Everyone wants to be self-confident, but maybe we just don't know how to be. Here are some tips on how you can feel more confident about yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Everyone has shortcomings. When you have found your shortcomings, work to overcome them. If you are a shy person, take part in social activities, such as parties, and speak to at least one or two people there.

    Second, try to spend more time with positive people. Successful and confident people have their own ways of settling problems.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Third, set goals for yourself. With each goal you achieve, your self-confidence will increase.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}We are afraid that we might lose. Stop thinking like that and give yourself a chance.

    Fourth, start each day with a sense of opportunity.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Think positively about yourself.

    Actually everyone has his or her own way of becoming confident.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Friends might have useful suggestions, too. In short, as long as you try new things, you are sure to become more confident.

A. Pay attention and learn from them.

B. You should talk with your friends.

C. First, don't think about your weak points.

D. It's not always right to ask friends for help.

E. Sometimes we might be afraid of trying new things.

F. Start your day by reading something encouraging.

G. First, you should know what your weak points are.

    You can read a book for pleasure one time through and be just fine. However, it is harmful to deal with academic reading the same way. In order to read and comprehend a book or article for school, you need to be much more strategic（策略）. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Understand types and themes.

    In most reading tests, the student is asked to read a passage and predict what might happen next. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This is to make sure you're able to infer information from the clues. The type of text of a book helps you make predictions about the action-which helps you.

    Read with tools.

    Any time you read to learn, use active reading skills and there are tools that are not so good to use. A pencil and a pack of sticky notes will be good tools. You can mark in the margins without any damage. Use your notes to write down thoughts, impressions, predictions, and questions as you read. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You create some serious damage when highlighting.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It is not wise to look up new and unfamiliar words as you read. Make a logbook of those new words, and revisit them later. Be sure to keep a logbook of new words and visit it often!

    Analyze the title (and subtitles).

    Once a text is completed, the writer may reflect on the true message or purpose and come up with a new title. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Find out the new words.

B. Work the vocabulary skills.

C. That is, if you want to earn a good grade!

D. A highlighter（荧光笔）, on the other hand, can be a really bad tool.

E. What might happen next will help you a lot in reading.

F. Prediction is a common reading comprehension strategy.

G. It will be a clue to help you understand the message better.

    If you need to interview someone for an article but you have never interviewed before, it can be frightening. Here are some tips for preparing for and conducting a successful interview.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If the person is a known author or speaker, take the time to read or listened to his/her work, or at least get familiar with his/her most recent or most important work. If the interview will cover events, review whatever is known publicly about those events.

    Being a recording device(录音设备). You can use your phone or an audio recorder. In this way you needn't struggle to write things down. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} And this will make it easier to include direct quotes when you start writing.

    Remember to make it a conversation rather than a list of questions. Prepared questions are just a guideline. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. You can also try to ask your interviewee about his/her personal thoughts and reactions to events and people they deal with.

Appropriate feedback(反馈) is also important. Feel free to say words that show you are listening, like “yeah” and “Mmmm”. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can also give more facial feedback like smiling.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If the interviewee changes suddenly from one line of thought to another, lead them back to the area you are focusing on. Guide the interview but don't keep interrupting with many questions.

A. Politely ask if you can interview them.

B. Do your homework before you pick up the phone.

C. Then you can focus all your attention on the interview.

D. Consider how all the questions can be asked in a short time.

E. Nodding your head can be an encouragement to the interviewee.

F. In order to get the information you need, you should guide the interview.

G. You can try to ask questions based on what they have said to you in previous responses.

How to enjoy school

    School is a great place where you are always occupied in expanding your knowledge and further improving yourself. But School doesn't have to be a prison.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Learn some concrete strategies to help you enjoy your school life, making friends and keeping it fun.

    Cheer yourself up each day. You could wake up each morning with a bad attitude and each Corning will turn into a bad day. Or you could listen to some energetic tunes, eat a breakfast to your taste and make your school day pleasant. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If it makes you happier and more comfortable with your environment, try decorating your schoolbags, notebook, locker, and other supplies necessary' for school. Use stickers, colorful pens or other stuff to make your school things a little more fun to carry around with you.

    Join an afterschool club. It's a great way to make friends by joining a formal club or group at your school. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Check out the options offered at your school and consider joining one that lines up with your hobbies.

    Avoid distractions. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But it also risks getting you into trouble, and forcing you to fall behind when you're not paying attention. It may not seem like it, but the best way to enjoy the lessons is to listen more closely, not find ways to distract yourself.

A. Purchase things to make you feel happy.

B. Personalize your school belongings.

C. It might seem fun hiding an iPhone in your sweatshirt at school.

D. For instance, you could join the music lovers or chess players.

E. If you decide that your day will be fun, it likely will be.

F. Join a club that you have little interest in to meet someone you might not meet normally.

G. Whether you find school difficult, boring, or stressful, you can try to make it easier.

How to Raise Money for Your Favorite Charity

    At the end of the year, we are often inspired to do more for people in need. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Don't worry. Here's a quick and easy tip-list to make such a worthy act successful.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You need to make sure that both you and your participants enjoy the event. So keep it simple and make sure that you add some fun, whether it's special decoration, a bag for each participant or guest, or a special theme.

    Get team support.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Teamwork may give you some new ideas and help give a unique feature to your event. Make sure that you break down the work among your team.

    Plan for the "what-ifs?" If you are planning to hold an event outdoors, or if you are relying on a famous person as a guest of honor, make sure you think of a few possible alternatives.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}This is the key to successful event planning.

    Timing is everything. Check your community calendar to make sure there are no important community events on the day that you are planning your event. You might want to check with other communities or non-profit organizations nearby.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Check out your favorite charity's website for ideas. Many websites offer advice on how to raise money. For example, the human rights charity Amnesty International lists events and ideas on its website.

A. Keep it fun and simple.

B. Tell the charity about the event.

C. Have no idea of where to begin?

D. Turn to friends for some creative ideas.

E. Remember to thank anyone who has donated.

F. Try to pick the date that will bring in the best attendance.

G. What if it starts raining or if your honored guest doesn't show up?

Reasons Why You Should Go Hiking

    Whether you're looking to lose weight, reduce (减少)pressure, or clear your head and get out into nature, hiking is the best choice. If you're looking for some motivation (动力)to get off the sofa, consider these reasons to start hiking.

    Hiking is healthy. According to the American Hiking Society, hiking is good for your health. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can lose weight, reduce heart disease and slow aging by it. It also offers mental health benefits by reducing pressure and worry.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}As you hike more frequently, you'll begin to develop additional patience, skills and comfort along the way. The beauty of hiking is that we can do it naturally and easily. It's easy to stick with hiking because the frustration (挫败)level for beginners is low and you can find the pace that works for you.

    Hiking is cheap. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Prepare good shoes, some proper clothes, a comfortable pack, and you're pretty much ready to go. Most of you have easy access to parks and natural areas, so you don't have to spend a lot of money or time heading out on a hike.

    Hiking is real. We all spend too much time on computers at home, writing under electric lights or watching TV indoors (often you're writing while watching TV). {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Hiking is a great way to introduce kids to the world of the outdoors. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}So let your kids hike together with you and have a good time.

A. Hiking is simple.

B. Hiking is long and difficult.

C. Hiking offers physical benefits by keeping you active.

D. Compared to any other sport, the cost of hiking is low.

E. It's also a sport in which they'll be able to enjoy their whole lives.

F. When you are hiking, you often feel tired and want to stop at once.

G. However, hiking encourages you to walk out of your house and get close to nature.