Developing good teacher-student relationships

    We all have our favorite teachers-those who seem truly interested and treat us as intelligent beings. But what about teachers we don't know as well (or even don't like much)?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    First, do the obvious stuff: show up for class on time, with all assignments completed. Be polite, be respectful, and ask questions.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Obviously, your teachers are really interested in their subjects or they wouldn't have decided to teach them! Showing the teacher that you care sends the message that you are a dedicated student.

    You can also schedule a private conference during a teacher's free period. Use this time to get extra help ask questions, inquire about a career in the subject, or talk about your progress in class.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    What to do if you don't get along

    Before you try to get out of a class to escape a teacher you don't like, here are a few things you can try to make a difficult relationship work:

    Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this teacher?” Even if you don't worship his or her personality or lectures, dig deep until you find a subject in which your teacher is very knowledgeable.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Talk to students who are doing well in the class and ask them for tips, tools, and a plan of action to get along with the teacher better.

    If your relationship problems can't be solved in school, then it's time to tell your parents. Let them meet with your teacher and try to work it out.

    Teachers are there for more than just homework, and they know about more than just their subject matter.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Undoubtedly, there will be a few teachers along the way who you'll always remember-and who might change your life forever.

A. Show an interest in the subject.

B. Teachers sense when your only motivation is to get special treatment.

C. They can help you learn how to function as an adult and a lifelong learner.

D. You can do lots of things to get a good connection going with your teacher.

E. Focus of that part of the teacher's personality, and use it as a tool for learning.

F. Here are some things to avoid when trying to establish a relationship with your teacher.

G. You may be surprised to learn that your teacher is a bit more relaxed one-on-one than when lecturing in front of the whole class.

    As most of us know, talking and listening don't go smoothly every time. Will parents take you seriously, believe what you say, listen to and respect your opinions? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} But some of what happens depends on you, too. Since communication is a two-way street, the way you talk can influence how well a parent listens and understands you. So here are some guidelines to consider when talking to parents:

    Be clear and direct. Be as clear as you can about what you think, feel, and want.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They can listen better or be more helpful if they understand what you mean and what's really going on.

    Be honest. If you're always honest, a parent will be likely to believe what you say. If you sometimes hide the truth or add too much drama, parents will have a harder time believing what you tell them. If you lie, they'll find it hard to trust you.

    Try to understand their point of view. If you have a disagreement, can you see your parents' side?{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Telling parents you understand their views and feelings helps them be willing to see yours, too.

    Try not to argue or complain. Using a tone that's friendly and respectful makes it more likely parents will listen and take what you say seriously.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you think your emotions might get the better of you, do something to blow off steam before talking: Go for a run. Cry.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Do whatever it takes to sound calm when you need to.

A. Hit your pillow.

B. If you can, say so.

C. A lot depends on your parents.

D. Think twice before you make a decision.

E. Your parents won't always see things your way.

F. Give details that can help parents understand your situation.

G. Of course, this is hard for any of us when we're feeling heated about something.

    The eyes are the windows of the soul. Having a pair of bright, clear eyes is very important, so we should protect our eyes throughout our lives. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep a distance from the TV set when you watch TV and give your eyes a rest every 30 minutes.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't read while lying down or walking. Relax after every hour of reading.

    Don't stare at the sun or try to read in the darkness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This can damage your eyes easily.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not many people have this habit, but it is necessary. If you feel that there is something wrong with your eyes, get them checked quickly. Eye problem can be found and treated early with regular checks.

    Rest your eyes whenever you can. You can close your eyes for a few seconds or look into the distance for one or two minutes. A small break will relax your eyes and help to stop you from getting eye problems.

    Be careful when you choose your glasses.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Make sure your glasses are right for you. If they don't feel right, get your glasses changed.

A. Get your eyes checked often.

B. Develop good reading habits.

C. Make sure you get enough sleep every night.

D. Even if you're wearing sunglasses, never look directly at the sun.

E. The following tips may help you to protect your eyes.

F. Drink green tea every day as a way to protect your eyes against eye problems.

G. Glasses that aren't suitable for you could bring you trouble.

    Everyone knows that fish is good for health. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}But it seems that many people don't cook fish at home. Americans eat only about fifteen pounds of fish per person per year, but we eat twice as much fish in restaurants as at home. Buying, storing, and cooking fish isn't difficult. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This text is about how to buy and cook fish in an easy way.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Fresh fish should smell sweet: you should feel that you're standing at the ocean's edge. Any fishy or strong smell means the fish isn't fresh. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}When you have bought a fish and arrive home, you'd better store the fish in the refrigerator if you don't cook it immediately, but fresh fish should be stored in your fridge for only a day or two. Frozen fish isn't as tasty as the fresh one.

    There are many common methods used to cook fish. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}First, clean it and season it with your choice of spices (调料). Put the whole fish on a plate and steam it in a steam pot for 8 to 10 minutes if it weighs about one pound. (A larger one will take more time.) Then, it's ready to serve.

A. Do not buy it.

B. The easiest is to steam it.

C. This is how you can do it.

D. It just requires a little knowledge.

E. The fish will go bad within hours.

F. When buying fish, you should first smell it.

G. The fats in fish are thought to help prevent heart disease.

    Money can buy happiness. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} What would bring you greater, longer-lasting happiness: purchasing an expensive item you've been eyeing or honking the vacation you've been dreaming about?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them. Over time, he satisfaction with material objects decreased. Even though new cars may make us happy in the short-term, the freshness quickly wears off.

    Spending money on experiences — travel, outdoor activities, concerts, classes, movies — brings us more joy than buying material things. One reason is that our experiences are a bigger part of our identity than our possessions. You can really like your material stuff, you can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.

    Another reason we value experience even after they're over is that even negative experiences can become positive over time. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Why? Because even unpleasant experiences can later become funny stories or be looked at as character-building opportunities.

    Shared experiences are also looked upon me favorably because they connect us to others more than shared consumption does. We feel more connected to people who have also backpacked through Europe than people who happen to have purchased the same iPhone. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. But how you spend it matters.

B. Yet they remain separate from you.

C. You could use the material item every day.

D. One of the enemie s of happiness is adaptation.

E. Just talking about them made their evaluation improve.

F. Spending money on experiential purchases makes people more generous.

G. If weighing your options, buying experience promises promotion of well being.