Question: I have recently got a senior position within my company．One of my new tasks is to make monthly progress reports on my department in front of other senior officials. During my first meeting, I presented and then opened the floor to questions．{#blank#}1{#/blank#} My first reaction was to answer defensively(防卫地;戒备地)．Later, I realized that I shouldn't have felt that way．But how can I keep cool and effectively answer questions in this type of settings?

Answer: Congratulations on your new position! Presenting in front of your peers (同事) is a hard task in itself and it becomes much more difficult when a question-and-answer period is required! Question-and-answer periods are a great way to clarify (使……清楚) the message and strengthen key points．{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

●{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When a person is asking a question, show interest and a desire to understand the question by listening and asking for clarification.

● Buy time

    When facing a hard question, most people can't give an answer immediately．Buy time by repeating the question in your own words．{#blank#}4{#/blank#} These techniques allow you to quickly organize your thoughts as well as to make sure you will be correctly answering the question.

● Suggest a private meeting.

    A one-to-one meeting is a calmer setting than speaking in front of your peers. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A．Show your true interest.

B．Restate the question with respect.

C．Some ideas can be quite concrete.

D．There were many difficult questions.

E．It can also be more effective in exchanging ideas.

F．You may also ask for clarification on the question.

G．Here are some ideas that can help prepare for your next meeting.

    Final exam time can often be stressful. While some stress can actually be a positive motivator(动力), being too nervous can be problematic, especially if it interferes with your test taking performance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Deal with your anxiety(焦虑). Try to determine the source of your test anxiety. If it stems from(起源于) a lack of preparation on your part, your anxiety is considered a reasonable response(回复). However, if you believe that you are prepared for the test, but are still nervous, this may be unreasonable. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Prepare for those tests. This is the best way to reduce anxiety. Avoid cramming(临时死记硬背)for a test. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}When studying, try to create questions that could possibly be asked on the test. If it is impossible for you to cover all of the material for the test, choose one part that you know you will be able to cover and present well.

    Change your attitude. Improving your beliefs and attitudes about the test-taking experience can actually help you enjoy studying and may improve your performance. Don't overplay the importance of the grade. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Don't forget about yourself and what you need. This means thinking of yourself as a total person, not just as a test taker. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. You can't bring out your best if you are tired. Do something relaxing when you feel well prepared.

A. Ease your stress.

B. Don't forget the basics.

C. Remind yourself that it is very important.

D. Either way, it can be very helpful to know how to work with their effects.

E. It is not a reflection of your self-worth, nor does it predict your future success.

F. Here's some advice to help make the end-of-the-term experience less stressful.

G. It can produce high levels of anxiety and is not helpful in trying to learn a large amount of material.

Prepare to Succeed

    People are always thinking about success. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This thought isn't one that brings them closer, however, because thinking, dreaming or wishing just doesn't get it done.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You may ask, “Why is preparation necessary?”

    The easiest answer to this question is to say that if you are not ready to move forward, then you may just as well keep doing what you have always done.

    Success doesn't come easy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Success requires you to be prepared to sacrifice leisure time, or time spent watching television or going out with friends, at every opportunity. Success means you are prepared to do whatever it takes to constantly move the yardsticks （码尺）forward day after day.

    Here is just one quote, from Calvin Coolidge, the 30^th president of the United States, that expresses what preparation is about: “{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow.” This quote can be interpreted to mean that you may have strength or confidence to start on your way right now to move toward your final goal. However, it is also critical that committed action each day builds to help you keep going when obstacles arise or when you just don't feel like you have the interest or energy to stay focused.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}That shows you what steps or actions to take, when to take them or what to do if issues, obstacles or other life issues get in the way.

    The bottom line is actually quite clear: You are either willing, able and committed to achieve what you want, or you are simply dreaming or wishing that success finds you.

A. There are no shortcuts （捷径）.

B. Success is getting what you want.

C. Our real problem is not our strength today.

D. Preparation also means that you have a plan or a goal.

E. The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

F. It is in their brains as they go about daily routines looking for something better.

G. One of the most important parts of personal or professional success is preparation.

    We automatically assume that as adults, we're wiser than when we were children. However, actually we can learn a lot from our childhood self. For example, we can learn to develop optimism about the future. Do you remember how excited you used to be just before Christmas? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Reintroduce that childlike wonder into our daily experiences.

    We can learn to dream big and imagine the impossible. How often have you heard a child say something like “One day, I'm going to be an astronaut”? Our adult minds immediately laugh at this idea and think about all the logical reasons as to why this might never happen. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}We minimize our chances of attaining what we dream about. It is okay to dream big just as our childhood self did.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Our childhood self looked at possibilities and believed we could achieve them successfully. If we wanted to build a tree house, we'd go about thinking about how to make it happen instead of focusing on all the reasons it might not happen. In this way we can fill our life with possibilities rather than regrets.

    We can learn to be playful and silly sometimes, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Children spend a large amount of time escaping from reality to mess about and have fun. Make time for your childhood self to come out and play. Run around the garden, wear a silly hat or spend time laughing. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Don't imagine things could go wrong.

B. We can learn to hold a “can do” attitude.

C. That feeling of great joy is hard to beat.

D. Most children tend to think in a positive way.

E. All of these activities can make us feel happy and alive.

F. We employ self-limiting beliefs without even realizing it.

G. All work and no play makes a person very dull and upset.

    Many people are aiming and praying to be happy. What they do not know is that happiness is a journey and not a destination. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some of the how­to's.

    Be true to yourself. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can withdraw with a person that cannot satisfy you. You can change a job. You can choose friends. If you think people, things and events in your life don't give you happiness, let them go and think of better ways.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Think of good things and not the opposite. When you think you have less money in your pocket, don't say "I don't want to be poor". Say I want to be rich or I have more than enough money for everything. You'll notice you'll attract a lot of good things, gifts and good people in your life that could improve your financial aspect.

    Start your day with hopes. By the time you wake up, stretch your muscles with hopes and thoughts of abundance in your brain. You'll get more energy than waking up with bad mood. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Always smile. Nobody wants to be depressed people. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You cannot sell your products if you are not marketable enough. Smile makes some people's day. Smile and the world smiles with you.

    Happiness depends on yourself. If you want happiness in your life, you have to prove it in your actions. To receive, feel and be happy is to do happy things to others.

A. Always think positive.

B. Be thankful for the journey you are taking.

C. It is so uncomfortable to be with people who love frowning.

D. Don't pretend if you do not like a situation.

E. Accept people for who they are and don't compare them with other better people.

F. Every good thing in the world is already here and it's up to us to work for happiness.

G. If you start your day with good mood, you'll end it with good mood.

A: Excuse me, Madam. You can't park in front of the shop.

B: I'm so sorry. It's my first time to drive alone. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

A: {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I think you can park there.

B: {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

A: About two kilometers.

B: Thanks. Can you tell me the way there?

A: You can use the guide map in your car. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

B: But I don't know how to use it! Can you help me?

A: {#blank#}5{#/blank#} All right, it's OK now.

B: It's very kind of you. Thank you so much!

A: You are welcome.