America's holiday shopping season started on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Shoppers make the most money this time of year, about 20 percent to 30 percent of all revenue all year. About 136 million people shopped during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In an era of instant information, shoppers can use their mobile phones to find deals. Nearly 80 percent of this year's holiday shoppers, or about 183.8 million people, shopped on Cyber Monday. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Online spending on Black Friday rose 15 percent to hit $2.7 billion this year. Cyber Monday spending increased 12 percent to $3 billion. NBC News reported that for many, shopping online was a more comfortable alternative than crowded malls.

    The shift to online shopping has had a big impact on solid shopping malls. Since 2010, more than 24 shopping malls have closed and an additional 60 are struggling. Fortune says the weakest of the malls have closed. However, the business in malls is thriving again, it adds.  According to a survey, 94.2percent of malls were full with shops by the end of 2014. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The average American consumer will spend about $805 on gifts. That's about $630.5 billion between November and December – an increase of 3.7 percent from last year.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}That goes to China's Singles' Day, celebrated on November 11, which posted record sales of $14.3 billion in 2015.

A．More and more people shop online nowadays.

B．That is the highest level in 27 years.

C．It is the busiest shopping day of the year.

D．One-in-five Americans used a tablet or smart-phone.

E．The traditional mall industry can hardly survive.

F．Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

G．Nonetheless, Cyber Monday is not the biggest online shopping day in the world.

    Secure your home with these expert-advised home safety tips that turn burglars into losers.

    Store valuables carefully

    Thieves already know you're storing valuables, so upgrade your secret hiding places to ones that are harder to detect. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Thieves often search drawers in the master bedroom but tend to leave kids' rooms untouched. Just make sure it's a place your child can't easily access, like on a high closet shelf.

    Install your security system in the right spot

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, but they also make it easy for burglars to see inside your home. Install your security keypad in a spot that is not visible from the doorstep so no one can see if your alarm is set.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Knowing your house is completely unattended can make your vacation unnecessarily stressful. Whether you're going away for two weeks or just a long weekend, ask a neighbor to check daily for flyers stuck in your front door. Foxy criminals have been known to leave pizza ads in doors to see how long it takes for residents to remove them. Stopping newspapers and mail delivery for the duration of your trip is a sure way to prevent mail from piling up at your doorstep.

    Pay attention to bathroom windows

    Burglars are often people you've seen before, like a serviceman working on your house. If a yard worker or unknown visitor uses the bathroom, he may open the window so he can gain entry later.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Join in a community-wide crime prevention program

    Cops are getting creative when it comes to catching criminals, and there are lots of opportunities for you to do your part to keep your community safe. Operation Identification is a nationwide project that encourages people to mark their property to fight against burglary and theft.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Also look into groups like Neighborhood Watch to see how you can get involved.

A. Let your neighbors be your eyes

B. Lower the volume of your telephone finger

C. Be sure to double-check that lock after this seemingly innocent person leaves

D.A simple solution is keeping important documents and objects in your child's room

E. Decorative glass or large windows may be important for your front entrance feng shui

F. If you suspect that someone is trying to break into your home, press the “Panic” button

G. In some cities, burglary rates for the system are much lower than those of non-Participants

    Alcohol addiction is harmful. It may ruin your life, family and career. Here are some ideas to help people stop drinking.

    ⒈First Step

    The first step to stop drinking is to know why you want to stop drinking. Make a list of reasons to stop drinking alcohol.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It would be better to display it in several places like on your fridge door and in your handbag to increase chances of seeing it.

    ⒉Reduce Drinking Alcohol Gradually

    If you're a heavy drinker for a long time, it may not be possible for you to put a full stop to drinking within one day.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In addition, fix a date for a final complete stop.

    ⒊Talk To Your Doctor

    Alcohol addiction is a disease, and may have caused a few chemical changes in your body system. It might have affected your important organs such as liver, heart, kidney, and so on.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    ⒋Join Support Groups

    There are many support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and AVERT.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They provide practical tips and suggestions based on their own experience.

    ⒌Learn To Say a Firm NO

    Friends at drinking clubs may invite you to drink with reasons.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}You should learn to stay active by developing new hobbies and interests and spending that alcohol drinking time with your family and friends.

A. Turn down their invitations with polite yet firm Nos.

B. Alcohol can influence people's health and how they act.

C. You can also look for a friend's help to complete the list.

D. Usually, therefore, you need expert medical help for treatment.

E. The very best choice might be to drink less and then stop drinking gradually.

F. For example, people may drink to deal with problems like boredom, stress, or money troubles.

G. Their membership consists of previous alcohol addicts who have successfully given up their addiction.

How Laughing at Yourself Makes You Attractive

    Have you ever embarrassed yourself in public and got laughed at for it？{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And it's okay — we should even have a laugh about them.

    Laughing at yourself means accepting who you really are. You may feel bad about yourself because of past misfortune. However, it's normal to be imperfect. What's important is that you should be honest with yourself about who you are. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You won't be able to laugh at yourself without self-acceptance.

    Laughing at yourself helps increase your confidence. When you're able to stay optimistic and laugh at yourself, you are likely to be more successful in life. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} More importantly, it helps you realize your own weaknesses, so you know which areas to do better in.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Laughing at someone else may hurt their feelings even if you didn't intend to, while laughing at yourself does not. You might even bring a smile to their faces. Don't worry about losing respect from others, because people actually appreciate it when you laugh at yourself. Laughing at yourself shows that you have the courage to do so and you're being real about your imperfections, making people think you are likeable.

    Just remember that humans all make mistakes. So instead of blaming yourself, try to think of your mistakes, in a positive way and accept yourself just as you are. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Laughing at yourself makes you popular.

B. Accept yourself despite your imperfections.

C. You should try to understand yourself better.

D. Chances are that we all have these kinds of experiences.

E. Laughing at yourself changes an ideal image of yourself.

F. Learn to laugh at yourself and you will be more attractive.

G. This is because laughing at yourself helps lift your mood in face of difficulties.

A new documentary, Pot of Fire, went online on Tencent Video on Feb 14, allowing netizens to "enjoy" hotpot together on the Internet. No food other than hotpot is so welcomed by Chinese people.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

As one of the famous meals in China, hotpot has been popular for ages, for it's "free-for-all and healthy way", according to National Public Radio. From vegetables to meat, from noodles to seafood, diners can add different ingredients to the soup to cook. Unlike frying or other cooking methods, boiling food only releases their nutrients into the soup.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Besides, hotpot can bring warmth to our body and improve blood circulation in winter, and increase sweat to help cool the body in summer, according to China Highlights.

But eating hotpot is much more than an enjoyment for our taste buds and health. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}For most Chinese people, eating hotpot is usually a social event. A survey by Chenzhi Catering Database showed that 40. 2 percent of Chinese usually eat hotpot with friends, while 17. 6 percent use the occasion for a family reunion. When a group of people sit around a table to eat, chat and drink, it's a good time." As the food continues to boil in the soup, we keep drinking and chatting with each other.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} " said Yu Jiaqing, a 28- year -old luxury brand marketing staffer from Beijing.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Or, at least you can watch Pot of Fire. As a popular saying goes, "There's nothing to worry about after having a hotpot. If you are still worried, then go for it twice."

A. Hotpot is very popular in China.

B. The atmosphere makes the time warm.

C. It's also a celebration of life and friendship.

D. Hotpot does much good to people's health.

E. This way can maximize (使最大) the flavors of all the ingredients.

F. It represents how much they like to gather together to enjoy happiness.

G. So if you feel empty or lonely, cook a hotpot to fill your stomach and heart.

The Adoption Option

There are many wonderful pets looking for new homes. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. The following is some advice about introducing a rescue dog into your life.

●Choose wisely

No matter how cute a dog is, it's important not to let the heart rule the head when choosing a rescue dog. People naturally love puppies, but mature dogs are a great choice for many people. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. The dog's personality and size are usually apparent, so there should be no surprises.

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That a dog is available for adoption doesn't mean they are automatically a problem dog. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. However, some may exhibit unruly（难以驾驭的）behavior due to a lack of training. It's important not to confuse a lack of training with more serious behavioral issues. Good shelters and rescue groups will have every dog assessed by a qualified behavioral trainer to identify potential problem behaviors.

●Coming home

Arriving in a new home can be stressful for an adult dog. For many dogs you will have to take a trial-and-error approach to understanding what they like, what makes them feel secure and what they fear. You had better gradually expose your rescue dog to a range of different experiences and other dogs to judge and manage their behavior appropriately. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. In this way, they will have company and can be supervised in the early stages.

A. What to expect

B. What you see is what you get

C. Common problems and special behaviors

D. Adoption provides a pet that second chance

E. Many rescue dogs are well trained and well behaved

F. Most of these issues can be overcome with good training

G. Therefore, it's wise to get time off work when the dog arrives