Things to Keep in Mind before Moving to New York City

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So, reading up on New York's history, facts, statistics, facilities, etc, is always a good idea. Learn about the culture, how to deal with people, taxi drivers, manners, or lack of manners that is exhibited there, and so on. It is always best to know what exactly you are getting into rather than landing there and getting a complete shock.

    Before you buy your clothes or shoes, you always try them out first, right? In the same way, before you move to New York, you need to visit it for a couple of days, just do that you can see what the city is like. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The best and worst thing about New York is that this city is controlled by money. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Then, you need to set aside (留出) an amount for emergencies only. If you are moving to New York with a job, or are planning to get a job once you are in the city, then you need to make sure that your salary covers up all your expenses and the amount that you would set aside for emergencies.

    Finding a neighbourhood in New York is the key to actually enjoying your stay there. If you are moving to the city due to work, then look for living accommodations close to your workplace.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Do you see yourself living in a place that is quiet, like the Upper West Side or East Side, or do you want noisy setups, like the East Village, Lower East Side, or West Village?

    Give the city a chance, make some good memories, and enjoy your stay there. Be safe wherever you go, and don't worry too much. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. The easiest way to survive in New York is to have a friend who knows this city really well.

B. Once you are in New York, you would never want to leave it.

C. Before you move to any city, it is always best to know a little about the city.

D. To start with, you will need to make a budget.

E. You need to decide what kind of neighborhood you want.

F. Take a tour of the city and try to imagine yourself living there.

G. The experience of moving to New York depends on how the city treats you and what you make of the city. 

    Basic first aid is a very valuable skill to have when going on a camping trip.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Cuts. With small cuts, you want to be careful to keep the area of the wound clean to avoid possible infection.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} If the cut has not stopped bleeding, raise the wounded area above the heart and place pressure on the area to stop the bleeding.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} The bandage should be held in place with tape, but should not be too tight.

    Blisters. Blisters can turn a fun walk in the woods into a terrible experience.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Change your bandage and socks and keep the blistered area clean. Make sure that you pack different size bandages and first aid cream.

    Sprains. If you've got a heavy pack on your shoulders, it can be very easy to twist your ankles. Walking sticks can be a traveler's friend.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A good ACE bandage should be packed in case of a sprained ankle. This can help fix the sprained area until you can get medical attention.

    After seeing the above dangers and treatments, it's also helpful to pack a small basic first aid kit for your trip. Make sure that you include items that are unique to you and fit your environment (bleeding, bruise, snake bite, etc.).

A. Cover the wound with a dry, clean bandage.

B. Wear comfortable shoes and socks during the trips.

C. They can help you keep balance on rough areas.

D. Treat the cut with first aid cream to prevent infection.

E. Below is a brief list of less-severe injuries that you can prepare for.

F. Blisters are an open wound and can get infected if not cared for.

G. Some climates can be very hot during the day and very cool at night.

    As a senior year student, you may have so many pressures coming from so many directions that you can't figure out what to do first.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    When you have many things to do and a lot of demands on your time, you can lose sight of what's important. One of the best ways to see the big picture - what you want out of life - is to lay out your goals.

    Pressure Points and How to Deal With Them

    Confused or overwhelmed - talk to someone you trust.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} They may help you find solutions to your problems and worries.

    Being too hard on yourself - ease up, take a break and do something you enjoy. Daydream, read a book, go out with friends — anything that helps you relax.

    Problems, problems, problems — recognize your limits. It's too stressful to try to deal with all your problems at once.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Goal-Setting Tips

    It's important to remember that goals belong to you — not to your parents, your teachers, or your friends. After you've set your goals, identify the skills you have to achieve those goals.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Try the library, your guidance adviser and teachers, and other people who could help you.

    Goals exist to serve you. If your goal is something you no longer want, change it. Identify the barriers to getting your goals.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't get depressed by a big, long-term goal — see what steps you can take to achieve it and set those steps down as short-term, “do-able” goals.

A. Too much to do

B. Balancing goals in life

C. Consider ways to overcome them

D. Discuss your concerns with a friend, parent or teacher

E. Choose what's most urgent and set aside the rest until later

F. As long as you know what skill is important and what isn't

G. If you're not sure what skills you'll need, do some research

How to Choose a Good Book

    You love reading, and you're dying to get your hands on a book. But you've read all your books several times, and you're getting tired of reading the same ones. You're planning to go to the library, but don't know what kind of books to get. With the right knowledge, it's easy for you to choose a good book.

    Make a list answering these questions:

    What kind of books do you like? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Is there a type of book that you would like to try? What are your interests? By doing this you will find books that you might like.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Very often good books are quietly collecting dust in your own house. Maybe you forget about one, or someone who is living with you has a couple of good books. Also by searching your house, you can find books that you can read, and they won't even cost you any money.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Read best-seller lists published in most newspapers or weekly magazines. Find out which new books are making headlines, and why.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If it does, then use its search engine to find a certain book or books by a certain author. You can also do this at home.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    If you would rather have Book 1 over Book2，put Book2 back. If you would prefer Book 3 to Book 1, put Book 1 back.

A. Search your house.

B. What books have you read?

C. Ask someone to recommend a good book.

D. See if the library or bookstore has computers.

E. Read book reviews in newspapers and magazines.

F. Narrow down your choices.

G. What authors do you like?

Cats in ancient Egypt

    Many of us love cats. They are beautiful, soft, clever and loving. The ancient Egyptians(埃及人) considered cats, also known as Mau, to be very important. They honored them with great respect. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} For one thing, cats helped people by keeping their homes free of mice, rats, and snakes.

Without cats Egypt could not have been the important grain-growing(谷物种植) center that it was. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Though I don't know what other pets the Egyptians had, cats were probably the most important. Cats were also trained to help hunters. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The Egyptians loved cats so much that Bast, an Egyptian goddess, was pictured in the form of a cat. Bast appeared in artwork. She was the protector of the house. This idea made a special connection between cats and children. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The safety of all cats was of great concern to ancient Egyptians. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Foreigners sometimes took cats out of Egypt secretly and took them to other lands. Egyptian soldiers were sent to pick up cats found in other countries and bring them back home to Egypt.

A. There were good reasons for that.

B. Two types of cats appeared in ancient Egypt.

C. In grain fields, cats helped catch rats and mice.

D. They were able to help pick up the wounded birds.

E. There were even laws against getting a cat out of Egypt.

F. Anyone who killed a cat on purpose would be put to death.

G. That's why most Egyptian families had cats for good luck.

    For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a performer. But when it came time to go to college and decide what I wanted to be for the rest of my life, I didn't want to choose drama as my major. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So instead of studying drama, I went to law school like my two sisters did before me. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They worked about 80 hours a week, but they made good money and could afford expensive cars and apartments in the city.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} I had great benefits, including four weeks of vacation a year, but I never got to use any of my vacation time because there was always too much work to do. I worked from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, and when I finished, all I could do was get into my bed until I woke up to do it all over again the next day.

    After five years of this lifestyle, I thought I was going to go crazy. I was unhappy and exhausted, and I never saw my friends and my family. I thought that acting in a small community play might make me feel better, but rehearsals (排练) and performances all took place during my work hours. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    I got a small part in a local play, and then a bigger part, and then a lead role. Now I make my living from acting, and every now and then, I do some legal consulting (咨询) for a little extra money. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I had to give up my big apartment and expensive car, but I'm so much happier now.

A. They aren't good examples to me.

B. They seemed happy enough, I thought.

C. I don't get paid a lot for my acting jobs.

D. So I made a serious decision and quit my job.

E. I am certainly a better performer than lawyer.

F. Making a living as a performer seemed impractical to me.

G. After law school, I got a good job and worked as a lawyer for a big company.