Confidence is very important in daily life．It can help you develop a healthy attitude．A study shows that the people who are more confident are much happier{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But how to be more confident？Here are some suggestions：

    Speak loud

    When you are not confident，you can't do well what you want to do{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Try to speak loud enough so that people can hear you clearly．The high voice can help you become more confident．

    Play sport

    Physical exercise makes you tired but completely relaxed．A strong body helps you be full of confident．

    Encourage yourself

    Write down a list of things you did during the day to see how many things you have done well．Did you finish your task on time？Did you help your family with the housework？{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Get rid of fear

    Fear comes along with failure{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Don't hide your head just because you said something stupid last time．Try to start again and believe you can do better．

    Pick up a hobby

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  In some ways，a hobby can make you outstanding．And it will make you happy and confident．

A．You speak in such a low voice that other people can hardly hear you．

B．If you like singing，sing as much as you can．

C．But it's easy to overcome if you know that failure is part of your life．

D．They can have more chance to make themselves successful．

E．Give yourself praise of the good things you've done．

    In the Middle Eastern country of Syria (叙利亚), there are over 4 million refugees (难民). Youssef was 10 years old when a local Syrian musician discovered his talent: a deep, powerful voice. However, Syria's civil (内部的) war took place. He and his family lost their home.

    When the Action for Hope Music School announced that it was looking for talented children to train, his family encouraged him to attend the school. A year and half later, the now 14-year-old, Youssef, with another 11 children, was chosen to take part in a concert.

    Youssef, a shy boy, was a lead singer in the concert. He gave a confident performance of traditional Syrian songs. “We only heard the sound of a mortar ( 迫 击 炮 ). It fell near us. Many buildings fell down. That is all I remember,” said Youssef. “Music makes me forget everything. Music is the most important thing.”

    Basma, director of Action for Hope, said the music school offers strength to the children who suffer (遭受) from the war. They can find a good way to express themselves and stop thinking of themselves as refugees.

    “Art gives strength. It comes from the ability to create,” Basma said. “People who are in difficult conditions need this strength much more than the rich.”

My name is Tom Brown. I'm fine. I'm not twelve. I am eleven. I'm not in Grade Seven. I'm in Grade Eight. I'm in Class Three. My teacher isn't Miss Black. My teacher is Mr Green. My phone number is 7667250.

    I've always wanted to try rock climbing, but never had the time or money for it. But I've discovered a way to experience the thrill(兴奋，紧张)of climbing rock, without climbing real rock. Indoor climbing is an easy and exciting way to get a taste of rock climbing. And it is also much cheaper and safer！Indoor climbers don't climb on real rock, but on a plastic wall. You can probably find a climbing wall near you. Many gyms, schools and camps have one.

    You can climb indoors at any time of the year, no matter how the weather is. It is usually not expensive. Most gyms provide the equipment you need. The convenience of indoor climbing is one reason why it has become so popular. But the main reason people climb is for the rush(刺激感)they get. When I stand at the foot of the wall and look up. I'm always scared, But once I start climbing, fear changes to determination. With my heart pounding(怦怦地跳), I reach the top and look down. I can't stop grinning(咧嘴笑). I did it!

    Indoor climbing is a great workout. Climbing uses muscles that are hard to exercise, especially those in the shoulders, arms, chest and back. Many people say climbing makes exercise fun. Most gyms have several climbing walls with various degrees of difficulty. The easier ones are like climbing a ladder. The difficult ones bulge out(凸出)in places so that climbers must sometimes climb parallel(平行的)with the floor.

    Although gym climbing is easier and safer than real rock climbing, you should still be careful. Always climb with a partner. As you climb, your partner pulls your climbing rope through something called a belay device(绳索控制器). The belay catches you if you slip. But make sure your partner know how to use this equipment. And if you are a first-time climber, get some instruction before you begin.

    When was the last time you gave or received a hug? Do your parents hug you before you go to school? In Western countries, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    You might hug your teammates after winning a basketball game. If one of your friends is having a bad day, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Friends who haven't seen each other for a long time will usually hug each other when meeting.

    Of course, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. After coming to China, I've noticed that people are generally more reluctant (不情愿的) to hug than they are in my home country, the US.

    My Chinese friends told me that hugging is considered to be very intimate (亲密的) in their culture, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, like couples. Chinese people don't usually hug in public, either.

    But people's attitudes toward hugging can also change.

    I remember watching a video story about a "hugging party" that was held in Shanghai. A local artist held the party, inviting strangers and asking them to hug each other.

    The Chinese participants clearly looked uncomfortable, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. They decided that hugging doesn't have to be awkward (尴尬的) and can actually be quite nice. So next time you see your mom or dad, give them a hug—see how it makes you feel.