How to Improve Your English

    One of the most important questions that every student asks is how to improve your English. There are probably as many answers to this question as there are people {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Let's begin with the three most important rules to help guide you. You'll find further ideas below.

Rule 1:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    The most important rule to remember is that learning English is a process. It takes time, and it takes lots of patience! If you are patient, you will improve your English.

Rule 2:Make a Plan

    The most important thing to do is to create a plan and follow that plan.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Patience is key to improving your English, so go slowly and focus on your foals. You'll speak English well soon if you keep to the plan.

Rule 3:{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It's absolutely necessary that learning English becomes a habit. In other words, you should work on your English every day. It's not necessary to study grammar every day. However, you should listen, watch read or speak English every day even if it's for a short period of time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you truly understand and master these three rules, then you will find your English level is really great.

    Evaluating Sources (来源) of Health Information

    Making good choices about your own health requires reasonable evaluation. A key first step in bettering your evaluation ability is to look carefully at your sources of health information. Reasonable evaluation includes knowing where and how to find relevant information，how to separate fact from opinion，how to recognize poor reasoning，and how to analyze information and the reliability of sources.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Go to the original source. Media reports often simplify the results of medical research. Find out for yourself what a study really reported，and determine whether it was based on good science. Think about the type of study.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Watch for misleading language. Some studies will find that a behavior “contributes to” or is “associated with” an outcome；this does not mean that a certain course must lead to a certain result.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Carefully read or listen to information in order to fully understand it.

    Use your common sense. If a report seems too good to be true，probably it is. Be especially careful of information contained in advertisements.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Evaluate “scientific” statements carefully，and be aware of quackery(江湖骗术)．

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Friends and family members can be a great source of ideas and inspiration，but each of us needs to find a healthy lifestyle that works for us.

Developing the ability to evaluate reasonably and independently about health problems will serve you well throughout your life.

    The benefits of keeping a journal (日志)

    If you want to grow, one important thing you should do is keeping a journal. It may seem simple, but it can make a big difference in your life. I have been keeping journals for years. Writing all the lessons I learn and all the ideas I get has become a habit for me.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some benefits you will get by keeping a journal.

    It prevents you from losing an idea. Have you ever gotten an idea only to lose it later because you didn't write it down?{#blank#}2{#/blank#}But then I developed the habit of writing down every idea that came into my mind as soon as possible. If I'm away from my computer, I usually write it down on a piece of paper that I bring wherever I go. I will then transfer the idea to the journal in my computer.

    It helps you review all the lessons you've learned. By reviewing your journal, you can quickly see the lessons you've learned and the ideas you've gotten.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You can use the ideas to propel (鞭策) yourself forward.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}After keeping a journal for years, you can look back at it and see how far you've gone. Things that were big problems in the past might seem small today. The raw ideas you had in the past might have been realized today.

    It helps you expand（扩展） your ideas. When you try to come up with a sentence to express an idea, you are thinking actively about it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}In the end, you will expand your ideas.

A. I often experienced that myself.

B. It trains you to express your thoughts.

C. It allows you to see your progress over time.

D. Just use whatever tool you feel comfortable with.

E. Thinking actively helps you connect your idea to another idea.

F. And to be honest, I can't imagine what my life would be like without it.

G. Then you can do whatever necessary to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

    A conflict at work is common. If you can avoid conflict, it means you will win what you want regardless of what the other person wants. Since the potential problem has not been removed, it will simply reappear later{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Be aware of the fact that some conflicts are unavoidable at work. On many occasions(场合), conflict and disagreement are likely to happen. But when a conflict happens it is not the end of the world.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Conflicts mean that people care enough to disagree strongly. The trick is not to allow the conflict to go on forever.

     {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Solve a conflict when it starts, as it only gets worse with time going by. Everyone is waiting for the other to admit he or she is wrong and gets more unpleasant after the conflict has lasted a while. It is necessary to interrupt the "waiting game" before it gets to that point.

    Ask nicely. If somebody has done something that makes you angry, or if you don't understand their viewpoints or actions, simply asking nicely about them can make a world of difference. Never assume that people do what they do to annoy or hurt you. Sometimes there is a good reason why that person does what he or she does, and a potential conflict disappears right there.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Appreciate.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Tell them why it is worth it to you to solve the conflict. This can be difficult as few people find it easy to appreciate a person they disagree strongly with, but it is a great way to move forward.

A. Praise the other part in the conflict

B. Deal with conflicts sooner rather than later.

C. Invite the other person to talk about the situation.

D. Do remember to make an enquiry, not an accusation of any sort.

E. Here are the necessary steps to effectively get rid of conflicts at work

F. On the contrary, it can be the beginning of an interesting learning process.

G. Clear thinking is unlikely to happen while an argument continues to boil over.

    Q & A

    Question：I have recently got a senior position within my company. One of my new tasks is to make monthly progress reports on my department in front of other senior officials. During my first meeting，I presented and then opened the floor to questions. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} My first reaction was to answer defensively. Later I realized that I shouldn't have felt that way. But how can I keep cool and effectively answer questions in this type of settings?

    Answer：Congratulations on your new position！Presenting in front of your peers(同事) is a hard task in itself，and it becomes much more difficult when a question and answer period is required. Question -and-answer periods are a great way to clarify the message and strengthen key points. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    When a person is asking a question，show interest and a desire to understand the question by listening and asking for clarification.

    Buy time.

    When facing a hard question，most people can't give an answer immediately. Buy time by repeating the question in your own words. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}These techniques allow you to quickly organize your thoughts as well as to make sure you will be correctly answering the question.

    Suggest a private meeting.

    A one-on-one meeting is a calmer setting than speaking in front of your peers. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Show your true interest.

B. Restate the question with respect.

C. Some ideas can be quite concrete.

D. There were many difficult questions.

E. It can also be more effective in exchanging ideas.

F. You may also ask for clarification(澄清、说明) on the question.

G. Here are some ideas that can help you prepare for your next meeting.

    Imagine a child standing on a diving board four feet high and asking himself the question:“Should I jump? This is what motivation or the lack of it can do. Motivation and goal setting are the two sides of same coin. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Like the child on  the  diving  board, you will stay undecided.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} More than that, how should you stay motivated to achieve the goal? First, you need to evaluate yourself , your values your strengths, your weaknesses, your achievements, your desires ,etc. Only then should your you're your goals

    You also need to judge the quality and depth of your motivation. This is quite important, because it is directly related to your commitment. There are times when your heart is not in your work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} So, slow down and think what you really want to do at that moment. Clarity（清晰）of thoughts can help you move forward.

    Another way of setting realistic goals is to analyze your short and long term objectives, keeping in mind your beliefs, values and strengths. Remember that goals are flexible.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They also need to be measurable. You must keep these points in mind while setting your goals.

    Your personal circumstances are equally important. For example, you may want to be a Pilot but can't become one because your eyesight is not good enough.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}You should reassess your goals, and motivate yourself to set a fresh goal.

    You will surely need to overcome some difficulties, some planned, but most unplanned. You cannot overcome them without ample motivation. Make sure that you plan for these difficulties at the time of setting your goals.

A. This can affect your work.
B. So how should you motivate yourself?

C. However, this should not discourage you.
D. So why should we try to set specific goals?
E. They can change according to circumstances.
F. Motivation is what you need most to do a good job.

G. Without motivation you can neither set a goal nor reach it