Taking good notes is a time-saving skill that will help you to become a better student in several ways. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Second, your notes are excellent materials to refer to when you are studying for a test. Third, note-taking offers variety to your study time and helps you to hold your interest.

    You will want to take notes during classroom discussions and while reading a textbook or doing research for a report. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Whenever or however you take notes, keep in mind that note-taking is a selective process. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The following methods may work best for you.

●Read the text quickly to find the main facts and ideas in it.

●Carefully read the text and watch for words that can show main points and supporting facts.

● Write your notes in your own words.

●{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

● Note any questions or ideas you may have about what was said or written.

    As you take notes, you may want to use your own shorthand(速记). When you do, be sure that you understand your symbols and that you use them all the time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Use words, not complete sentences.

B. There are three practical note-taking methods.

C. You must write your notes on separate paper.

D. Otherwise, you may not be able to read your notes later.

E. you will also want to develop your own method for taking notes.

F. That means you must first decide what is important enough to include in your notes.

G. First, the simple act of writing something down makes it easier for you to understand and remember it.

    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 Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeiffer found that high achievers like Robert Moses turned out to be all alike: 

Busy! Busy!

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In a study of general managers in industry, John Kotter reports that many of them work 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).

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Ignore your weaknesses 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. This means knowing who you are, what you are and what you are good at.

Create Good Luck！

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} There's a science to it. Richard Wiseman studies lucky people for his book Luck Factor, and breaks down what they do right. Certain personality types are luckier because they behave in a way that offers the chance for good opportunities. By being more outgoing, open to new ideas, following the feeling that something is true, and 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 the 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. They never stop working and they never lose a minute.

E. Busy people are more likely to be lucky.

F. Know What You Are!

G. Luck isn't magical.

    How to Feel Attractive and Be Confident of Yourself

    Feeling attractive and confident has little to do with your appearance and everything to do with how you feel about yourself on the inside. Every person is an individual and has attractive qualities to focus on{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⑴Do what you can do.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Don't complain about something that you are not willing to change. Begin dieting and exercising if you are overweight. Change your hairstyle, have your nails done or arch(使成弓形) your eyebrows.

    ⑵{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Let your hands swing, keep your neck straight and hold your shoulders back. Walking confidently will make you feel more attractive and be more confident.

    ⑶Don't compare yourself to others.

    You don't have to look like a model or a host on TV. However, you can learn to love yourself as you are{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Make a list of your attractive qualities, and think about those each time you want to compare yourself with someone else.

    ⑷Avoid negative thoughts about yourself.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}View pictures that show you at your most attractive. Force yourself to think about the things you like about yourself rather than the things you don't like.

A．Walk confidently.

B．Focus on the areas over which you have control.

C．Learn how to be attractive and confident from models.

D．You will be happier when you don't need to compare with others.

E．Focus on achievements that will make you feel more confident and attractive.

F．The way you handle yourself can make you feel more attractive and confident.

G．Every time you think something negative, replace it with a positive thought or action.

Five Simple Ways to Increase Your Intelligence

    Your IQ, which stands for Intelligence Quotient, is a scientific assessment(评估)of your intelligence. While there are limits based on native intelligence levels, recent studies have shown that it's possible to increase your intelligence. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. Here are five simple techniques to exercise your brain.

    Minimize(使减少到最低程度)television watching.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your friends or family, turn your television off and have a conversation.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy.

    Read Challenging Books. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability, you should read books that make you focus.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Besides, it will make you think in more precise, elegant English.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than lack of sleep. You'll be most rejuvenated(恢复活力的)if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours.

    Take time to reflect. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance to organize your thoughts and prioritize(优先处理)your responsibilities.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Early to Bed, Early to Rise.

B. Take some time to exercise

C. Think of new ways to do old things

D. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world

E. Watching television doesn't use your mental ability or allow it to recharge

F. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding of what's important and what isn't.

G. Just as sitting at your desk all day is bad for your physical self, sitting in the same mental seat all the time is bad for your bran.

Rich and Famous

    Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today's situation is quite different. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, a pop star, or an actor—in other words, they hope to become a celebrity.

    According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let's take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes' best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they'll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

    In spite of these disadvantages, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living—they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

    While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won't realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A. In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

B. People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

C. Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

D. The younger generation don't favor these professions any more.

E. Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people's life.

F. The reason is that they don't realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

G. This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

Should schools allow Halloween celebrations?

    Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many schools also celebrate the holiday by having kids dress up in costumes, take part in costume shows, and join in a variety of activities relating to Halloween. On October 31, the halls of schools across the country will be filled with princes, princesses, and superheroes. In addition to costumes, school Halloween celebrations often include classroom parties and trick-or-treating.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They also say that dressing up in costumes allows kids to express themselves and show off their creativity.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Officials at many of those schools say the celebrations are too time-consuming (费时的) and take away class time. They also point out that kids who can't afford costumes or who don't celebrate Halloween for cultural reasons feel left out. For example, Seth Boyden Elementary School in Maplewood, New Jersey, canceled(取消)its Halloween celebration last year. Officials at the school said that in the past, many students stayed home on that day.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Bree Picower, a Professor of Early and Elementary Education at Montclair State, said, "Maplewood is a wonderful example of a school being responsive to society. Many schools plan to learn from it. Schools are places where students should feel included."

    Parents in Maplewood had different opinions of this policy. Some said that the new no-Halloween policy was a welcome change. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It brings a lot of safety problems.

B. Experts say Maplewood is not alone.

C. Many people dislike these costumes.

D. Each year there're millions of Americans celebrations the holiday.

E. But more and more schools have canceled(取消)Halloween celebrations in recent years.

F. Many teachers, parents, and students see these celebrations as a fun break from the school day.

G. And others said that it was unfair that their children are now not allowed to celebrate Halloween in school.