A few things to do during weekends to improve your life

    Weekend at last! Something you're so looking forward to after a tiring week at work. Here are several tips on how to make the most of your weekends.

    Spend time with loved ones. Reconnect with family members or friends you neglected(疏忽) lately. Don't do it out of guilt or because you have to. Do it because you want to. Reach out to them to see how they are doing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Return their calls if you were busy when they last tried to reach you. Talk to them. Listen to them. Be there for them.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Stay away from TV, iPad, iPhone and any other electronic devices. Unplug! Your brain needs to clear up from all the stress you've put on yourself during the week. Why not read a book instead? A paper one. Seriously, when was the last time you did that?

    Laugh, laugh and laugh again. You can never have enough of it. Laugh is the best medicine ever. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, it helps you manage stress, strengthen your immune system and you are 40 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack.

    Express appreciation. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be grateful for your family, friends, health, the food you put on the table, the clothes you wear and the air that you breathe.

    There you are. Doing a few things during weekends will have a positive long-term effect on your life. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Apply the “no technology” rule.

B. Pause and pay attention to your thoughts.

C. Friendship is the best source of happiness.

D. Don't call them only when you need them.

E. Put them into practice and you'll beat the Monday Blues.

F. It benefits your mental and physical health in so many ways.

G. This is something you should be doing every day, not only on weekends.

    Shorts may feel nice and casual on your legs on a warm summer's day, but they're not so gentle on your wallet.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Usually the fact that one obviously uses less cloth than the other makes it hard to be accepted. So what gives?

    It turns out clothing sellers aren't trying to cheat you by charging you too much money. They're just pricing shorts according to what it costs to produce them.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Extra material does go into a full pair of pants but not as much as you may think. As experts explain, shorts that don't fall past your knees may contain just a fifth less cloth than ankle-length trousers{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Those same details that end up accounting for most of the material—pockets, belt loops, waist bands—also require the most human labor to make{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The physical cotton in blue jeans accounts for just a small part of its price Jag. Most of that money goes to pay the people stitching (缝合) it together, and they put in roughly the same amount of time whether they're working on a pair of pants or some shorts.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} For another example, short-sleeved shirts cost roughly the same as long-sleeved shirts. There are also numerous invisible factors that make some shorts more expensive than nearly identical pairs, like where they were made9marketing costs, and the brand on the label. If you don't want to spend $40 on something that covers just a small piece of leg, stay at home with your wallet!

A. More or less, shorts almost cost what pants do.

B. This is where the true cost of a garment is determined.

C. This price trend becomes popular across the fashion field.

D. This is because most of the cloth is sewn into the top half.

E. In general, a pair of shorts isn't any cheaper than a pair of pants.

F. To tell you the truth, it is a real bargain to pay for a pair of shorts.

G. Customers are willing to purchase a pair of shorts if it is at a reasonable price.

    The running of the bulls is a nine-day traditional Spanish festival in honor of Saint Fermin in Pamplona. Every year, at midday on July 6th, the Mayor of Pamplona shoots a rocket.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} The participants are usually dressed in white and wear red neckerchiefs and belts. They open champagne(香槟酒) mostly used for sprinkling(撒) other people.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}It starts every day at eight in the morning and the runners run, sometimes wildly, sometimes less. They shoot the first rocket as a sign that the run has begun. Then they shoot the second one when the bulls are out in the streets. Six bulls which are trying to attack the participants from behind run down the 900-meter-long street with a lot of spectators.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} All of the six bulls are going to be killed at the bullfight in the stadium.

    The bullfight in the stadium begins at half past six in the afternoon. First, there comes the first bull. There is also a person called “picador”{#blank#}4{#/blank#}That makes the bull very wild and it starts to run all over the stadium. Later when the bull is tired, there comes another person—a “matador” who kills it with an arrow{#blank#}5{#/blank#}At the end of the celebration, another rocket is shot as a sign that the bullfight is finished.

A. It makes the bull very nervous.

B. It is one of the greatest events in the city.

C. The main event is the running of the bulls.

D. He waves a red cloth in front of the bull.

E. This is a sign that the celebration has started.

F. The participants can get injured or even killed.

G. The same thing happens with the other five bulls.

    Once a child reaches their teenage years, many parents may think it is too late to help them change a negative attitude. This is not the case, and while it may take longer, it is possible to help your child develop a positive attitude. Having a positive attitude is important to a teenager's happiness and success.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Judge your own attitude. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Teens watch their parents and how they react to certain experiences and events. Children learn a good part of their belief system from their parents. Therefore, a parent's attitude and a loving home environment are important to help develop positive attitudes in teens

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. This is the little voice in our heads which we use to communicate with ourselves. Positive self-talk will have a direct influence on how positive a person's attitude and actions are. Tell your teen instead of using negative statements, replace them with positive ones. For example, “I can do this right. I just need to concentrate” is much better than “I failed again. I never do anything right.” If you promote positive self-talk you should notice a clear change in the teenager's attitude.

    Teach your teen to aim high, while showing her how to acknowledge her limitations.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. If your teen wants to achieve the impossible, this will only make her feel negative when she fails to do it. Unrealistic expectations are one of the biggest causes of negative attitudes in children, says the Kids Health website.

    Try to praise your teenager when he deserves it. Show him you value him and recognize when he makes positive choices. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Be sure to give credit when credit is due. Your teen's attitude will be much more positive if you also show him respect as well as command it from him.

A. Teach them how to self-talk.

B. A child's attitude is a learned behavior.

C. Avoid unkind blames to affect your teen's attitude.

D. A negative attitude can result in them feeling upset.

E. There is no problem having reasonable dreams.

.F. Most teenagers will appreciate their parent's praise.

G. Encourage him to take up new hobbies or interests.

    Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. If you can stay positive no matter what life throws at you, you've got the freedom to change your life into anything you want it to be. But how?

    Enjoy the Moment

    While the present moment may be uncomfortable, it is the only one that is guaranteed. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Look beyond the present problem and find the moments that are worth enjoying and then enjoy each one.

    Five Happy Things Everyday

    Make it a rule to recognize and then celebrate five happy things every day. Whatever their size or significance is, be sure to seek these happy things out and then hold them close so you can see their positive power. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Embrace（接受）Your Mistakes

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Embrace your mistake as an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and others. By becoming aware of your mistakes, you are able to move past them and prevent regret from keeping you stuck in the past.

    Hold Yourself Accountable

    Keep focused. It's up to you to walk your path. When you feel your positive attitude slipping away, hold yourself accountable for getting it back on track. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's going to take a positive attitude to make your dreams come true.

    Let it Go

    Holding on to old, negative thoughts will prevent positive thoughts from getting through. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You weren't born to be consumed by constant negative thinking. You were born to make a positive difference in this world. It's time to let go and begin living the life you are meant to live. It's time to stay positive－no matter what.

A. Keep you safe from anxiety.

B. So let your negative beliefs go.

C. Would you rather be right or happy?

D. Thus, make the most of the present moment.

E. No one wants your goals and dreams more than you do.

F. This habit helps you to appreciate whatever you have.

G. Accept the fact that you are human and that nobody is perfect.

How to Take Notes?

    Note-taking is a skill which can be used right from primary school up until you leave university or {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you follow these simple steps and tips, you will not only learn how to take notes; you will succeed or perhaps even come up with your own method!

    Note details at the top of your paper. Keep your notes organized by writing important details at the top of each page. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Noting details can make it easier for you to return to your notes and get important information.

    Use your own language. Write down key facts, ideas, and details in your own words. Taking notes in your own words actively engages your brain and helps you better understand the text. Develop your own system of signs and short forms that can help you more quickly take notes and review them. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Think about the text you're reading or the lecture you're listening to—they may be a bit hard to understand. Avoid using full sentences when you write your notes. Instead, use keywords to say the same things in a short and manageable way that you can easily and quickly review later.

    Skip lines on the paper for later review. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Having extra room allows you to make additional notes or clarify points that you may not understand. This helps you quickly have and identify all of the relevant material to that keyword or thought.

A. Review your notes later in the day.

B. Write keywords instead of full sentences.

C. For example, “SM” for “scientific method,” or “GH” for “gender history”.

D. As you write your keywords and ideas down, leave space between each line.

E. It may seem challenging to take notes quickly while keeping key information.

F. Include information such as the date, bibliographic information, and page number of your notes.

G. Good note-taking is a valuable skill for keeping, remembering, reciting and recalling information.