The holiday season isn't just about shopping and gifts. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, holiday travel can be more expensive than the gifts. Fortunately, the following tips will help keep your travel spending under control.

● Plan ahead. The earlier you book your travel, from airfare to hotels, the easier it is to find good deals. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Your best prices on airfare come when you book three weeks before the plane leaves for domestic flights. For international flights, consider booking 30 days in advance. Many experts point out that you should book travel between  one month and three months out for high-traffic holidays.

● Book your air travel on cheaper days. Traveling by air on Tuesdays and Wednesdays often costs less than traveling on Fridays and Sundays. During the holidays, it is not just about a specific day of the week. You also need to consider the days surrounding the holiday but days immediately before and after a holiday can be expensive. One of the best ways to save is to plan your air travel on the Day of the holiday. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

● Consider traveling overnight. Red-eye flights and overnight flights often cost less than those at more convenient times. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Traveling overnight can help you avoid a night in the hotel, as well as save your money on travel to your destination.

●{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can't bring liquids with you on the airline, but you can bring sandwiches and other snacks. When you are on the road, you can buy food at local groceries to make your own meals. If you are staying in a hotel long-term, consider cooking your own food, especially if you have access to a microwave.

     Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} .

    Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they'll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

    First of all, good talkers ask questions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} . One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It's a common question，but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers .This point seems clear, but it isn't. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he's really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it's time for you to change the subject.

    Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you're saying goodbye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I've really enjoyed meeting you.” {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they've known you half their life.

A. Real listening at least means some things.

B. You can become a popular person.

C. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question.

D. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

E. If you want to see that person again, don't keep it a secret.

F. It's polite to listen to others with a smile.

G. These people have something in common.

Social Phobia

    It is natural to feel nervous, or shy in front of others at times. Most people manage to get through these moments when they need to. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's probably more than shyness. It may build up into a powerful fear. As a result, people feel uncomfortable participating in everyday social activities. This is called social phobia (also called social anxiety).

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It prevents them from chatting with friends in the lunch time, joining an after-school club, or going to a party. Sometimes, they even feel too nervous to ask a question in class or go to a teacher for help. Social phobia not only prevents people from trying new things. It also prevents them from making the normal, everyday mistakes that may help people improve their skills even further

    It is really sad, isn't it? But the good news is that people with social phobia can learn to manage fear, develop confidence and communicating skills and stop avoiding things that make them nervous. Of course it's not always easy. Dealing with social phobia takes the willingness patience and courage to face fears. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Therapists (治疗师) can help people create a plan for facing social fears and build the skills and confidence to overcome it. And family or friends are especially important for them. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They can encourage them to pick a small goal to aim for, remind them to go for it, and be there when they might feel discouraged.

    Little by little, someone who decides to deal with extreme shyness can learn to be more comfortable. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} As shyness and fears begin to melt, confidence and positive feelings build. Pretty soon, the person is thinking less about what might feel uncomfortable and more about what might be fun.

A. Friends can overcome their fears easily.

B. But for someone, the anxiety can be extreme.

C. They are not able to make eye contact with classmates.

D. Social phobia makes people lonely or disappointed over missed opportunities.

E. Each small step forward helps build enough confidence to take the next small step.

F. It also takes an action to go forward rather than back away when feeling shy.

G. The support from those key people helps them gather the courage to try something new.

    One of the easiest and most pleasing ways to express your creativity (创造力) is by drawing. In addition, drawing can calm you down in many ways. It can help keep you away from negative thoughts and clear your mind. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Draw something that makes you comfortable. Content (内容) does not matter as much as the meaning you connect with whatever you choose to draw. If you find mountains or trees relaxing to be around, try your hand at drawing. You can also draw things like pets or buildings. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, draw a dog's head on a pig's body with a horse's legs and tail.

    Just draw. Experiment on drawing with different color patterns (色型) and emotions. Believe it or not, drawing can help realize physical relaxation by lowering your blood pressure. Color your drawing with bright, exciting colors. Draw patterns. Start with changes of circles, as they're easier to draw. Simply cover a page in a pattern. Keep your subjects smile. Whether you are drawing mountains, humans, or animals, add a face with a smile. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Go somewhere where you feel calm. Choose some quiet places. Turn off your phone, and avoid areas with television or computers. Some private (私人的) places are best, as your drawing will not be forbidden by the presence of others, and you will be less likely to be bothered. Get outside. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Drawing outside can also give you ideas of things to draw.

    Have fun. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't worry about the final product. And don't judge your artistic abilities. Lose yourself in the experience of creation! Sitting down to draw for just a few minutes can brighten your feelings. You'll feel energetic and may feel even more open­minded for the rest of the day.

A. Let yourself enjoy the process.

B. Listen to music when you draw.

C. Simply being outside will calm you down.

D. Sure, it's silly but you'll probably smile back.

E. Hang up your work somewhere it will catch your eye.

F. You can even try combinations of different animal parts.

G. And the enjoyment of drawing can help keep your stresses away.

    Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You appreciate your body for its abilities and accept its imperfections.

    So, what can you do to develop a positive body image? Here are some ideas:

    Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination (协调) makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have skills, like drawing, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look good and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don't just happen. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can keep healthy by simply exercising 20 minutes to one hour three times a week. Taking exercise can also lift your spirits.

    Respect your body! Practising good habits- regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on-can help you build a positive body image.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for humor, a quick wit (智慧), and all the things make you special. So try not to let small imperfections affect you.

A. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at.

B. Be yourself.

C. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

D. Just explore talents that you feel good about.

E. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy habit.

F. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

G. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.

Many people might feel lost during a major transition (转折) in life. Life coaching, however, is the best choice for anyone who is looking for ways to get through the tough path of life.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some life coaches might focus only on certain types of situations, like advancing careers, while others may be willing to help with nearly any life transition.

A life coach will often act as an advisor for his clients (客户). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Many times, he will also be able to look at a client's life with a fair eye and offer fresh ideas on certain situations. In doing so, the life coach will usually be able to help his client work through any problems he may face.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} During this interview, the life coach should find out what the client's wants, needs and goals are in life.

How to help each client is different to everyone, and it is a very individualized process. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Because of this, a life coach must develop plans based on each client's strengths, weaknesses, abilities and so on. A life coach will also usually take each client's morals and values into consideration.

Some life coaches may be able to find employment with a few select universities and corporations. There are also a handful of large life coaching firms that hire life coaches as well. The majority of life coaches, however, work for themselves, opening their own life coaching practices.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Methods that work for one client may not work for another.

B. A good life coach should try to satisfy all the needs of his clients.

C. He is often expected to listen closely to their concerns and problems.

D. Before a life coach can help a client, he first needs an in-depth interview.

E. Life coaches offer guidance to all types of people in different stages of their lives.

F. In some cases, life coaches may work together and offer a wider range of services.

G. Generally, there are no strict education requirements for starting a life coaching career.