How to Create a Mind Map

    Most of us think visually but we write textually. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It also makes the information we list more difficult to process, remember, and share.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It combines the brain's visual nature with our tendency to write down words. We end up with a diagram that combines logic and order in a less structured manner. This promotes clearer thinking and better comprehension.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    So, how do you create a mind map? The most basic method is to just use a pen and paper, or a marker and whiteboard. It begins with a central topic or idea, then flows outward.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The next level of topics is represented by branches extending from it.

    There aren't really any rules for creating mind maps. While most flow outwardly from the central topic, some users prefer to build mind maps in one direction.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This can make groups of ideas easier to identify and remember. It also makes a mind map more enjoyable to create and use.

    Mind maps are extremely effective for taking notes, planning a project, brainstorming an idea, presenting information to others, and many other uses. Take out your pen and have a try.

A. They help to clarify thinking.

B. This goes against how our minds actually work.

C. They help us save time by focusing on key issues.

D. A mind map is the perfect answer to this dilemma.

E. Think of it as a tree, where the central point is the trunk.

F. It's also a lot more enjoyable than simply writing down lists.

G. Others like to add colors, pictures, or symbols in their mind maps.

    Choosing the right job is probably one of the most important decisions we have to make in life, and it is frequently one of the hardest decisions we have to make. One important question that you might ask yourself is: “How do I get a good job?” {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are people who can answer an insignificant advertisement in the local paper and land the best job in the world; others write to all sorts of places all over the country, and never seem to get a reply at all. Still others believe that the in person, door-to-door approach is by far the best way to get a job; and then there are those who, through no active decision of their own, just seem to be in the right place at the right time. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} He used to spend a lot of his free time down by the sea watching the tall ships, but never thinking that he might one day sail one of them. His father was a farmer, and being a sailor could never be anything for the boy but an idle dream. One day, on his usual wandering, he heard the captain of the ship complaining that he could not sail because one member of his crew was sick. Without stopping to think, the lad(少年) offered to take his place. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If the lad had gone home to ponder（考虑）his decision for a week, he may have missed his chance. It is one thing to be offered an opportunity; it is another to take it and use it well. Sometimes we hear stories about people who break all the rules and still seem to land plum jobs（美差）. When you go for a job interview or fill out an application, you are expected to say nice things about the company to which you are applying. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And within a year this person had become general manger of the company.

A．This story also illustrates the importance of seizing an opportunity when it presents itself.

B．People find jobs in an infinite number of ways.

C．It's almost impossible to find a good job by answering advertisement in newspapers.

D．Take for example the young man who wanted to be a sailor.

E．But there was one person who landed an excellent job by telling the interviewer all the company's faults.

F．He spent the rest of his life happily sailing the ships he had always loved.

G．It is very important to seize an opportunity when it presents itself.

    "No man is an island" is a well-known line from John Donne's Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, written more than three hundred years ago. Even now people still agree with him.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So we all need to have friends. For some of us, though making friends is not difficult, we may not want to make the first move. It is also difficult at times to keep the friends we already have.

    There are many books about friendship, but Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, written in 1936, is the most famous.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It was later put into 28 languages.

    Here is the list of advice from his book:

    Be friendly and polite.

    Always greet with a smile. Begin with "excuse me" or "would you please", when you want to ask somebody.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Go out of your way to be nice.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Making some soup for a sick neighbor may seem like a little thing to you, but it will make your neighbor feel a lot better.

    Remember names.

    They say that the sweetest music to a person' ears is the sound of his or her own name.

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    Try to understand other people's ways and ideas and learn something from them.

A. Be open-minded.

B. Try to help your friends get out of trouble.

C. Without other people, life became empty and sad.

D. Find some time to do some things for other people.

E. It's also important to keep close friends in our daily life.

F. Remember to say "thank you" and try to be as helpful as you can.

G. This "How to" book about getting along with other people became a best seller.

    Final exam time can often be stressful. While some stress can actually be a positive motivator(动力), being too nervous can be problematic, especially if it interferes with your test taking performance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Deal with your anxiety(焦虑). Try to determine the source of your test anxiety. If it stems from(起源于) a lack of preparation on your part, your anxiety is considered a reasonable response(回复). However, if you believe that you are prepared for the test, but are still nervous, this may be unreasonable. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Prepare for those tests. This is the best way to reduce anxiety. Avoid cramming(临时死记硬背)for a test. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}When studying, try to create questions that could possibly be asked on the test. If it is impossible for you to cover all of the material for the test, choose one part that you know you will be able to cover and present well.

    Change your attitude. Improving your beliefs and attitudes about the test-taking experience can actually help you enjoy studying and may improve your performance. Don't overplay the importance of the grade. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

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    Don't forget about yourself and what you need. This means thinking of yourself as a total person, not just as a test taker. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. You can't bring out your best if you are tired. Do something relaxing when you feel well prepared.

A. Ease your stress.

B. Don't forget the basics.

C. Remind yourself that it is very important.

D. Either way, it can be very helpful to know how to work with their effects.

E. It is not a reflection of your self-worth, nor does it predict your future success.

F. Here's some advice to help make the end-of-the-term experience less stressful.

G. It can produce high levels of anxiety and is not helpful in trying to learn a large amount of material.

    Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem?

    A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason. Loyal and affectionate, a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem(自尊)as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows.

    A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues. The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness. A dog offers genuine unconditional love. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    All dogs need exercise, so taking his dog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life, says mental health specialist Dr. Alan Cohen. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins (内腓肽) into the brain, which create positive responses in the body, including improved self-esteem.

    Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends, suggests HELPGUIDE. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A dog is a great ice-breaker, avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets. The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his dog, the more his self-esteem will improve.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, more extreme action may be required. In these cases, professional help should be sought. Parents who suspect that their teen's low self-esteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice.

A. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge, question or criticize.

B. In some cases, having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem.

C. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression.

D. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want.

E. In particular, someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial.

F. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling, jogging and throwing a ball.

G. A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class.

    You may have grown up living with lots of siblings, or this may be your first time sharing your living space with someone else. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Follow these tips to make sure you and your roommate keep things pleasant and supportive throughout the year (or even years)!

    Be clear about your expectations from the beginning. Do you know in advance that you hate it when someone hits the snooze button (贪睡闹铃) fifteen times every morning? That you're a neat freak (怪人)? That you need ten minutes to yourself before talking to anyone after you wake up? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's not fair to expect him or her to pick up on them right away, and communicating what you need is one of the best ways to avoid problems before they become problems.

    Address problems when they're little. Is your roommate always forgetting her things for the shower, and taking yours? {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Addressing things that annoy you while they're still little can help your roommate be aware of something she may not otherwise know. And addressing little things is much easier than addressing them after they've become big.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This may seem simple, but it's probably one of the biggest reasons why roommates experience conflict. Don't think he'll mind if you borrow his shoes for a quick soccer game? For all you know, you just stepped over an uncrossable line. Don't borrow, use, or take anything without getting permission first.

    Be mindful of who you bring into your room-and how often. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But your roommate may not. Be mindful of how often you bring people over. If your roommate studies best in the quiet, and you study best in a group, can you alternate who hits the library and who gets the room?

A. Be open to new ideas and experiences.

B. Respect all the things that belong to your roommate.

C. You may love having your study group into your room.

D. Expect to learn, grow and change during the time in the college.

E. Are your clothes being borrowed faster than you can wash them?

F. Let your roommate know as soon as you can about your little preferences.

G. Having a roommate can be both a challenge and a great part of your college experience.