Nearly all of us have a bad habit, whether we know it or not. Some people say they want to get rid of (去除) it but don't know the proper ways. Here's some advice on how to get rid of bad habits.

    Make a list. Write down all the reasons why you want to stop a certain behavior, how it's hurting you and why to get rid of it, this will help a lot. Look at that list regularly.

    Join in other activities. It's wise of you to do something else when you want to stop your bad habit. If you get angry easily, for example, you can practice having a deep breath or going for a walk.

    Give yourself a present. Before you take action against a bad habit, decide what you'll do to celebrate it if you reach your goal.

    Keep off bad habits. If you are fat and want to lose weight, keep junk food out of your house. If you are a heavy smoker with coffee, turn to tea and keep away from friends who like smoking.

    Be patient. Bad habits develop over years, so you probably won't be able to get rid of them quickly. In fact, people often give up several times before being successful, so you should be patient.

    Find support. Don't be afraid to ask for support from friends, family or other people who have the same bad habits as you. When you talk to others, they might be able to provide advice or encouragement that you usually wouldn't get from yourself.

    At the beginning of the century there was a big farm called Hollywood Ranch. It was near Los Angeles in California. A few years later Hollywood was one of the famous places of the world. From 1910s to the 1950s Hollywood was the film center of the world. Every family knew the names of its film stars Charlie Chaplin, Grete Garbo, Bergman and hundreds more.

    The reason why people went to Hollywood to make films was the sun. At first people made films in New York on the east coast of the United States. But then they heard about Los Angeles where there are 350 days of sun every year. As they made all the films by sunlight, the west coast was a much better place to work.

    Also near Hollywood you can find mountains and sea and desert. They did not have to travel far to make any kind o film

    When TV became popular in the 1960s, Hollywood started making films for television. Then in 1970s they discovered people still went to cinema to see big expensive films. After twenty years they are still making films in Hollywood and people watch them all over the world.

    You're rushing to work and a man ahead of you collapses (跌倒) on the sidewalk. Do you stop to help? In a study of by-standers, it was found that some people avert their gaze and keep on walking rather than stop and get involved. “There is a tendency to decide that no action is needed.” says a psychologist. “The first thoughts that pop into (进入) your mind often keep you from offering help. In order to take action, you have to work against them.” Here are some common thoughts that might prevent you from helping.

    Why should I be the one? I'm probably not the most competent (有能力的) person in this crowd. You might think someone older or with more medical knowledge should offer assistance (帮助).

    What if he doesn't really need my help? The fear of embarrassment is powerful; no one wants to risk looking foolish in front of others.

    No one else looks concerned-this must not be a problem. We can follow the people around us, but most  people tend to hold back their emotions in public.

     “If you spot (发现) trouble and find yourself explaining inaction, force yourself to stop and evaluate the situation instead of walking on,” says the psychologist. “Then retry to involve other people; you don't have to take on the entire responsibility of being helpful. Sometimes it's just a matter of turning to the person next to you and saying, “It looks like we should do something.” Or asking someone if an ambulance has been called and, if not, to call for one. Once you take action, most people will follow you.”

    Coca-Cola has created a publicity stunt (作秀) in Singapore — a vending machine (自动售货机) which gives out free cans of Coke in return for (作为对…回报) hugs. The whacky idea is part of the company's Open Haziness campaign (运动) designed to attract young people in Singapore.

    Students at the National University of Singapore were surprised to find that the soft drinks company had placed the machine in the schoolyard. But instead of the drinks brand's logo (标志), the words “Hug Me” are written across its red-and-white logo. Instead of paying money, customers have to hug the drinks machine to receive a free can of Coke.

    Public displays of affection are uncommon and have long been discouraged in Singapore, but are on the rise among young people. The move is part of a campaign created by advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather, intended to let the youth to see the brand as a non-threatening (无威胁的) friend.

    Leonardo O'Grady, leader of the campaign, said, “Happiness is contagious (传染的). The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a single idea to spread some happiness. We want to spread happiness in an unexpected, creative way to attract not only the people present, but the audience at large.”

    He hopes that it will encourage consumers to bring positivity, optimism (乐观) and fun into their lives and to open a Coke, sharing a little happiness.

    The machines haw been such a success that there are plans to roll them out across Asia. Mr. O'Grady added, “The reaction was amazing — at one point we had four to five people hugging the machine at the same time as well as each other! In fact, there was a long line of people looking to give hugs.”

    There was once a farmer who had a fine olive orchard (橄榄园). He was very hardworking, and the 1 always prospered (繁荣) under his care. But he knew that his three2 looked down upon the farm work, and were eager to make wealth.

    When the farmer was 3 and felt that he would die, he 4 the three sons to him and said, “My sons, there is a pot of gold 5 in the olive orchard. Dig for it, if you wish it.”

    The sons tried to 6 him to tell them in what part of the orchard the 7 was hidden, but he would tell them nothing more.

    After the farmer was 8, the sons went to work to find the pot of gold; since they did not 9 where the hiding-place was, they agreed to begin in a line, at one 10 of the orchard, and to dig until one of them should find the money.

    They 11until they turned up the 12 from one end of the orchard to 13.14 no pot of gold was to be found. It seemed as if someone must have stolen it, or as if the farmer had been wandering in his wits. The three sons were bitterly 15 to have all their work for nothing.

    The next olive 16, the olive trees in the orchard bore (结果实) more fruit than they had 17 given; when it was 18, it gave the sons a whole pot of gold.

    And when they saw how much money had 19 the orchard, they suddenly understood what the wise father had 20 when he said, “There is gold hidden in the orchard. Dig for it, if you wish it.”

How to deal with your homework

    Write it down. Make a note on your notebook. Always be sure to write down any homework for school so you won't forget anything.

    Create a homework station. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to work. It will take twice as long to get the homework done. Shut off your cell phone, log off (退出) your computer (unless you will need it for your homework) and close the door.

    Do has early as possible. Don't leave homework to die last minute. The earlier you start your homework, the sooner you will finish! Do all your homework as early as you can, so you don't have a pile of (一堆) homework the next day.

     Think about how long it will take you to complete each homework subject. For example: English-ten minutes, science-ten minutes, math-forty minutes, history-twenty minutes.

    Treat yourself. You can easily get tired by sitting through an hour or two of homework without stopping. Once you finish homework for a subject, take a small break. Just make sure it's quick (no more than 15 minutes). Do not turn on the TV, or you'll never go back and finish your homework.

A. Use your time wisely.

B. Start as soon as you get home.

C. Start your hardest homework.

D. Never do your homework in front of the TV.

E. You can take a walk or find something to eat.

F. After short breaks, return to finish up the last of your work.

G. Keep a homework notebook where you record all your homework.

1)、开始学习高中英语时，觉得比初中英语难得多，几乎丧失信心。

2)、后来认识到英语的重要性。

3)、每天努力学习英语。

4)、向老师和同学请教更好的英语学习方法。

5)、现在英语取得了很大进步，对英语越来越感兴趣。

6)、信的开头结尾已给出。

提示：初中 junior high school 高中 senior high school

词数：100左右词

Dear Mr. Li,

    I am glad to tell you that

                                                                                                                                         Yours

                                                                                                                                          Li Hua