One morning last week I looked out of my study window and saw that it was a fine day. No, it was a wonderful day: the sun shone down from a sky without even a single cloud. But later that day, hard at work at my desk, I heard a loud noise on the roof. Turning to the window, I saw that the sky was now the color of charcoal. Two minutes later the rain poured, making rivers of water.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}It's extremely variable. Go ahead with your picnic in the local park by all means, but don't suppose that because the sun is shining now, it will be when you open your pack of sandwiches.  {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The weather in Britain is not always bad.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is one of the biggest reasons why the British talk so often about the weather. Wherever there are strangers standing or sitting close together, and talk can not be avoided. The conversation focuses on the weather: “Yes, the weather has been good, hasn't it?” or “{#blank#}4{#/blank#}”

    The unexpected change of the weather is something that every British can agree on.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Even those with different opinions on everything else in the world, such as the argument in the UK about membership of the European Union, can talk about the weather without leading to a quarrel.

A. It is just changeable.

B. That makes it a safe topic of conversation.

C. You'd better take an umbrella, just in case.

D. What shocking weather we've been having!

E. Strangers will choose to talk about the weather to break the ice.

F. This story will give you some idea about weather in Britain.

G. Are you going for a picnic?

    My mother is a diligent and kind woman. She is very busy from morning till night. As a teacher, she works hard. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Both my brother and I love her dearly as she loves us.

    My mother has been teaching math at a middle school in my hometown. She goes to work early in the morning and does not return home until late in the afternoon. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  She treats them with patience and teaches them well. For her excellent quality and very good teaching results, she has been elected as a model teacher several times.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Every day, when she comes back home from work, she sets about doing housework, sweeping the living room and bedrooms or cleaning the furniture, and putting everything in good order. She seems to be busy all the time. As she has been very busy working every day, she looks older than her age. But she looks as cheerful and happy as ever. Mother never buys expensive dresses for herself, but she often buys some inexpensive but high quality clothes for us. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . She just eats a plain meal outside when she is too busy to cook herself. She lives a busy yet simple life, without any complaints.

    Often she says to us, “work while you work, and play while you play. That is the way to be happy and gay. If you do not work, you will become lazy and be of no use to society”. What a piece of good advice this is! {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. This advice of hers will always serve as a guide to my behavior. My mother is great indeed, and I always feel proud of her.

A. She enjoys listening to classic music.

B. As a mother, she takes good care of us and gives us every comfort.

C. She loves her students and cares for them.

D. She never goes to expensive restaurants to enjoy meals.

E. My mother is hard-working and never wastes money.

F. Can you tell us something about your mother?

G. I never forget it and always bear it in my mind

Reasons You Should Make Time for the Sunset

    Here's why you should consider making time to watch the sunset.

    ⒈It can slow down time.

Seriously. By witnessing the beauty of the sunset, you can slow down your perception (感知)of time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Amazingly, by taking the time to look at the vast sky, we're actually empowering ourselves to regain control of the clock.

    ⒉It can provide energy for you.

    Even if you have to go back to the office after you watch that last sliver disappear below the skyline, taking a few minutes out of your day to experience some of the golden hour will be worth it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Often when we feel exhausted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized (给予能量)is to connect with nature.

    ⒊It will force you to put your phone down.

    When we regard the experience of sunsets as special occasions, we feel the urge to document and save them——as if keeping photos of their beauty will help us remember that wonderful feeling.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    ⒋It will inspire you.

    There's a reason sunsets are a timeless and constant inspiration to poets, writers and romantics.

    ⒌{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    All of us are drawn to sunsets, but people in a few special places really regard the sunset as a daily opportunity to give thanks；{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Crowds gather to cheer and applaud it, reinforcing (加强)the idea that we should celebrate and be thankful for each day.

A. Nature is fuel for the soul.

B. It will help you appreciate life's gifts.

C. Do you draw inspiration from the sunset?

D. It will allow you to exercise in a healthy way.

E. Do you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day?

F. But if you experience the sunset more regularly, you'll no longer see it through a screen.

G. In places like Santorini, Greece, and Maui, Hawaii, the sunset is regarded as a nightly celebration.

    Friends should always be honest with you, right? So when they lie, it can be really hard to take. You want to trust your friends and that means knowing that they'll tell it to you straight no matter what it is. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Why does this happen?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    One of the biggest reasons friends lie is simply to avoid hurting your feelings. Some people don't understand the difference between being gently honest with a friend and being so straightforward that they leave a verbal wound. They choose to avoid these two extremes in the form of a lie.

    They feel embarrassed.

    Sometimes friends will lie about things in their life because they are too embarrassed to admit the truth. Maybe they are going through a rough time and they just don't want you to know about it. Avoid trying to badger (纠缠) your friends into telling you what's wrong. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Avoid an argument with you.

    Perhaps your friends know that if they tell you the truth, you'll get angry with them. Make sure that if a friend tells you something unpleasant, you don't overact. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you do end up arguing, do it in a respectable way.

    Exclude you.

    Lying isn't always a sign that friends are trying to protect you, however. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you find out with certainty that your friend is lying to you, try and face it. If you feel your friend is lying because he or she doesn't want to be around you, that's your wake-up to move on.

A. Protect your feelings.

B. They want to be your closer friends.

C. But a friend who lies isn't always trying to hurt you.

D. Consider what's being said and why your friend is telling you this.

E. Being honest and making a sincere effort can keep the friendship strong.

F. Sometimes they lie because they don't want you to be included in their plans.

G. Instead, make it clear that you are there for them when and if they are ready to talk.

Take a Break from Technology

In today's world we are constantly surrounded by technology. It's true to say that technology makes our lives easier. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Otherwise we put ourselves at risk of developing hundreds of health problems. Over the summer the days are longer, sunnier and free from school. With all this free time, why not put it to good use and do something that doesn't involve technology?

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}There are hundreds of possibilities: crafts, cooking, learning a musical instrument or a new sport. Maybe you've always wanted to try out that recipe, but haven't had time? Perhaps you fancy learning how to knit, so you can have a new sweater for the autumn? You could use your free time to learn something new. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

If you just fancy relaxing, why not head to a beach? Take along your favourite book and relax on the sand or go for a walk along the coastline (just make sure you're aware of the tides!). If you don't live near a beach, you could go to your local park. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Whatever you choose to do with your summer, try something new!{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Also, you might make new friends along the way. Next time you find yourself aimlessly channel -hopping, have a think at what else you could spend your time doing.

A. To start with, you could learn a new skill.

B. Technology has become an important part of our lives.

C. And perhaps it'll lead to an exciting opportunity in the future.

D. You might surprise yourself and find a hidden talent within you.

E. Why not take along a picnic, or try and identify some of the local wildlife?

F. However, increasingly scientists are saying that we need to give ourselves a break.

G. In our increasingly technology-driven world, have we become addicted to technology?

A budget is your plan for how you spend your money. Saving money isn't easy unless you have a plan and stick to it. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Set Savings Goals

Defining a goal for your savings plan is the very first step. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) promotes using SMART savings goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and tailored. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. By setting SMART financial goals that are a good fit for your personal finances, you are more likely to keep up with the plan and succeed.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Overspending is scary for many savers and spenders, but getting weekly spending down on paper can be enlightening and uncover opportunities to save an amount of money right away. Check out the CFPB's spending tracker that automatically sums expense categories and highlights spending limits, helping you stay in control of your money.

Evaluate and Cut Down Monthly Bills

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. But you may be able to reduce some of the bills. Look for ways to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances if your budget allows. Subscriptions and streaming services are other areas that hide monthly expenses.

Make a Budget and Use Technology

Once you've reduced expenses and identified your savings goal, a budget is key to start saving. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If you find yourself getting hit with late payment fees or insufficient funds on your checking account, it's definitely time to address this with technology. Not only do these fees burn lots of money when you're trying to save it, but they can also hit your credit report and impact your credit score.

A. Track Spending Habits

B. Identify and Change Spending Habits 

C. The savings goals you set must be in line with your financial situation

D. Apps and online banking working together make it easier to set up ways to save

E. There are some expenses you can't get around: shelter, food, health care and insurance

F. Setting savings goals and conducting an honest review of spending habits are significant

G. Visit your credit card's website to ensure you take advantage of available cash-back offers