Ways to make a great first impression

    You've heard it a million times already, but it really does take but a few seconds to make that all-important first impression (印象). Here are some easy ways for you to impress your classmates or teachers.

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    Before you shake hands with somebody, make sure that your hands are clean. The handshake should not be too strong or weak. Most people use their right hands, unless they have a reason to use the left.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Be on time

    When meeting someone for the first time, arriving on time is as important as breathing. You may have an excuse, but that will leave the person who hardly knows you with a bad impression.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's better to be hanging around the place than be stuck in traffic.

    Introduce yourself and ask for names

    Make sure you properly introduce yourself. Ask for their name in a polite way.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This will increase the chances of their remembering your name in the future. Always remember to stand up when greeting someone and be sure to introduce them to anyone you're with.

    Make good conversation

    To get the most out of your discussion, try to find something common between the two of you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} A person will feel more comfortable with someone they can relate to (产生共鸣).

A. You'll be in serious trouble if you leave them with a bad impression.

B. However, don't have your left hand in your pocket because this appears impolite.

C. Use body language

D. Have a proper handshake

E. Repeat the name and use it later in conversation.

F. As a general rule, plan to arrive about 30 minutes early.

G. It could be a similar taste in clothes or a common hobby.

    Everyone knows that fish is good for health.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But it seems that many people don't cook fish at home. Americans eat only about fifteen pounds of fish per person per year, but we eat twice as much fish in restaurants as at home. Buying, storing, and cooking fish isn't difficult. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This text is about how to buy and cook fish in an easy way.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Fresh fish should smell sweet: you should feel that you're standing at the ocean's edge. Any fishy or strong smell means the fish isn't fresh.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When you have bought a fish and arrive home, you'd better store the fish in the refrigerator if you don't cook it immediately, but fresh fish should be stored in your fridge for only a day or two. Frozen fish isn't as tasty as the fresh one.

    There are many common methods used to cook fish.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} First, lean it and season it with your choice of spices. Put the whole fish on a plate and steam it in a steam pot for 8 to 10 minutes if it weighs about one pound. (A larger one will take more time). Then, it's ready to serve.

A. Do not buy it.

B. This is how you can do it.

C. The easiest is to steam it.

D. The fish will go bad within hours.

E. It just requires a little knowledge.

F. When buying fish, you should first smell it.

G. The fats in fish are thought to help prevent heart disease.

    About one hundred years ago many educated people learned and spoke French when they met people from other countries. Today most people speak English when they meet foreigners. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are more people who speak English as a second language than people who speak English as a first language. Why is this?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} One of them is that English has become the language of business. Another important reason is that popular American culture (like movies, music, and McDonald's)has quickly spread throughout the world. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Is it good that English has spread to all parts of the world so quickly? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's important to have a language that the people of the earth have in common. Our world has become very global and we need to communicate with one another. On the other hand, English is a fairly complicated language to learn and it brings its culture with it. Do we really need that?

    Scientists have already tried to create an artificial language that isn't too difficult and doesn't include any one group's culture. It is called Esperanto. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Maybe the popularity of English won't last that long either. Who knows? There are more people in the world who speak Chinese than any other language. Maybe someday Chinese will be the new international language.

A. People like English.

B. But it hasn't become popular.

C. It has brought its language with it.

D. There is no doubt about the question.

E. This is why English was widely spoken.

F. It has become the new international language.

G. There are many reasons why English has become so popular.

    While it is impossible to live completely free of stress, it is possible to prevent stress as well as reduce its effect when it can't be avoided. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Try physical activity.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Running, walking, playing tennis, and working in your garden are just some of the activities you might try.

    Make time for yourself

    Schedule time for both work and entertainment. Don't forget, play can be just as important to your overall well-being as work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Go window-shopping or work on a hobby. Allow yourself at least a half hour each day to do something you enjoy.

    Take care of yourself

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you easily get angry and can't sleep well enough, or if you're not eating properly, it will be more likely that you will fall into stressful situations. If stress repeatedly keeps you from sleeping, you should consult a doctor.

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Stress can result from disorganization and a feeling that "there's so much to do, and not enough time". Trying to take care of everything at once can be too much for you and as a result, you may not achieve anything. Instead, make a list of everything you have to do, then do one thing at a time, checking off each task as it is completed. Set out to do the most important task first.

A. Do whatever you like and want to do.

B. You should make every effort to eat well and get enough rest.

C. Make a list of things to do.

D. When you are nervous, angry or upset, try releasing the pressure through exercise or physical activity.

E. You need a break from your daily routine to just relax and have fun.

F. You could smile to yourself in front of a mirror every day.

G. The following are suggestions for ways to deal with stress.

    Have you avoided the gym because you're too nervous or self-conscious (难为情的)? But if becoming healthier and more fit is one of your goals, heading to the gym is probably on your agenda.

    First of all, let's put this into perspective. Your attention may go right to the fittest people in the room who are moving from machine to machine with ease.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It's hard to believe that every single one feels confident. One thing for sure is, repeated action builds up confidence, and the more frequently you go, the more familiar you'll get with your surroundings and the less nervous you'll feel. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Work out a plan. Walk around the gym and check out the busy areas, the less crowded areas, the different machines, etc. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Now, with a plan in place, you can confidently move from exercise to exercise.

    Start slow with cardio (健心运动). You can also get familiar with the gym by getting onto a stationary bike and going at a relaxed pace.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Notice other people and what exercises they are doing to get some ideas, look at the machines around you, and survey the gym to feel more comfortable.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You may feel the need to move quickly from machine to machine. But if you stop to observe others around you, you'll notice many of them are working out in a relaxed manner. So, take your time, walk slowly and use that time to figure out your next move. Who knows if you're planning your next exercise or heading somewhere? Other people are so focused on their routine that they're most likely not paying attention to you anyway.

A. Slow down your pace.

B. Get the plan ready and then follow it.

C. Then, sit down and write out the order of your workout.

D. Think of how many people are frequenting gyms each day.

E. Use this time to scan the gym instead of wandering around aimlessly.

F. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident in the gym.

G. There is no need to be self-conscious about your level of physical fitness.

Every New Year, thousands decide they're going to change their lives. Fewer than 10 percent actually stick with their plans, and that figure is being generous. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Not aiming high enough. While it's easy to think setting easy goals will keep you motivated, it may harm your long-term motivation. If you make goals that are too achievable, you'll get bored and lose interest. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. If you're used to staying within your comfort zone, you'll be missing out on the satisfaction of achieving a life-changing goal. When you push yourself, you'll be able to build unshakable confidence as you achieve goal after goal.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. This is a fear many of us deal with. Instead of taking action, we start worrying about " What if?" "What if it doesn't work out? What if my dream isn't truly my dream? What if I don't succeed?" If you have trouble creating a vision , then you're at the risk of being aimless through life. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. You can start the process of discovering your life purpose by asking yourself, " What would my ideal life look like?"

Letting fear control your mind and actions. Fear can prevent you from achieving your dreams. You'll miss out on opportunities in life if you don't learn how to manage your fears. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. One way to manage fear is to look for the root cause of your fear. With deep introspection (反省), you can uncover the exact moment when those fears are holding you back from growing. This will give you a window of opportunity to communicate with your inner being and find release.

A. Lacking self-confidence

B. Being uncertain about the future

C. Fortunately, fear can be overcome

D. Below you'll find some common reasons why you're losing motivation

E. Many of us are motivated not by a desire to achieve, but by fear of failure

F. Ideally, you want to strike a balance between pushing yourself and creating realistic goals

G. However, when you find your purpose and passion, you'll be driven to struggle for excellence