It is reported that although our genes and environment play an important role, how happy we are largely depends on our choices and activities. The following are just several areas that tend to make a big difference to people's happiness.

    Take a positive attitude

    Positive emotions―like joy, gratitude, satisfaction, inspiration and pride― don't just feel good when we experience them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} So although we need to be realistic about life's ups and downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects of any situation―the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.

    Accept who you are and what you are

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Learning to accept ourselves and being kinder to ourselves when things go wrong will increase our enjoyment of life. It also helps us accept others as they are. Ask a trusted friend or colleague to tell you what they think your real strengths are.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

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    Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them; it's good for us too. It makes us happier and can help to improve our health. Giving also creates stronger connections between people and helps to build a happier society.

    Take part in something bigger

    People who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier. They also experience less stress, anxiety and depression.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It might come from doing a job that makes a difference, or spiritual beliefs, or our family. The answers may be different for each of us but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.

A. Our broader social networks bring a sense of belonging.

B. Nobody is perfect.

C. Give them a call or offer your support.

D. Try to make more use of these.

E. They also help us perform better, and improve our physical health.

F. But where do we find meaning and purpose?

G. Do things for others.

    Information Overload

    In modern society，if we're trying to make a decision，we often have so much information that we get confused，and we don't know what to do．This state is known as information overload．{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It can cause stress，frustration and reduced productivity．But what can we do in the face of information overload？

•Plan for only one time each day to check e-mail，social messaging sites，Wechat，etc．Don't allow yourself to check multiple times，unless you truly are waiting for an important e-mail．{#blank#}2{#/blank#}And that eats up your valuable time before getting away．

    If you are suffering from too many electronic interruptions during the weekday，ask people to call or text you during work hours only if it's really an emergency．{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Remind yourself that it's okay to not know everything．In fact，it's impossible to keep up with the pace of the information superhighway．The sooner you accept that，the happier you'll be．{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is good to fall behind on the information that really isn't worth your attention．

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Set aside a regular time each week where you and other family members do not use any kind of electronic media technologies，including television．It could be something you do every weekend，or perhaps an hour or two every evening．

A．Just catch up with the happiest moment．

B．Know what's worth knowing and what isn't．

C．Each time you go online，you run the risk of being addicted to it．

D．Spend time with your family free from electronic products．

E．We need to find some effective ways to process the information．

F． Almost everyone suffers from it to some degree．

G．Otherwise they and you end up stealing time from your employer．

How to Be a Great Best Friend

    Everyone wants to be a great best friend but doesn't know how or where to start that perfect friendship. The following will help you.

    Be your own best friend first. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you can't respect yourself, then you can't respect others. Understand what values are important to you and stick to them. Seek out others who honor those values because you'll only end up hurting yourself and possibly others if those people don't have the same values as you.

    Trust each Other. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} All you have to do really is make sure you can both trust each other. Don't try to trick or use your friend to your advantage; you need to make them know they can trust you.

    Learn to listen. Nobody likes a best friend who just talks and talks, but never listens. If you're a chatterbox, try to develop good listening skills. Whenever your best friend says something, listen carefully and say something. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If they ask for advice, listen carefully arid give them the best advice you can.

    Care for your best friend. If your best friend is upset, ask them what's wrong. They might not tell you straight away, but they should in the end. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Understand dial certain things are private, and trust that they'd be just as patient with you if you were in their shoes.

    Let your friend have other friends, too. If your best friend picks another friend over you, try to be friend over you, try to be friend too. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Everyone is always looking for new friends. But never leave the old one; your loyalty (忠诚) is what the other person expects and counts on every day.

A. Learn how to respect yourself.

B. Maybe you guys can be a group of friends!

C. Don't interrupt while they're talking to you.

D. Best friends are the most valuable friends you have.

E. If they don't tell you, don't get angry at them.

F. To be a great best friend really doesn't take much.

G. Take time out of your day to appreciate the funny things in life.

    How did you learn how to ride your bike? Someone probably gave you a few lessons and then you practiced a lot.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} No one is born to know how to study. You need to learn a few study skills and then practice them.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Do you have trouble paying attention in class? Are you sitting next to a loud person? Is it hard to see the board? Make sure you're sitting in a good seat that lets you pay attention. Tell your teacher or parents about any problems that are preventing you from paying attention and taking good notes.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.Waiting until Thursday night to study for Friday's test will make a homework night no fun! It also makes it hard to do your best. We're all guilty of putting things off sometimes. One of the best ways to make sure that doesn't happen is to plan ahead.

    Break it up! When there's a lot to study, it can help to break things into chunks(大块). Let's say you have a test on 20 spelling words. Instead of thinking about all of the words at once, try breaking them down into a five-word chunks and working on one or two different chunks each night.

    Ask for help. You can't study effectively if you don't understand the material.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can check yourself by reading through your notes. Does it all make sense? If not, ask your teacher to go over it with you.

    Get a good night's sleep. So the test is tomorrow and you've followed your study plan—but suddenly you can't remember anything, not even 2+2! Don't worry. Your brain needs time to digest(消化) all the information you've given it. Try to get a good night's sleep.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Plan ahead for tests and projects.

B. Study regularly instead of just the night before.

C. You can learn how to study in much the same way.

D. You'll be surprised by what comes back to you in the morning.

E. If you're studying math or science, do some practice problems.

F. Be sure to ask your teacher for help if you're confused about something.

G. Good studying starts in class.

    All over the world people are hooked on sports, which help them to strengthen their body and build their character.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}They improve the participants' physical skills, and provide entertainment for the audience as well.

    Many people like to watch others play games.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Often they get very excited when “their” player or team wins. If they are crazy about the game or the player, then they'll become their die-hard fans. Some sports are so interesting that people everywhere go in for them. Football, for example, has spread around the world. Swimming is popular in countries near the sea or in those with many rivers.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}And think of people in cold countries. Masses of people love to skate or ski in Japan, Norway or Canada.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Chinese boxing, also has a very long history. But basketball and volleyball are rather new, which started in the late of the nineteenth century. People are inventing new sports or games all the time. Water skiing, as a modern game, is one of the newest in the family of sports.

    People from different countries or races may not be able to understand each other, but after a game, they get to know each other better and they often become good friends.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}They learn to fight hard but fight fair, to win without pride and to lose with grace. They also learn to be competitive and optimistic, which will equip them for life challenges in the future.

A. They buy tickets or turn on the TV to watch the games.

B. What fun it is to jump into a pool or lake, whether in China, Egypt or Italy!

C. Some sports or games date back thousands of years, like running or jumping.

D. Sports help to train a person's character.

E. Chinese people liked doing sports even in ancient times.

F. Sports are competitive physical activities or games through casual or organized participation.

G. And the friendship may last for a life time.

    We just went Christmas shopping this weekend, just to pick up a little here and there for the kids. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. We have discovered how to save time and money through a little research. Follow me and you can find some excellent tips.

    First thing that you want to do is to make a list of what you are looking for exactly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. This will make your shopping experience less painful and time-wasting. It will also help with making it less expensive. You won't be persuaded to buy things that you don't need or want because it is on sale.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. If you are familiar with the stores that you are buying things from, you will already know how they work. For example, Wal-Mart gives excellent pricing only for online sales, as well as free shipping.

    When leaving your favorite stores, you want to look for exactly what is on your list. Compare prices and availability. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Don't just depend on your favorite stores. Sometimes you will come across things at prices you never knew in your familiar store.

    After pricing shopping, go back to the stores that have the best price for the thing you want and buy it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You may get it for a great price, but the shipping and handling costs will make you spend more if you are not careful.

A. We have to go shopping in our daily life.

B. We were shocked by the crowds and the costs.

C. Don't forget to go online to your favorite stores.

D. Know what it is that you are in need of before you go shopping.

E. Don't be persuaded to buy you don't need at all at home.

F. Something you need badly may not be sold online or in the store.

G. Care about not only the cost of the thing, but also the shipping cost.