People Are People

    Globalization has brought different cultures together in a way unimaginable one hundred years ago. Today, Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Africans, Anglos, and Hispanics may all work in the same offices, attend the same schools or live in the same neighborhoods{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And our society has lately emphasized（强调）the importance of diversity.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Take the following old proverbs for example.  

    “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Thomas Jefferson, American President

    “One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.” African proverb

    “Be honest to those who are honest, and be also to those who are not honest.” Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher

    “A sacrifice is written off by a lie and the merit of devotion by an act of cheat.” Hindu saying

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} These seems to be a sort of cultural unity.

    We don't wish to imply all cultures are the same. Cultural diversity is real, and people from different cultures view many situations in different ways. However, historically, different cultures seem to share many common values. They are justice, courage, patience, generosity, equality, mercy and kindness, respect for the elders, and many more. Lying and stealing appear to be wrong no matter where you go. Perhaps some cultures make room for extenuating（情有可原）circumstances more than others; perhaps cultures apply these virtues in different ways; and when values disagree, different cultures may place different levels of importance on them{#blank#}4{#/blank#} But both cultures may still value both.

    To us, it seems as if there is some sort of code of right and wrong that everyone everywhere seems to understand, regardless of culture. It is almost as if, behind all of the diversity, one finds a common understanding – a human culture, if you will – that goes beyond racial, social, and political boundaries.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. All people seem to agree that we should tell the truth.

B. As cultures meet with each other, many differences stand out.

C. Each value supports many more sayings from different cultures.

D. We want to show, however, that there is more to these cultures than diversity.

E. These sayings from four separate cultures all support the same value – honesty.

F. It is almost as if, despite all our differences, we are all still the same – we are just people.

G. In other words, one culture may lean more toward justice and another culture more toward mercy.

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    Home can be a great place for children to study. It's important to provide a workspace of their own where they can read books or just write a letter to their friends.

Location(位置)

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Kitchen and dining room are not so well suited for regular study, since books and pens get in the way of the day-to-day uses of those areas. Set up a place where a child can settle in and leave papers and pens at band without having to clear everything away each night. For a child that likes being alone, set aside a corner of his bedroom, but keep it separate from things like games, music and other hobbies not related to studying.

Keeping Things in Order

    Parents should encourage their child to spread out, but to leave it neat and orderly when he isn't using his workspace. Ownership is very important for self-respect{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The workplace should be personal, but not another part of the playroom.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Encourage the whole family to help build a supportive environment that children need for success in school. Give them a good example of how to deal with problems, how to manage time and get things done in the right way.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Study will be more enjoyable and effective when supported by the whole family.

A. Attitude Is Everything

B. Bring Organization into Your Home

C. Here are several ways to choose a location

D. Building a Good Home Learning Environment

E. Hold a can-do attitude and your child will follow your example

F. Setting up a space in a common area of your home can be a good idea for children

G. A child who learns to organize his spare will carry organization into every corner of his life

    People know the dangers of fires. It's good for a family to learn how to prepare for a fire. There are some suggestions:

    Put a smoke alarm in the house. Smoke from a fire causes the alarm to go off.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.  The sound tells everyone to leave the house at once.

    Make escape plans. Everyone should know all the ways out of the house. If there is a fire, everyone should know all the ways out of the house. If there is a fire, everyone follows the plan to get out. Part of the plan is to check all the windows to make sure they can be opened easily.

    Buy fire extinguishers(灭火器) in the house.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    Practice for a fire. We do fire practice because we teach children about fire safety. Everyone in the family should know the following fire rules:

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.The fire can grow more quickly if you open the door.

    Stay close to the floor.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The best air is near the floor because smoke rises.

    What should you do if your hair or clothes start to burn？ First, stop. Don't run! The fire burns faster because of more air. Drop! Fall to the floor. Then roll! Turning over and over will make the fire go out. Put a blanket around you to keep air away from the fire that may still be on you.

    There are many possible causes for fires. A wise family is ready all the time. If there is a fire, don't forget to call 119 for help.

A. Smoke can be more dangerous than fire

B. Everyone in the family should know how to use them.

C. Don't open a hot door.

D. The alarm makes a loud sound.

E. Everyone should follow your plan.

F. Open the windows!

    Taking good notes is a time-saving skill that will help you to become a better student in several ways.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Second, your notes are excellent materials to refer to when you are studying for a test. Third, note-taking offers variety to your study time and helps you to hold your interest.

    You will want to take notes during classroom discussions and while reading a textbook or doing research for a report. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}whenever or however you take notes, keep in mind that note-taking is a selective (选择性的）process.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The following methods may work best for you.

    Read the text quickly to find the main facts and ideas in it.

    Carefully read the text and watch for words that can show main points and supporting facts.

    Write your notes in your own words. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Note any questions or ideas you may have about what was said or written.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you do, be sure that you understand your symbols and that you use them all the time. Otherwise, you may not be able to read your notes later.

A. Use words, not complete sentences.

B. There are three practical note-taking methods.

C. You must write your notes on separate paper.

D. As you take notes, you may want to use your own shorthand(速记),like symbols..

E. You will also want to develop your own method for taking notes.

F. That means you must first decide what is important enough to include in your notes.

G. First, the simple act of writing something down makes it easier for you to understand and remember it.

    Recently, I've been following a simple rule that is helping me crush procrastination（拖延症）and making it easier for me to stick to good habits at the same time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}There are two parts to the 2-Minute Rule…

    Part 1 -- If it takes less than two minutes, then do it now. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}For example, washing your dishes immediately after your meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, sending that email, and so on.

    If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, then follow the rule and do it right now.

    Part 2 -- When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

    Can all of your goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Obviously not. But, every goal can be started in 2 minutes or less. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    It might sound like this strategy is too basic for grand life goals, but I beg to differ. The 2-Minute Rule works for big goals as well as small goals because of the inertia(惯性)of life. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I love the 2-Minute Rule because it embraces the idea that all sorts of good things happen once you get started.

    The most important part of any new habit is getting started -- not just the first time, but each time. It's not about performance, it's about consistently taking action.

    I can't ensure whether or not the 2-Minute Rule will work for you. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Anyone can spare the next 120 seconds. Use this time to get one thing done. Go.

A. I call this little strategy the "2-Minute Rule".

B. And that's the purpose behind this little rule.

C. Here's what you need to know to stop procrastinating.

D. Once you start doing something, it's easier to continue doing it.

E. But, I can ensure that it will never work if you never try it.

F. The goal is to make it easier for you to get started on the things you should be doing.

G. It's surprising how many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less.

    Do you want to be excellent in study? Add these tips to your life and you should be on your way to being an excellent student!

Pay attention to everything the teacher says. I cannot stress how important it is to pay attention to what your teacher is teaching you. Take part in class discussions if you have something worthwhile to add. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Taking notes is important. You don't need to write down every single word your teacher says but write down what he/she writes on the board, or any special fact you think you might need for a test. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. This way it will help you learn more effectively by actually thinking about what you are writing.

    Don't skip school. You will be missing out on stuff(东西). {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. However, you will have more work and you have missed lectures and in-class movies. Also, try not to be late for class. It's most likely that your teacher won't appreciate it and you will get yourself behind.

    Keep a good attitude towards things. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, then teachers will be less willing to help you with problems or offer you extra credit. The same goes for lazy attitude. Have a respectful attitude to the teacher and other students. Try not to laugh when other students make a mistake.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. There is no shame in needing some help. If you don't understand, ask someone. Read your textbook and notes, and then if that fails, seek help. Ask a teacher, friend, classmate, parent, etc. Get a tutor if you are really a poor learner.

A. Enjoy your class

B. Always ask questions

C. Write in your own words

D. When you do poorly in your study

E. It is true that you could make up the work

F. If you have an "I don't care about study" attitude

G. Pay attention during class, especially during lectures