We'd better develop our interest in English at the beginning of our study. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} We may feel good when we can say something simple in English.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So we must make some plans before study. And we should certainly carry out these plans in our study.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Our notes are much thinner than the books so that we can learn them by heart easily and can often review and read them. We may also record our notes on tapes so as to listen to them easily.

      Reading a newspaper is the best thing to improve your English.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It will help you keep in touch with a lot ofsubjects in English.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Learn by heart the whole sentences and the phrases that contain the new words so that we may know how to use the words.

If time permits, we may read a miniChinese-English dictionary carefully from cover to cover, which may help us widen our sight and master knowledge in all ways.

A. Read a little from a newspaper every day.

B. Don't read books without making notes.

C. Carefully write an e-mail in English.

D. It's easy to develop an interest in English study.

E. The more, the better.

F. Plans are always very necessary.

G. Never just memorize single English words.

    Everyone can benefit from better communication. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Of course, we know that isn't true, but this shouldn't stop you improving your communication skills. Here are a few tips to help you become a better communicator.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Verbal (口头的) language is only one part of the communication — body language is another. If you ever wanted to know how to tell if someone is lying, body language is the answer. Your body language tells other people what you aren't verbally saying, such as if you are anxious, confident, confused, angry or any other type of emotion or state of mind. If you become great at reading body language, it will help you become a better communicator.

    Listen to others

    Before you ever begin to speak, take a minute to see if anyone else has something to say.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Listening to others has many benefits, such as allowing you to learn new things or get information that you may later need.

    Think before you speak

    Your parents probably told you this as a child, but many people still do not take a moment to think about the words they are about to say.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}There is a time and place for all words and tones of voice.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}You will have to practice your communication skills before you can ever become an excellent communicator.

A. This is not an overnight thing.

B. Singing a song for them is good.

C. Become fluent in body language.

D. Don't try to make the conversation go your way.

E. You should decide what you want to get in a conversation before you choose your words.

F. If you are too anxious, you can't look for the right body language to use in communication.

G. In fact, if everybody were excellent communicators, the world would be a much better place.

    How similar are language and music?

    Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

    Both language and music have a writing system.

    In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. We can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of years ago.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language they use. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

    Both share emotion.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my words. Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share in that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics.

A. Both are expressive.

B Both vary with culture.

C How do you know that I am angry?

D. We use language to express our thoughts.

E. So just as you read English, you can read music.

F. Similarly, music is part of many people's lives.

G. In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.

    Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to afford all of that fancy equipment used in the gyms{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Now here are some effective exercises that you can do at home, without the need for any equipment.

    Jumping Jacks (开合跳)—These are always fun, as they bring back memories of being a kid.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Well, surprise- they are also great aerobic exercise, and good for warming up, too.

    Pushups—While they can be hard to do, you can find easier ways to do them. You don't need to pretend you're“Rocky”, and do them with one hand; just do what works for you.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Or, do them standing up against a wall. You will be building up arm strength and working out muscles(肌肉) in your chest area.

Light weight lifting—No, you don't need to go out and buy expensive weights for this! Just use whatever you can find in your house. Start out with something lighter, such as a can of peas.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Step exercises—Using the steps in your home, you can do repetitions which will strengthen your leg muscles. (Just remember to be careful!)

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}You needn't join a gym, paying a large amount in membership fees each month. You don't even need the expensive equipment. Use what you have in your house, and work out in the comfort of your home. You will be more likely to keep up with the exercise when you're comfortable, so just get up and start exercising!

A. Now you have no excuses!

B. Getting some exercise is important.

C. And work yourself up to heavier items little by little.

D. Who has not done jumping jacks for fun as a child?

E. Nice as it sounds, it just isn't an option for most people.

F. Do them on your knees, instead of keeping your legs straight.

G. To make these exercises even more fun, you can watch TV while doing them.

    The Qingming Festival is celebrated with a three-day national holiday, whose name originates from the saying "Plants start to revive and prosper at Qingming in a clean and bright way. Thus, the festival is called Qingming, "which means clean and bright. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Tomb sweeping aims to commemorate family ancestors while going on a spring outing allows everyone the chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery and enjoy the season.

    Traditional customs

    Tomb sweeping. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} On this day, the whole family gathers in front of their ancestral tombs. They offer fruit and wine to their ancestors and clean the weeds from around the tomb. Finally, they kowtow and pray, hoping for their ancestors' blessing for the rest of the year.

    Spring outing. The time around the Qingming Festival is one of the most suitable seasons for a spring outing, as plants are thriving and flowers are blooming. People can have a great time outdoors with their friends and family. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Traditional food

    Qingtuan, a green rice ball tiny enough to fit into your hand, is also called Qingmingguo or Aiguo. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is a mixture of sticky rice powder and green vegetable juice, stuffed with sweetened bean paste, Qingtuan tastes sweet with the fresh fragrance of Aicao, a green spring vegetable, In celebration of Qingming, people from Shaanxi make steamed buns, known as Huamo, made into different shapes. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Some are for peaceful family life while others represent the wish for health.

    When writing the story of your life, don't let someone else hold the pen. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some ideas for writing a life story:

    Live happily in your own way. You are not in this world to live up to the expectations of others, nor should you feel that others are here to live up to yours. What success means to each of us is totally different. Success to others may mean being a good parent. Success is only about spending your life happily in your own way.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  There are thousands of possible paths up the mountain of life, so it really doesn't matter which path you start off on. The only mistake is by wasting time running around at the base of the mountain, telling everyone that your life path is wrong.

    Embrace (信奉) new ideas, lessons, and challenges. Sometimes growing up means growing apart from old habits, relationships, and situations, and finding something new that truly moves you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You should look very clearly into the unknown and enjoy it. Because when you come in contact with things that you don't know, that's when you're learning, growing, and truly living.

    Live honorably through kindness. If you live honorably, no matter how old you get, you'll never lose your beauty.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Spend quality time with people you love.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} People don't live forever. Appreciate what you have, who loves you and who cares for you. You'll never know how much they mean until the day when they are no longer beside you. Someday you will either regret not doing so, or you will say, "I'm glad I did."

A. Lost time is never found again.

B. Appreciate the little things in life that mean a lot.

C. Change your path when you must, but keep moving forward.

D. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing life as an adventure.

E. For others, it may mean to simply be happy or it can be all of the above.

F. And remember, there is no better thing than reaching out and holding the hand of someone in need.

G. Make wise choices every day because the way you live each day is a sentence in the story of your life.