Everyone knows that the Frenchmen are romantic, the Italians are fashionable and the Germans are serious. Are these just stereotypes or is there really such a thing as national character? And if there is, can it affect how a nation succeed or fail?

    At least one group of people is certain that it can. A recent survey of the top 500 entrepreneurs (企业家) in the UK found that 70% felt that their efforts were not appreciated by the British public. Britain is hostile (敌意的) to success, they said. It has a culture of jealousy(嫉妒). {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Jealousy is sometimes known as the “green – eyed monster” and the UK is its home.

    Scientists at War wich University in the UK recently tested this idea. They gathered a group of people together and gave each an imaginary amount of money.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Those given a little were given the chance to destroy the large amount of money given to others – but at the cost of losing their own. Two thirds of the people tested agreed to do this.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . But there is also opposite evidence. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently reported that the UK is now the world's fourth largest economy. That is not bad for people who are supposed to hate success. People in the UK also work longer hours than anyone else in Europe. So the British people are not lazy, either.

    “It is not really success that the British dislike,” says Carey Cooper, a professor of management at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. “It's people using their success in a way that seems proud or unfair or which separates them from their roots.”

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They set out to do things in their way. They work long hours. By their own efforts they become millionaires. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}It hardly seems worth following their example. If they were more friendly, people would like them more. And more people want to be like them.

A. This seems to prove that the entrepreneurs were right to complain.

B. The one who owns most money in the end is the winner.

C. As a result, the survey said, entrepreneurs were “unloved, unwanted and misunderstood.”

D. It is not true that British people are born jealous of others' success.

E. Some were given a little, others a great deal.

F. But instead of being happy they complain that nobody loves them.

G. Perhaps it is the entrepreneurs who are the problem.

    What do the world's most successful people all have in common?

By examining the work habits of over 150 greatest writers and artists and scientists, the researchers including Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeiffer found that high achievers like Robert Moses turned out to be all alike: 

Busy! Busy!

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In a study of general managers in industry, John Kotter reports that many of them work 60 to 65 hours per week—which translates into at least six 10-hour days. The ability and willingness to work difficult and tiring hours has characterized many powerful figures. Energy and strength provide many advantages to those seeking to build power.

Just Say No!

    The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say “no” to almost everything. And that's what gives them the time to accomplish so much.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} And focus means saying “no” to a lot of distractions (分神).

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Ignore your weaknesses and keep improving your strengths. Don't waste time exploring skill areas where you have little competence. Instead, focus on—and build on—your strengths. This means knowing who you are, what you are and what you are good at.

Create Good Luck！

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} There's a science to it. Richard Wiseman studies lucky people for his book Luck Factor, and breaks down what they do right. Certain personality types are luckier because they behave in a way that offers the chance for good opportunities. By being more outgoing, open to new ideas, following the feeling that something is true, and being optimistic, lucky people create possibilities.

    Does applying these principles to your life actually work? Wiseman created a “luck school” to test the ideas—and it was a success. In total, 80 percent of the people who attended Luck School said that their luck had increased.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Spend enough time to improve your weakness.

B. Achievement requires focus.

C. On average, these people reported that their luck had increased by more than 40 percent.

D. They never stop working and they never lose a minute.

E. Busy people are more likely to be lucky.

F. Know What You Are!

G. Luck isn't magical.

    It's normal to wake briefly during the night.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} But if you're waking up during the night and having trouble falling back asleep, the following tips may help.

    The key to getting back to sleep is continuing to prepare your body for sleep, so remain in bed in a relaxed position. Hard as it may be, try not to stress over the fact that you're awake.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}So just focus on the feelings and sensations in your body.

    If you are finding it hard to fall back asleep, try a relaxation technique such as visualization, deep breathing, or meditation (沉思）.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remind yourself that although they're not a replacement for sleep, rest and relaxation still help refresh your body. Do a quiet, non-stimulating activity.

    If you've been awake for more than 15 minutes, try getting out of bed and doing a quiet, non-stimulating activity, such as reading a book. Keep the lights dim so as not to think that it's time to wake up.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} The type of light they send out is stimulating(刺激)the brain. A light snack might help relax you, but be careful not to eat so much that your body begins to expect a meal at that time of the day.

    If you wake during the night feeling anxious about something, make a brief note of it on paper.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} You may find that it will be easier to solve it when you are fresh. Similarly, if a great idea is keeping you awake, make a note of it on paper and fall back to sleep, knowing you'll be much more productive and creative aft-er a good night's rest.

A. Arrange for it to take place the next day.

B. In fact, a good sleeper won't even remember it.

C. The darker the bedroom is, the better you'll sleep.

D. They can be done without even getting out of bed.

E. Try to make dinner time earlier in the evening.

F. Stress and anxiety encourage your body to stay awake.

G. Also avoid screens of any kind —computers, TVs, cell phones, iPads.

Common public speaking problems

    The use of “I feel”, “I think” and “maybe”

    In the question-and-answer session of the speaking competition, many contestants began their answers with uncertain expressions like “I feel”, “I guess”, “I hear”, “maybe” and “perhaps”. These words show that the person is only speaking from his or her point of view{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Work on keeping your answers brief and to the point{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead of the empty-sounding “I guess”, using facts, together with a clear conclusion based on those facts, is far more likely to be popular with an audience.

Using only one speaking style

    “Don't stick to the same tone{#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, when they spoke about their dreams some sounded romatic. Others used humor. Very few used several different styles together. Try mixing more than one style, rather than just sticking with the same one.

    Irresponsible answers

    Public speaking is different from personal conversations. You're responsible for your words{#blank#}4{#/blank#}So you should think twice before you talk. Don't belike the student who, when asked about his opinion on book piracy（盗版）, started by saying he supported it.

    Talking around the topic rather than directly answering it

    You should focus on one point and give a clear solution. The key is to work out what question is being asked. Is it asking you to discuss a certain topic or to present your own point of view?

    Use one or two arguments together and give a strong conclusion{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It can be boring. Try to mix it up.

B. Also work on delivering them with calmness and confidence.

C. Even though you want to answer quickly, you don't want to sound foolish.

D. This lacks the support of facts and seems not to be reliable for the judges and audience.

E. Remember that judges are not judging you on whether they agree, but on your ability to say what you think clearly.

F. Confidence is extremely important in public speaking as it lets a speaker sound more convincing.

G. Deliberate gestures and affected（做作的）expressions of feelings are improper in a successful speech.

    You probably know you should exercise, get enough sleep and eat right. But you are telling yourself that you don't have the time. If you are wondering how to develop healthy habits, these pieces of advice will help you feel great.

    Change sleep time.

    If you need to work all night, you can sleep seven to nine hours a night several days before you stay up. It can help reduce the bad influence of a single sleepless night. When you stay up, consider a powerful nap. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Improve creativity.

    Eating more fruits and vegetables makes us more creative, which in turn improves our work. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.Time management is key. Exercise is another one. Just two minutes of physical activity can make you more creative.

    Fit in with some high-intensity (高强度) but short exercise.

    If you don't have a lot of time, try some high-intensity exercise. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Research suggests that exercising regularly is highly effective in burning fat and building muscle.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    To protect yourself, start taking vitamin C and B a few days before your flight. To make you feel less travel-related stress, try some quick ways to relax, such as drinking green tea.

    Doing great work is important to you, but your health should be at the top of your list. So you should be honest with yourself. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Find time for exercise, healthy meals and some quality rest by cutting down useless activities.

A. Get prepared for traveling.

B. Remember to avoid taking flights.

C. Even a 10-minute nap will make you energetic.

D. How to fit a healthy diet into a busy plan?

E. In other words, no good health makes no sense.

F. Many people dislike staying up.

G. Some simple but high-intensity ways like jumping rope will work well.

Starting a club of some kind at school can be difficult. But with a good idea, some active friends, and the right knowledge, you can pull it off. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

Decide whether you really want to start a club. Once you have strong enough support from your friends and fellow students, you're ready to go.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Find an advisor for your club. Pick someone who will help you organize events for your club.

Find a place. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you want to do this,  talk to your headteacher to apply (申请) for a classroom.

Decide when to meet. Decide how often your club should meet, and then pick a convenient time and day when most club members will be free.

Advertise your club at school. Make bright, colorful informative posters (海报) that will attract attention. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

Plan volunteering events. You can decide on events yourself, or hold a meeting to get your club's opinion. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Have fun. What's the point of having a club if it's no fun? Don't take yourself too seriously and be sure to have a sense of humor.