Language students often think they have memory problems. They worry because they can't remember words. In fact, the problem usually isn't with their memory. The problem is with how they study.

    To remember words better, you need to understand how memory works. There are two kinds of memories: short-term and long-term. When you see, hear, or read something, it goes first into short-term memory. But short-term memory lasts for only a few seconds. You will only remember something longer if it goes into long-term memory. Your long-term memory is like a very big library with many, many books. And like a library, it's organized (有条理的). When you put away a book – or memory – you can't just leave it anywhere. You have to choose a place where you can find it again.

    How can you do this with vocabulary? The answer is to work with the word and think about the word in new ways. You can do this by writing new sentences that include it. Even better, you can invent a little story about the word, with people or places that you know. Another way is to make a picture in your mind with the word. For example, if the word is height, you can think of the tallest person you know and try to guess his or her height. All of these activities are good ways to think about words. They make the meaning of words stronger in your long-term memory. And they give a way to find a word when you need it.

Does your mood(情绪) change with the seasons?

Some people find that when the temperature goes down, so do their spirits. Those people sometimes feel sad for no reason. They eat more and put on weight. They have trouble sleeping. They can't think clearly. This is the winter blues(忧郁).

Here are some ways for you to beat the winter blues.

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Some experts say that the winter blues happen because we get less sunlight in winter than we do in other seasons. They say that the decrease(减少) in sunlight can make us feel sad. Getting more sunlight each day can help you feel better.

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Taking a walk or doing some exercise will make chemicals called endorphins(内啡汰)in your body. Endorphins are natural" feel good" chemicals.

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Avoid having too much sugar. If you prefer sweet food, like cookies or candy, it may be a sign that you need more protein(蛋白质), like meat, chicken or fish.

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Cut back if you have too many things to do. Make sure you have some quiet time to yourself. Get some rest. Don't be so busy that you get run-down.

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If you feel sad all the time and the feeling won't go away, you may have a bigger problem than the winter blues. Talk to a friend you trust, or get help from a doctor.

Tests are important for learning. Many students do well with their homework. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some tips for you to do well in tests.

Find the Perfect Place

If you study in a place with good lighting, you will feel comfortable. However, the most important thing is that there are no distractions(分心). Try turning off the TV or putting away your smartphone for one hour. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

Try Study Aids

Every student should take notes and do revision. However, that may not be enough. If you like flashcards, try dividing your notes into different parts. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They may help you remember the key points too!

Stay Positive and Calm

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} When taking the test, take a quick look through the whole test paper first. If you come across a difficult question, do not be nervous. Stop and think for a moment.

Keep on Studying

Here comes the most important tip: Never give up. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will certainly do better in the next test.

The writing brush is one of the four important objects in the study. It usually has two parts: the head and the shaft(杆).{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And the shaft is made of bamboo, wood, as well as some other materials.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They are the Hu writing brush, the Xuan writing brush, the Daiyuexuan writing brush, and the Houdian writing brush. Among them, the Hu writing brush has always been popular. It is produced in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province and enjoys a history of over2,000 years.

 Almost everyone in Huzhou knows how to make writing brushed. Wang Xiaohua, a60-year-old woman, is a great artisan(工匠) in the Shanlian Huzhou Ink Brush Factory.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} When she was a child, Wang found the women artisan in the factory seemed happy every day. She thought it must be a simple and interesting job. So, after graduating from senior high school, she went to the factory, doing the same job as her mother did.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Making a Hu writing brush needs 8 key processes and more than 120 steps. It usually takes 25 to 30 days to complete one.

 After Wang fully learned the skills of making brushes, she understood the tool better."{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's not only a writing tools, but also closely connected with the history and culture of China," Wang said.

A. The head is made of animal hair.

B. She also grew up in the factory, since her mother worked there.

C. In Chinese history, there are mainly four kinds of writing brushes.

D. The writing brush shows the wisdom(智慧) of ancient Chinese people.

E. But once she started, Wang found the work was not as easy as it looked.

There's a small hotel in England and you may enjoy staying there. Before you get into the hotel，please read this sign (标牌) first. 

Welcome to Warm-Room Hotel！

The best hotel for your holiday—Enjoy your stay！

Tel：25323665

Address：24 Green Street，Suntown—center of the city，next to the station

Rules： ◎Check in：after 14：00

◎Check out：before 13：00

◎Please don't take pets in. 

◎No visitors in hotel rooms after 22：00. 

◎No smoking in the room. 

◎Children are welcomed. 

The front door is closed at 23：00. Please don't forget your keys. The gold key is for the front door. The silver key is for your room. 

Swimming pool：open all summer  Wi-Fi：24-hour service in your room

Swimming is a good way to exercise. Do you know open water swimming? It means swimming in the sea, a river or a lake. Open water swimming is {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (enjoy), but there is a lot more to think about. It's very important to know how {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (keep) safe(安全的) in the water. 

Most swimming {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (pool) make sure that the water is comfortable enough for people to get into. However, in open water swimming, the water is often much {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (cold), even in summer. It's not as warm{#blank#}5{#/blank#} swimming in the pool. {#blank#}6{#/blank#}many people like to wear a wetsuit(潜水衣) to help keep them warm. 

If you want{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (swim) in the open water, here are some rules for you to follow. First, choose{#blank#}8{#/blank#} safe place. You can ask the workers there and they can tell you the safest place. Next, never swim by {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (you). Always have an adult swimmer beside you. Third, don't swim too far and stay close{#blank#}10{#/blank#} the river bank or the beach if you are in the sea. 

Remember all these rules and you can have a great time swimming in the open water.