Maybe you have heard the expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. So when you want to do business in France, you have to get to know French culture, to make marketing plans, and to run your business by local laws.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The French take great pride in their language, so anyone who does not speak it may run the risk of being disrespected by his French colleagues or business partners. Also, another reason why learning French is important is that it is a great way to show every possible French business partner that you care and respect their country's culture and language.

    The first thing that you should do when meeting someone new is to shake his hand firmly and always look the person in the eye. In social meetings with friends, kissing is common.

    Use first names only after being invited to.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} The French will sometimes introduce themselves using their surname first, followed by their first name.

    Dress well.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Your business clothing is a reflection of your success and social status. Always try to be tasteful and stylish. Women are advised to dress simply but elegantly.

    The French are passionate about food, so lunches are common in doing business m France, which usually consist of an appetizer, main meal with wine, cheese, dessert and coffee, and normally take up to two hours.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Do not begin eating until the host says, “bon appetite”. Pass dishes to the left, keep wrists above the table and try to eat everything on the plate.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This may suggest that you find the food tasteless.

A. The French draw information about people based on their appearance.

B. This is a time for relationship building.

C. Wearing make-up is practiced widely by business women.

D. Language should be the focus of anyone planning to do business in France.

E. Be careful with adding salt, pepper or sauces to your food.

F. Use Monsieur or Madame before the surname.

G. If eating in a restaurant, the person who invites always pays.

    Generally, the skills and attitudes you form as a student will be especially important to your development. The following tips can help you become an active student.

    Don't be satisfied with yourself{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Leave no room for the average of the ordinary. If you can do good things, try hard to become better. If you have become better, try to become the best.

    Give yourself new challenges{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Any new things will give you the chance to understand yourself better. You should try anything. What you learn from these activities can be useful in the future.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}One reason why a student is not active may be that he has a defeated(挫败的) attitude. As much as possible, you should face each challenge with the willingness to succeed.

    Think over your mistakes, if there are any. Being active doesn't mean you will always be successful{#blank#}4{#/blank#} However, they will never succeed if they don't realize the meaning of failure.

    Keep a to-do list. This can serve as a reminder when a student becomes lazy{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. To achieve this, you have to desire to become excellent.

B. Have strong faith that you will succeed.

C. Try to take an active part in group discussions.

D. Don't be afraid to attend activities you wouldn't normally do.

E. There are students who would give up the moment they fail.

F. You can't be active if you don't know what is going on.

G. It can keep you on the right track and help you organize your tasks for the day.

How to improve vocabulary fast

    Your vocabulary refers to the words in a language you are familiar with. We should learn some ways to expand it.

    Read every day.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Choose reading material that is slightly above your level and keep a dictionary with you to look up words you do not know.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.If you do not meet with an unfamiliar word in your daily reading, use your dictionary to search for one.

    Learn the correct definition and pronunciation for each new word. Pronunciation is as important as definition because in order to add a word to your active vocabulary, you must be able to use it in speech.

    Elaborate (详尽阐述) on the meaning of the word. If you have just learned the word “stubborn”, think about the neighbour who will not lend you his car.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Use your new word in speech and in writing. E-mail your sister about how your cat is stubborn about sleeping on your pillow. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.But the more you use it, the more fluent you will become in its use. Soon it will be a regular part of your active vocabulary.

    Tell everyone you are trying to increase your vocabulary. Encourage them to ask you what your latest word is.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    The more you explain the meaning of a word to someone, the more likely you are to remember it.

A. Find a new word every day.

B. The vocabulary can be increased.

C. Your vocabulary contains the words you understand.

D. The more often you read, the faster your vocabulary can grow.

E. Or let them ask for the definition of a new word you have used.

F. Imagine him shaking his head, and think of him as 'stubborn in his refusal.”

G. The first time you use a new word in speech it may seem strange.

    It's important to learn how we can protect the environment. Here are 5R rules for us.

    Reduce. If you want to reduce waste, you should use things more wisely.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If everyone uses paper carelessly, soon we would not have any trees left. Other things are also being wasted, and people don't know what to do with the waste in big cities. So it is necessary to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

    Reuse. You should always think of reusing things before throwing them out. For example,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. In a family, you may pass on such clothes to younger brothers or sisters.

    Recycle. Bottles, cans and paper can easily be recycled. By doing so we can save lots of time and money. For example,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The metal can be used to make new coke cans.

    Recover.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. You have two choices: one is to throw the apples away, the second is to throw the rotten ones and keep the good ones. In this way, you are recovering the eatable parts of food.

    Repair. If one of the legs of your table is broken, you should repair it. If you want to buy something newer and better, it is better for you to sell the old table, or {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Learn the rules to protect our environment. Let's try our best to make the earth cleaner and more beautiful.

A. give the clothes you do not use or the ones which are too small to the poor.

B. coke cans are sent to a factory, where they are smashed flat and melted.

C. A large number of trees are being cut down to make paper.

D. Trees are planted every year.

E. give it to people who can use it after repairing it.

F. don't throw it away if you can use it.

G. When you buy a box of apples, there may be a few rotten ones.

    Here are some top tips for world travelers.

    Travel light.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's no fun carrying a huge bag around a foreign city. Don't take too many clothes and avoid heavy books and electrical equipment.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Always keep your passport on you in an inside pocket or special travel belt. There may be thieves about. It's a good idea to make a photocopy(复印件)of your passport and travel documents.

    Transport sense. Don't let go of your bags on the train.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There are always thieves on public transport. If you want to sleep, tie your bag to your arm. When you take a taxi, it's a good idea to ask for the driver's permit. Many foreigners pay too much money because they take unofficial taxis.

    Keep clean. It's a good idea to wear dark clothes because they hide the dirt while white clothes attract it! Make sure you have plenty of clean underclothes and deodorant(除臭剂).{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You should always be polite and respectful towards the locals. Even if you find their habits and behaviour a bit strange, you shouldn't show your feelings. Remember, you're their guest.

A. Be polite.

B. Keep your documents safe.

C. You should carry a spare bag.

D. You don't want to smell bad!

E. Keep them with you at all times.

F. Make sure your bag isn't too heavy.

G. It's a good idea to wear similar clothes to the local people.

Diet Myths — Get the facts, or your diet may fail!

    Dieting is hard work, and there are plenty of "helpful" diet tricks that can make weight loss even harder. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Carbs(含碳水化合物的食物) are bad for you. Carbohydrates are actually an important source of energy. There are good carbs and bad carbs. Some foods, like white bread or white rice, are example of bad carbs. Good carbs include whole wheat bread and brown rice. They're rich in fiber and really good for you!

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} On the contrary, studies show that people who eat breakfast will eat fewer calories throughout the day. And if you know you're going to be eating a big meal later, don't starve yourself in order to save you calories. You'll just eat more during the meal because you're so hungry! Instead, eat smaller meals a couple days before and after, and exercise more.

    You can control where your body loses weight. Bad news – if you want a flatter stomach, just exercising your stomach won't work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Cardio(有氧运动) exercises will help burn fat, while weight training helps build muscles. Your "trouble areas" might not be the first to slim down, but keep exercising!

    Your weight depends on your genes. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} While a "fat gene" does exist, its influence on your size is small. Smart eating and exercise have a much greater effect than your genes. Only 25 percent of your weight is controlled by genes – the rest is up to you.

    Say "no" to junk food. Many people think that the key to losing weight is cutting out all bad foods. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} To lose weight and keep it off, eat great 80 percent of the time, but allow yourself in a treat or two the other 20 percent.

A. You can't target where you lose weight.

B. But the more strict your diet is, the more likely you are to break it – and in a big way.

C. Here are some common myths about losing weight and the truth behind them.

D. Skipping meals helps you lose more weight.

E. If you and your family have problems with obesity, you're not sure to be fat.

F. Don't miss meals but exercise.

G. Instead of choosing a difficult diet, find one you can manage and stick to it every day.