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Reader's Bank_Level 8_Unit 04                                    Reading Text

Some animals play tricks on others to get what they want, but none can match the large blue, a clever European butterfly. Its surprising life begins when the mother lays tiny white eggs on wildflowers. Soon, baby caterpillars hatch and feast on flower heads. But these caterpillars are not ordinary; they are clever deceivers! When ready, they drop to the ground and wait for a way to reach a new home. Nearby, red ants are busy carrying food. The caterpillars change their shape and release a smell just like that of a baby ant. Fooled, the ants gently carry them into their nest. Inside, the caterpillars live like kings and queens. The ants feed and protect them, not knowing they are caring for butterflies in disguise. After some time, the caterpillars transform into butterflies and fly away, leaving their foster parents behind. Poor ants! They are left standing there like people waking from a dream, only to find their treasure gone.

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People have always wanted some space between themselves and others. To put it differently, they need “personal space.” People can feel uncomfortable if that space is invaded. How much space is needed depends on culture.

In the U.S., people usually stand about one meter away while waiting in line at a coffee shop. Many shops now use self-order kiosks, and standing too close can feel like a threat to both personal and digital privacy. People avoid looking at the screen or getting too close.

In contrast, people in Russia are used to standing closer in public places. They may stand just a few inches behind a person at a kiosk. If someone stands too far back, it may seem like they’re not ready.

However, this difference changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, people everywhere avoided standing too close to others regardless of their culture. After the pandemic ended, people returned to normal life. However, the experience left a small mark on how people determine personal space. Now, people tend to adjust their distance differently depending on the situation. For example, people may stand close at concerts but far apart in libraries.

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In the fairy tale The Elves and the Shoemaker, magic happens every night. In the evening, the shoemaker cuts leather for shoes. He leaves the pieces on the bench, so they are ready to be sewn in the morning. But when morning comes, he finds beautiful pairs of shoes already finished. As you may know from the story, elves completed the shoes.

Sleep can be compared to the elf that works behind the scenes. You may think that your brain rests while you are sleeping. But your unconscious brain works all night long like an elf. It puts together all the pieces of your thoughts and joins them into new ideas. This way, your brain can come up with good ideas the next morning. It is actually the result of an unconscious thought process that goes on throughout the night. The unconscious brain works better in sleep because it is free from your conscious thoughts. Therefore, if you have been trying to solve a problem all day without having any success, try to wait until you can “sleep on it.” Surely, the unconscious part of your brain will come to your aid just like the elves.