Fun doesn't have to be expensive

    Everyone likes to have fun, but not everyone has much money to spend. Here are some free or cheap ways to enjoy yourself.

    Go outside

    Going outside in good weather can be a lot of fun if you don't want to stay at home. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you live in a city, you can go window-shopping. Or you can explore an old part of town and admire the buildings.

    Try a hobby

    While you're out, take pictures of things you find. Planning and taking pictures can make you aware of the beauty all around you. Photographic equipment can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. You probably already own a camera or a cell phone that can take pictures. Other creative hobbies can also be done with basic materials. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Find an event

    Libraries often hold free public events. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}And while you're there, borrow a book or movie for free. Museums and universities also hold free events.

    If you can't find a free event, you can volunteer at an event that requires tickets. People who organize concerts and plays need help.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Sometimes they reward volunteers with free tickets.

    Meet a friend

    Relationships are often the best things in life. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For example, invite a friend for a walk, an event or a time working on your hobby. Hosting doesn't have to be difficult. If your friend comes in the afternoon, you don't have to serve a meal. You can sit and talk, play board games or card games or watch a movie together.

A. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

B. Stop by one to find out what's going on.

C. Hike or bicycle with a friend on a nearby path or in a park.

D. Whatever you do, find a friend to share it with.

E. It's a good idea to stay at home to watch a movie.

F. You can set up or take down chairs or greet visitors.

G. Drawing and writing require nothing more than a pencil and paper.

    Have you used “um…” “like…” “you know…” in your speech? Catch words(口头禅) are unnecessary words used to fill up dead paces while you speak. Speaking too many catch words is like a bad habit that we are unaware of. While most people tend to ignore it in everyday conversation, in a formal speech or an interview, too many catch words can make even the best presentation look bad.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Stop when we are in doubt. Catch words are used more often when a person is unsure about the sentence to use next.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}If you are lost or in doubt over what to say next, just stop speaking, take a long pause, breathe in , figure out what to say and start again.

    Speak consciously and slowly. If the speech is too long and you talk continuously without thinking, then you might also be pushing in a few catch words in between.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}It is best to memorize the tricky parts of the speech, like the introduction and the conclusion where a majority of the catch words are used.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Preparing for the speech is very important when trying to remove catch words. Make it a point to pause when there is a comma or give two pauses at the end of the sentence. If certain words in the speech need to be emphasized then underline them and practice them as they need to be said.

    Avoid catch words in conversations. Get a friend or your partner to help you out when rehearsing a conversation.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Although it can be an unpleasant and often embarrassing process, but in the long run it helps in cutting down on catch words.

A. Practise your speech when you can.

B. Remember the saying that silence is golden.

C. Therefore we can find out best friends to guide us well.

D. Anytime you use a catch word, the friend can point it out.

E. So we should learn some ways to avoid speaking such words.

F. Structure the speech well to include as much information as is needed.

G. The mind is so busy trying to figure out what to say that there is a strong urge to speak such words.

How to Calm Down at Work

    The workplace can be a stressful place. Anxiety, conflict, bad management and overwork can lead to frustration and stress.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep something you like to look at within sight. A photo of a loved one or a favorite personal souvenir are the best examples. Keep such an item somewhere you can glance at it whenever you wish to do so.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Take a moment to engage your body. If you're unable to leave your work area, stand and stretch for a moment. Muscle tension exercises can also help you calm down.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For instance, start by squeezing all of your face muscles as tightly as you can for twenty seconds and slowly releasing them.

    Write down the reason why you are upset.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper can help clarify the issue you're having. Writing down your thoughts can even help you determine the best way to address your frustration or anxiety and move forward.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you and another co-worker are constantly frustrated with one another, set up a time to speak with him or her. Say something like, "Hey, Sarah, let's sit down sometime soon and chat to make sure we're on the same page about our upcoming project."

A. Turn to your workmates for help

B. Communicate with your workmates

C. A vase of flowers on your desk is another good example

D. Focus on one particular muscle or muscle group at a time

E. Here are the steps you can take to help you calm down at work

F. Engage your body by rolling your head, shoulder, and ankles while sitting

G. The best way to figure out exactly what's bothering you is to write it down

How to Read More and Learn More

    These days, more and more Chinese people enjoy sending and receiving messages on the phone. It can help them to get the latest news and communicate with friends. But I think I should read more books besides the textbooks, the more, the better. It can broaden my mind and improve my language skills. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Do you know how to read more and learn more? Here are some tips for you.

    Clear your purpose for reading.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Most people read for two main reasons, pleasure or knowledge. Clearing about your reading purpose can not only help you choose the books you really need to read, but also remind you why reading the book is important to you, so you will keep reading and complete the book faster.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    No matter what you are reading, it is important to enjoy what you read. Your friends may tell you the books they love, but those books might not necessarily be the ones you enjoy.

    Give up books that you don't enjoy.

    You may have chosen books that you are interested in, and they are right purpose. But while you are reading them, there may still be some books that you don't enjoy reading. Whenever you realize that you aren't enjoying the book you are reading, give it up.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Set a reading goal.

    It is interesting that I read the books borrowed from libraries faster than those I bought. The reason is the books I bought don't have a due date! I don't need to return those books.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Before you read each book, ask yourself what time you need to complete this book by.

A. Read only what you are interested in.

B. Read the books borrowed from others.

C. Remember reading shouldn't be a chore.

D. Of course, it also can help me to get good grades.

E. We need to get the latest news and communicate with friends.

F. Before you start reading, ask yourself why you are reading this book.

G. Having a reading goal helps you work out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day.

Hollywood movies are regularly filled with sex and violence. They can be exciting films but sometimes all you want is a 1ittle 1ight-hearted entertainment.

Have you heard of Bollywood? All singing, all dancing and unrealistic, it is the perfect alternative to normal Hollywood movies. Bollywood is the Indian film industry, based in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Yet Bollywood is the largest producer of films in the world. This year the Indian Filmgare Awards, Bollywood's Oscars, turn 50 years old.

The typical Bollywood movie usually has the following ingredients(组成成分): a cup of romance, a tea-spoon of comedy, a dash of international sight-seeing, served with a huge slice of singing and dancing. There will also be one brave hero, one beautiful heroine and one bad guy. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Bollywood films are full of ideal things and free of daily worries. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The actors change clothes and locations within a single song. But the ạudience don't mind. To Indian movie lovers, especially the poor, such films are a gateway to heaven and the stars are their gods. The films take them to a magical world away from their everyday troubles. The films tell them the impossible is possible and that true 1ove conquers all.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Behind the beautiful scenes, Bollywọod still emphasizes(重视) traditional family values. In most films, if two lovers want to break an arranged marriage, they can't just run away. They must win over their parents.

    Bollywood is a decent(正派的) refreshing replacement for those over-stimulating(评价过高的) Hollywood films. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}They will take you to a brighter, cheerier and more colorful world where it's still cool to dance around a tree and sing a love song.

A. Bollywood has gradually won its reputation(名声) on the world stage.

B. There is never any mention of politics, poverty or war.

C. Most Chinese school kids have probably never seen an Indian film.

D. Bollywood films are mostly comic romances with 1ight-hearted incidental(附带的) music.

E. Bollywood pays great attention to traditional values.

F. The result is a fun-filled musical.

G. So if you're tired of all that Hollywood actions, check out the following Bollywoọd films.

    You may not realize it, but you are doing more than just studying when you are at school. The school is also the place where you learn how to get along well with others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} What can you do if you just don't like one of your classmates?

    If you discover that you have problems getting along with your classmates or friends，the most important thing to learn is tolerance(宽容). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} We cannot change the way that other people do, so it is important to learn to live happily with them.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Knowing others constantly makes us understand others, differences. Something different does not exactly mean that it is bad. Tolerance teaches us to keep an even temper and an open mind.

    You need to remember an old saying, "Treat others how you want to be treated." You would like to be treated kindly by your classmates, so it is important to treat them kindly too. If you tolerate something, it does not mean that you have to like it. No one is asking you to change who you are or what you believe in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It is important to practice tolerance because it will make everyone's life easier. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The world is very different, and practicing tolerance in your own school and city can help make a difference.

A. Learn to accept people for their different abilities and interests.

B. Tolerance will make everyone get on better with each other.

C. So it is important to learn to get on well with others.

D. Tolerance is the ability to realize and respect the differences in others.

E. Tolerance is a useful tool in everyday communication.

F. But this is not always easy.

G. Tolerance just means that you should respect the differences in others and not try to make them change.