Today, some traditional methods are unfashionable, particularly in the fast changing world of technology. A person who relies only on formal education may be cheated. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Self-learning is still considered the best. You know yourself best, and you can learn at your own pace.

    A self-learner has his own freedom. It is a choice between the things that you may want to learn more and improving your abilities. It can also lead you to great personal satisfaction. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Then, what you should pay attention to when you are teaching yourself? Well, first of all you must realize what you will do and achieve. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Whether it is learning a new language, a new subject or a hobby, it can be a great start in teaching yourself.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It can be harder than a typical classroom situation. One should have the ability to keep on trying, especially during times when you want to give up.

    Learning the basics is very important before starting a new approach. It may become easy if you master the basics and its advanced skills.

    Give yourself some space when problems are at hand. Timing out may renew your mindset and energies, particularly in solving problems.

    Involve yourself in a group of people who have the skills that you want to achieve. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. Learning on your own is more enjoyable.

B. So ask yourself what you want to do.

C. A person also has to help himself learn.

D. Be brave to turn to others for advice outside class.

E. Forums (论坛) are the best way to get valuable information.

F. Don't try to spend a lot of time researching learning methods.

G. Be patient while you are learning on your own.

    Time is the most valuable thing that mankind has.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many people try to manage their time. They arrange information and tips in order to effectively do so.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Time can be managed easily by finding out what is important and arranging these things in the order of importance. In this way you know your direction before making any plans and do not waste time and energy unnecessarily.

    Now comes the next question.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} The answer is that you need to find out what steps you need to take and what you want to do. Then you know much time to spend for each thing. These steps are like goals.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not having them is like walking blindly in a dark room, trying to find the door.

    Time management also demands a set schedule that works best for you. In this way you will be able to arrange your tasks based on their importance and finish them. In this way you will not waste your time in beating around the bush.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}There are lots of things that we need to do in short time. Therefore, having good itme management skills is at the top of the list of things we all need.

A. We all live in a fast-paced world now.

B. Using every passing second effectively can benefit us.

C. Could you divide your time equally while doing your work?

D. How do you manage time and what type of information is needed to do so?

E. Setting goals is the most important part of time management.

F. Managing time is not that hard.

G. The aim of time management is to give us a feeling of satisfaction.

Rich and Famous

    Twenty years ago the most common ambition of American children was to be a teacher, followed by working in banking and finance, and then medicine. But today's situation is quite different. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead they most commonly say they want to be a sports star, or an actor—in other words, they hope to become a celebrity.

    According to experts, young people desire these jobs largely because of the wealth and the fame. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Let's take athletes and singers as an example. Their careers are short-lived. Many athletes' best time only lasts a few years and singers can have a very limited career. The field that was once the focus of their lives becomes something they have little or no involvement in. As a result, they'll have a feeling of worthlessness and a lack of control. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The truth is quite simple: they have been so far removed from it for so long.

    In spite of these disadvantage, there is greater ambition than ever among young people to achieve that status. They are not satisfied just making a living—they want to be rich and famous. Globally, more and more TV shows provide talent competitions where winners can achieve their goals in just a few weeks or months. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They unrealistically believe that this lifestyle is easily obtained and leads to great satisfaction.

    While many people argue that there is nothing wrong with having such ambitions, others feel that this trend will finally lead to dissatisfaction as more and more people are unable to reach their goals. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That means they ignore the simple fact that great effort is needed before success. As a result, many people won't realize their childhood dreams, which could have a negative effect on their happiness.

A. The younger generation don't favor these professions any more.

B. In many ways this has been brought about by the celebrity culture.

C. Unfortunately, they do not always have a positive effect on people's life.

D. Besides, it can be difficult for them to adapt back to a normal everyday life.

E. People no longer have a sense of satisfaction once their goals have been achieved.

F. This quick way of gaining wealth and fame creates a celebrity culture among people.

G. The reason is that they don't realize it takes talent and hard work to be rich and famous.

    Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they'll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

    First of all, good talkers ask questions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}One well-known businesswoman says, "At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It's a common question, but it will get things going." From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn't. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he's really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it's time for you to change the subject. Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you're saying goodbye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, "I've really enjoyed meeting you."{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they've known you half their life.

A. Real listening at least means some things.

B. You can become a popular person.

C. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question.

D. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

E. If you want to see that person again, don't keep it a secret.

F. It's polite to listen to others with a smile.

G. These people have something in common.

    For a bird, to fly hundreds or thousands of miles each spring and fall is a difficult and dangerous journey, one that not all birds can survive. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There is more than one single reason for different birds to migrate(迁徙), but it all comes down to survival.

    Birds are migrating for a meal.

    For all birds, one of the main driving forces behind migration is food. If all birds were to stay in the same places year-round, food there would become not enough. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But as the food supplies decrease in the fall, they return to the southern areas.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Over millions of years, birds have developed different migration patterns, times and destinations. This helps birds take advantage of a wide variety of suitable conditions to raise their young, which increases the survival chances of the young birds.

    Birds are migrating because of climate changes.

    Changes in climate can affect migration. Many birds leave the Arctic for example, when temperatures begin to fall. They need warmer habitats. Similarly, the hottest regions can be an unpleasant environment for raising young birds. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Birds are migrating because of predators.

    Habitats that have rich food sources also attract a greater number of predators who may kill birds. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Many birds even migrate to specialized habitats that are nearly inaccessible to predators, such as coastal cliffs or rocky offshore islands.

A．So why do birds migrate?

B．Birds are migrating for their young.

C．So how do young birds migrate?

D．Birds are migrating because of diseases.

E. It is beneficial to lay eggs further north in cooler areas.

F. Birds that migrate to different habitats can avoid being eaten by predators.

G. As food sources are rich in the north each spring, millions of birds migrate from south to those areas.

    Here are some top tips for world travelers.

    Travel light.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's no fun carrying a huge bag around a foreign city. Don't take too many clothes and avoid heavy books and electrical equipment.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Always keep your passport on you in an inside pocket or special travel belt. There may be thieves about. It's a good idea to make a photocopy(复印件)of your passport and travel documents.

    Transport sense. Don't let go of your bags on the train.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There are always thieves on public transport. If you want to sleep, tie your bag to your arm. When you take a taxi, it's a good idea to ask for the driver's permit. Many foreigners pay too much money because they take unofficial taxis.

    Keep clean. It's a good idea to wear dark clothes because they hide the dirt while white clothes attract it! Make sure you have plenty of clean underclothes and deodorant(除臭剂).{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You should always be polite and respectful towards the locals. Even if you find their habits and behaviour a bit strange, you shouldn't show your feelings. Remember, you're their guest.

A. Be polite.

B. Keep your documents safe.

C. You should carry a spare bag.

D. You don't want to smell bad!

E. Keep them with you at all times.

F. Make sure your bag isn't too heavy.

G. It's a good idea to wear similar clothes to the local people.