I was diagnosed with allergies (过敏反应) when I was a little kid. Other than family, no one truly knows I have allergies, although I have to tell people it's allergies when my eyes start to tear up. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Sometimes my friends just tease in a friendly way.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}I look like a normal kid. I don't mind telling people about my allergies—after all, it's normal to have them. Having allergies hasn't affected my self-confidence.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}For example, I am a big traveler and I would enjoy going to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, D. C. But when I come anywhere within a 10-foot range of cherry blossoms it feels like I lose almost all my senses! Even though it's only temporary, I still feel miserable.

    My allergies haven't stopped me from traveling when I can, though. My class trip was to Williamsburg in Virginia. At first it was supposed to be during cherry blossom time, and that had me worried. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    I've had to rethink some of my dreams, too. Since I'm allergic to animals with fur, I may need to adjust my hopes of being a veterinarian (兽医) or working in an agricultural-science department. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Now I have learned to deal with my allergies and even see the good side sometimes. Having allergies has taught me not to be prejudiced about people's health conditions.

A. I do get made fun of.

B. My allergies have been getting better.

C. If I don't take my medicine I can get really bad breath.

D. You can't tell by looking at me that I have a health condition.

E. Fortunately, it was changed to February, so I went and had the best time!

F. But I'm interested in so many things and there are plenty of other careers out there!

G. Sure, my allergies have held me back from doing some of the things that I love to do.

    Are you satisfied with your life? How often do you think of reasons why everyone around you is successful though they are not usually better than you? What do you do wrong? Here are some things you should stop doing to be successful.

1） {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Different people may interpret “success” in different ways: some of them measure it in money, other ones — in positive changes to people around them and the world.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} And do not worry about what other people think, and come after what makes you happy.

2）Do not believe anything without questioning it.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They are critical thinkers, and they understand that we are all ruled by our prejudices; so, they will always question new information.

3）Do not worry about all unpredictable things that may happen to you.

    If you want to be successful, stop thinking about everything that MAY happen to you.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be ready to change your deeds and decisions when things suddenly don't go according to your plan.

4）Do not care about what other people think of you.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Your attempts to become “good” for everyone will turn into nothing but new worries, stresses, and problems. Successful people do not concentrate on quantity of people to please, but worry about their quality and focus on developing friendships with people they really care about.

Success is good, but you should understand that life will get depressing without friendship and love.

A. Try to feel comfortable with the reality and accept the fact your future can't be predicted.

B. Do not let others decide what “success” is for you.

C. As far as we all know, it's impossible to please all the people who surround us.

D. Do not wait for the “right time” to do anything.

E. Successful people never ignore or avoid problems, no matter how big and awful they seem.

F. Successful people do not just accept any new information to be true.

G. If you want to be successful, do not let others force their interpretation of success on you.

    The Open Hand — a Universal Sign

    When meeting people at the airport,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} We know that a smile is usually a sign that people feel friendly and happy, but what if we don't know who the new person is?{#blank#}2{#/blank#} What if we are meeting a stranger in an unfamiliar place? Sometimes people are dangerous and humans have to find ways to protect themselves. We have to make sure we can trust people we do not know,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Showing our hands means that we are not armed（武装）. In many cultures today, the Western custom of shaking hands is used. We use our right hand, which is usually stronger than the left one. If we are using our hand this way, it cannot be holding a knife or a gun. It shows that we trust the other person,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Not all cultures use the handshake,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Japanese people might cover one hand with the other and, depending on whom they are greeting, bow slightly or quite low. In India, Hindu people join their hands in front of their faces and bow their heads. A Muslim will touch his heart, mouth and forehead（前额）to show respect. Even young people in the West now give each other the “high five”, when they slap（拍）each other's hands high in the air. They are all keeping their hands busy. In almost all cultures, to smile and show an open right hand means, “Welcome, you are safe with me.”

A. What if I want to show that I am bored?

B. most people smile and shake hands with people they meet.

C. and that the other person can trust us.

D. What if we are not introduced by a friend?

E. and people in many Asian cultures do not always touch another person.

F. and we have to show that we are not dangerous.

G. nor are they comfortable in the same way with touching or distance between people.

How Can I Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never amount to anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency (趋势) to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active.   {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Others take a more active approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations (诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment. However, watching too much TV in your spare time often contributes to laziness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film. Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own task. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Enough exercise and a balanced diet can enable you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. To fight family laziness, set an example.

B. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

C. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

D. Finally, developing a healthy lifestyle can help you fight laziness.

E. With strong determination (意志力), you will be able to achieve your goal.

F. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task.

G. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

    Please wear loose clothing, mostly cotton. It is obvious that wearing clothing that is loose rather than tight is welcomed in summer. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. This carries away the warmth that your body produces and allows cooler air to flow back in.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. When it's really hot out, materials that “breathe” — allowing the flow of air through the fabric (衣料) itself — also work to keep you cool. Cotton and linen are among the most breathable fabrics，so look for clothes made of those substances.

    Your body controls its temperature via a small peanut-shaped section of the brain known as the hypothalamus (下丘脑). {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. It turns the temperature up or down based on various factors — such as how cold or hot the skin is.

    Certain parts of the skin have a larger influence than others. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. They get their name because you can feel your pulse there, and the reason you can do that is because vessels are so close to the edge of your skin that one can easily hear or feel the flow of blood.

    When you want to lower your body temperature, cooling those pulse points with cold water or ice sends a signal to the brain that says, “Turn cold.” {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Focus on pulse points that are easy to reach: the insides of your wrists, the area around your temple, and your neck. Holding an ice pack or even a cold washcloth against the skin on these regions will make your entire body feel cooler.

A. It allows air to flow past the skin

B. Sweating helps to cool off the skin

C. These areas are called pulse points (脉冲点)

D. The type of fabric you wear has an influence, too

E. This fools your brain into turning down its thermostat (恒温器)

F. This region works almost like a thermostat in a home

G. Exercising in extreme heat is usually not recommended

    Moving into a new home in a new neighborhood is an exciting experience. Of course, you want to make sure that you become an acceptable and valuable part of your neighborhood the easiest way to accomplish this is to make sure you conduct yourself as a good neighbor should. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a good neighbor is to keep your property(房产) neat, clean, and in good repair. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} By choosing to keep the outside of the home in great shape, you will help to improve the look and feel of the area.

    Second, take the overall appearance of the neighborhood seriously. When going for a walk. Take a small garbage bag. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This small act will let your neighbors know that you care about the area.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If a neighbor is going to be out of town, offer to collect mail and newspapers. If a neighbor suffers an illness, offer to do the grocery shopping. Let them know you are there to help in any way this acceptable, while still respecting the privacy of your neighbor.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} By following the basic rules of respecting others, taking care of what belongs to you, and taking pride in the appearance of the neighborhood in general, you will quickly become a good neighbor that everyone appreciate.

A. In general, keep an eye on their property while they are gone.

B.A good neighbor is also one who likes to help out in small ways.

C. Being a good neighbor is more or less about considerate behavior.

D. Sometimes neighbors may go to the supermarket together to do shopping.

E. Should you come across waste paper thrown out of a passing car, pick it up.

F. People tend to lake pride in keeping everything in their street fresh and inviting.

G. Here are a few tips to help you win over everyone in the neighborhood quickly.