What do the world's most successful people all have in common?

    By examining the work habits of over 150 greatest writers and artists and scientists, the researchers including Standford Professor Jeffrey Preffer found that high achievers like Robert Moses turn out to be all alike:

Busy ! Busy!

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In a study of general managers in industry, John Kotter reported that many of them worked 60 to 65 hours per week—which translates into at least six 10-hour days. The ability and willingness to work difficult and tiring hours has characterized many powerful figures. Energy and strength provide many advantages to those seeking to build power.

Just Say No!

    The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say “no” to almost everything. And that's what gives them the time to accomplish so much. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} And focus means saying “no” to a lot of distractions(分神).

Know What You Are!

    Ignore your weakness and keep improving your strengths. Don't waste time exploring skill areas where you have little competence. Instead, focus on—and build on—your strengths.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

Create Good Luck!

    Luck is not magical—there is a science to it. Richard Wiseman studied lucky people for his book Luck Factor, and broke down what they do right. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} By being more outgoing, open to new ideas, following the feeling that something is true, being optimistic, lucky people create possibilities.

    Does applying these principles to your life actually work? Wiseman created a “luck school” to test the ideas—and it was a success. In total, 80 percent of people who attended Luck School said that their luck had increased. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Spend enough time to improve your weakness.

B. Achievement requires focus.

C. On average, these people reported that their luck had increased by more than 40 percent.

D. High achievers never stop working and they never lose a minute.

E. Busy people are more likely to be lucky.

F. This means knowing who you are, what you are and what you are good at.

G. Certain personality types are luckier because they behave in a way that offers the chance for good opportunities.

    You cannot choose your child's friends for him, but you can help him learn to choose friends wisely.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are a few ways to help your child make friends.

    Build your child's self­confidence.

     When he succeeds or has made a great choice, tell him you're proud of him.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Your middle school student is going through many changes and may feel like he isn't “good enough”. Building his self­confidence will help him feel more confident and will make it easier for him to form healthy friendships.

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    Give him your full attention when he talks, and really listen to what he has to say.

    Discuss the qualities in a friend with your child.

    Discuss with your child the qualities that matter most, such as being reliable and kind, and making good choices when it comes to avoiding alcohol and tobacco.

    Get to know your child's friends.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}It's more important to talk with them and find out what they like to do. Allow your child to invite his friends over and get to know them better.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Afterschool clubs and sports programs are good places for meeting new people. Be open to exploring different activities with your child to find something that he enjoys.

A. Friends are very important for us.

B. Introduce your child to new groups of people.

C. Talk with your child every day and listen to his concerns.

D. Try not to judge your child's friends based on how they dress.

E. When he does not succeed, help him feel better and keep trying.

F. You can teach him ways to find friends who will have a positive influence on him.

G. There are many types of friends and we should be careful when making our choices.

    Sports performance can be influenced by many different things. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    There are many physical factors(因素)that play a part in sports performance. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The natural talent and strength of the players will make a difference. Also, it is important to get enough sleep before you are in a sports event. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Eating good meals is also important. When you are hungry, you cannot perform the same. You might be thinking about food when you should be thinking about the game.

    Of course, the more a team or a player practices, the more likely they are to perform well. The same person with the same physical abilities might just become better as he practices.

    Researching your competitor can matter a lot in sports performance. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses can help you adjust how you play to give yourself a better performance against them. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you can figure out where to hit the ball in tennis that would confuse your competitor, for example, then this can help you score points.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If someone is very pessimistic about a game, for example, and is sure that he will lose, then he might increase his chances of doing so. If he is very nervous then he might be thinking about that instead of focusing on the game. If he is focused then he might do better, achieving what he didn't even realize he could. His confidence can also affect how the other team views him.

A. It is important to be aware of these factors.

B. It is necessary to get to know your competitor and yourself.

C. Also, there are ways to play something smartly and do better.

D. If you are tired, you may not perform as you normally would. ools1

E. If you have practiced enough to keep fit, you should have a rest.

F. If someone is in good shape, then of course he will perform better.

G. There are many psychological factors that can play a part in how well you perform.

    Chinese culture values family bonds very much. Family members don't just gather during the holidays. In fact they often live under one roof all year round. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Families in the East and West are very different from each other.

    In most East Asian cultures, extended families are common. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} According to the Atlantic, 90 percent of children in Shanghai and 70 percent of children in Beijing were cared for by their grandparents. Chinese people believe that "a grandparent is a treasure to their family".

    In many Western countries, most families are nuclear families (小家庭). These are solely made up of children and their parents.

    Additionally, the duties parents have toward their children can also differ.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    It's normal for parents to pay for their children's college, help them find a job, or buy them an apartment. Chinese adults also follow their parents' opinions when making major life decisions, more often than not.

    In most Western countries, however, kids usually move out of the house after they turn 18.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Also, if they choose to keep living with their parents after becoming an adult, it can be seen by some as a failure on their part.

    While the East cares more about close family bonds, the West values privacy and independence. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Families will always be a source of love, warmth, and care for people around the world.

A. These families have three or even four generations living together

B. Nuclear families are the most common type in China.

C. In China, many parents look after their children all the way into adulthood.

D. Different cultures have different family values.

E. But in the end, home is best 一 east or west.

F. Many young people going to college often need to take out loans and work part-time jobs in order to pay for tuition and rent.

G. Both Easterners and Westerners value quality family time.

Money Matters

    Parents should help their children understand money. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

    ⒈The basic function of money

    Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have. If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员). {#blank#}2{#/blank#}When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

    ⒉Money lessons

    Approach money lessons with openness and honesty. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you must say no to a child's request to spend money, explain, "You have enough toy trucks for now." Or, if the request is for many different things, say "You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy."

    ⒊{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands(品牌) of a product—a name-brand butter and a generic(一般的), for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase(购买) with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

A. Talk about how the money bought the thing after you leave the toy store.

B. Wise decisions

C. The best time to teach a child anything about money is when he shows an interest.

D. Tell your child why he can—or cannot—have certain things.

E. The value of money

F. Permit the child to choose between them.

G. Ask yourself what things that cost money are most important to you.

The Adoption Option

There are many wonderful pets looking for new homes. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. The following is some advice about introducing a rescue dog into your life.

●Choose wisely

No matter how cute a dog is, it's important not to let the heart rule the head when choosing a rescue dog. People naturally love puppies, but mature dogs are a great choice for many people. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. The dog's personality and size are usually apparent, so there should be no surprises.

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That a dog is available for adoption doesn't mean they are automatically a problem dog. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. However, some may exhibit unruly（难以驾驭的）behavior due to a lack of training. It's important not to confuse a lack of training with more serious behavioral issues. Good shelters and rescue groups will have every dog assessed by a qualified behavioral trainer to identify potential problem behaviors.

●Coming home

Arriving in a new home can be stressful for an adult dog. For many dogs you will have to take a trial-and-error approach to understanding what they like, what makes them feel secure and what they fear. You had better gradually expose your rescue dog to a range of different experiences and other dogs to judge and manage their behavior appropriately. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. In this way, they will have company and can be supervised in the early stages.

A. What to expect

B. What you see is what you get

C. Common problems and special behaviors

D. Adoption provides a pet that second chance

E. Many rescue dogs are well trained and well behaved

F. Most of these issues can be overcome with good training

G. Therefore, it's wise to get time off work when the dog arrives