Here are the lessons that my first swimming experience taught me about starting a business.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}For the first time, I went beyond thinking of swimming and actually made a conscious decision to swim. When it comes to starting that business, it's enough with the wishing, thinking and talking. You need to make a conscious decision to start.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is something you have to do consciously. Thus you need to go beyond desiring that business.

    Tell your friends and family about your decision. I started telling my close friends and family members about my intention to go swimming for the first time. Some of them laughed at me, but it didn't stop me. I did it for two reasons. On one hand, I wanted to receive encouragement On the other hand, however, telling people about it made me responsible for them{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can discuss the plan with your boss or best friend.

    Secure yourself. After getting my swimming ticket, I quickly asked for a lifebelt I wasn't about, to go into the swimming pool for the first time without it. Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure Make security a priority in your new business.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Enjoy yourself. Yeah, I had a lot of fun at the pool.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Starting and running a business should also involve an amount of fun. I don't mean you should not take things seriously. But not until you do what you enjoy, or enjoy what you do and have fun in the process, can your business be successful.

A. Decide to take action.

B. Make up your mind and just wait silently.

C. So go ahead and tell someone about your business plans.

D. I hung out with my friends and we all had a wonderful time.

E. Put as much money as you can in business regardless of security.

F. Making a decision involves more than just wishing for something to happen.

G. The higher the worth of the business is, the more effort you should put in security.

    Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. If you can stay positive no matter what life throws at you, you've got the freedom to change your life into anything you want it to be. But how?

    Enjoy the Moment

    While the present moment may be uncomfortable, it is the only one that is guaranteed. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Look beyond the present problem and find the moments that are worth enjoying and then enjoy each one.

    Five Happy Things Everyday

    Make it a rule to recognize and then celebrate five happy things every day. Whatever their size or significance is, be sure to seek these happy things out and then hold them close so you can see their positive power. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Embrace（接受）Your Mistakes

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Embrace your mistake as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and others. By becoming aware of your mistakes, you are able to move past them and prevent regret from keeping you stuck in the past.

    Hold Yourself Accountable

    Keep focused. It's up to you to walk your path. When you feel your positive attitude slipping away, hold yourself accountable for getting it back on track. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's going to take a positive attitude to make your dreams come true.

    Let it Go

    Holding on to old, negative thoughts will prevent positive thoughts from getting through. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You weren't born to be consumed by constant negative thinking. You were born to make a positive difference in this world. It's time to let go and begin living the life you are meant to live. It's time to stay positive－no matter what.

A. Keep you safe from anxiety.

B. So let your negative beliefs go.

C. Would you rather be right or happy?

D. Thus, make the most of the present moment.

E. No one wants your goals and dreams more than you do.

F. This habit helps you to appreciate whatever you have.

G. Accept the fact that you are human and that nobody is perfect.

    Here are some easy steps for you to stay safe and secure on the Internet.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Never give out your full name, address and phone number, unless it is a safe site or it is a well-known site.

    Protect your money. Do not give out your card information unless it is a secure site. You can tell if the site is safe by looking at the lower part of your screen.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If it is locked, the site is secure. "Unlocked" means that you should not give a card number.

Don't believe "Get Rich Quick!". If it sounds too good to be sure— it is! If you get an e-mail that says you can make thousands of dollars in a few days, it isn't true. Most likely it will cost you in the end.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    A good virus scan (杀毒软件). Update your virus scan.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When you buy a virus scan, it may have been on the shelves for months, so you need to update it frequently.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Do not open e-mail attachments (附件) that are programs. Receiving these programs in e-mail is harmless, but opening and running them can be dangerous.

A. There is a small lock.

B. Stay away from these offers!

C. New viruses come out daily.

D. There are always some unsafe sites.

E. Keep your main e-mail address private.

F  Don't give out personal information.

G. Protect yourself from dangerous e-mail viruses.

    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.

Nowadays, for many people, buying a house or flat is just too expensive. However, the total amount of rent paid by tenants in Britain in 2017 rose to more than 50 billion-more than double the level of ten years prior. Consequently, a lot choose to share the flat.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

The pros? People rent a room and share the kitchen, living room and bathroom to save money.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}You may not even need to ask; just leave an IOU. Additionally, there's the fact that you gain access to their social networks. Living with people means meeting their friends, who may then become your friends.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Due to the nature of communal living, you're not just dealing with your own life events. Most likely, there will always be a shoulder to cry on when you need one. But don't forget to pay back when they need it.

Now the cons.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}In most cases, the kitchen, for example, will be divided up into designated shelves and areas. Worse, many people may not respect these boundaries. You might well come home to find someone steal your milk or shower gel, and no one owns up to it. Furthermore, there are the unexpected guests. If a flatmate forgets to keep you informed of a party they're throwing and it can be challenging for you to have a quiet night.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Some people prefer their own space while other s thrive in a social environment. Regardless, for many who lack the means to buy their own property, a flat-sharing is, and will continue to be, a necessity.

A. Lastly, there's the emotional support.

B. Those flat-sharing can share the secrets.

C. To start with, do you lack private space?

D. There's limited storage space, for a start.

E. Whether the pros outweigh the cons depends.

F. Then what are the pros and cons of flat-sharing?

G. Also, living with others means that you can pool your resources.

Developing and maintaining healthy friendships involves give-and-take. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Expressing your feelings of affection and gratitude towards your friends is a powerful way to reinforce the connections you share with them. It is equally crucial for you to embody the qualities of a supportive and considerate friend as it is to be surrounded by individuals who embody these traits. By acknowledging and valuing the presence and contributions of your friends in your life, you not only nurture your relationships but also create an environment of mutual respect and understanding. This reciprocal appreciation can lead to deeper, more meaningful friendships that stand the test of time.

To nurture your friendships:

Be kind. This most-basic behavior remains the core of successful relationships.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Every act of kindness and every expression of gratitude are deposits into this account, while criticism and negativity draw down the account.

Be a good listener.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Let the other person know you are paying close attention through eye contact, body language and occasional brief comments such as, "That sounds fun." When friends share details of hard times or difficult experiences, be empathetic, but don't give advice unless your friends ask for it.

Open up. Build intimacy with your friends by opening up about yourself. Being willing to disclose personal experiences and concerns shows that your friend holds a special place in your life, and it may deepen your connection.

 {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Being responsible, reliable and dependable is key to forming strong friendships. You're your engagements and arrive on time. Follow through on commitments you've made to your friends. When your friends share confidential information, keep it private.

Make yourself available. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make an effort to see new friends regularly, and to check in with them in between meet ups. You may feel awkward the first few times you talk on the phone or get together, but this feeling is likely to pass as you get more comfortable with each other.