How to Create a Mind Map

    Most of us think visually but we write textually. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It also makes the information we list more difficult to process, remember, and share.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It combines the brain's visual nature with our tendency to write down words. We end up with a diagram that combines logic and order in a less structured manner. This promotes clearer thinking and better comprehension.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    So, how do you create a mind map? The most basic method is to just use a pen and paper, or a marker and whiteboard. It begins with a central topic or idea, then flows outward.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The next level of topics is represented by branches extending from it.

    There aren't really any rules for creating mind maps. While most flow outwardly from the central topic, some users prefer to build mind maps in one direction.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This can make groups of ideas easier to identify and remember. It also makes a mind map more enjoyable to create and use.

    Mind maps are extremely effective for taking notes, planning a project, brainstorming an idea, presenting information to others, and many other uses. Take out your pen and have a try.

A. They help to clarify thinking.

B. This goes against how our minds actually work.

C. They help us save time by focusing on key issues.

D. A mind map is the perfect answer to this dilemma.

E. Think of it as a tree, where the central point is the trunk.

F. It's also a lot more enjoyable than simply writing down lists.

G. Others like to add colors, pictures, or symbols in their mind maps.

    I grew up on a farm in the small rural (乡下的) community of Catawissa, Missouri, as the sixth of seven children{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In the fall of 1970, he was working on a house when the ladder broke. His back was broken.

    He stayed in the hospital for three weeks. When Dad returned home, he was still in a back brace(支架) and unable to work{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    One night we heard a car coming up{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Rose was at the door, holding an envelope filled with money. She told my dad she had collected money and was there to deliver it

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I can still hear her saying, “Archie, whenever someone's baler (干草打包机) is broken, you bale their hay. Someone passes away, Altha is cooking. It's our turn.”

    That evening, this 6-year-old understood what being a good neighbor was, and that because her parents were good neighbors, their kindness would be returned. I learned later my mom's sisters all “adopted” one of us kids to help with Christmas, and we received gift baskets from more than one organization.

My parents were used to being the givers and not the receivers of such generosity (慷慨{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. He tried to protest but Rose would have none of it.

B. Besides running the farm, Dad was also a carpenter.

C. Apart from a carpenter, Dad was also running a farm.

D. We kids were always curious about who was visiting.

E. I was too young to realize our family had no money coming in as Christmas approached.

F. It was comforting to be helped when in trouble, but what was important was to help others in return.

G. They had a bit of pride to swallow, but continued all of their lives to show us kids the value of kindness.

    Injuries and deaths caused by driving after drinking are preventable. Sadly, actions by the police can only catch a small number of drunk drivers on the roads. It is up to each person to make the decisions.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}So we should help guide our friends and persuade them to avoid driving after drinking. Here are some tips.Start talking to the person early. With every drink, judgment becomes increasingly uncontrolled.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}So as soon as your friend starts drinking, you should try to persuade him to make a plan to get home safely. Remember, after he gets drunk, he may not listen to you.Help the person realize he is drunk. Talk to him and show him that he is increasingly clumsy.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For example, ask who you can call to pick him up, or what public transport he would like to use. If he knows he is drunk, he may follow your advice.Make last efforts. If all else fails and a drunk person wants to drive home, threaten to call the police or take his keys.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}When he is not concentrated, take his keys. This may make it easier to convince him to take a cab home. Remember, don't give him the keys even if he's angry.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you once drove home after you got drunk, your friend may not listen to you. So in order to succeed in persuading your friend to avoid driving after drinking, you should behave yourself first.

A. Ask him where his keys are.

B. Set a good role model.

C. Give him an alternative way to get home.

D. But it isn't easy to make the right decisions.

E. Make him realize drinking makes him look like a fool.

F. The police will come to help you out once you call them.

G. It means the more one drinks, the less likely that he will listen to you.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily so, however. Anyone can become a better student if he or she wants to. Here's how.

    Plan your time carefully. When planning your work, you should make a list of things that you have to do. After making this list, you should make a schedule of your time. First your time for eating, sleeping, dressing, etc. Then decide a good, regular time for studying. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} A weekly schedule may not solve all your problems, but it will force you to realize what is happening to your time.

    Find a good place to study. Look around the house for a good study area. Keep this space, which may be a desk or simply a corner of your room, free of everything but study materials. No games, radios, or television. When you sit down to study, concentrate on the subject.

    Make good use of your time in class. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Listening carefully in class means less work later. Taking notes will help you remember what the teacher says.

    Study regularly. When you get home from school, go over your notes. Review the important points that your teacher has mentioned in class. If you know what your teacher is going to discuss the next day, read that material. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you do these things regularly, the material will become more meaningful, and you'll remember it longer.

    Develop a good attitude towards tests. The purpose of a test is to show what you have learned about a subject. They help you remember your new knowledge. The world won't end if you don't pass a test, so don't be over worried.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will probably discover them after you have tried these.

A. There are other methods that might help you with your studying

B. Don't forget to set aside enough time for entertainment.

C. Take advantage of class time to listen to everything the teacher says.

D. No one can become a top student unless he or she works hard.

E. Maybe you are an average student.

F. Make full use of class time to take notes of what the teacher says in class.

G. This will help you understand the next class.

    Why do people travel? There are many reasons one can think of when asked questions like this.

    To travel far enough to meet yourself

    Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You find out your abilities. When you are offered a different lifestyle, you can find out what you are made of. The farther you go from your home, the nearer you come to your true self.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    If you look back at all the amazing memories of your life, you will realize that most of them were out of your comfort zone. Travelling is dangerous, full of life threatening possibilities and will not always be comfortable, but at the same time, it gives irreplaceable memories.

    To slow down and relax

    A wise man once said that never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Money is worth nothing if you cannot spend it on a little adventure. While we are deeply involved in making money, we forget that time is going through our fingers. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The feeling of being away from your workplace is pure happiness. The feeling of not having to worry about the never ending piles of files is pure joy. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    To celebrate life

    Life is short and the world is wide. One day you might wake up and realize that you don't have time to do everything that you have always wanted to do, anymore. Once in a while, make time to appreciate the fact that you are alive, young, free and healthy. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. To become a storyteller.

B. Travelling lets you discover yourself.

C. To break through your comfort zone.

D. So, go travelling to celebrate life itself.

E. You can relate to the world and connect to others.

F. And the feeling of being away from your boss for a few days is pure pleasure.

G. Escape life for a little while because experience is far more valuable than money.

Three simple keys to success

Being successful means different things to different people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} My point is, the specifics involved in finding success can vary greatly, depending on your goal.

There are three basic components necessary for finding success, regardless of the specifics of your pursuit. And, since the desire for ownership is the driving force behind acquisition, I'll use the word OWN as my simple three-item method for success.

⒈ O-Opportunity: one of the most important components in finding success is being able to identify opportunity. It is to success what wind is to sailing. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Identifying opportunity is the first step; awareness sets your sails for success while your motivation provides the wind.

⒉ W-Wisdom: By definition, wisdom is the accurate application of knowledge. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}It requires clear understanding, great insight and good judgment. Once opportunity is identified, you must use all your inner resources to seize it and make the most of it. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Finding success when opportunity presents itself often means reaching out for help in areas where you have weakness.

⒊ N-Never give up: This might possibly be the most important for success. The key is to first break your goal down into workable parts so you don't feel pressured, and then to work each part at ease with both enthusiasm and purpose. It takes a lot of time, effort and determination to succeed. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Being successful demands doing well.

B. But wisdom involves more than just knowing.

C. You simply can't have one without the other.

D. Having this attitude keeps you moving in face of trouble and becomes the driving force.

E. Besides, wisdom means knowing your limitations.

F. You'll finally succeed if you follow these steps.

G. The road to success is being largely determined by what result you want to achieve.