When I was a little girl, my mom would say, “Half the fun of doing anything is sharing it with others.” {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Friends and mates allow us to enjoy our successes and our joys, comfort us in our hard moments, and provide a mirror for us to learn more about ourselves. I've always looked at friends as the family we choose. They enrich our lives. As Robert Louis Steven once said, “{#blank#}2{#/blank#}”.

    To be a good friend or partner, it's important to be a good listener. Hear what your friend or mate has to say first rather than jump to conclusions or get defensive. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When they hear their words repeated back to them, it can help them to realize what they said was not exactly what they meant to say.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You know the old golden rule, “Care for others the way you would like them to care for you.” The support of a friend during a tough time could make the difference between success and failure. Encouragement and confidence are the gifts that can help change a person's life.

    Take care, though, with whom you choose to have close relationship, for they can have a great effect on yourself – respect and life path. As someone once told me “{#blank#}5{#/blank#} They will either take you up or down.”

A. I am afraid so.

B. It is quite true

C. Friendship is the most important factor.

D. Sometimes it is useful to be their mirror.

E. A friend is a present which you give yourself.

F. The attitudes of your friends are like the buttons on a lift.

G. Patience, sympathy and understanding are also important qualities.

    How similar are language and music?

    Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

    Both language and music have a writing system.

    In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. We can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of years ago.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language they use. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

    Both share emotion.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my words. Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share in that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics.

A. Both are expressive.

B Both vary with culture.

C How do you know that I am angry?

D. We use language to express our thoughts.

E. So just as you read English, you can read music.

F. Similarly, music is part of many people's lives.

G. In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.

Ways to Improve Your Luck

    Some people have all the luck! Or does it just seem that way? Why did your co-worker get that big promotion while you were overlooked? Why do some of us seem to experience these lucky things more than others and how can you improve your luck? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    What You Tell Yourself Matters!

Do you know that people who are lucky tell themselves they're lucky? Has your own self-talk been filled with less-than-lucky talk? Do you say things like: “I'm just not a lucky person.” or “Good things never happen to me?” {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They say things like — “This setback is only temporary. I know things will turn around.” or “Things have a way of working out for me.”

Expect and Appreciate Your Good Luck.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research suggests keeping a “good luck journal” helps people become even luckier. Did someone bring you coffee at work today? Did you find a random (随机的) quarter on the street? Did your husband or wife do something nice for you today? Did your child get a good grade at school? Write them down! {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Begin to notice all the good that comes to you.

Do Something New and Different.

    Make contact with people. Take risks. People who try new things are much more open to luck and good fortune than those who don't. This doesn't mean you have to quit your job or take up skydiving! It could be as simple as starting a conversation with a stranger, taking a class in an unfamiliar subject, learning some words and phrases in a foreign language, or trying a new ethnic restaurant. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And this greater openness can help promote chance opportunities in their lives.

A. All of these things matter a lot.

B. You will never forget your lucky friends.

C. Lucky people generally expect good fortune.

D. Here are ideas that researchers tell us about luck.

E. A lucky person generally receive good fortune in the future.

F. Lucky people score much higher on openness than unlucky people.

C. Lucky people generally expect good fortune.

                                                                                    How Can I Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never gain anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task. Others take a more positive approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations(诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment, but watching too much TV often contributes to laziness.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with a good dinner.

    Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own task. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Enough exercise and a balanced diet can help you to develop a healthy lifestyle, thus enabling you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. To fight family laziness, set an example.

B. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

C. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

D. Finally, taking exercise regularly can help you fight laziness.

E. With strong determination, you will be able to achieve your goal.

F. Laziness appears when you no longer feel in charge of your own mind.

G. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

Kids health; Four steps for fighting stress (压力）

    Everybody gets stressed from time to time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some ways of dealing with stress - like screaming or hitting someone — don't solve much. But other ways, like talking to someone you trust, can lead you to solving your problem or at least feeling belter. Try taking these four steps the next time you are stressed:

    Get support.

    When you need help, reach out to the people who care about you. Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or other relatives. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They have had similar problems, such as dealing with a test, or the death of a beloved pet.

    Don't take it out on yourself.

    Sometimes when kids are stressed and upset they take it out on themselves (拿自己出气）. Oh, dear, that's not a good idea. Remember that there are always people to help you. Don't take it out on yourself.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    After you're calm and you have support from adults and friends, it's time to get down to business. You need to figure out what the problem is. Even if you can't solve it all, you can solve a piece of it.

    Be positive.

    Most stress is temporary（暂时的）. Remember stress does go away, especially when you figure out the problem and start working on solving it.

    These steps aren't magic, but they do work; And if you can way through a hard time, you'll help yourself feel better even faster {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Try to solve the problem.

B. Then, fitted a way to calm down.

C. And don't forget about your friends.

D. Ah, it feels so good when the stress is gone.

E. Different people feel stress in different ways.

F. Notice your friends' feelings and find a way to help them.

G. Ask for a helping hand to get you through the hard situation.

    More than 40 million Americans move each year, but not always by choice. Whether you're moving because of work or schooling or for better chances, adjusting to (适应) the life in a new place can be difficult. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here are some tips to help you adjust to your new home.

    Treat It as an adventure

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. So stay positive and get out there and explore! Taste the local food and visit famous places and museums. Try local activities that aren't popular in your former city, such as skating if you come from a beach town or surfing if you lived in the mountains. You may discover a talent (才华) or interest you never knew you had.

    Get Involved with your neighbors

    Introduce yourself to neighbors and everyone else you meet. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This is the best way to get advice about living in your area, and to make new friends. Attend local events that interest you, visit the markets or yard sales, take classes and so on. All of these things will help you meet people and feel connected.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    It takes time to get to know a new place, so don't expect to feel comfortable right away. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. To help make the process easier, you can meet new people, find a support group near you. A fresh move is also a fresh start. Therefore it is a great time to start realizing a dream you've had, whether it is going back to school, starting a new career, or finishing a novel.

A. Find what you love

B. Be patient and go after your dream

C. Give yourself time to adjust

D. Tell them you're new in the town

E. It is especially true when you don't love your new city very much

F. Show others the photos of your favorite places in your old town

G. Living in a new place is a great opportunity to experience new things and grow up.