Are you truly happy? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. It is easy to begin to think negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way. On the contrary, if you are surrounded by people who are happy, their emotional state will be infectious.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. These few minutes will give you the opportunity to focus on the positive things in your life and will lead you to continuous happiness.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Whether you treat yourself to lunch, take a long, relaxing bath or simply spend a few extra minutes on your appearance, you will be putting yourself in a better mood.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you happy.

Keeping healthy is another way to achieve happiness.

A. Finding the humor in situations can also lead to happiness.

B. The following tips may help you to create happiness.

C. Surround yourself with happy people.

D. There are some reasons in life that lead to unhappiness.

E. Being overweight or not eating nutritious foods can have a negative effect on your health.

F. Spend a few minutes each day thinking about the things that make you happy.

G. It‘'s also important to take some time each day to do something nice for yourself.

    I feel very excited at the thought that in another week I'll be with you again on holiday.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} My host and my fellow-students are all very nice to me, but as they say in England, “There's no place like home”, and I think you will feel this above all at Christmas time.

    I'm leaving here early on Thursday, the 23^rd, and I'll be arriving in Paris on Friday morning. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Please meet me at the station. In some of my earlier letters I have told you all about the other students here. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}  Because he has no friends in England except me. He is a very nice boy. I know you will like him and I feel sure he will enjoy Christmas with us. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Please let me know soon if that's all right. I've got some Christmas presents for you all, but I'm not going to tell you what they are, so it will be a surprise.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I hope you are all keeping well. See that father always puts on his big coat when he goes out so that he will not catch a cold. We don't want him ill for Christmas.

A. I will have him spend Christmas with us.

B. But I haven't invited him yet.

C. I enjoy my stay in England very much indeed.

D. How are you all at home?

E. So I'll be home about lunch time.

F. Well, I want to ask my Canadian friend, Jan, to come and spend Christmas.

G. Things at home are much better than things in other places.

Five Simple Ways to Increase Your Intelligence

    Your IQ, which stands for Intelligence Quotient, is a scientific assessment(评估)of your intelligence. While there are limits based on native intelligence levels, recent studies have shown that it's possible to increase your intelligence. Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled thinker and increase your ability to focus. Here are five simple techniques to exercise your brain.

    Minimize(使减少到最低程度)television watching.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your friends or family, turn your television off and have a conversation.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Time spent exercising always leads to greater learning because it improves productivity during the time afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave of energy.

    Read Challenging Books. If you want to improve your thinking and writing ability, you should read books that make you focus.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Besides, it will make you think in more precise, elegant English.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Nothing makes it harder to concentrate than lack of sleep. You'll be most rejuvenated(恢复活力的)if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours.

    Take time to reflect. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a chance to organize your thoughts and prioritize(优先处理)your responsibilities.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Early to Bed, Early to Rise.

B. Take some time to exercise

C. Think of new ways to do old things

D. Reading a classic novel can change your view of the world

E. Watching television doesn't use your mental ability or allow it to recharge

F. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding of what's important and what isn't.

G. Just as sitting at your desk all day is bad for your physical self, sitting in the same mental seat all the time is bad for your bran.

    The UN has recognized the contributions of volunteers on Dec. 5, International Volunteer Day. Here, the four things are offered to consider before taking the leap into overseas volunteering.

    Choose your organization carefully

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}volunteering may be a fundraising mechanism(筹资机制) for a development project. For others, volunteering is fundamental to their programs, and those serving take on professional roles in longer-term development.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Volunteers want to help and make a difference, but most know this isn't a purely selfless act. You will learn new skills, broaden your horizons and come to better understand yourself and the world. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Reflect on your motivations. You want to help reduce global poverty or protect the natural world, but what else? Have you always wanted to travel, but not as a tourist? Work with kids? When you understand your motivations, you'll be in a better position to choose the option that is right for you.

    Work alongside the local community

    Often times, travelers volunteer in isolation(隔离) from the local community in which they are working in. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This enables you to ensure you are committing to a project that promotes long term and sustainable change.

    A volunteer trip is just the beginning

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Further ignite(点燃) the global change maker in you by taking your experience one step further when you return home. Spread the message of your transformative experience to others, helping to spark the change within them.

A. And that's all OK.

B. Know why you're going.

C. Don't assume you know it all.

D. Communities always welcome volunteers.

E. Volunteer travel is a life-changing experience.

F. Some organizations require you to pay your own way, and often include a fee.

G. Make sure to travel with organizations that have strong partnerships with local communities.

    You're growing up. That means you're probably experiencing lots of changes, all at once. Your body is changing. It might even seem as if your entire self is changing. It can be confusing and even scary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And it's good!

    Growing up means that you can do more, learn more, and start to make your mark on the world. In order for that to happen, your body produces chemicals called hormones that help both body and mind grow. Hormone levels change constantly, rising and falling.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} But it's partly to blame for intense emotions, surprising reactions, and mood swings.

    Because of the way your brain develops, it is somewhat ruled by emotion now and through your teen years. As a result, growing up can seem like an emotional roller coaster!{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Take care of yourself. If you eat right, sleep enough, and get good exercise, your brain will be much more able to deal with the stress.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you feel your moods swinging or you're upset, or confused, some quiet time will allow you to gather your thoughts and get calmer.

    Practice relaxing your body and deep breathing when you wake up and when you go to bed. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Plus, when stuff happens during the day, you'll be able to calm yourself quickly with a deep breath or two before you react. Your body is changing.

A. Take a time-out.

B. But the truth is, it happens to every teen.

C. Work out regularly to keep physically fit.

D. This changing is needed for your body's development.

E. It will help you fall asleep-and start the morning right.

F. Here are a few things you can do to make the ride smoother.

G. Usually, these feelings settle down when you realize what is going on.

    The most successful people all have certain habits in their daily routines. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Forming a new good habit can be a struggle, but it is well worth the effort. Here are the four steps you can follow to form good habits.

    Set your goal.

    Before you can begin to work on your new habit, it is worthwhile to consider your goal.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Make sure that your goal is specific, measurable and realistic to increase your chances of success.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Having good habits that are in line with the goals can improve your chances of achieving your goals. After you have set your goal and worked out all of the specifics (细节) of achieving that goal, find a habit that is part of achieving that goal. Consider what good habit would help you achieve that goal.

    Consider your motivation.

    Once you have identified your goal and the new habit you need to achieve this goal, take some time to consider your motivation.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Good motivation can be the difference between success and failure in terms of forming a new habit. So take your time to consider your motivation.

    Give yourself time.

    Forming a new habit can take a long time. Some people can form a new habit in as little as a few weeks, while other people will take several months. As you work to form your new habit, just keep in mind that it may be a while before it comes true. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Identify ways to achieve goals.

B. Find the habit you want to form.

C. Good habits are sure to make you a success.

D. These habits help contribute to their success.

E. Figure out exactly what you hope to achieve.

F. Try to be patient with yourself as you form your new habit.

G. Your motivation is the reason you want to form this new habit.