The ability to move around from one place to the other is the biggest virtue one can ever have. We humans, possess an extraordinary virtue of seeing, experiencing and learning from it, and this is precisely what makes our journeys more satisfying and enriching.

    People travel for various reasons.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Though every person may have his/her own reason to go on a journey, it is essential to note that traveling, in itself, has some inherent advantages. For one, for some days getting away from everyday routine is a pleasant change.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}It makes a person forget his worries, problems, frustrations, and fears, although for some time. It gives him a chance to think wisely and constructively. Traveling also helps to heal; it can mend a broken heart.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Whether a person travels alone or with family and friends, the experience definitely gives him/her nice and exciting stories, which he/she can share with people back home. In fact, traveling away from home and spending time with near and dear one(s) can give the relationship an entirely new perspective and possibly, people may start understanding each other in a better way.

    With people, their culture, thoughts and ideas also travel. When they go from one place to the other, they are bound to meet people and share their thoughts and experiences with them. This is where exchange of ideas takes place, and it definitely broadens a person's outlook{#blank#}4{#/blank#}It is very interesting to discover new and unknown ways and values; they really add spice to life.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}It makes us more sensitive and more tolerant towards others. It makes it easier for us to meet and mix with different kinds of people, and also teaches us to live life to the fullest.

A. Traveling also creates lifelong memories

B. Some find traveling an extremely boring activity

C. Humans have been traveling for a variety of reasons

D. It not only refreshes one's body, but also mind and soul

E. It makes him/her think in a different way from a different perspective

F. Above all, traveling enables us to spend some time with our own selves

G. Some travel for work, others for fun, and some for finding mental peace.

Common public speaking problems

    The use of “I feel”, “I think” and “maybe”

    In the question-and-answer session of the speaking competition, many contestants began their answers with uncertain expressions like “I feel”, “I guess”, “I hear”, “maybe” and “perhaps”. These words show that the person is only speaking from his or her point of view{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Work on keeping your answers brief and to the point{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead of the empty-sounding “I guess”, using facts, together with a clear conclusion based on those facts, is far more likely to be popular with an audience.

Using only one speaking style

    “Don't stick to the same tone{#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, when they spoke about their dreams some sounded romatic. Others used humor. Very few used several different styles together. Try mixing more than one style, rather than just sticking with the same one.

    Irresponsible answers

    Public speaking is different from personal conversations. You're responsible for your words{#blank#}4{#/blank#}So you should think twice before you talk. Don't belike the student who, when asked about his opinion on book piracy（盗版）, started by saying he supported it.

    Talking around the topic rather than directly answering it

    You should focus on one point and give a clear solution. The key is to work out what question is being asked. Is it asking you to discuss a certain topic or to present your own point of view?

    Use one or two arguments together and give a strong conclusion{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It can be boring. Try to mix it up.

B. Also work on delivering them with calmness and confidence.

C. Even though you want to answer quickly, you don't want to sound foolish.

D. This lacks the support of facts and seems not to be reliable for the judges and audience.

E. Remember that judges are not judging you on whether they agree, but on your ability to say what you think clearly.

F. Confidence is extremely important in public speaking as it lets a speaker sound more convincing.

G. Deliberate gestures and affected（做作的）expressions of feelings are improper in a successful speech.

    There are numerous benefits of reading good books. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Whatever your field might be, it's very important to create a good habit to read beyond your horizons. Here are tips to help you cultivate a better and consistent reading habit:

    Determine your reading goal. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This goal should be clear and backed up with a purpose. Start by thinking about how a consistent reading pattern can help you grow indifferent areas of your life-spirit, academics, career, relationships and more.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Once you're done setting your reading goal for the year, you'll need a list to back it up. Write out a list of the amazing books you want to read. Ask for recommendations from friends and instructors. It's important to keep a journal listing the books you'll like to read for each month.

    Get a responsible reading partner to promote your reading. Goals need to be backed up in order to help put a check and encourage you during times you don't feel motivated.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    To develop a reading culture, you must first analyze your current reading habits. Do you read at all?{#blank#}5{#/blank#} In order to truly achieve your reading goals and build a consistent reading habit, you'll need to set up simple systems, find responsible partners, and generally be hungry to grow beyond your comfort zone.

A. Do you study hard at school?

B. Make a list of books for each month.

C. Do you start off and stop at some point?

D. Get up early and go to bed late to back up your goal.

E. It's important to start off by setting a goal to create a reading habit.

F. Get a friend willing to read, and create a plan to help you achieve your reading goals.

G. It can make you think deeper, sharpen your skills and teach you more about your field.

Public Speaking Training

    Get a coach

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, so get help. Since there are about a billion companies out there all ready to offer you public speaking training and courses, here are some things to look for when deciding the training that's right for you.

    Focus on positives

    Any training you do to become more effective at public speaking should always focus on the positive aspects of what you already do well. Nothing can hurt confidence more than being told that you aren't doing well. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, so good public speaking training should develop those instead of telling you what you shouldn't do.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you find a public speaking course that looks as though it's going to give you lots of dos and don'ts, walk away! Your brain is so full of what you're going to be talking about. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. As far as we're concerned, there are basically no hard and fast rules about public speaking. Your audience can be your friends.

    You are a special person not a clone

    Most importantly, good public speaking training should treat you as a special one, with your own personal habits. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Your training course should help you bring out your personality, not try to turn you into someone you're not.

    Self­love is the key to a happy life. After we have learned how to love ourselves, we will be able to love others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You have to learn some steps to develop self­love.

    Accept yourself the way you are. Every person has his or her own advantages and disadvantages. Our advantages make us proud but our disadvantages make us unhappy. This isn't the right attitude towards life.  {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In fact, no one on this earth is perfect. The key is to achieve a better balance (平衡) and try to be as happy as possible.

    Stop worrying. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It won't help you get the solution (解决办法). In fact, it will make you very unhappy. So, don't let your worries influence you. This will help you face the difficulties of life more positively.

    Enjoy life. Take part in activities that you love and develop a hobby.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Take some time to enjoy them at least once a week. This way you are doing something that you are good at, which will make you feel good about yourself，and make you start loving life and everyone and everything in it.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If your body is weak and suffering from some health problems, you aren't going to like anything about it. So you must take good care of your health. It includes eating fresh healthy food, taking enough rest and doing exercise.

A. Live a healthy lifestyle.

B. Make efforts to improve yourself.

C. It will hold you back from loving yourself.

D. They can be anything that makes you happy.

E. Worrying about a problem won't let you think clearly.

F. However, learning to love yourself isn't going to be easy.

G. The correct thing to do is accept the fact that you aren't perfect.

    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.