Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar.To use English effectively,you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken.Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States.

    Conversation tips.

    Talk about location{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When speaking to strangers,ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place.For example:“Oh,I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles.He says it's a beautiful place to live in.”  Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area.

    Talk about work{#blank#}2{#/blank#}It's not considered impolite and is a popular topic of discussion between strangers.

    Talk about sports.Americans love sports!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}When speaking about football,most Americans understand “American Football”,not soccer.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Many Americans prefer first names.Americans often prefer using first names,even when dealing with people in very different positions.Americans will generally say,“Call me Tom.”and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.

    Public behavior.

    Always shake hands.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}This is true for both men and women.Other forms of greeting such as kissing on the cheeks is generally not appreciated.

    Smoking is out!Smoking,even in public places,is strongly disapproved of by most Americans in the modem United States.

A.Addressing people.

B.Talking with people.

C.However,they love American sports.

D.Americans love to talk about location.

E.Americans commonly ask “What do you do?” .

F.Americans prefer to make friends with foreigners.

G.Americans shake hands when greeting each other.

    Before you begin studying English, ask yourself one question: “{#blank#}1{#/blank#}” Is it because you want to, or because someone else wants you to? Like every decision in life, studying English must be something you want to do. Here are some tips to help you learn English well.

    Set goals.

    If you know why you want to study, setting goals is easy. For example, maybe you want to travel to an English-speaking country. Great! {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Perhaps you have already known many useful phrases, but you want to improve your listening skills and pronunciation. Whatever your goals are, you should write them down,

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    How long do you need to study to achieve your goals? This answer is different for every student. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you work 40 hours per week，don't plan on spending another.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} hours a week studying English. Start off slow, but study regularly. Use material that is challenging, but not too difficult. Find out what works for you. After you have studied for a few weeks, adjust your study schedule accordingly.

    Make a commitment.

    Learning English requires a lot of motivation. Nobody is going to take your attendance when you aren't in class. If you are sure that you are ready to begin studying, make a commitment.

    Have fun learning English.

    If you aren't having fun learning English, you're not studying the right way! You can be a serious student who has fun at the same time. Make up your own reward program to give yourself encouragement to stay on a task.

Why people collect art

    Many people through history have gone to great lengths to collect art. But what motivates these collectors?

    One popular explanation for collecting is that they can have financial gain. Some resell works, earning enormous profit. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Immorally, some 'collectors' buy art as a form of money laundering(洗钱), since it is far easier to move art than cash between counties without examination.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For them, art is important for other reasons. The best way to understand the underlying drive of art collecting is as a means to create and strengthen social bonds, and as a way for collectors to communicate within these new networks.

Collectors are not only interested in creating social links; they are also motivated by the messages they can send once these social networks are created. We all know art is a powerful way for the artist to express thoughts and feelings. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Displaying art can send a message about who the collector really is — at least who she sees herself as.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Through the collections, collectors convey messages not just about themselves, but about the world as a whole. For example, the kid with the shoebox of bird feathers might show others her collection not just to make friends, but also to convince them about the importance of protecting endangered species.

    People collect art for various reasons. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Some gain art works in an illegal way.

B. But most collectors think little of profit.

C. Artworks preserve the qualities of their makers.

D. No doubt art collection is a hard addiction to overcome.

E. Some get large tax reductions for donating art to museums.

F. It also serves as an effective way to express collectors.

G. Other art collectors see their collections as having a broader power.

    Are you having trouble concentrating when you're reading a book or listening to a lecture? This list of activities might help to improve your study habits.

    Make a List. We often have trouble paying attention to one thing because our brain wants to think about something else. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You don't worry about whatever else you should be doing.

    Sleep More. Studies show that people who sleep fewer than eight hours a night for a period of time have slower response systems and more difficulty recalling information. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Eat Healthier Foods. Many people enjoy foods high in fats and sugars. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They might give you a temporary burst of energy. However, that energy is soon followed by a crash.

Reduce Screen Time. This may be the most unpopular suggestion among young people. Screen time — or time spent looking at cell phones, televisions, computer screens, has a clear effect on the attention span. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Concentration improves for students who participate in team sports. It could be that being active is helpful in this way. Participating in a sport trains your brain to concentrate on specific tasks, and shut out other thoughts.

A. Be active.

B. Practice more.

C. These foods can provide enough energy for focusing.

D. But these foods can't be helpful enough when it comes to focusing.

E. That is bad news for teens who stay up studying the night before a test.

F. Researchers advise parents to limit it when their children need to be focused.

G. By writing down all the things you need to do, you'll gain a sense of control.

Tips to fight summer weight gain

    When we think of summer, most of us think of outdoor fun. So it seems like we should naturally lose weight over the summer — not gain it. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Lots of summer activities can work against our efforts to stay at a healthy weight. The good news is that it's easy to avoid problems if we know what to look out for.

    Get going with goals. When we don't have a plan, it's easy to spend summer moving from couch to computer, with regular stops at the fridge. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Just be sure to plan for some downtime so you can relax a little!

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} With school out, we lose our daily routines. If you don't have a specific job or activity to get up for, it's easy to sleep late, watch too much TV, and snack more than usual. Make sure your summer days have some structure — like getting up at the same time each day and eating meals at set times. Plan activities for specific times, like exercising before breakfast, for example. If you have time on your hands, offer to make dinner a couple of nights a week so your family can enjoy a sit-down meal together.

    Think about what and how you eat. Summer means picnics and barbecues — activities that revolve around an unlimited spread of food. Pace yourself. Don't overload your plate. Avoid going back for seconds and thirds. Choose seasonal, healthy foods like fresh fruit instead of high-sugar, high-fat desserts. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Stay busy. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In addition to helping you avoid the cookie jar, filling your days with stuff to do can give you a sense of accomplishment. That's especially true if a dream summer job or planned activity fell through. Limit your screen time — including TV, computer, and video games — to no more than 2 hours a day.

A. Stick to a schedule.

B. Plan more activities.

C. Appropriate summer eating sets you up on the right track!

D. Most of us, however, don't take summer weight gain seriously.

E. In reality, though, summer isn't all about beach volleyball and water sports.

F. When we're bored, it's easy to fall into a trap of doing nothing and then feeling low on energy.

G. Avoid this by setting a specific aim, like volunteering, mastering a new skill, or working at a job.

    Some are born with the ability to talk to people in any kind of situation and express their ideas. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Having no confidence can be one of the reasons why these people are afraid to talk with others. So it's necessary for them to know some ways to talk to people.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In some situations where you are finding it awkward (难为情的) to talk to people, just carry a smile, and you'll find that people will actually start talking to you!

    Using good body language during a conversation is also important. Before you start talking, make sure that you are in a good posture (姿势), and look into the eyes of the other person.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It also shows you're interested to talk to the person.

    For talking comfortably to people on the phone, you have to learn to listen actively. Here, body language is of no importance at all. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}And at the same time repeat to the person what he or she said from time to time. This shows your interest in the conversation.

    It's difficult to talk with unhappy people. Such people are less likely to talk first because of their bad state of mind. Try asking close­ended questions. For example, you can ask like this：Have you been alright lately? Or was your day a good one? {#blank#}5{#/blank#}This will help calm the other person down.

A. And this can increase your confidence.

B. However, remember to use a gentle voice.

C. Start a lively conversation with the latest events.

D. A smile is a good way to start any conversation.

E. Talking to people is not a difficult task as it may seem to be.

F. You just need to listen carefully to the person at the other end.

G. For some people, it's difficult even to start a light conversation.