For many people, a special sale is just too attractive to walk away from. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But with sales items, how can you be sure you're really getting a good deal? If you understand some sales tricks, you will be able to make smart choices.

    Some tricks have been used by shopkeepers for ages. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, if an item is US＄11.99 instead of US＄12.00, you'll feel like you're spending less money.

    Sellers sometimes reduce items by a certain amount. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} That means that even with the discount, you may still pay more than the original price.

    Shopkeepers clearly understand what makes you want to buy their products. But with a little preparation, you can avoid being cheated.

Tips for shoppers

*Always compare prices before buying anything.

*{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The more focused you are, the easier it is to make wise decisions.

*Don't shop when you are hungry. Studies show that you'll usually buy more than you originally planned.

*{#blank#}5{#/blank#} First ask yourself: Do I have the money to buy it? Will I use it? If not, walk away, but if so, go for it! That way you'll still feel good after you take your item home.

A．Know what you're looking for.

B．Watch for"Buy one, get one free"sales.

C．And that makes shop owners very happy!

D．One of the oldest is to make prices end in 99.

E．Don't buy something just because it's on sale.

F．Check for sales ads in the newspaper or online.

G．But before the sale begins, sellers might mark the prices higher.

    If you plan to go abroad for your further education,first you should read something about the custom of the country.For example,in the United States,it is not customary to telephone someone very early in the morning.If you telephone him early in the day,while he is shaving or having breakfast,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.The same meaning is attached to telephone calls made after 11:00 p.m.If someone receives a call during sleeping hours,he assumes it's a matter of life or death.So{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    In social life,time plays a very important part.In the U.S.A. guests tend to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party is extended only three or four days before the party date{#blank#}3{#/blank#}.In other areas of the world,it may be considered foolish to make an appointment too far in advance because plans which are made for a date more than a week away tend to be forgotten.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.Thus,misunderstandings arise between people from cultures that treat time differently.Being punctual is valued highly in American life,for example.If people are not punctual,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.In the U.S. no one would think of keeping a business associate waiting for an hour,it would be too impolite.A person who is 5 minutes late is expected to make a short apology.

A.they will not be trusted

B.But it is not true in all countries

C.Different races understand it differently

D.the time chosen for the call communicates its importance

E.they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible

F.The meaning of time differs in different parts of the world

G.the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate attention

    The key to losing weight is to understand what really motivates you. Have you ever been excited about losing a few pounds?{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And to help you keep your weight under control, you need some coping strategies.

    Ask questions. When you're researching different dieting products and plans or even talking to a doctor about diets, ask as many questions as you can.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Ask questions like: Do I have to purchase special meals or supplements? Does the program include a part to help me maintain my weight loss?

    Get real.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Don't burden yourself with unrealistic expectations. Remember, large amounts of weight loss are not realistic and are most likely not safe or healthy. Talk with your health care professional to determine a healthy weight goal.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}To maintain your weight, you must balance your intake of calories with the energy you burn. Just 30 minutes of fast walking in most days can take about 10 pounds off your weight each year.

    Weigh yourself weekly. It's important to track your weight on any diet or weight loss plan, but don't get on the scale every day. Weighing daily won't show you the big picture.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Stay balanced.

B. Once a week is fine.

C. Stick with your healthy eating plan.

D. Losing one to two pounds a week is a realistic goal.

E. Being well informed will help you choose the best diet for you.

F. Regular weight check-ins will show you your progress over time.

G. If so, you must find a way to turn that excitement into determination.

    Celebrate!

    Piñatas(彩罐)

    In Mexico, children often get piñatas on their birthday. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the piñata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the piñata with a stick. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Noodles

    In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can't cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.

Business birthdays

    A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.

Name days

    As well as a birthday, many people in Southern Europe also celebrate their name day. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} people have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.

Islamic New Year

    In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid(开斋节). Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.

A. You have to eat them in one piece.

B. They go out for a meal to celebrate.

C. Companies hold parties and send cards.

D. They give presents, such as sweets and food.

E. It breaks and the sweets fall out on to the ground.

F. This is one of the two important festivals in this country.

G. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays.

    Most people will agree that it is good to read, but not all reading is equal. Here are some tips for productive reading.

    ⒈Take notes.

    Even if you never refer to your notes again, the process of taking notes helps you sort out something important and will help you remember it. You can choose between computers or paper for your notes. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. On the other hand, many people feel they recall information better when they write it by hand.

    ⒉{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    If you are like me, once you commit to reading a book, it is very hard to give up until you've finished it. Given the number of books that are available and our limited life, it just doesn't make sense to read a book that you aren't getting anything from.

    ⒊Variety is good.

    While you don't want to give up on a book that you are benefiting from, it is important to give yourself variety. You can pick up a book at random or intentionally looking for something different from what you normally read. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    ⒋Review what you've read.

    If you want to remember what you read, take the time to review. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. When you finish a book, spend 15 minutes examining your notes in 2 to 4 days. Then 2 to 4 weeks after that and then 2 to 4 months after that. This will strengthen the knowledge in your mind.

    ⒌Discuss what you read with others.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If you can talk with people in person, that is ideal, but don t overlook the power of the Internet in connecting people with similar interests but different geography.

A. Don't be afraid to give up

B. Make full use of reading time

C. It's hard to get more out of your normal reading

D. This can be very valuable in giving you a different opinion

E. And you，d better go over things at ever increasing time intervals

F. Using computers will make it easy to find your notes later by search

G. The best way to get more from your reading is to discuss it with others

    How do parents teach children about money？How do you teach them to get rich？Likely, you do not have an answer because you would not call yourself rich. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here is what self-made millionaires tell their kids about wealth.

    You deserve to have wealth.

    This statement could be read as arrogant（傲慢的）,when in fact it comes from a place of humbleness. Self-made millionaires teach their children that they deserve to be rich not because they were born into the right family but because they work hard to solve other people's problems.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Having money gets rid of tons of the issues which people find themselves in when they do not have it. Not happy with your current living situation？You can pack up and leave. Do you hate your job？Why not start your own business. Upset about a global disaster？Donate what you can to the cause. Money allows you to enjoy life on your own terms.

    Nothing is guaranteed.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They must create their own lives and futures. It's important to teach kids about self-reliance. Legally, kids have the right to have more and more things, but it's important to teach against these values.

    Solve problems to earn your wealth.

    In a free market economy, everyone is looking for a way to make money. If you come up with an idea to solve the world's problem, there will be a demand for it. The bigger the problem the more difficulty you might have getting it off the ground.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Pairing your skills with problem solving could be the way towards wealth.

A. A big lesson self-made millionaires teach their kids is that the world owes them nothing.

B. Having wealth allows you to do something for others to earn your place.

C. When do you start teaching your children about money?

D. How do the rich approach this question?

E. But it could also make you very rich.

F. Even the blind can see money.

G. Wealth leads to freedom.