Directions: Read the following passage. Answer the questions according to the information given in the passage.

Walk Out of the Comfort Zone and Try New Things

For most high school students, free periods are useless. From what I have seen, few do homework, instead many are on their phones 

and talking, making it impossible for those who actually want to do work to complete any. As a senior next year, I think extra periods should be used to take optional subjects.

Our school offers many classes. Now is the time to experiment in different fields of study. We will never know if we are interested or 

talented in a subject if we don't try it.

In my 8th grade, I was told that I had to take an art class as a graduation requirement; so in the 9th grade I took Studio and Art. One 

of the projects was to build a clay pot, but I built mine incorrectly, so it broke in the kiln 

(窑). I found out that I have no artistic ability at all, and now I know for sure that I do not want to be an artist. However, the class was

 one of my favorites that year. I was able to try new activities and test my ability.

Walk out of our comfort zone and try new things! College is when we should focus on a specific major, but high school is when we

 have to figure it out.

Half of all college students change their major at some point. By doing that hundreds of dollars are wasted on classes that they would 

have never needed to take. So use our extra periods to find out what we want to do in college. The classes we choose can impact us in

 future. Taking optional subjects will enrich our mind. It will also show colleges we are diverse students.

    As we all know, friendship is of great importance in our daily life. A friend can give us help and share our difficulties and happiness. But how to make friends is still difficult to some of us. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    1). Be friendly to others. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You should try to make a stranger feel at home wherever he happens to be. Think more of others than of yourself and never judge a person by his appearance and clothes.

    2). Be reliable. If you and your friend agree to meet somewhere, don't be late. If you're not going to make it on time or make it at all, call them as soon as you realize it. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Be someone that people know they can depend on.

    3). {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Listen carefully to what people say, remember important details about them （their names, their likes and dislikes）, ask questions about their interests, and just take the time to learn more about them.

4). Encourage your friends: A true friend always gives courage to his friends. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Never make fun of or laugh at your friends in front of others. You should come to support them.

Kinds of friendships

    There are many different kinds of friendships to distinguish.If people are honest with one another and clearly define（界定）which kind of friendship they have,they can avoid a lot of misunderstanding.And if people can learn to move on from a relationship that is over,they will be better off.

    Then,what are the different kinds of friendship?Well,the first kind is the social friend.This is the kind of friend that people have most of.This kind of friend isn't someone who you hang out with all the time or live with,but you know them and associate with（与…交往）them at a bar,store or some other public places.They're nice to talk to when you see them and are usually good for a laugh.However,they are not good to talk about a problem with.

    The second kind is the counselor（顾问）.This is a friend you go to when you need advice or just someone to listen.You value their wisdom or at least the fact that they are good at listening to you.You can tell this kind of friend almost anything without fearing gossip（闲言碎语）.They are the kind of friend you can trust but you just don't hang out together,unless you want to talk about something important.

    The third kind is the fun boy/girl.This kind of friend can usually be counted on to go somewhere with you at a moment's notice.They like hanging out with you whether you're going to a store or a bar or wherever.They're good tension relievers because you know you're just going to have a good time.This kind of friend isn't someone you go to for advice;in fact you shouldn't affect your relationship by getting serious about something.They're trustworthy and you know they aren't going to gossip about what you do together.Don't expect anything else from this kind of friend; just have a good time.

    The fourth kind of is the work friend.This is the friend you have at work.You interact（交流）at work only.This may include having a break together,maybe even shopping with them or running an errand（差使）during lunch or after work.They're usually not good to get advice form but on some occasions things might be discussed and you might give each other advice.Mostly you talk about the job.

    The last kind is the lifetime friend.This friendship is very rare and usually is found in marriage relationships. This kind of friend is all the above rolled into one.

The Lost Rules of Etiquette

    Etiquette, or good manners, used to be the glue that held society together{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Sadly, these days it has mostly gone by the wayside. This list is several best rules of etiquette that have now disappeared.

Opening the Door

    In days gone by, a gentleman would always open doors for ladies{#blank#}2{#/blank#}This has now almost entirely disappeared-- and it is pot entirely the fault of the men. I have seen women laugh at men for opening a door for them. They seem to be confusing manners with chauvinism(大男子主义)．

Writing Thank-You Notes

    In days gone by, whenever a person received a gift, they would write a thank-you note as soon as possible{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Parents would sit children down after a birthday or Christmas and coach them in their first thank-you note. It is a shame that gift giving has now become a virtual obligation and the idea of a thank-you note would be laughed at.
{#blank#}4{#/blank#}
         We seem to have completely lost the concept of correct timing when it comes to parties these days{#blank#}5{#/blank#} After all, a party normally has a guest of honor-this is usually the oldest woman present. It was considered extremely rude in the past to leave a party before the guest of honor-and once the guest of honor left, it was a signal to all that they should begin their own preparations to leave.

A. Arriving on Time.

B. Leaving at the Right Time.

C. People leave with various excuses.

D. It enabled people to get on well with each other.

E. This rule was true even if the giver was a relative.

F. It could be the lady they were driving, or a stranger.

G. We've thrown away the concept of a guest of honor at will.

How to not be a slave to technology

    Schwartz, CEO of The Energy Project, shared four of his most important tools for applying technology more productively, and building a work life that supports—rather than wastes—your energy.

    Build daily rituals (习惯).{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Build highly specific behaviors that you do at precise times over and over again until it becomes as automatic as brushing your teeth at night. The best way to prioritize (优先考虑) what's important to us and make sure we actually do the things we care about is to create highly specific habits.

    Take a “first things first” approach to your mornings.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Ninety-five percent of people have more energy early in the morning than they do as the day wears on, and they also have fewer distractions(干扰). So if that's the case, why wouldn't you do the most important thing when you have the most energy?

    Use technologies selectively. If you expose yourself to different forms of technology continuously, they will pull you in the way a drug would, even when you know it is not serving you well. Keep technological temptations (诱惑) away when you find yourself getting too distracted—or as Schwartz puts it: “{#blank#}3{#/blank#}”

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Many of us live our lives in a gray zone—were not fully focused on work when were working, and during our leisure time, we're not fully relaxed. This leaves us feeling distracted. Schwartzs advice? {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Applying less than your full focus doesn't just make you less productive; distraction keeps you from being fulfilled by and connected to your work. Distraction is the enemy to meaning.

A. Be intentional with your energy.

B. Do the most important thing first every day.

C. Taking breaks throughout the workday is a nice thought.

D. If you're trying to lose weight, don't have cup--cakes in the fridge.

E. We've crossed the line of being able to effectively manage all of the information coming at us.

F. When you're working, you're really working; and when you're relaxing, you're really relaxing.

G. The only way to ensure that things that aren't urgent but are important happen is to develop habits.