In classes, your teachers will talk about topic that you are studying. The information they provide will be important for you to know when you take tests. So you must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers say.

Here are the three stages(阶段) of taking notes and what you should do during each stage.

1. Before Class Review your notes you have taken before you come to class. This will be good for remembering what was covered. Get you ready to understand new information your teacher will provide.

2. During Class Keep your attention on what your teacher is saying and „the signal words that tell you what your teacher is going to say and it is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal words are „The most important point…and „Remember that… Be sure to include in your notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the blackboard. Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviations(缩写） such as med for medicine, using symbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.

3. After Class Rewrite your notes to make them more complete and accurate (准确的) by changing abbreviations into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences. Use them to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your teacher for help.

Miss Kate taught physics in a New York school. Last month she was explaining to one of her classes about sound, and she decided to test them to see how well they had understood her explanation. She said to them, "Now, I have a brother in Los Angeles. If I was calling him on the phone, and at the same time you were 80 meters away, and were listening to me from across the street, which of you would hear what I said earlier, my brother or you and for what reason?"

A boy at once answered, " Your brother, Miss Kate, because electricity travels faster than sound waves(声波).

"That's very good." Miss Kate said, but then Jenny said, "I don't agree. Your brother would hear you earlier because it is 11 o'clock here, it's only eight o'clock in Los Angeles."

    Today is April 4th, and there {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) a talk at the lecture hall on English study at 5 o'clock. Students of Class 6 are going to the lecture to listen to the talk, and they're listening to the lecture hall rules.

    1）All the students should {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (wear) school uniforms. You are {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (not allow) to get into the lecture hall without wearing school uniforms.

    2）You mustn't {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (talk) or chew gum while you {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (listen). {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (not take) food or drink into the lecture hall.

    3）You are not supposed to bring MP3 players into the lecture hall.

    4）{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (not bring) any mobile phones into the hall. You can't talk on the phone in it.

    5）No {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (photo) can be taken during the talk.

    6）{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (smoke) is not allowed in the hall.

    7）You'd better {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (take) a notebook and a pen so that you can take some notes.

Improving Listening Sills in the Classroom

    Listening is a skill that needs to be learned and used well to be able to succeed in any environment. In the classroom, great listening skills mean the difference between a successful student and one who struggles (挣扎) in school.

    Come to class rested.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} When your body is well taken care of, your mental (精神的) focus will be much better. If you come to class sleepy or tired, it may be impossible for you to keep your eyes open and concentrate (集中) on what the teacher is saying.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Have everything you need at the start of the class. If you have homework, make sure you are ready to hand it in. Bring out your notebook and pen so you can start taking down notes Also, try to read your textbooks before coming into class. It will help you understand more easily what your teacher is talking about.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When you're in the front of the class, you'll have an easier time hearing what the teacher has to say you won't have a daydream when the teacher is near you.

    Take down notes.

    Write down what you hear in class. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It will also make you concentrate more on what is being said So you can properly take notes. Try to concentrate when you are in class so that you are able to get the key points during a lecture. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Once you learn techniques to help you with this skill, you should see an improvement in your listening.

    There are many times we need to give gifts. Keep these tips in mind as you're thinking about what gift you'll give.

    Gift giving dos

    Leave the price label in the bag if it is an expensive gift so that others can see how much they need to give back. Remember to hold the gift in both hands to give gifts.

    Gift giving don'ts

    Don't worry about what card to take with the gift. Cards are seldom used in China, so a Chinese wouldn't expect a card along with a gift.

    Choosing the right gift

    Gifts for family

    When you're meeting your partner's family, a gift is expected, food or fruit baskets are good if you have no idea what to give. If your hometown is known for a special food, buy some to take as gifts.

    Gifts for friends

    You can spend less money on friends than you do on family. Books, wallets, key rings and special foods like chocolate or coffee are good enough.

    Gifts for business partners

    When you're starting a business relationship, a tasteful gift will be better. Pens from your company or with the receiver's name is a practical gift. Local snacks from your area is a great gift too.

    Gifts to avoid(避免)

    You should remember not choose anything because of the cultural symbolism(文化象征) or the word shares a similar pronunciation to some bad things. Clocks, in Chinese, to give a clock has the same pronunciation as the phrase "songzhong". Umbrellas and shoes are not good gifts in China.

    In all, a thoughtful gift is great when you want to thank a friend, say goodbye to someone or meet families.