What time of day can you think most quickly? Are you a morning person? Or does it take you a few hours to get your brain going? A lot of recent research suggests that we should pay attention to our body clock. It can tell us what time of day we can perform best at.

Many people work best later in the morning. This is because the body’s temperature takes time to rise through the day. Taking a warm shower when you wake up can help your body’s temperature rise quickly.

But everyone’s body clock is different and some are special. Morning people will get up early and work better early in the day. Evening people will work later but work better towards the end of the day. Research shows that we’re better at some activities at certain times of the day. Physical performance is at its best between 3 pm and 6 pm, so it’s better to exercise later in the day.

Between noon and 4 pm, people begin to pay less attention. This is because we think less quickly after a big meal. Research also shows we become sleepy around 2 pm. This is why people in Spain take a short sleep in early afternoon. Finally, it is best to eat when we’re active. This allows our body to burn calories better and stops our blood sugar levels from getting too high.

What do Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Julius Caesar and Napoleon have in common? They were all left-handed! Beginning early in history, left-handed people were feared and punished because using the left hand was considered to be impolite. Because of the wrong idea about the left, left-handed people were forced to change their habit.

Researchers studying the brain have found differences between the left side and right side of the brain. They believe that people who use more of the left side of their brain tend to（倾向于）be more intelligent. They also tend to use language better and solve problems faster. However, one study also showed that left-brain people tend to have worse memories.

So, which side of the brain do left-handers use? Actually, both. Right-handed people use the left side of the brain more, while left-handed people use both sides of the brain almost equally. The part connecting the two halves（等分）of the brain is usually larger in left-handed people. The left side of the brain controls speech, language writing and science. The right side controls music, creativity and emotion. Since the left-handers use both sides, they are often both creative and scientific.

Thankfully, parents and teachers no longer treat left-handedness as a problem to be solved. It may actually help a child become excellent! If allowed to learn and develop in their own way, left-handers will be excellent at school. Perhaps one of these left-handers might turn out to be the next Einstein or da Vinci.

How much do you know about terraces (梯田) in China? Imagine mountains held in silver water, shining in the spring sun. Summer sees the mountains turn green with growing rice. During autumn, these same mountains are gold, and in winter they are covered with white frost. 【小题1】

These terraces were built by the local Zhuang and Yao people in Guangxi. It was hard work when they started. 【小题2】 Reaching as far as the eye can see, these terraces cover tall mountains, often from the bottom to the very top.

【小题3】 Firstly, building the teraces meant that they could increase more fields to grow rice. Secondly, the flat terraces catch the rainwater and stop the soil from being washed away.

People have worked in harmony with nature to make these terraces. The terraces have hundreds of waterways that connect with each other. During the rainy season, it is along these waterways that rainwater moves down the mountains and into the terraces. 【小题4】 This forms clouds and then rain falls down onto the mountain terraces once again.

Though modern technology could help produce more crops, these terraces still mean a lot to the local people. 【小题5】 This knowledge is passed down through families, which means that people will continue to use ancient methods of farming to keep the terraces. Today, the Longji Rice Terraces receive high praise for being a great wonder created by people and nature working together.