Having a shy style isn't necessarily a problem. It's OK to take time to warm up to new people and situations.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some people want to feel less shy so they can enjoy socializing and being themselves around others. Here are some tips on overcoming shy feelings.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Practice social behaviors like eye contact, confident body language, introductions, small talk, asking questions, and invitations with people you feel most comfortable around. Smile and build your confidence.

    Think of some conversation starters. Often the hardest part of talking to someone new is getting started. Think of conversation openers, like introducing yourself, giving a compliment (赞美), or asking a question.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    Rehearse (排练) what to say. When you are ready to try something you've been avoiding because of shyness — like a phone call or a conversation, write down what you want to say. Read it out loud in front of a mirror. Then just do your social activities.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Few of the things that more confident people do are perfect, either.

    Give yourself a chance.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Practice socializing with these new people and get to know them slowly. People who are shy often worry about failing or how others will judge them. Don't let these worries and feelings keep you from trying.

A. Start small with people you know.  

B. Then you can start smiling and saying “hello” in real life.

C. One of the best ways to get over shyness is to believe in yourself.

D. Find group activities where you can be with people who share your interests.

E. Being ready with a conversation starter makes it easier to approach someone.

F. Don't worry if they're not exactly like you have practiced or they're not perfect.

G. But shyness prevents some people from being as comfortable as they'd like to be.

Cowboys in the US

    Cowboys played an important role in the settling of the west. Ranching (牧场经营)was a big industry and cowboys helped to run the ranches.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

The Roundup

    Each spring and fall the cowboys would work on the “roundup”{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Cattle would walk freely much of the year and then the cowboys would need to bring them in. In order to tell what cattle belonged to their ranch, the cattle would have a special mark burned into them called a “ brand “.

Horse and Saddle (马鞍）

    The most important item of any cowboy was his horse and saddle. The saddles were often custom-made (定制的) and, next to his horse, probably the most valuable item a cowboy owned.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Clothing

    Cowboys wore special clothing that helped them with their jobs. They wore large 10-gallon hats to protect them from the sun and the rain. They wore special cowboy boots that helped them to get in and out of the stirrups (马镫）when riding a horse{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Many cowboys wore chaps on the outsides of their legs to help protect them from sharp bushes that their horse may rub up against.

Cowboy Code

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The code included such rules as being polite and respectful, always saying “howdy”, not waving at a man on a horse (you should nod) , never riding another man's horse without his permission,always helping someone in need, and never putting on another man's hat.

A. They herded cattle, repaired buildings, and took care of the horses.

B. The cowboys of the Old West had an unwritten code that they lived by.

C. This when the cowboys would bring in all the cattle from the open ranch.

D. Horses were so important that anyone caught stealing a horse was usually hanged!

E. Their clothing grew out of practical need and the environment in which they worked.

F. This was especially important if they fell, so they wouldn't get dragged by their horse.

G. They have deep historic roots dating back to the earliest European settlers of America.

    More than 40 million Americans move each year, but not always by choice. Whether you're moving because of work or schooling or for better chances, adjusting to（适应）the life in a new place can be difficult. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some tips to help you adjust to your new home.

    Treat it as an adventure(冒险)

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So stay positive and get out there and explore! Taste the local food and visit famous places and museums. Try local activities that aren't popular in your former city, such as skating if you come from a beach town or surfing if you lived in the mountains. You may discover a talent(才华) or interest you never knew you had.

    Get involved with（介入）your neighbors

    Introduce yourself to neighbors and everyone else you meet. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is the best way to get advice about living in your area, and to make new friends. Attend local events that interest you, visit the markets or yard sales, take classes and so on. All of these things will help you meet people and feel connected.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It takes time to get to know a new place, so don't expect to feel comfortable right away. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} To help make the process easier you can meet new people, find a support group near you. A fresh move is also a fresh start. Therefore it is a great time to start realizing a dream you've had, whether it is going back to school, starting a new career, or finishing a novel.

A. Find what you love.

B. Be patient and go after your dream.

C. Give yourself time to adjust.

D. Tell them you're new in the town.

E. It is especially true when you don't love your new city very much.

F. Show others the photos of your favorite places in your old town.

G. Living in a new place is a great opportunity to experience new things and grow up.

Public Speaking

    Public speaking can be defined as the act of making a speech in front of a group of listeners.

    The types of public speaking are deliberately structured with three general purposes: to inform, to persuade and to entertain. An informative speech has a purpose to inform, or give knowledge to its audience.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}For persuasive speech, the speaker would try to change the mindset, perception, or behavior of the audience for their own good. Thus, the speaker needs to look for common ground with the audience and try to relate to what they might agree on. The last type is a ceremonial speech. It tends to be less formal and more personal than the other types of speeches. No matter how well you know the person you are giving speech about, try not to say bad things about them, even if it is meant to be a joke.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Sparing some time to practice will help build confidence and help determine how long the presentation will last. Aside from it, knowing who the audience will be is quite necessary. Try to get as much information as possible regarding this particular area related to the audience. Knowing the “battlefield” in advance will give the speakers a huge advantage.

    Language is the main aspect a speaker needs to pay attention to while giving a speech.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}A speaker needs to choose their words carefully and make it clear to the audience what they mean. Often, when given a speech, the audience look up to the speaker to give them something new and useful.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Language and delivery alone will not be sufficient if the speaker does not have the body language. The movement and gesture of a speaker also affect the audience. While closing the speech or presentation, speakers can restate their main points, just to remind the audience of the important things that have been said.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It needs to be used clearly.

B. These speeches mark special occasions.

C. The important thing to watch about is not to put in too much information.

D. The key of perfecting anything is through practice, including public speaking.

E. They can also end it with a special message and encourage the audience to ask questions.

F. Knowing how public speaking is done is a key part in understanding the importance of it.

G. Thus, the speaker needs to know how to deliver their speech to fulfill the audience's expectation.

    Bank holidays! We all love them!

    A bank holiday is an English term for a public holiday. During the day banks and offices are closed and a lot of people have a day off work. In the UK, people only get eight bank holidays in one year. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    People in Colombia are much luckier. There are twenty bank holidays for the whole country in one year! And there can be even more, depending on which region(地区) you live in. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} As in the UK, most of the bank holidays in Colombia exist for religious reasons.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} One such example is Independence Day on 20 July every year. This is just like Bastille Day in France on 14 July. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is in memory of the day that Christopher Columbus, first reached America in the year 1492.

    Bank holidays are very important for western people. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} They may also choose to stay at home to relax and forget about work.

A. Bank holidays are different in Colombia.

B. During the holidays, they often travel with their families.

C. This is because different regions have their own holidays.

D. And at least five of those are around Christmas time and Easter.

E. Every country on the continent of America celebrates Columbus Day.

F. Another historical bank holiday in Colombia is Columbus Day on 12 October.

G. However, some bank holidays in Colombia came into being for historical reasons.

    I feel happy when I come home at the end of the day and see those big, graphic prints on my wall. They make my tiny New York apartment feel more home and more purposeful; more like me. Why? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    You're probably not trying to spend crazy dollars on art for your home—who is? Maybe you just graduated and know you need to upgrade from that poster of Einstein with his tongue out taped to your dorm wall that was supposed to make you look "smart yet playful" Perhaps you just bought a home! That's expensive! {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Pieces that attract your personality, express your taste, or just make you laugh aren't restricted to gallery purchases.

    Don't panic if you don't know where to start

    Art. com

    When you want affordable but classy art prints, go to Art. com website. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Cast a glance their website and you'll be greeted with a window offering 50％off your first order if you fork over your email address. Do it. You could create art entire gallery wall of Chagall, Monet, Adams and Kahlo for under $30.

    Society6

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It features art that touches all types. It sells prints in a variety of sizes so you can customize a whole gallery wall with picks from their artists. Currently, I become interested in Beth Hoeckel's collage art and the vintage-looking prints from aapshop.

    eBay

    Nothing angers me more than "stealing" a piece from one of my favorite shops, only to have it sell out before I can get my hands on it. eBay is my go-to next step. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} From wall hangings to tabletop sculptures eBay is a treasure of art finds.