Questions you should ask yourself when you fail

    Let's face it.We all fail.The more new things we try the more failures we are likely to have.Experiencing failure can be a learning experience and an opportunity for a fresh start.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} A good way to begin this process is by asking yourself some tough questions.

1．What can I learn from this?

    Take responsibility for what went wrong.OK，so it was not all your fault—but some of it was.Successful people don't make excuses or blame others.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Be critical but constructive.Try to look at the experience objectively.Make a list of the key things that happened.Analyze the list step－by－step and look for the learning points.

2．Do I need to acquire or improve some skills?

    Did the problem reveal some lack of skill on your part? How could you learn or improve those skills? Perhaps there are books or courses or people you could turn to.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

3．Who can I learn from?

    Is there someone whom you can turn to for advice? Did a boss，colleague or a friend see what happened? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Most people do not ask for help because they believe it to be a sign of weakness rather than strength.It's not.It shows that you are ready to learn and change.Any good friend will be happy to help.

4．What will I do next?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Will you try something similar or something different? Revisit your goals and objectives.This reversal has been a setback on your journey but think of it as a diversion rather than a halt.You can now reset your sights on your destination and plan a new course.

A．Now draw up an action plan.

B．Make them stepping stones to future success.

C．They take responsibility of the failure.

D．In fact the only way to avoid failure is to do nothing new.

E．The important thing is how we deal with failure.

F．Make a self－development plan to acquire the skills and experiences you need.

G．If they are constructive and supportive then ask them for some feedback and guidance.

How to Make Friends

    Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. If offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leaves us without a friend.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

1）Associate with others.

    The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

2）Start a conversation.

    Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

3）{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.

4）Let it grow.

    It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

5）Enjoy your friendship.

    The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be.  Become the kind of friend you will want your friend to be to you.

A. Be cheerful.

B. So you will need to give your friend time to react to you.

C. Making new friends comes easy for some people.

D. For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

E. Do not wait to be spoken to.

F. Try not to find fault with your friends.

G. Do things together.

    No fight can end, and no friendship can move on, until everyone says these little words: I'm sorry. Sometimes, though, they can be difficult to say.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

     It's not about winning.

    Friendship aren't like the Super Bowl, and there should never be a winner and a loser. When you start fighting with a friend, it may feel important that you “win” the fight by proving（证明）you're right and he is wrong, or by making him be the first to apologize（道歉）.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You may have heard the expression “His pride（骄傲）stood in the way.” It is usually used to describe a person who is so determined（意志坚定）to be “right” that he lets an opportunity（机会）for happiness pass him by forever.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember: as time goes on, we usually forget who was right and who was wrong in a disagreement, and only remember the sadness of losing a friend. Take the first step.

    Are you sick of fighting? Do you think this fight is just not important enough to ruin（毁灭）your friendship?{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You don't have to take full responsibility（责任）for starting the fight, or even say that your feelings were wrong. But you should find something you did or said that's worth apologizing for. Maybe you're sorry that you let the fight go for so long, of that you overreacted（反应过度）to something your friend did. If you say you are sorry, it's like an invitation for your friend to do the same.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A.Stop thinking about your pride.

B.Then try to be the first to apologize.

C.It's about taking some responsibility for the argument.

D.Once you've both said it, you'll both feel a million times better.

E.There are some special cases when you shouldn't be the one to apologize first.

F.Here are some things to keep in mind.

G.Don't let this happen to a friendship you care about.

    Did you take part in a camp this summer? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}To choose which camp is best for you, first you must do a bit of research.

    Maybe you've never thought about it before, but every great summer camp has the same main goals — opportunity, challenge and growth.

    Opportunity means you are given a chance to do something special. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, if you are interested in writing, then you can choose to join a journalism camp. You may even have the opportunity to meet famous journalists there.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You must finish the task and succeed in overcoming the challenge. Then you will have a sense of accomplishment. For example, you could take a lifeguard course at some summer camps. If you pass the exam, then you will receive a certificate (证书）to become a real lifeguard.

    This also leads to the third and most important goal of every great summer camp personal growth. It doesn't mean growing taller and stronger or more beautiful. It means seeing yourself improve, learning something new and doing something you didn't know you could do before. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    So in the future, when choosing your next summer camp, remember to ask yourself: Is it a special opportunity? Is it a challenge? Will I grow?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} These will all happen naturally when you have the right goals at summer camp.

A. Challenge means you are given a task.

B. It also means becoming more confident in yourself.

C. Some camps focus on developing a certain skill or ability.

D. But what about friendship, fun and joy?

E. There are so many summer camps and not all of them are the same.

F. Of course, summer camps aren't all about adventure or study.

G. It also makes you special because other kids don't have the same opportunity.

How to improve your perseverance（毅力）

    If you're familiar with the story of the hare and the tortoise, you know that the tortoise proved that perseverance is much more important than speed. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, but fewer people have the patience and perseverance of the tortoise. Here are some tips that can help you to improve your perseverance.

    Set goals（确定目标）and write them down.

    If you don't know what you want to accomplish（完成）, it's hard to persevere until you do. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, instead of making many projects（项目）that may upset you

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}, and cross each step off the list as you complete it.

    If you want to master the ability to cook German dishes, you'll need to read cookbooks, study the recipes（食谱）, buy ingredients（食料）and practice making the dishes. Write down all these steps and remove each step as you go.

    Make a list of the rewards（回报）related to any project to encourage yourself to persevere.

    When you want to lose 40 pounds, it may seem like a difficult goal. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. You can lower your blood sugar or fit into your favorite pair of jeans. Keep those rewards in mind to encourage yourself to stick to your diet and exercise program.

    Imagine your success.

    Take time each day to sit back, relax and picture the life you'll lead once you've reached your goal.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Read them over several times a day to encourage yourself to keep going.

A. Like the hare, many people start off strong

B. And you should focus on every step carefully

C. You can't lose weight only by going on a diet

D. Make a list of the steps needed to reach your goal

E. But there are big rewards for doing so

F. Choose one or two goals that are most important to you and work toward those

G. Or you can write out a paragraph or two about how reaching your goal will change your life

Cats in ancient Egypt

    Many of us love cats. They are beautiful, soft, clever and loving. The ancient Egyptians(埃及人) considered cats, also known as Mau, to be very important. They honored them with great respect. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For one thing, cats helped people by keeping their homes free of mice, rats, and snakes.

Without cats Egypt could not have been the important grain-growing(谷物种植) center that it was. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Though I don't know what other pets the Egyptians had, cats were probably the most important. Cats were also trained to help hunters. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The Egyptians loved cats so much that Bast, an Egyptian goddess, was pictured in the form of a cat. Bast appeared in artwork. She was the protector of the house. This idea made a special connection between cats and children. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The safety of all cats was of great concern to ancient Egyptians. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Foreigners sometimes took cats out of Egypt secretly and took them to other lands. Egyptian soldiers were sent to pick up cats found in other countries and bring them back home to Egypt.

A. There were good reasons for that.

B. Two types of cats appeared in ancient Egypt.

C. In grain fields, cats helped catch rats and mice.

D. They were able to help pick up the wounded birds.

E. There were even laws against getting a cat out of Egypt.

F. Anyone who killed a cat on purpose would be put to death.

G. That's why most Egyptian families had cats for good luck.