SkillsIntroductionUNIT 1: Society: School and FamilyChapter 1Hop, Skip... and Software？Today, many young students use computers. Educators disagree on whether computeruse makes these students better learners.Program to Bring Laptop Computers to Rural Schools7000 public school teachers and students in ruralArkansas will soon receive laptopcomputers. The computers will replace textbooks and library books.Chapter 2My Husband, the OutsiderMarian's Korean relatives wanted her to marry, but not necessarily to the man shechose.Unwelcome in ChinatownAmy looks Chinese, but does not speak Chinese. She feels like a stranger in Chinatown.Chapter 3Beyond RivalryAs they age and become more mature, many sisters and brothers become closer asthey put aside feelings of competition and anger.Middle Children and Their Position in the FamilyBirth order can influence the development of a child's personality and the way thatchild interacts with his or her siblings as well.UNIT 2: Influences on Our Lives: Nature Versus NurtureChapter 4Who Lives Longer？Most of us know that, on average, women live longer than men. What other factorsinfluence how long people live？Coping with CrisisHow to cope with crisis？ Hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "Iwill be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."Chapter 5The Mindset of HealthThe way we think about health and illness influences how our bodies respond.Can we“think” ourselves into illness？How to Behave in a HospitalShould we be active about our treatment and ask questions？ Or should we be quietand passive, accepting whatever comes？ The answer may surprise you.Chapter 6Small WondersAre child prodigies born or made？ A reporter searches for answers to this fascinatingquestion about “superkids.”Reading at 8 Months？ That Was Just the StartVery bright children soon outperform their peers. But what happens when a13-year-old is ready for college？UNIT 3: The EnvironmentChapter 7Playing with Fireby Laura Lopen et al, in TimeThe burning of the Amazon rain forest by farmers and cattle ranchers involvesconsequences for the environment all over the world.Taking Two Steps BackThe burning of the Amazon rain forest decreased temporarily, but an improvementin the economy, coupled with a dry period, has led to an increase in the practice.Chapter 8Wilder Places for Wild ThingsToday's zoos are creating the sights and sounds of natural habitats. The animals areresponding with natural behavior they never exhibited before in zoos.Predators on the ProwlMany animals, such as the mountain lion, are protected by law. When they attackand kill people, however, the laws are sometimes challenged.Chapter 9A Nuclear GraveyardNuclear power plants provide much needed power. They also generate nuclear waste.Where can this waste be safely stored？A Nuclear Graveyard (excerpt)The U.S. government has chosen Yucca Mountain in Nevada as a"home" for nuclearwaste, but not all Nevadans agree with the government's choice.Word List