This Way to Dreamland

    Daydreaming means people think about something pleasant, especially when this makes them forget what they should be doing. Daydreamers have a bad reputation for not realizing what's happening around them. They can seem forgetful and clumsy(笨拙的){#blank#}1{#/blank#} They upsets us because they seem to be ignoring us and missing the important things..

    But daydreamers are also responsible for some of the greatest ideas and achievements in human history. Without wandering minds, we wouldn't have relativity(相对论), Coke or Post-it notes.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    So how can you come up with wonderful daydreams and avoid falling over tree roots or otherwise looking like a fool?

First, understand that some opportunities for daydreaming are better than others. Feeling safe and relaxed will help you to slip into daydreams.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And if you want to improve your chances of having a creative idea while you're daydreaming, try to do it while you are involved(参与) in another task—preferably something simple, like taking a shower or walking, or even making meaningless drawings.

    It's also important to know how to avoid daydreams for those times when you really need to concentrate. “Mindfulness”, being focused, is a tool that some people use to avoid falling asleep{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Finally, you never know what wonderful idea might strike while your mind has moved slowly away{#blank#}5{#/blank#} .Always remember that your best ideas might come when your head is actually in the clouds.

A.It includes slow, steady(平稳的) breathing for self-control that helps people stay calm and attentive.

B. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep a notebook or voice recorder nearby when you're in the daydream zone.

C. At one time, daydreaming was thought to be a cause of some mental illnesses.

D. Can you imagine what kind of world we would have without such ideas and inventions?

E. Daydreams are often very simple and direct, quite unlike sleep dreams, which may be hard to understand.

F. They stare off into space and wander(闲逛) by themselves.

G. Having interesting things to think about also helps.

    The Art of Slow Reading

    If you are reading this article in print, chances are that you will only get through half of what I have written. And if you are reading this online, you may not even finish a fifth{#blank#}1{#/blank#}They suggest that many of us no longer have the concentration to read articles through to their conclusion.

    So are we getting stupider? Actually, our online habits are damaging the mental power we need to process and understand textual information. Round-the-clock news makes us read from one article to the next without necessarily engaging fully with any of the content. Our reading is frequently interrupted by the noise of the latest email and we are now absorbing short bursts of words on Twitter and Facebook more regularly than longer texts.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}But we are gradually forgetting how to sit back, think carefully, and relate all the facts to each other.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} A desperate bunch of academics want us to take our time while reading, and re-reading. They ask us to switch off our computers every so often and rediscover both the joy of personal engagement with printed texts, and the ability to process them fully. What's to be done then? Most slow readers realize that total rejection of the web is extremely unrealistic. They feel that getaway from technology for a while is the answer{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Personally, I'm not sure whether I could ever go offline for long. Even while writing this article, I am switching constantly between sites, skimming too often, absorbing too little. Internet reading has become too rooted in my daily life for me to change. I read essays and articles not in hard copy but as PDFs. I suspect that many readers are in a similar position{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can download a computer application called Freedom, which allows you to read in peace by cutting off your Internet connection. Or if you want to avoid being disturbed by the Internet, you could always download offline reader Instapaper for your iPhone. If you're still reading my article, that is slow reading.

A. The Internet is probably part of the problem.

B. Now some campaigns are advocating slow reading.

C. These are the two findings from the recent research projects.

D. But if you just occasionally want to read more slowly, help is at hand.

E. Some of them have suggested turning their computers off for one day a week.

F. Slow reading can help connect a reader to neighborhood and become popular.

G. Because of the Internet, we have become very good at collecting information.

    We've always been fascinated by consistently successful people. Most of them were not born into success. And they simply continue to do things that help them realize their full potential{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Create and pursue goals. Successful people are objective{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They know what they are looking for and why they are fighting for it. Successful people always create and pursue their goals.

    Take decisive and immediate action. Sadly, very few people ever live to become the success story they dream about{#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can't change anything or make any sort of real-world progress without taking action. So make the decision and take action immediately.

    Focus on being productive, not being busy. Busy people are heading to work, meetings, social engagements, etc. But it may be an illusion. They're like hamsters (仓鼠) running on a wheel. The solution: Slow down. Put first things first{#blank#}4{#/blank#} And always remember, results are more important than the time it takes to achieve them.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you're selling a product line, don't keep it so complicated. And if you're trying to make a decision about something, don't waste all your time evaluating every last detail of every possible option. Choose something that you think will work, give it a shot, and keep pressing forward.

A. Keep things simple.

B. Do one thing at a time.

C. It will be hard in the beginning.

D. They have realistic targets in mind.

E. Here are some things they do differently.

F. And that's because they never take action.

G. Focus on making small, continuous improvements.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily so, however. Anyone can become a better student if he or she wants to. Here's how.

    Plan your time carefully. When planning your work, you should make a list of things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make a schedule of your time. First your time for eating, sleeping, dressing, etc. Then decide a good, regular time for studying. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} A weekly schedule may not solve all your problems, but it will force you to realize what is happening to your time.

    Find a good place to study. Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios, or television. When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.

    Make good use of your time in class. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Listening carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.

    Study regularly. When you get home from school, go over your notes. Review the important points that your teacher has mentioned in class. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss the next day, read that material. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you'll remember it longer.

    Develop a good attitude towards tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. They help you remember your new knowledge. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't be over worried.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will probably discover them after you have tried these.

A. There are other methods that might help you with your studying

B. Don't forget to set aside enough time for entertainment.

C. Take advantage of class time to listen to everything the teacher says.

D. No one can become a top student unless he or she works hard.

E. Maybe you are an average student.

F. Make full use of class time to take notes of what the teacher says in class.

G. This will help you understand the next class.

    The colors that you select create a distinct atmosphere in the room. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Pick the color for your room and you can create whatever you feel like. The color will also help you to enlarge the space or making it more inviting, which will also make differently all about it.

    However, the trick is to select the right version of that particular color. There are different hues (色调) for blues, for instance. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here we have presented a guide that will let you gain a deep insight about the colors.

    Blue

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms it is an ideal choice. Of course it is also associated with sadness that means it may not strike note for each and everyone. It is a popular choice among people. Blue comes from the cold side of the color wheel, so it can make the room feel cold, unless and until it is south filling space. If you are attracted to blue color, think of going for purple, or mix red and purple.

    Dark blues are best for a living room. Probably it is best reserved for high ceiling space. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Green

    Like blue, green is also a calm shade. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is the shade that reflects nature and renewal. Green produces a positive energy without the feeling of overstimulation.

A. Colors can light up the mood of the room.

B. You can use it for a living room or a bedroom.

C. It will make you feel the wall appear near to you.

D. Traditionally, blue is related to calmness and comfort.

E. It is better that you select colors that are warm like blue.

F. They won't create similar effect and atmosphere generally.

G. But before driving into any decision here's what you need to know.

Apologizing the Right Way to a Friend

    Why are apologies so difficult? Saying you are sorry can be one of the most difficult things you do. But we all make mistakes, so you'll probably have an occasion when you need to apologize.

    Perhaps you had a big blow up and realized later you reacted poorly.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whatever the reason, apologizing can help you both heal and move on from the situation.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} First, you acknowledge that you did something wrong. With an apology, you take responsibility for your actions, which allows your friend to forgive you. Second, an apology gives you sincerity as a friend.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}, but that doesn't mean you still shouldn't apologize.

Now,  what are elements of a proper apology? {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, depending on what the offense was, where it was done, and who you are apologizing to. In general, a good apology should include the following: a request for their attention, an acknowledgment of what happened, sincerity in admitting you did something wrong and the words. "I'm sorry" or "I apologize."

    Here are things never to say when apologizing. Note that the art of apologizing involves taking responsibility. Never apologize as a way to "shut someone up" when they are saying you hurt their feelings and you don't think you did.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, you should talk things through with your friend until you see why they are hurt or how you came across. You'll really need to self﹣reflect so you can see things from your friend' s point of view.

A. When you make your apology in person

B. If you really believe you did nothing wrong

C. Apologies benefit friendships in a variety of ways

D. The way you apologize is going to be slightly different

E. Or maybe you just didn't show support when you needed to

F. Apologizing the right way, however, may take a little practice

G. Sometimes our pals forgive us easily for the minor things we do wrong