Is it necessary to learn when we are 50s, 60s or even 70s? Most people consider when they get retired, they are supposed to be completely laidback, do something fun, or hang around. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}It's particularly important to the elderly.

    Through learning, we know how to think, how to memorize, how to ask questions and even how to interact with others. According to a study, while we are learning, the brain creates neural(神经) pathways that make us smarter.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}The more we learn, the more new neural pathways develop in our brains.

When it comes to learning, it doesn't mean we must load ourselves with lots of knowledge. What we need to do is just learn something we like day in and day out.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Everyone learns from bottom to up. If we have an interest to learn, that desire will naturally push us to move forward.

As we feel worn out from learning, don't be discouraged.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}An old saying goes, “Birds of a feather fly together.” As long as we have partners to learn all together, our learning excitement will come alive again. On the contrary, if we don't learn, and choose to distance ourselves from others, we might be getting dumb, and slow; eventually, we lose energy, and life passion. Instead of being bored, dumb, why don't we keep learning?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} More importantly, learning explores our life horizon, helps us build up our confidence; gradually, it leads us to a way of finding a sense of value and achievement in the process of learning journey.

A. It's never too old to learn.

B. Don't worry if we cannot learn well.

C. You should set a high learning target.

D. Learning makes us understand how potential we are.

E. In other words, our brains are active as we learn something new.

F. Look for a partner who has the same common interest as you do.

G. However, the truth is that learning makes us energetic, and self-fulfilled.

Problem-solving skills

    We face problems in our everyday life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Don't worry. The following tips may help you to solve problems.

    ⒈Know the problem

    First of all, it is important to know and understand the problem clearly.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Following questions like why, what, how, when, where and who will take you to the root cause of the problem.

    ⒉Analyze the problem

    Analyzing the problem will give you time to think of a proper solution. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It can be a diagram, a flow chart or a list, etc.

    ⒊Plan a strategy(策略)

    Planning a strategy will help you waste less energy and time in trying all the solutions. This step includes knowing the advantages and disadvantages of a solution. In this way you can rule out the strategy that you don't find worthy to apply.

    ⒋{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Leave out the information that is not required for the solving of the problem. You need to be accurate with the details. Keeping the irrelevant(不相关的) information usually won't simplify the problem as we tend to overlook the relevant information.

    ⒌Carry out the solution

    Carrying out the solution in a correct way to get the expected result is important while solving a problem. You need to be creative while carrying out a solution just in case some other problem arises while applying the solution.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Solving a problem is easy if you understand the problem in the first place. By analyzing the problem, planning a strategy, using the best solution, and carrying out the solution in the best method, you will solve your problem smoothly.

A. Make a wise decision.

B. Delete irrelevant information

C. You can use various tools to analyze the problem.

D. Knowing the problem means solving half the problem itself.

E. It can be social problems, relationship problems, or problems at work.

F. Sometimes we can take wrong decisions for solving the problems in haste.

G. Being ready with other choices is also important in case a solution works only half way.

    When you're in high school, it can be difficult to find a job. You may not have much, or any, formal work experience and there aren't many jobs available for teenagers. However, if you're looking for a job, there are things you can do to help get your application noticed and help yourself get hired. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Don't be shy.

    Tell everyone you know you are looking for a job. Many jobs aren't advertised and you may be able to get a good job lead from a friend or family member.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    One good way to get experience is to start by working for friends and neighbors. Babysitting, garden work, doing cleaning, and pet sitting all can be included on your resume (简历).

Keep an open mind.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is a tough market and you may not be able to find a job doing what you want to do. The more flexibility you have, the more opportunities you'll be able to apply for. Plus, even if the job isn't your first choice, it may turn out to be better than you expected.

    Check the rules.

    There are only certain jobs you can do and hours you can work. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The minimum age you can work at paid non-agricultural employment is 14.

    Write a resume.

    A resume may not be required by employers. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Even though you may not have much information to include, a resume shows that you're serious about your job search.

A. Start close to home.

B. Be always optimistic.

C. You can count on the following chance.

D. Don't limit yourself to certain types of jobs.

E. But it can help you stand out from the competition.

F. These job search tips will help you get your job search started.

G. Check the Child Labor Law regulations to see how they apply to you.

    Keeping the memory in shape is important at any age, but it requires a bit more work as we grow. There are some simple activities that can improve your memory.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Awaken your senses.

    Use your senses to help your memory store(储存) needed information.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You can ask yourself like this: Is the sky a light blue or deep purple? The more involved(参与的) you can be in the information, the easier it is for your brain to store it.

    Use imagination and relation.

    Trying to remember names? Let's say you meet a man named Frank Parker.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Tie the two together by picturing Frank dressed up in a hot dog costume(服装) parking his car in the parking lot. Now each time you see Frank, you should easily recall his name.

    Breathe deeply and relax.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Relax, breathe deeply and slowly and let your mind ease up for a minute. Being relaxed makes it easier for information to be both stored and remembered.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    When you come upon something you need to remember, say to yourself, "Hey, pay attention and remember this! "You are giving yourself a wake-up call as well as giving your mind a marker that it can use to help in storing the new information.

A. Give yourself an order.

B. Get a good night's sleep.

C. Here are four of them to get you started.

D. Picture a hot dog for Frank and a car for Parker.

E. For example, note the colors of a picture you want to remember.

F. When we try hard to remember something we often become nervous.

G. The way you live influences not only your physical health but also your memory.

How to politely refuse an invitation

    Have you ever received an invitation that you couldn't accept? Do you have difficulty in refusing it without hurting someone's feelings?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. In fact, this happens to most people at some time in their lives. Here are some tips on how to turn down an invitation in a polite way.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Putting the invitation aside to deal with it later isn't good for you or the person who sent it. He needs to know whether or not you will be there. Ignoring the invitation shows that you don't know proper etiquette(礼节), and you might be left off the guest list for his next party.

    Be honest. You don't ever have to come up with false excuses for why you're unable to go to the event, but you also don't have to go into details.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} That will be enough.

    Ask for a different time. If the invitation is not proper for you, let the person know you're unable to make it at the time he requested.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} In this way, both of you won't feel uncomfortable about the event.

    Don't over-explain.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Long and unclear explanations will make it sound like you're just trying to come up with excuses.

A. Don't ignore the invitation.

B. Don't respond immediately.

C. Let him know that you already have plans.

D. Do you wonder what you should send to the inviters?

E. If you can't make it  keep your explanation short and to the point.

F. Does it trouble you to turn someone down?

G. But tell him you'd love to get together with him at another time.

    Do you remember those times when your mother told you to avoid talking to strangers? But now you're not a child anymore. In fact, there are advantages of talking to strangers.

    You can meet a really great person.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can meet a person who'll become your best friend in future. You can also meet someone who'll give you a chance to get your dream job or somehow help you in life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You have some opinion about different subjects and you know your friends' and relatives' points of view about them too. But there are millions of other people who think differently and can give you unpredictable yet smart ideas that'll broaden your horizons.

    You improve your social skills.

    Whatever social skills you have, you can make them better when talking to strangers. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can better these skills when talking to a stranger.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If you belong to that shy type of people, talking to a stranger may seem to be a real challenge for you. I'm also extremely shy but I realize it's not an issue at all. You can overcome your fear of being judged by others by talking to strangers and become more confident.

    You can cheer someone up.

    The thing you'll definitely like about talking to strangers is that you can make someone's day better. Smile and people will smile in return. Compliment people and they'll think something pleasant about you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}