Confidence is very important in daily life. It can help you to develop a healthy attitude (态度). A study shows that the people who are more confident are much happier. They can have more chances to make themselves successful. The following is about how to be more confident.

    Speak loud.  When you are not confident, you can't do well what you want to do. You speak in a voice so low that other people can hardly hear you. Try to speak loud enough so that people can hear you clearly. The high voice can help you become more confident.

    Play sports.  Physical exercise makes you tired but completely relaxed. A strong body helps you be full of confidence.

    Encourage yourself.  To see how many things you have done well, you can write down a list of things you did during the day. Did you finish your homework? Did you tell a joke that made everybody laugh? Give yourself praise for the good things you've done.

    Pick up a hobby.   If you like singing, sing as much as you can. In some ways, a hobby can make you outstanding. And it will make you happy and confident.

    Get rid of (消除) fear. Fear comes along with failure (失败). But it's easy to overcome (克服) if you know that failure is part of your life. Don't hide your head just because you said something stupid last time. Try to start again and believe you can do better.

    One night, Mary saw a girl sitting by the road near her house. The girl's coat was very old and thin. It couldn't keep warm at all. Mary thought a cotton coat may be helpful to the girl. So she opened the window and shouted to the girl, “Come to the front door of my house, please!” The girl was surprised, but she did as Mary said. She knocked at the door of Mary's house. Mary opened the door and smiled warmly to the poor girl. She handed a cotton coat to the girl. Just then she saw a smile on the girl's face. That night, Mary was very happy for what she had done.

    The poor girl had never appeared again since that night. Years later, Mary almost forgot the poor girl.

    One day, Mary got a call from a lawyer（律师）called Jack. Jack invited her to his office. After they met, Jack gave Mary a letter. It said, “Forty years ago, a beautiful girl helped me. In that winter, she gave me warmth and hope. Later I got through the hardest time in my life and then started a happy life.”

    After Mary read the letter, she remembered that homeless girl. “Where is she now?” asked Mary.

    “Mrs. Hope died two months ago,” answered Jack. “She left one of her houses to you. Besides, there is one more thing she left to you — a cotton coat.”

根据短文内容，回答下列问题。

Dear Linda,

    My best friend Lily always hangs out with a girl who used to bully(欺凌) her. And she doesn't seem to want to be around me any more.

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

    It's normal for friendships to change, and it's possible that the girl has changed over time. Instead of worrying about that, pay more attention to how your own friendship is changing. Hanging out with your friend mifht help to improve your friendship.

Dear Linda,

    I often argue with my mom about my after-school hobbies. Sometimes she starts it. Sometimes I do. Anyway, I feel unhappy after arguing. What should I do?

Mike

Dear Mike,

    Find a right time to talk to your mom. Tell her that you're unhappy after arguing with her and that you'd like to work out a way to avoid arguments.

Dear Linda,

    I always dream dream of becoming a writer. But when I go back to reading a story I've written, it sounds boring and I don't want to finish it. Should I keep trying to write?

Nick

Dear Nick,

    Every writer has been where you are--a place where nothing he writes sounds right. However, you should go on writing as much as you can. The more you practice, the better you'll get. Also, keep reading can help you learn a lot about writing.

Information Card

    Winter can be a difficult time to take exercise. Apart from the short daylight and cold weather, there are also plenty of holidays to keep you away from exercising. So how to keep fit and not to put on too much weight during the winter time? Here are some tips for you.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You don't necessarily have to do some intense(剧烈的) sports. When you run or walk, don't worry about how fast or slow you're going. Just find a rhythm(节奏) that makes you feel easy and comfortable. Winter is not the time to be strict with yourself.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Before you head out, warm up indoors to slowly raise the heart rate(心率) , without sweating(流汗) a lot. Run in place, walk up and down the stairs, or use a jump rope. It does work as long as it can get your heart beating faster.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Try to take exercise during the daytime. When the air is the warmest and the sun is out, the weather is more suitable for exercising. But if you have to walk or run in the dark, do carry a flashlight.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Exercising with a friend, even once a week, can help you get out of the door. It's hard to stay and not to move when someone is waiting for you, and you two can encourage each other.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you cannot stand the cold outside, why not go for some indoor sports? You can take a yoga class, play badminton or swim in an indoor swimming pool. Whatever sport makes you want to exercise, just do it. Never stop moving for health!