Five Steps to Better Handwriting

    Some kids love handwriting, but others hate when it's time to put their pen to paper. Maybe they are worried about their handwriting. Are you one of them? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are five steps that really work!

    Get a great grasp

    Try this—hold your pencil at the top and try to write your name. Pretty hard？But when you hold your pencil the correct way, writing is much easier. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Hold it in place with your thumb, and your index(食指) and middle fingers.

    Let the lines be your guide

    Lined paper is your friend！Those lines can help you create letters that are the right size and proportion(均衡). {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Also be sure to fill up the lined space completely. Those capital letters should be from the bottom line to the top one.

    Slow down

    If your writing is hard to read, try slowing down a little. If you rush, it's hard to control where you stop and start your letters.

    Lower the pressure

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} That makes it harder to make the smooth lines. Try easing up and don't hold the pencil too tightly.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Lots of games require you to write or draw pictures. So even though it's not schoolwork, you're still using the skills you need to control your pen better.

A. Play games.

B. Ask for more advice.

C. So "a" should be half the height of a capital "A".

D. You've been writing since you were a little kid.

E. Some kids press down really hard when they write.

F. The good news is that just about everyone can improve their handwriting.

G. The best way to hold a pen or pencil is to let it rest next to the base of your thumb.

A: I need to lose some weight. My clothes don't fit anymore.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

B: Well, instead of watching TV all day, you could do more exercise.

A:{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

B: Like cycling, or you could work out at the gym.

A: I don't have time.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

B: OK, then you could change your diet.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

A: You mean no more hamburgers! Oh no!

B: OK.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}_

    Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. “Life has never been kind, but if we really want to enjoy it, it can only be possible with a positive attitude. The only way to have a better and pleasant future is to change outlook or attitude towards life.

    Look at the Brighter Side of Things.

    Even in the most unfortunate situations, there is always something to look forward to. In life, we do come across various situations where we compare our fate with others.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Never go to the comparison road, because it is endless.

Believe in Yourself.

    Lack of motivation causes a great deal of stress, and negative thoughts easily pop up when a person suffers from an inferiority complex (自卑感).{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Clear your mind and get rid of all the negativity.

Think Positively.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}it is also the first step in self-improvement, as improving oneself is only possible through positive thinking. It has been noted that positive thinkers are better equipped in handling disappointments as compared to pessimists (悲观者), as they usually focus on things that can be done to solve it rather than spending hours complaining.

    Help Others.

    Helping or being kind to someone in their time of need is probably the easiest way to be happy. It is by doing these simple deeds that important discoveries about oneself are made.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be Thankful.

    Each day take a few moments and be thankful for all the great pleasures that life has provided. Even during tough times, remember the people who were always there and provided unconditional love and support.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Think about everything that is right and forget about the wrong; your heart will be filled with thankfulness in no time.

B. Helping others, even in small things, helps in the birth of a happier and generous you.

C. Never think less of yourself because you are as different and important as everyone else.

D. Some people will always compare their worst with the best of others.

E. The best way to live is to get used to everyday changes and work hard.

F. Thinking positively is an important part of being positive.

G. First make the situation clear and see if they are right.

    It is said that farmers or peasants, especially those in developing countries, are often criticized for cutting down forests. But a new study suggests that many farmers recognize the value of keeping trees.

    Researchers using satellite images found at least ten percent trees cover on more than one billion hectares of farmland.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Earlier estimates were much lower but incomplete. The authors of the new study say it may still underestimate the true extent worldwide.

    The study found the most trees cover in South America.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} North Africa and West Asia have the least.

    The study found that climate conditions alone could not explain the amount of trees cover in different areas.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}There are areas with few trees but also few people, and areas with many trees and many people. The findings suggest that things like land rights, markets or government policies can influence tree planting and protection.

    Dennis Garrity heads the World Agroforestry Center.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}The problem, he says, is that policy makers and planners have been slow to recognize this and to support such efforts.

    The satellite images may not show what the farmers are using the trees for, but trees provide nuts, fruit, wood and other products.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Even under drought (干旱) conditions, trees can often provide food and a way to earn money until the next growing season.

    Some trees act as natural fertilizers. They take nitrogen (氮气) out of the air and put it in the soil. Scientists at the Center say the use of fertilizer trees can reduce the need for chemical nitrogen by up to three-fourths. Trees also capture carbon dioxide, a gas linked to climate change.

A. Nor could the size of nearby populations, meaning people and trees can live together.

B. He says farmers are acting on their own to protect and plant trees.

C. Almost all of it is covered by trees.

D. They also help prevent soil loss and protect water supplies.

E. He devotes most of his time to making people realize its importance.

F. That is nearly half of the farmland in the world.

G. Next comes Africa south of the Sahara, followed by Southeast Asia.

How to stay in a good mood

    It's typical to feel your mood starting to become bad. If you want to be able to stay in a good mood, then you have to form these habits that will keep you feeling happy.

    ⒈Don't take love for granted.

    If you're lucky enough to have a special someone, then you should make your time together meaningful. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Make time to spend time with your special someone. Being around your loved one has been proven to make people happier.

    ⒉Get regular exercise.

    Regular exercise is one of the most important habits that you need to form {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can go running three times a week and walk the other four. Just make sure to be as active as you can every day.

    ⒊Spend time with your friends.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Of course, don't always hang out with friends when you have a free moment. Make sure you do make time to see friends at least once or twice a week, if you can.

    ⒋Get enough sleep.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} One of the easiest ways to stay in a good mood is to be well-rested. Waking up feeling full of energy will make you feel much more ready to face the day and much more excited about everything ahead of you.

    ⒌{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    If you want to stay in a good mood, then you have to make sure that you eat three healthy and diverse meals every day. Start off with a healthy breakfast, and don't skip this meal no matter what things happen. Have light snacks throughout the day, like yogurt or fruit, to keep you energetic.

A. Have a healthy eating schedule.

B. Make sure that you sleep for 7-8 hours a day.

C. Do begin with a healthy breakfast in the morning.

D. Hanging out with friends will keep you feeling alive

E. Don't stop doing the things you love with the person you love.

F. However, you don't have to do the same boring old thing every day.

G. Once you start exercising, do the same sports at the regular time every day.

Cute Ways to Wake Someone Up over the Phone

    In the morning waking someone up is what many people dislike. However, maybe waking up on a special phone call changes a person's opinion.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} As a result, give a person a special morning wake-up call to start his day off and hopefully improve his view for the rest of the day.

    Playing a Song

    Play a song when your lucky one answers the phone. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you don't want to start the day with a bright song, choose his favorite music or one that has a special meaning for the two of you to make sure he'll know at once who is providing his cute wake-up call.

    Making an Impression

    Try out a few expressions to wish your special person a good morning. You can choose a phrase from her favorite movie and imitate (模仿) the actor's voice from the movie.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Joking Around

    Start the morning off with a joke included in your wake-up call. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} No matter how funny you may be, waking someone up before her body is ready is no joke.

    Using Different Languages

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Or go over a few ways to wish your friend a good morning in his native language. For a humorous touch, be creative.

A. Try singing or playing music yourself.

B. You can also choose your favorite line.

C. Choose one that will put a smile on his face.

D. Use any foreign language you are familiar with.

E. Humor, for example, helps improve an individual's view.

F. No matter which type of joke you choose, keep the content lighthearted.

G. You don't want to interrupt your friend or family member's biological clock.