Sometimes people can have fights, but friendship is a valuable gift.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} But with a little effort to step outside of your comfort zone(舒适区), you can easily make friends. Here you can find some places to make new friends.

    Join an organization or a club. This is a great way to find other people who have common interests.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In fact, some of the most valuable friendships are between two people who don't have much in common at all. However, if you like a specific topic, try finding a place where you can meet people who share that interest.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A common mistake is that you have to be really good at playing a special sport in order to make friends with others on the team. In fact, as long as you enjoy the sport and support your teammates, joining a team with a relaxed attitude could be a great way to make new friends.

    Volunteer. Volunteering is also a good way for people of all ages to meet others. By working together, you'll build relationships with people.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Make yourself available. If you want to make friends, you first need to put yourself out there somehow to meet people.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}It doesn't have to be a crowded table, but one with at least two other people. Remember, friends seldom come knocking on your door while you sit alone at home.

A. Join a sports team.

B. Sometimes, good friends are hard to find.

C. Do well in sport in order to make new friends.

D. If you're still in school, sit somewhere with other people.

E. So you can devote your time to a local nursing home or a hospital.

F. It is not easy at all to get along with new friends when you study in a middle school.

G. You don't need to have lots of common interests with people to make friends with them.

    Are you ready for your exam?

    So, it's exam time again -have you done the necessary work to get good marks? Sleeping with the textbook under the pillow in the hope that knowledge will be magically absorbed into your brain as you sleep doesn't work. The best strategy is to space your practice out, rather than cram(突击学习)it all together.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}!

    In an article, Tom Stafford, a lecturer in psychology and cognitive(认知的) science at the APF--University of Sheffield, advises, “If you organize five hours of study into one hour a day, you'll remember more than if you study for five hours a day.”

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}—get pen and paper and start working. Students who can test themselves in advance will be better at getting back material from their memory and learning that material in the long run. You should start by reading a textbook using your favorite highlighter(荧光笔){#blank#}3{#/blank#}.Instead of just reading those, you basically try to test yourself on them.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, but if you are still anxious, there's no harm in performing a personal ritual(仪式). In Japan, for example, it seems to be a tradition for students to eat Katsudon before a test.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. The name of the dish reminds people of the word “katsu”, meaning“ winning”. The bottom line is that you need to study, sleep well on the eve of the test, eat a nutritious meal, drink plenty of water and believe that your efforts will pay off. Good luck in your exam.

A. Don't rely on memory alone

B. That means hit the books early

C. Good revision should give you confidence

D. Then make flashcards of all the important concepts

E. They believe they could wash all the knowledge out of their head

F. This is a warm bowl of rice topped with egg and a slice of deep-fried pork

G. In different countries there are always those who swear by their “lucky underwear”

    Here are five tips for being a good friend.

    Listen more than you speak. Next time you ask a question, wait for the answer. Let the person tell the full story, and explain his complete answer.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep your promises. There's nothing worse than the type of friend who leaves you hanging. Whether it's a friend get-together or meeting at the mall, they always manage to break their promises and leave you feeling upset and disappointed. This is the reason why an important part of strong friendships is the ability to trust each other.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, next time you make a promise, keep it.

    Give advice, but only when it is asked for. By offering advice when it's not asked for, you're ignoring the needs of your friend.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Otherwise, don't give it. Be with them, hug（拥抱）them and make them breakfast in bed, but keep your wisdom to yourself and save it for another time.

    Let your friend have other friends, too. If your best friend picks another friend over you, try to be friends with their friends too. Maybe you guys can be a group of friends!

    Everyone is always looking for new friends.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Your loyalty（忠诚）to friendship is what the other person expects and counts on every day.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Everyone has their own faults, and they need to work through them. Don't be bad to your friend about his or her faults, but help him or her work through them while asking for help on your own as well.

A. Remember that no one is perfect.
B. But never, ever leave the old one.

C. If they want your advice, they will ask for it.

D. You are who you are, and your best friend will accept that. E. Never leave the problem alone and pretend it doesn't exist.

F. And then, when you feel that your words can add value, speak.

G. And part of this trust can only be developed if you can keep your word.

How to Become a Top Student

    Successful students use different techniques(技巧)to study, which brings them more success. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are the four techniques almost all topper forming students use.

    They are regular. Almost all successful students study regularly, because they know "what you give is what you get". If you put in regular hours of studying, then you will learn more and get better grades. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This will help you to study regularly.

    They have clear goals. All topper forming students have definite, specific goals. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They motivate(激发)you and drive you to study more. But make sure that you do not get carried away. Set realistic goals which can challenge(挑战)you, but do not seem impossible or too difficult to achieve.

    They study without pressure(压力). Successful students study a lot. But they study without putting strain on themselves. Most students make the mistake of studying too hard or studying continuously for a long time. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Studying should be done in a balanced manner. Take a break for a few minutes, after studying for 30 or 45 minutes. Relax, walk around your room or house, or drink some water and return to studying. Such short breaks will refresh your brain and you will learn more.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Studying is not something you do just because your parents ask you to do it. It's actually very important for you. Studying gives you knowledge and skills that will remain with you for the rest of your life. It gives you the ability to get a job and earn money. And successful students recognize the value of studying well.

A. This creates tension and actually slows down learning and memory.

B. But to score grade A in English, you should make well planned efforts.

C. Set aside some hours, each day or each week, for studying.

D. Having such goals gives you a purpose to study better.

E. Learn their techniques, and you will also join their rank.

F. They finish their homework on time.

G. They give importance to study.

The Seven Cs of a Good Letter

    What is the secret of writing a good letter? Here are two main ones. Don't try to be fancy. Don't try to impress your reader. You will be successful if you follow these seven Cs.

    Clear. Use short, direct sentences. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Try your tone as if the reader were right there with you. Above all, don't use an introduction.

    Correct. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Don't guess, even for spelling. Refer to your dictionary. If you need to, check a reference book too. Use them as much as you need to.

    Complete. Don't scatter(分散) your points. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is good organization too.

    Courteous. Be friendly rather than overly casual. Present your information nicely even if you are complaining about something. In all letters, treat others as you want them to treat you.

    Concise. Make each point as clearly and briefly as you can.

    Conversational. This is really the secret of good writing. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Such a letter has a natural, friendly tone. Let your personality come through naturally.

    Considerate. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Write about what you believe the reader needs or wants to know. Try to be helpful. This will build good feeling toward you.

    The seven Cs are about writing letters. But how about school papers? Use the seven Cs. Write as if you are talking to your teacher or professor. You'll be surprised. You'll almost instantly become a good writer. And you might even enjoy writing from now on.

A. Just "talk" to the person.

B. Make them easy to understand.

C. Make sure what you say is correct.

D. Include long sentences in your letter.

E. Writing should not be taken too seriously.

F. Think of the readers' point of view as you write.

G. Finish one point completely before going on to the next.

    Is there a best way to pack clothes? The following ideas are of great help to those who are always on the way.

    Where to start?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Once you see how much you lay in front of you, be brave and reduce about a third. Because the truth is like your wardrobe, you never seem to use as much as you take.

    How to deal with clothing?

    Start with your shoes. Put underwear or socks inside them to hold the shape of your shoes. Thus, you can make use of every square inch of space. Once your shoes are firmly in place, fill small gaps with very soft items. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Lay out the first clothes with one end inside the suitcase and the other end dropping over the edge. Put the next clothes on top of this, but place them the other way around. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In this way, you'll get another flat layer soon. Finally, one by one, fold the clothes back in.

    Where to put non-clothing?

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} These awkward shaped items are difficult to pack. You'd better put them towards the middle give maximum protection. Remember.to double bag your toiletries kit (洗漱袋) to avoid spotting your clothes.

    Top tips:

    If you take a belt, slip them along the inside of your case. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That will take more space. Next, use the hard shape of the case to offer protection. Leave your toiletries kit in your suitcase, when you return home. It's ready for the next time you travel.

 A. Don't roll belts up.

B. Be sure to put away socks.

C. This idea will create a flat first layer.

D. And then continue laying other clothes.

E. That will make the job a whole lot easier.

F. Lay everything you want to take with you on the bed.

G. Non-clothing items are things like books, toothbrushes and cameras.