Four Ways to Be a Great Roommate

    Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or, easily, one of the worst.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Follow these tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relationships sour.

    Talk things out.

    Communication is key. If something happens, sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation. I've seen roommate relationships fall apart because something happens and, instead of talking to each other, the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Don't expect to be best friends.

    Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don't. Don't put pressure on yourself or your roommate, especially when you first meet. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend, don't worry.

    Ask before you take.

    This applies to food, clothes and anything else. If you want to keep a relationship going, show your roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}     ◇Clean up after yourself.

    This should do without saying. Don't be lazy. Or, at least, don't bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage. Most people I've come across in college are messy. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But being considerate with where you put your stuff will help you avoid conflict.

A. So you need to think twice before you help your roommates out.

B. This creates nothing but awkward situations and unhappiness.

C. Even if you both agree to share everything, you should still ask.

D. You don't have all the time to clean your room and keep it organized.

E. It all starts with you to have a good relationship with your roommate.

F. Sometime you get stuck with someone who has tons of negative energy.

G. Remember, you're trying to make a new friend, not to scare your roommate away.

    I just realized that while children are dogs-loyal and affectionate-teenagers are cats.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You feed it, train it, and boss it around. It puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it. However, around age 13, your adoring little puppy(child) turns into a big old cat(teenager). Then when you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died. Instead of following your doorsteps, it disappears.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Not realizing that the dog is now a cat, you think something must be desperately wrong within. Since you're the one who raised it, you assume that you did something wrong. Now you're dealing with a cat. Filled with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Call it, and it runs way. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter.

    Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you can learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}You sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it. One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, "You've been working hard all day. Let me get those dishes for you."{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It's so easy to be a dog owner.

B. Children as cats can turn to their parents.

C. You won't see it again until it gets hungry.

D. Then you'll realize your cat is a dog again.

E. Teenagers can understand and appreciate their parents' love.

F. But remember that a cat needs your help and your affection, too.

G. However, all the efforts made before now produce the opposite of the desired result.

    Did you take part in a camp this summer? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}To choose which camp is best for you, first you must do a bit of research.

    Maybe you've never thought about it before, but every great summer camp has the same main goals — opportunity, challenge and growth.

    Opportunity means you are given a chance to do something special. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, if you are interested in writing, then you can choose to join a journalism camp. You may even have the opportunity to meet famous journalists there.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You must finish the task and succeed in overcoming the challenge. Then you will have a sense of accomplishment. For example, you could take a lifeguard course at some summer camps. If you pass the exam, then you will receive a certificate (证书）to become a real lifeguard.

    This also leads to the third and most important goal of every great summer camp personal growth. It doesn't mean growing taller and stronger or more beautiful. It means seeing yourself improve, learning something new and doing something you didn't know you could do before. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    So in the future, when choosing your next summer camp, remember to ask yourself: Is it a special opportunity? Is it a challenge? Will I grow?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These will all happen naturally when you have the right goals at summer camp.

A. Challenge means you are given a task.

B. It also means becoming more confident in yourself.

C. Some camps focus on developing a certain skill or ability.

D. But what about friendship, fun and joy?

E. There are so many summer camps and not all of them are the same.

F. Of course, summer camps aren't all about adventure or study.

G. It also makes you special because other kids don't have the same opportunity.

    Nobody can live without money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, money cannot buy everything. You can't buy the following things only relying on money you have.

    Time

    Money is a tool for trade. We spend most of our time in getting, spending, worrying and fantasizing（想象）about money. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead, money takes away your time that could have been spent playing with your children or having a long walk with your friends. When the sun sets, a day goes away from our life forever. No money has power to bring that back to life.

    Self-respect

    There are a lot of examples to prove that no money can buy self-respect. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you are your worst enemy, gods of money can't save you from the self-destruction（自毁）you add to yourself.

    Health

    As I write this, I find that one of my best friends has brain cancer, and it is in the last period. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But no money can buy insurance for his life. We buy insurance for just about everything including our life but money can never bring our life back.

    Happiness

    This is doubtful. Money can buy happiness if it is spent bringing greater financial safety for the family. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Going after money every day can never find its destination（目的地，终点）with great eagerness（渴望）to get more.

A.Show your respect for others.

B.Self-respect is got from within.

C.Money can buy a lot of things.

D.You can't buy time or save it in your storeroom.

E.Of course money can give him the best health care.

F.So you should not try your best to earn money without caring about your health.

G.But money can't buy happiness if the purpose is to make much more money.

How to Pass Final Exams

    If you're a student, exams are an important part not only of any class, but also your final grade. Preparing throughout the semester is the most effective way to do well on your final exams. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}There are things you can do to help you pass your exams.

    Attend class regularly. You cannot successfully pass a class or exams if you do not attend the class. This will allow you to hear important lectures and take notes. It also helps you understand your readings and assignments. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Teachers usually discuss what is on an exam during classes. If you aren't in class, you can, t get this important information.

    Start studying early. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}A month before the test date is a good time to begin your preparations. You can study simply by reviewing your notes for 20­30 minutes a day. If you have questions, ask the teacher.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Practice exams are a highly effective way to study for tests. They will help you relax and point out any weak areas you may have going in to the final exam date. If you test yourself just twice, you will remember 75% ­ 80% of the material two weeks later. With no practice tests, that figure is just 20%.

    Reduce your anxiety. You wouldn't have anxiety if you weren't worried about passing your final exam. However, research shows that anxiety blocks your ability to focus, which can really put a damper （抑制）on your studying and test performance. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Do a practice exam.

B. Understand how you can study best.

C. Every individual learns differently.

D. Most exams are based on what happens in class.

E. It is never too early to start studying for a final exam.

F. Basically, there's just no shortcut for knowing the material.

G. Try some relaxation techniques when you're feeling worried.

    We just went Christmas shopping this weekend, just to pick up a little here and there for the kids. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. We have discovered how to save time and money through a little research. Follow me and you can find some excellent tips.

    First thing that you want to do is to make a list of what you are looking for exactly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. This will make your shopping experience less painful and time-wasting. It will also help with making it less expensive. You won't be persuaded to buy things that you don't need or want because it is on sale.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. If you are familiar with the stores that you are buying things from, you will already know how they work. For example, Wal-Mart gives excellent pricing only for online sales, as well as free shipping.

    When leaving your favorite stores, you want to look for exactly what is on your list. Compare prices and availability. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Don't just depend on your favorite stores. Sometimes you will come across things at prices you never knew in your familiar store.

    After pricing shopping, go back to the stores that have the best price for the thing you want and buy it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You may get it for a great price, but the shipping and handling costs will make you spend more if you are not careful.

A. We have to go shopping in our daily life.

B. We were shocked by the crowds and the costs.

C. Don't forget to go online to your favorite stores.

D. Know what it is that you are in need of before you go shopping.

E. Don't be persuaded to buy you don't need at all at home.

F. Something you need badly may not be sold online or in the store.

G. Care about not only the cost of the thing, but also the shipping cost.