Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} .

    Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they'll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

    First of all, good talkers ask questions. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} . One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It's a common question，but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers .This point seems clear, but it isn't. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he's really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it's time for you to change the subject.

    Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you're saying goodbye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I've really enjoyed meeting you.” {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they've known you half their life.

A. Real listening at least means some things.

B. You can become a popular person.

C. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question.

D. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

E. If you want to see that person again, don't keep it a secret.

F. It's polite to listen to others with a smile.

G. These people have something in common.

    How similar are language and music

    Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live m 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 word'. 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.

    We all know that being grateful and appreciative is very beneficial. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Gratitude belongs to the category of advanced life skills because it can completely transform your life.

    Help others turn away from negativity. If some people you know insist in talking about negative things all the time, find a wise way to tell them that you really don't appreciate it. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Look for reasons to say thank you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They'll be more likely to do nice things for you because you appreciate their efforts. In turn, you'll have even more reasons to feel gratitude. When other people sense that you appreciate them, it changes your relationship with them.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you find yourself in a difficult situation, look for the beneficial aspects created by that situation. Ask yourself: “What have I learned here? Will it benefit me in the future? When I look back on this experience a year later, what will I be grateful for?”

    Have a gratitude review. Do this as soon as you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Think of all the things you have to be grateful for in your life. If you start and end each day with gratitude, your whole life will shift in a more positive direction. It only takes a minute or two to allow gratitude to fill your heart and mind.

A. See the big picture.

B. Show gratitude to others.

C. Actually, it is more than that.

D. Everyone loves to be appreciated.

E. Don't get pulled in a negative talk.

F. Remember to count your blessings daily.

G. So you could be doing them a huge favor.

    Words have great power. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Many of us have been offended by words and know how badly words hurt. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Trust me if you are not careful in this area, your emotions will soon be controlled by the words of the people around you.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    If someone tells you "You are a fool.", don't believe it in your mind. People who hurt you can never really harm you unless you allow yourself to be defined by these words. You are a child of God. You are very valuable in the sight of God, so never allow yourself to feel inferior just by the words of other people.

    Turn those words into positive thoughts within you.

    If there is something wrong with your actions, and others are trying to correct you, it can sometimes hurt your feelings if their words are hurtful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Think like this in your mind, "Yes, I'm wrong, but I'll find out ways to improve. Now I have hope because I know I can change."

    Respond softly.

    If someone speaks in a hurtful way, take a deep breath first and try to speak softly and kindly in response. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. On the contrary, an angry answer is like a sword, which will bring harm instead of healing.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. It's none of your business. We need not respond to every personal comment from people. It's not your problem that they keep on hurting you on purpose. So simply leave it

A. A soft answer turns away anger

B. Don't worry about what others say

C. It is wise to correct others' mistake by soft words

D. Never let negative words of others define who you are

E. In that case change those words into positive thoughts

F. If someone is purposefully hurting you for no reason, simply be silent and ignore it

G. Today I will share a few tips on how to handle the effect of negative words spoken to you

    How to prepare for an exam is a big question that you always ask yourself. Here are some tips that may help you.

    Never fear or hate exam and be confident.

    Some students study well but still may be much afraid of exams and due to this reason they get upset and won't be able to get marks.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}You have to be confident and it is of great help for you to gain success.

    Prepare a good timetable.

    Prepare a timetable before starting the study.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Difficult subjects can be given more time and easier ones less, but most importantly you should spare some time for rest.

    Select a proper atmosphere for studying.

    Studying atmosphere plays a very important role.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}So pick a place where you feel comfortable. That is where you feel relaxed and can pay attention to what you are doing. Make sure that while you are studying a subject you are focusing on it only. So keep the books of other subjects away from your eyesight so that you won't be upset about all the things you have to learn.

    Make notes while studying

    This is a very important point. While studying, make small notes. The note should be short and clear to make the review easier.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Yet don't try to cover everything in it.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    On the night before exam you have to sleep well, at least 6 hours and not more than 8 hours. Remember this will have a great effect on your exam. And have your food as in your daily diet.

A. Sleep well and eat well.

B. So try to present answers in points.

C. This should include all the subjects.

D. Can anyone study well while others around are watching TV?

E. A good note shall include the most important points.

F. This will be of great use to your coming exams.

G. So leave all your fears and free your mind before starting the study.

After building some "standard"cargo bikes， {#blank#}1{#/blank#} ，this time with something very special. I wanted to build an ideal cargo bike combining the stability of a three-wheeler with the possibility to change directions like being on two wheels. 
The first step was to do extensive research {#blank#}2{#/blank#} .An incredible source of technical inspiration was the online Tilting Group.Although primarily-concerned with tilting（倾斜） concepts of engine driven constructions，the group is surely the best place to find information about constructing a tilter. 
    After researching and outlining a few ideas，I grabbed some parts and started with a very simple prototype（雏形）.Building such a vehicle needs a high degree of accuracy，which was not the case with my prototype {#blank#}3{#/blank#} .So I made a few more sketches（草图），which led to an improved version of the driving and tilting mechanism. 
    Then I started building the tricycle.Building the structure was quite straightforward.As usual I took an old bike apart for the back triangle and then added the front part.After adding a cargo basket to the structure， {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . 
    Now came the hard part：the driving mechanism.I started with the usual design used for two-wheel cargo bikes，but it took me quite some time to figure out how to pass the driving force to both wheels without allowing the whole thing to lock itself in any angle {#blank#}5{#/blank#} ， but I'm sure I can use the knowledge I gained one way or another. 

A.The project was demanding 
B.I decided to get my hands dirty again 
C.I fell in love with three-wheeler bikes 
D.I put all the parts together for the first time 
E.It took me quite some time to understand the ideas behind it 
F.The engine driven constructions were always the most difficult to fix 
D.The consequence was that the driving mechanism locked itself occasionally