Why is setting goals important? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow you to make your life happen. Successful people imagine how their life should be and set lots of goals.

    By setting goals you are taking control of your life. It's like having a map to show you where you want to go. Think of it this way. There are two drivers. One has a destination in mind which can be found on a map. She can drive straight there surely without any wasted time of wrong turns. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver, but she drives aimlessly around, never getting anywhere, just using up gas. Which driver do you want to be?

    Winners in life set goals and follow them through. They decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Goals aren't difficult to set and they aren't difficult to reach.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} You are the one who must decide what to achieve and in what direction to aim your life.

    Research tells us that when we write a goal down we are more likely to achieve it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Like a contract(合同) with yourself, they are harder to neglect or forget. Also when you write your goals in a particular way, you are able to make yourself continuously aware of situations that will bring you nearer to your goal.

    Holiday gift buying can feel a little empty, when all of those endless lists, long lines at the shopping center and dollars spent lead to a 5-miute excitement of flying wrapping paper.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The following tips can help make gift giving more meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.

    1).Know the person

    The most important thing in the exchanging of gifts is that it shows you really know the person well, and you really care about them.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    2).Donate in their name

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Research suggests that happier people give more to others, and that giving more makes people happier. Moreover, charity-related happiness is highest when people give in a way that promotes social connection. So, try giving to the less fortunate in someone's name this holiday season.

    3).Give handmade goods or hand-me-downs

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}A study suggests that people feel that homemade items show more love, and love is what they want to express to the gift receiver.

    Family heirlooms(传家宝)may be another good girl option. A 2009 study found that when families hand down even a very depersonalized thing—money—through the generations, the symbolic value of the cash is greater than the numerical value alone.

    4).Provide chances for participation

      If there's a golden rule of girls, though, it's this:{#blank#}5{#/blank#}People who receive experiential girls, such as concert tickets or a zoo membership, feel more connected to the girl giver than people who received material girls.

A. But it doesn't have to be that way.

B. Give experiences rather than objects.

C. New and store—bought is not always best.

D. That is always beyond their expectation.

E. That means catering to another's pleasure.

F. Giving gifts to friends or to charity is linked to happiness.

G. Start listing every person you plan to give a holiday gift

    Ways to Take Care of Your Books

    What do you do to take care of the books in your library? Some collectors(收藏者) refuse to read the books in their collection; so the books remain in good condition. Others buy two copies of a book: they read one and leave the other untouched. However many readers must read their books but they still want to protect. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Avoid Writing.

    You may have been told to write in your books or even to underline words, phrases, and paragraphs. But if you plan to keep the book, add it to your library or even sell it — don't write in the book in ink. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Use a notebook to take notes or use pieces of paper.

    Avoid Food and Drinks.

    Food and drinks are things that may be dangerous to your books. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. If you need to read while you eat make sure your fingers are clean and dry as you hold the book or turn the pages.

    Take Care.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Don't let it drop to the ground. Don't place your book with the book open, face down. You'd better use a book cover to keep your book in the best condition.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    If you want to take care of your books keep your books on a shelf when you are not reading them. But also take care that the books should be placed in an upright (竖立的) position.

A. Put it on the shelf.

B. Protect it from dust.

C. The ink may damage your book forever.

D. When you handle (握) your book, hold it with care.

E. No one knows exactly how to protect their books.

F. So the best way is to avoid eating or drinking while you read.

G. Here are some tips to keep your books in good condition.

Being a superhero to others

    Ewan Drum has always liked superheroes. He likes how they help people. At age seven, he told his parents, “I want to dress up like a superhero and help the homeless.” {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Wearing his red superhero cape (斗篷), Ewan helped pass out  bag lunches to hungry people in a park in Detroit, Michigan. That's how Super Ewan was born.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}People donated(捐赠) money and supplies (供给物), and Ewan took them to those in need.

    When someone donated jugs(大罐) of water, Ewan and his family drove their car to get even more. They took the water to Flint, Michigan, a city that had unsafe drinking water. Another time, a businessman donated six turkeys(火鸡) for Thanksgiving.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}“In the end”, he says, “we gave turkey dinners to families all around Detroit.”

    Ewan has a motto: Everyone can be a superhero to someone. At an event called the Hero Round Table, Ewan told the audience, “It's not hard to help people. You can keep some socks and food in your car to help people in need. You can help a neighbor with doing the garden. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} ”

It's been several years since Super Ewan started his task. Every month, he still visits the same park to hand out clothes, food, and supplies to people who are hungry or homeless —his Super Friends. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    “No matter what,” Ewan says, “I will always keep helping people.”

A. News spread about Ewan's act of kindness.

B. This superhero says he'll never take off his cape.

C. Ewan says he wants more adults to act like superheroes.

D. Every little thing helps and can make someone feel happy.

E. A few months later, Ewan's family planned a day of giving.

F. Several days later, his parents drove to Flint and helped him raise a lot of money.

G. With his parents help, Ewan asked for more turkeys through the Internet, plus side dishes.

    Many of us live with a roommate at times. Sometimes, there can be problems. Such as whose turn it is to take out the trash, or who should be the one to clear up after dinner?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}There's always someone to talk to, so you need never be lonely.

    Besides these obvious benefits, there are some you may not notice.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}when living with others. To examine the effect of living alone, Australian university researchers did much research and found that people living alone tended to eat less fresh food including fruits and vegetables, which can have side effects on long-term health. However, those living with others generally got benefits from a more varied diet compared to those living alone.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The researchers believe the social and cultural roles played by cooking, food preparation and eating may be important considerations. For example, those living with friends have someone else to go shopping with, and thus, they are more likely to buy higher-quality fresh food regularly.

    In addition, a person living alone can eat whatever they want at any time of the day. However, it's helpful to have someone around who questions your decision to eat frozen pizza at 3:00 am.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    So, if you now live alone, fighting a losing battle against poor eating habits, why not consider sharing a home with someone else?

A. However, There are always ways to solve these problems.

B. You know that there's always someone else around who can help you feel safer.

C. However, living with another person also comes with many benefits.

D. For example, we're actually more likely to eat healthier food.

E. In other words, roommates can draw your attention to such an unhealthy routine.

F. Living with roommates will have a good atmosphere.

G. What could explain this?

    Self-confidence is defined as a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whether you apply for a promotion in work or sign up for a cooking class, believing in yourself is the key to putting yourself out there. However, not all people are born confident. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Stop comparing yourself to others. Whether you compare how you look to your friends on Facebook or you compare your salary to your friend's income, comparisons aren't healthy. Researchers found that people who compared themselves to others, experienced envy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It can be a terrible cycle. When you notice you are drawing comparisons, remind yourself that doing so isn't helpful. Everyone is running their own race and life isn't a competition.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's hard to feel good about yourself if you're abusing your body. Skimping on sleep, eating an unhealthy diet, and lacking exercise will do harm to your well-being. Studies consistently show physical activity boosts confidence. A 2016 study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment found that regular physical activity improved participants' body image. And when their body image improved, they felt more confident.

    Embrace (拥抱) self-doubt. Sometimes, people put off doing things—like inviting someone on a date or applying for a promotion—until they feel more confident. But sometimes, the best way to gain confidence is by doing. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare or practice, of course. If you have a big speech coming up, practice in front of your friends and family so you'll gain some confidence. But don't wait until you feel 100 percent confident before you proceed. You might never get there.