I was diagnosed with allergies (过敏反应) when I was a little kid. Other than family, no one truly knows I have allergies, although I have to tell people it's allergies when my eyes start to tear up. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Sometimes my friends just tease in a friendly way.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}I look like a normal kid. I don't mind telling people about my allergies—after all, it's normal to have them. Having allergies hasn't affected my self-confidence.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}For example, I am a big traveler and I would enjoy going to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, D. C. But when I come anywhere within a 10-foot range of cherry blossoms it feels like I lose almost all my senses! Even though it's only temporary, I still feel miserable.

    My allergies haven't stopped me from traveling when I can, though. My class trip was to Williamsburg in Virginia. At first it was supposed to be during cherry blossom time, and that had me worried. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    I've had to rethink some of my dreams, too. Since I'm allergic to animals with fur, I may need to adjust my hopes of being a veterinarian (兽医) or working in an agricultural-science department. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Now I have learned to deal with my allergies and even see the good side sometimes. Having allergies has taught me not to be prejudiced about people's health conditions.

A. I do get made fun of.

B. My allergies have been getting better.

C. If I don't take my medicine I can get really bad breath.

D. You can't tell by looking at me that I have a health condition.

E. Fortunately, it was changed to February, so I went and had the best time!

F. But I'm interested in so many things and there are plenty of other careers out there!

G. Sure, my allergies have held me back from doing some of the things that I love to do.

    How to Create a Mind Map

    Most of us think visually but we write textually. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It also makes the information we list more difficult to process, remember, and share.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It combines the brain's visual nature with our tendency to write down words. We end up with a diagram that combines logic and order in a less structured manner. This promotes clearer thinking and better comprehension.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    So, how do you create a mind map? The most basic method is to just use a pen and paper, or a marker and whiteboard. It begins with a central topic or idea, then flows outward.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The next level of topics is represented by branches extending from it.

    There aren't really any rules for creating mind maps. While most flow outwardly from the central topic, some users prefer to build mind maps in one direction.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This can make groups of ideas easier to identify and remember. It also makes a mind map more enjoyable to create and use.

    Mind maps are extremely effective for taking notes, planning a project, brainstorming an idea, presenting information to others, and many other uses. Take out your pen and have a try.

A. They help to clarify thinking.

B. This goes against how our minds actually work.

C. They help us save time by focusing on key issues.

D. A mind map is the perfect answer to this dilemma.

E. Think of it as a tree, where the central point is the trunk.

F. It's also a lot more enjoyable than simply writing down lists.

G. Others like to add colors, pictures, or symbols in their mind maps.

M: Remember Paul from our old school?

W: {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

M: I met him at the checkout in the supermarket the other day, and he was queuing right in front of me.

W: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

M: Well, he started out as a manager in charge of sales. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} He teaches commercial English there.

W: Why did he get this new job? {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

M: Yes. It is tiring, though. After all, he has got a family to take care of.

W: I see. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

M: Exactly!

A. Isn't he working in a company as a sales manager?

B. Then he transferred to work for an international giant.

C. Of course I do.

D. But he ended up getting a job at the local university.

E. Isn't it interesting to travel around as a sales manager?

F. That's a good point.

G. Sometimes it is a painful choice, career or family.

Ways to Make People Like You

    ⒈Remember a person's name.

    It is said that the sweetest sound to a person's ears is their own name. "The average person is more interested in their own name than in all the other names in the world put together." People love their names so much that they will often donate large amounts of money just to have a building named after themselves. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒉Be a good listener.

    Encourage others to talk about themselves. The easiest way to become a good conversationalist is to become a good listener. To be a good listener, we must actually care about what people have to say. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They just want someone who will listen to them.

    ⒊Talk in terms of the other person's interest.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If we talk to people about what they are interested in, they will feel valued and value us in return.

    ⒋{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    "You can make more friends in two months by being interested in them than in two years by making them interested in you." The only way to make quality, lasting friendships is to learn to be genuinely interested in them and their interests.

    ⒌Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} We love to feel important and so does everyone else. People will talk to us for hours if we allow them to talk about themselves. If we can make people feel important in a sincere and appreciative way, then we will win all the friends we could ever dream of.

A. Become genuinely interested in other people.

B. We should think of questions in the shoes of other people.

C. Many times people don't want an entertaining conversation partner.

D. We should offer as much time as we can to other people who talk to us.

E. The golden rule is to treat other people as we would like to be treated.

F. The royal road to a person's heart is to talk about the things he or she treasures most.

G. We can make people feel extremely valued and important by remembering their name.

    Actions speak louder than words. A smile says, "I like you. You make me happy."

    That's why dogs make such a hit. They are so glad to see us that they almost jump out of their skins. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    A baby's smile has the same effect. Have you ever been in a doctor's waiting room and looked around at all the sad faces waiting impatiently to be seen? There were six or seven patients waiting when a young woman came in with a nine-month-old baby. She sat down next to a gentleman who was more than a little impatient about the long wait for service. The baby just looked up at him with that great big smile that is so characteristic of babies. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Soon he struck up a conversation with the woman about her baby and his grand-children and then the entire reception room joined in, and the boredom and tension were changed into a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Telephone companies throughout the U.S have a program called "phone power which is offered to employees who use the telephone for selling their Services or products. In this program they suggest that you smile when talking on the phone. Your "smile" comes through in your voice.

    You don't feel like smiling? {#blank#}4{#/blank#}If you are lone, force yourself to whistle or hum a tune or sing. Act as if you were already happy, and that will tend to make you happy.

    Your smile is a messenger of your goodwill. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} To someone who has seen a dozen people frown or turn their faces away, your smile is like the sun breaking through the clouds. Especially when that someone is under pressure from his bosses, his customers, his teachers or parents or children, a smile can help him realize that all is not hopeless-that there is joy in the world.

    If you want to have a garden full of life and motion, you have to attract some wildlife.

    It's not as difficult as it may sound. Your garden will attract insects, bugs, birds and mammals. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You will make yourself happy and at the same time you will provide a living space for these beautiful creatures. All you need to do is to follow this advice and you will have the garden of your dreams. If you think your garden has to be messy and untidy, you're wrong. You need waves and long-living plants and strong curves of hedges (树篱) and paths. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's important to provide everything animals will need to live in your garden.

    Provide food. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Planting native plants is what you have to do in order to attract wildlife. Plants like roses, honeysuckle and lavender attract different insects like bees and butterflies. Hummingbirds are fans of fuchsia and geraniums. Trees and shrubs that produce fruit, berries and seed are good sources of food for your little friends.

    Provide some shelters for wildlife. You need to plant evergreen plants, too, because they are a suitable place for wildlife to take shelter.

    Provide water. It's important to provide water. Some animals can use even your pool to have a bath. Bees love shallow water. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It's vital to change the water in your pond regularly to avoid breeding mosquitoes.

    Provide a place for wildlife to raise young. A birdhouse or a pile of brush can be a nice place for wildlife to raise their young. It's good to have climber-covered walls and fences to increase the possibilities not only for raising children, but also for feeding, nesting, roosting and hibernating.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Some species will overtake your garden and make it unfriendly. If there are wild cats that threaten the wildlife in your garden, it would be wise to take steps to keep those out.