When difficult people express themselves orally, they generally want at least two things: they're been heard and they're been understood. As a good communicator should be a good listener, five steps are advocated towards good listening.

    The first step is cooperating. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In fact, it's through the way you look and should while he is talking. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You do this by nodding your head in agreement, making certain sounds of understanding.

    When the person begins to repeat what's been said, it's signal of step two: turning back. It means that you repeat back some words he is using, sending a clear signal that you're listening carefully and that you think what he is saying is important.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} At this point, you start to gather information about what is being communicated. Ask some open-ended questions, which will allow you to figure out what intention he is hoping to satisfy.

    The fourth step is to summarize what you've heard. This allows you to make sure that both you and the difficult person are on the same page. When you do this, two things happen. First, if you've shown that you're making an effort to understand completely. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Having listened carefully, you've now arrived at the point of confirming with the person that he feels that his thoughts have been fully voiced. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    When enough sincere listening, questioning, and remembering are brought together, understanding is usually achieved and a difficult person becomes less difficult and more cooperative.

A. You may help him to fully express his thoughts and feelings.

B. Why does this happen?

C. Ask if he feels understood.

D. This increases possibility of gaining cooperation from him.

E. Talk with him about what he thinks of his expression.

F. Having heard what he has to say, the next step is clarifying.

G. How does a difficult person know that you're listening and understanding?

    Plants are very important living things. Life could not go if there were no plants. This is because plants can make food from air, water and sunlight.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Animals get their food by eating plants and other animals.    So animals and man need plants in order to live.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    If you look carefully at the plants around you, you will find that there are two kinds of plants: flowering plants and non-flowering plants.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The seeds are protected by the fruits. Some fruits have one seed, some have two, three or four, and some have many seeds.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. An example of a fruit without seeds is the banana fruit.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. They grow from spores（孢子）. Spores are very small. Some spores are so small and light that they can float in the air. We may say that spores are quite the same as the seeds, when these spores fall on wet and shady places, they usually grow into new plants.

A. There are about half a million kinds of plants in the world

B. Animals and man cannot make food from air, water and sunlight

C. But a few fruits have no seeds at all

D. Not all the plants grow from the seeds

E. This is why we find that there are so many plants around us

F. Flowering plants can make seeds

G. Most non-flowering plants don't grow from seeds

    The USA is a society formed by many different immigrant cultures that produced a new and mixed culture. Most Americans celebrate different customs which started in other countries and start several new traditions and cultures. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They tend to live independently, and communicate directly, honestly and informally with their families, friends and colleagues.

    Americans always keep advancing with the times. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In America, it is relatively common for both parents to work, and American women are equal partners in marriage.

    In the USA, the most common family unit consists of the parents and children living under one roof. Most American children are taught to compete, through organized sports and education, as well as speak out their minds and have confidence to stand up for what they believe in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Many immigrant families also feature several generations living under one roof, with younger family members respecting the elders' needs and valuing their opinions.

    When people from different cultures get married and have children, they may have issues when it comes to maintaining their unique traditions and mixing shared customs at the same time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, with a little effort, children in these families can benefit from having both outlooks and traditions. Children who are raised bilingually can also benefit in future careers and learn to make decisions better than monolingual kids.

A. Many Americans find happy life is important.

B. They are also taught to respect their parents at all costs.

C. It can be a challenge to find the perfect balance between cultures.

D. According to socialists, the American family culture has many unique aspects.

E. American children refuse to follow their parents' advice and always argue with them.

F. Changing rather than sticking to tradition is considered by many Americans as improvement.

G. The difference is easy to deal with if parents can meet halfway and stand in the other's shoes.

    Hobbies play an important role in our life. Most people have a lot of free time available but seldom use it gainfully. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are many hobbies from which you can pick and you can choose one that suits your talents.

    Once you have decided to start a hobby, it will be wise to go through a list of popular hobbies and choose one that is close to your heart and can make you feel confident. Some of the most popular hobbies that people generally take to are reading, listening to music, gardening, fishing, sports, music, exercise and computer-related activities. Each of these hobbies can give you great benefits. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Learning a new hobby is really a wonderful experience. As you progress, you will be living in a new world and learning new skills. You will begin to discover your hidden talents that you didn't know. You will start reading more about your hobby, meeting other hobbyists with similar interests, exchanging views and building friend circles both near and far. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In these games you will get the opportunity to meet others on a regular basis and develop great relationship.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They can help you keep good health and remain fit. On the other hand, if you are young and take a great interest in sports, you can develop your skills and finally get financially rewarded too. Similarly, gardening provides the hobbyist with enjoyable pastime and opportunity for relaxation. At the same time they get the rewards of their labor.

    People take up hobbies for interest  enjoyment and relaxation. Over a period of time, you might develop outstanding skills and get financially rewarded. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

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.

    Britain's high streets are dying slowly

    Twenty years ago, the prosperous high street(繁华商业区) was the heart of most cities. It was crowded with customers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Nowadays, high streets are declining, with very few shops and shoppers. With about 14 shops down every day, Britain's high streets are dying little by little. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}It's fairly easy to understand. To start with, people are spending less because of the economic recession(衰退). On top of that, more and more people are using the Internet to do their shopping. And it is not easy for shopkeepers in the high streets, either. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Finally, there are the out-of-town retail parks with free car parking that sell just about everything at very low prices. What can be done? Prime Minister David Cameron has hired Mary Portas, a British business woman and star of TV show Mary Queen of Shops, to bring some life back into Britain's high streets. She's talked about creating "magnets(磁石)" to attract people back to the centre. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}In one town, a bicycle rickshaw(人力车) service is delivering people's shopping to their homes. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}where children can be cared for while parents are shopping. Members of the public have also voiced their opinions. "My ideal shopping center is one where there's a wide selection of attractive looking shops, with cheap parking and good public transport links," said a 28-year-old man. "I'd like to see Night Shopping evenings where shops are open through to 10 pm or later," said a 22-year-old girl.

A. They have to pay increasing high rents.

B. But he is not the only one to solve the problem.

C. But that's all changed.

D. In another town, they set up night shopping centers,

E. In another town, they set up a nursery,

F. They can make a fortune overnight.

G. Why are high streets in such a desperate situation?