Question: I have been learning English for about 7 years. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And I still can't make myself understood in English. However, I love learning English. How can I learn English well? Please help me.

    Answer: Many people have asked me this question. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here I will give you several tips for learning English.

    ●{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    First of all, you must want to learn. If you are not interested in learning English, no class will help you and no book will help you. So you have to be honest with yourself. Ask yourself, “Do I really want to learn English?” If you can't answer “yes” to this question, it is better for you to set English aside until you're ready and willing to learn.

    ● Set goals (目标).

    To learn English well, you must set some goals. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It will also help you to see your progress. Ask yourself, “What are my goals? What areas would I like to improve?” Think about what your goals are, and review once in a while to see that you are making progress toward your goals.

    ● Practice, practice, and practice.

After you have set your goals, you have a better idea of what you need to practice. Just like the athlete whose goal is the Olympics must train daily, you as a language learner must practice language every day to make progress toward your goal. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    You are sitting on the desk. A teacher is writing on the blackboard. Kids are yelling in the playground outside. A book falls off the desk next to you. Suddenly, the teacher hands you a pop quiz.

Don't panic! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You're in a “virtual（虚拟的）classroom”. Everything you see and hear is coming to you through a computer-operated display that you're wearing on your head like a pair of very big glasses. Wearing this kind of virtual-reality equipment, you can find yourself sitting in a classroom, touring a famous museum, wandering across a strange landscape, flying into space, or playing with a cartoon character. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Virtual-reality equipment that delivers images and sounds directly to your eyes and ears makes these fake worlds seem lifelike.

Unlike the classroom, the technology is real. It's a type of technology that uses computer programs to imitate real world situation.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Movie directors and video game producers have been using computers for years to create ever more realistic special effects. Some companies are now building three-dimensional（三维）fantasy worlds in which players, linked by computer networks, appear to meet and go on explorations together.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They see virtual reality technology as a useful tool for learning more about why people act as they do. It could help psychologists deter identify and come up with solutions for behaviors problems, for example.

“We've spent the last 100 years looking for certain laws in how people interact with the real world,” says psychologist Albert. “ {#blank#}5{#/blank#} This is psychologist's dream.”

    Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to their appearance. But in fact, a lot of guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. They care just as much as girls do about their body image.

    Body image is a person's opinions and feelings about his or her own body and physical appearance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}You appreciate your body for its capabilities and accept its imperfections.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Here are some ideas.

    Recognize your strengths. Different body types are good for different things. What does your body do well? Maybe your speed, strength, or coordination makes you better than others at a certain sport. That may be basketball, table tennis, mountain biking, dancing, or even running. Or perhaps you have non-sports skills, like drawing, painting, singing, playing a musical instrument, writing, or acting. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Exercise regularly. Exercise can help you look well and feel good about yourself. Good physiques (体形) don't just happen.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} A healthy habit can be as simple as exercising 20 minutes to 1 hour three days a week. Working out can also lift your spirits.

    Respect your body! Practicing good habits regular showering; taking care of your teeth, hair, and skin; wearing clean clothes, and so on can help you build a positive body image.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Your body is just one part of who you are. Your talent for comedy, a quick wit (智慧) and all the other things make you unique. So try not to let small imperfections take over.

A. Use this as an opportunity to discover what you're good at.

B. Be yourself.

C. Having a positive body image means feeling satisfied with the way you look.

D. Just explore talents that you feel good about.

E. They take hard work, regular workouts, and a healthy diet.

F. The good news is that self-image and body image can be changed.

G. So, what can you do to develop a positive body image?

    Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety-a feeling someone might have in a situation where performance really counts. It can be a real problem if you're so stressed out over a test that you can't get past the nervousness to focus on the test questions and do your best work. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Use a little stress to your advantage.

    Stress is a signal that helps you prepare for something important. So use it to your advantage. Instead of reacting to the stress with fear, take an active approach{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Chances are that you'll keep your stress under control. After all, nobody ever feels stressedout by thoughts that they might do well on a test

    Ask for help.

    Although a little test anxiety can be a good thing, too much of it is another story. If sitting for a test gets you so stressed out that your mind goes blank and causes you to miss answers that you know, then your level of test anxiety probably needs some attention. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Never let test anxiety get to be too much to handle

    Be prepared.

    Many students find that their test anxiety eases when they start to study better or more regularly. It makes sense-the more you know the material, the more confident you'll feel {#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you expect to do well, you'll be able to relax into a test after the normal first-moment nervousness passes.

    Watch what you're thinking

    If expecting to do well on a test can help you relax, what about if you expect you won't do well? Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the test. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts (I'm never any good at taking tests "or It's going to be terrible if I do badly on this test"), replace them with positive messages. Not unrealistic positive messages, of course, but ones that are practical and true, such as "I've studied hard and I know the material, so I'm ready to do the best I can.”

A. They can contribute to your anxiety.

B. Let stress remind you to study well in advance of a test.

C. Having confidence going into a test means you expect to do well.

D. A little nervous expectation can actually help you do better on a test.

E. However, feeling ready to meet the challenges can help manage test anxiety.

F. Your teacher, a school guidance counselor, or a tutor can be good people to talk to.

G. They can help to learn ways to calm yourself down and relax when you're anxious.

    Self-esteem(自尊) plays a role in almost everything you do. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} They can have better relationships with peers(同龄人) and adults, feel happier, find it easier to deal with mistakes, disappointments and failures, and are more likely to stick with something until they succeed.

    If you want to improve your self-esteem, here are some useful tips.

    Try to stop having negative thoughts about yourself. If you're used to focusing on your shortcomings, start thinking about positive aspects of yourself. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    View mistakes as learning opportunities. Accept that you will make mistakes because everyone does. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remind yourself that a person's talents are constantly developing, and everyone does well in different things.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you realize that you're unhappy with something that you can change, then start today. If it's something you can't change(like your height), then start to work toward loving yourself the way you are.

    Make a contribution. Help a classmate who's having trouble, offer to clean up your neighborhood or volunteer your time in some other way. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Have fun. Enjoy spending time with the people you care about and doing the things you love. Relax and have a good time — and avoid putting your life on hold.

It takes some work to develop good self-esteem, but once you do it's a skill you'll have for life.

A. Mistakes are part of learning.

B. Recognize what you can change and what you can't.

C. Low self-esteem is a negative evaluation(评价) of oneself.

D. Feeling like you are making a difference and that your help is valued can do wonders to improve self-esteem.

E. Each day, write down three things about yourself that make you happy.

F. People with high self-esteem do better in school and find it easier to make friends.

G. Experience is the great thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

Problems between parents and children are common. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Developing a better relationship with your parents involves knowing the causes of the problems and focusing on changing how you think and behave. There are some ways to help you develop a better relationship with your parents.

Act first. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you want to improve your relationship with your parents, you should start right away and act first.

Be appreciative. Consider everything that your parents have done for you. You may find yourself feeling grateful to your parents. Show your appreciation with your actions. Give them a nice gift, or if you live with your parents, do some extra housework without being asked. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Be open and honest. One way to improve your relationship with your parents is to be more willing to talk to your parents about things that you care about and your feelings and views about these things. Keep in regular contact, so your parents can get a better understanding of what upsets you and what makes you happy. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}And it's hard for them to discuss things that can attract your interest and develop the relationship between you and themselves.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} They grow up in a different generation with different technologies and ways of thinking. Think about how these different histories may contribute to problems in your relationship. See if they can recall any problem in their relationships with their parents that is due to these generational differences. And try using this information when you talk about improving your relationship with them.

A. Accept that your parents are different.

B. Focus more on seeking your parents' agreement.

C. They will likely be happy with you for these actions.

D. There are a number of ways in which you can stay positive.

E. Don't wait for your parents to try to improve the relationship.

F. If you don't share your stories with your parents, they will not know you very well.

G. If you are looking to improve your relationship with your parents, you are not alone.