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Reader's Bank_Level 6_Unit 12                                    Reading Text

When people have nothing to do, they get bored. But psychologists say that boredom can actually help people become creative. When people are free from outside stimulation, they usually start to explore what’s deep inside their brains. They begin to play with their thoughts and try out new ideas. That is how creative people get their best ideas. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, believed in quiet time. He liked to take walks or sit alone and think. He said that doing nothing helped him come up with new ideas. Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, is another example. Twice a year, he goes to a private place for seven days. Being away from the world helps him feel completely bored, which allows him to come up with creative ideas. Today, people are always exposed to smartphones and computers, which keeps them busy and distracted. They rarely have time to get bored. If you feel the same way, take a break and enjoy being bored. You might be surprised by how creative you can be!

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People tell a story about a peaceful village in Zambia. In the story, a tribe called the Babemba is said to have the lowest crime rate in the world. How is this possible? It is due to their unique way of dealing with crime. When someone commits a crime in their village, that person has to stand in the village square. Then, everyone comes and surrounds the person in a big circle. Instead of yelling, they say all kinds of kind things about the person. Some speak of his courage, others of his kindness. They share all the good things the person has done. After days of compliments, the village holds a festival for that person. This “compliment bomb” is very powerful because it helps the person change their behavior without emotional harm. Compliments can go a long way and truly change people.

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On the surface, the forest looks calm. But under the ground, the trees and flowers are constantly passing information back and forth. How do they communicate? They use a giant network of fungi. These tiny organisms grow on the roots of plants and connect different plants of the plant kingdom together. This fungi network is everywhere. In fact, about 90% of land plants are connected to some kind of fungi. So, how do plants use the fungi network? They use it to exchange information and nutrients. For example, if a plant is attacked by insects, it sends warning signals to other plants through the network. This helps nearby plants take action. The fungi network is also used to share nutrients. In fall, birch trees lose their leaves and cannot make sugar. Then, evergreen pine trees provide them with nutrients through the fungi network. In summer, the birch trees return the favor. This way, plants help one another using the fungi.