left to the poets and scientists.

Some people wouldn't know* what to do being alone at times. Finding other people's company preferable to their own, they begin to feel unhappy and grow introspective. Self-analysis can be carried too far by some; others lose the art of conversation and the ability to give and take - and so run indefinitely without oil.

But to the rest of us solitude brings new worlds. When we think and feel, unwatched by man, ideas and feelings come to us, and we get new strength instead of becoming lost in a hurrying world. Ideas and knowledge of oneself that come from peace are the best things in life; these come only from solitude - occasional solitude, of course.

Note

*Some people wouldn't know… - Деякі люди не знають…