Learning to set goals plays an important role as your child starts to gain independence. However, setting goals doesn't come naturally to your child, so helping him to learn the process should probably be one of your goals.

    Explain the word “goal”. Your child may know what a goal is when it comes to soccer, but he may not understand what it means in everyday life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Listen to your child. Ideally, you want your child to be able to decide for himself what his goals are. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let him talk about what he thinks he does well and what he thinks needs to improve. If he's stuck, you can provide some examples of your own personal goals.

    Help keep goals achievable. Don't throw cold water on your child. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, if your child wants to be a champion swimmer, but can't swim an entire lap of the pool yet, you can suggest he start by making that his first goal.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Help your child write down his goals in an easy-to-follow form. Being able to see and check off the steps on the way to his goal is the key in keeping him motivated. A really simple way is to have your child draw a ladder on a piece of paper, writing his goal at the top and each step to that goal on the rungs (横木). {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Change goals every so often.

B. Make a visual goal reminder.

C. Don't always tell him what you think.

D. He's climbing to the top as he gets closer to his goal.

E. You can take sports as example to help explain it to him.

F. Once he has set up a goal, he may find it very difficult to achieve it.

G. When a goal is beyond his reach, help him break it down into smaller pieces.

    Ways to make a great first impression

    You've heard it a million times already, but it really does take but a few seconds to make that all-important first impression (印象). Here are some easy ways for you to impress your classmates or teachers.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Before you shake hands with somebody, make sure that your hands are clean. The handshake should not be too strong or weak. Most people use their right hands, unless they have a reason to use the left.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Be on time

    When meeting someone for the first time, arriving on time is as important as breathing. You may have an excuse, but that will leave the person who hardly knows you with a bad impression.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's better to be hanging around the place than be stuck in traffic.

    Introduce yourself and ask for names

    Make sure you properly introduce yourself. Ask for their name in a polite way.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This will increase the chances of their remembering your name in the future. Always remember to stand up when greeting someone and be sure to introduce them to anyone you're with.

    Make good conversation

    To get the most out of your discussion, try to find something common between the two of you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} A person will feel more comfortable with someone they can relate to (产生共鸣).

A. You'll be in serious trouble if you leave them with a bad impression.

B. However, don't have your left hand in your pocket because this appears impolite.

C. Use body language

D. Have a proper handshake

E. Repeat the name and use it later in conversation.

F. As a general rule, plan to arrive about 30 minutes early.

G. It could be a similar taste in clothes or a common hobby.

How to listen in English exams

    Listening is an important but difficult part for middle school students in English exams. The following suggestions may benefit you a lot.

Relax yourself.

    Before listening, it's necessary to have a peaceful state of mind. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If that doesn't work, drinking some water or washing your face with cold water may help you to some extent.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    As soon as the listening starts, focus on it without thinking about anything else. While listening, you can also recall(回想）the related knowledge in common with the material concerned, such as the vocabulary about the subject or topic, which is beneficial to your better understanding.

    Grasp the main idea.

    Sometimes the monologue, dialogue or conversation you're listening to is a little bit longer than you expect. And it's normal that some unnecessary information is included. However, you don't need to understand it completely. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Ignore the new words.

    Without doubt, there usually exist unfamiliar words in listening materials. In fact, it's almost impossible for you to know or understand all the words in the listening material sometimes. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's mistaken to waste much time on figuring them out while listening.

    Develop the habit of taking notes.

    In the course of listening, it's a good habit to write down the content and leave out the unimportant details. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} By taking notes, we can remind ourselves of the key points.

A. Concentrate on listening.

B. The more words you memorize, the better it is.

C. Feeling nervous or worried is harmful and unnecessary.

D. What you need to do is turn a deaf ear to the new words.

E. Make a list of what you think is important while listening.

F. Instead, just pay attention to the key points and general ideas.

G. If you feel nervous or anxious, try taking a deep breath to calm yourself down.

    You often find somebody who works around you complaining all the time, don't you? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. About 70% of Americans say being around nonstop complainers sometimes has a bad influence on them. Luckily, here are 4 tips to help form positive patterns.

    Self-awareness

    When a negative thought pops into your mind, immediately correct it. Instead of telling yourself “That's a nice shirt, but I can't afford it,” change the message to “That will look great with my black pants when I can afford it.”{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Of course, everyone complains sometimes. But the less frequently you complain, the better you will feel.

    Distance yourself

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Excuse yourself and go somewhere quiet, somewhere outdoors in the fresh air. Think of something pleasant before returning. You have to take this seriously because negative people can and will pull you into the quicksand (难以摆脱的困境).

    Don't try to change complainers

    If you find yourself trapped in a group of complainers in a meeting or at a social event, simply choose silence. Let their words bounce off you while you think of something else. Attempting to stop the complaining can make you a target.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. If someone says, “I hate Mondays; weekends are too short,” try to think, “I'm glad I rested over the weekend, so I'm ready to make some improvement on that big project.”

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    When someone is shouting at you angrily, throw the responsibility back at them by asking, “So what do you intend to do about it?” In most cases, complainers don't really want a solution. They just want to speak them out. If you make them aware that they themselves have to find the solutions, they will leave you alone and find someone else to complain to. If so, you will be happy.

A. Find solutions

B. Change the responsibility

C. You have got a lot of company

D. By doing this, it will lead to positive behavior

E. But you can redirect the discussion in your own mind

F. Whenever possible, escape from negative conversations

G. You will never know what they are going to talk about

    Celebrate!

    Piñatas(彩罐)

    In Mexico, children often get piñatas on their birthday. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the piñata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the piñata with a stick. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Noodles

    In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can't cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.

Business birthdays

    A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.

Name days

    As well as a birthday, many people in Southern Europe also celebrate their name day. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} people have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.

Islamic New Year

    In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid(开斋节). Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.

A. You have to eat them in one piece.

B. They go out for a meal to celebrate.

C. Companies hold parties and send cards.

D. They give presents, such as sweets and food.

E. It breaks and the sweets fall out on to the ground.

F. This is one of the two important festivals in this country.

G. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays.

    Are you feeling anxious about your test next week? Here are some tips that will help you in dealing with stress(压力) and anxiety.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    One of the most important ways of avoiding test anxiety is to prepare well in advance. Study regularly for a few hours every day. It helps in increasing the confidence of students.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    If students are not able to deal with anxiety or nervousness, they could talk to their teachers, student counselors(辅导员), parents or friends. Parents should also avoid pressurizing(加压) their kids to do well. Create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere (放松的气氛) at home. Then your children can study without any tension(紧张). Another important point that arises here is neither the students nor the parents should compare the children with their other classmates and friends.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Do not forget to eat and sleep properly. Many times due to anxiety students avoid sleep and starve themselves. They should sleep for at least 6-7 hours a day and eat nutritious and healthy food. Exercising regularly is equally important as talking to friends and socializing(社交).

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Plan your studies well. Chart(制图) out a timetable and take proper breaks between studying. Along with the study time, allot (分配) time to relax and do what you love to do. Practicing simple breathing skills will also help reduce stress.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. While it is important to gain good scores in tests, it is not the most important thing in life. Learning to deal with nervousness and stress will not only help them to do well in school tests, but also in their future life.

A. Third, physical fitness

B. First, study regularly

C. Fourth, prepare schedule

D. Second, reduce study pressure

E. Students should remember that tests are just a part of life

F. You should go to bed early

G. You'd better turn to your teachers for help