Travel Light

    Getting away for a short time always seems like a great idea—until you have to pack. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The rule is: pack light. Here are some tips to help you pack.

    Make a list. Think of what you need from your head to your toes.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} When you've done this once, it'll be easier next time.

    2). Consider buying small-size samples of shampoo, toothpaste, and other items at your local drugstore. You can reuse the plastic containers next time you go away too.

    3). Choosing which clothes to bring is probably the hardest packing decision to make. Think once again from head to toe — hat, shirts, jeans, sneakers, etc. Once you've picked out what you want to bring, think carefully. Do you really need that extra pair of jeans? If so, fine.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Don't try to fool yourself. You are the one who will be left holding the bag.

    4). Weather is an important factor in your packing. If it's cold, you could wear a jacket, a sweater, a regular shirt, and a T-shirt. Putting them on will keep you warm. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Remember how much easier it will be to carry your bag! As for shoes, you may want to call ahead to see if dress shoes are necessary. If so, one pair will be enough, along with one pair of comfortable shoes. Remember that it is you who have been invited somewhere, not your things. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} So, do it right—pack light.

    Many times we tend to use our hands to explain our needs and thoughts.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}So you must be cautious when using hand gestures in communication.

    Hand gestures are a way of communicating with others and conveying your feelings. These gestures are most helpful when one is speaking to someone with no language in common. The meanings of hand gestures in different cultures may translate into different things.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Former President George W. Bush had to face a major faux pas（失礼） during a visit to Australia. He tried to signal a peace sign by waving the two-finger or V-sign at the crowd.

    You may think of this as a simple gesture, but he committed a major error.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The meaning of this hand gesture in Australia was asking the crowd to screw themselves, a rude expression used to show you're very angry!{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Therefore, it is very important to understand the meanings of gestures before you travel to different countries.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Those considered as good gestures in one country may be termed as offensive gestures in some countries. So, if you are a frequent flier to different countries, improve your communication skills by learning the meaning of hand gestures.

A. Here is a very common example.

B. Instead of his palm facing outwards, it faced inwards.

C. The great man received warm welcome by the Australians.

D. We communicate not only by words, but by hand gestures as well.

E. A serious error committed by the then most powerful man in the world.

F. But the same hand gesture may mean something quite offensive to a person from a different cultural background.

G. Before you communicate with people in different cultures, you need to understand the meaning of gestures.

    Do you usually feel you're working hard but still can't reach your study goals? Here are some quick tips to help you study better.

Study with a partner or in groups

    Rather than living in a cave with your nose in the books all day, grab a friend from your class and study with him.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Step into your teacher's shoes

    Ask yourself “If I were the teacher, what would I put on the test?”You have probably experienced a lot of your teacher's tests and quizzes by now.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Teachers have specific types of information that they want you to learn. The structure is usually the same.

Paint pictures on the paper

    You can build your knowledge structure in the form of pictures. It's harder to remember each piece of a puzzle individually than it is to recall the completed picture.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

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    A hungry brain is an ineffective one. Your brain needs the proper nutrients to keep it going. Because of this, what you eat and drink also play a huge role in how sharp your brain is. Healthy food provide nutrients to your brain cells to keep them energized.

Take breaks to relax your brain

    Your brain is like a muscle. It can be also tired if you overwork it,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you divide studying into 15 to 30 minutes blocks with quick breaks in between, your brain will feel refreshed, grateful and ready for the next challenge you throw at.

A. Feed your brain from time to time.

B. It needs exercise to make it stronger.

C. Relax your brain by eating and drinking.

D. You'd better learn from them for the next test.

E. It's necessary to have a long holiday and have nice food.

F. Find ways to connect what you are learning to real life or to other concepts.

G. Group studying helps you to engage and process the information more deeply

    Microphones are high-end electronic devices(装置)of great help at the time of a voice chat, video chat and recording.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Some of the common microphone problems along with their solutions are listed below.

    If the device does not work.

    There is a common problem you might have faced at some point of time.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Some of the computers have panels(控制板)on the front which contain microphone plugs. In some computers, these devices need to be plugged directly into your sound card. If you are unable to find it, go through the manual and you'll find the solution.

    Poor microphone connection.

    This is another common problem you might encounter. If the microphone connection is poor, there must be some problems with the sound card. You can use a sound recorder to check out the whether the connection is working properly or not{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You will see a green line moving back and for the as you speak. If that happens, your sound card is in the right condition.

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    Most of the problems appear when the device is incorporated(使并入)in headphones that are commonly liked with a USB cable. If you face the similar situation, you need to make sure that the USB port connected is operational. Moreover, if the operating system setting are not adjusted to the functioning of the microphone, the device might stop functioning properly.

    These are some of the common problems you might come across. Therefore, always use the device wisely to make the most out of it.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Online electronic stores provide customers with a majority of choices. Kliff says the best microphone available at Top End Electronics will help you meet all your requirements. You can also buy new digital cameras from the store.

A. Record your voice.

B. Additional problems.

C. Speak to your friends on the phone

D. There are several problems that you might face

E. You can ask your fellows about how to operate the device

F. To buy the best microphones, you can go through the Internet

G. If your device does not start, you must check whether the connections are in the place or not.

    As is known to everyone, we all care about what others think of us and want to be liked, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}However, there are also many smaller, simpler things you can do, which can affect how others view you.

    Prove you are paying attention.

    To really show someone your interest in him or her, try bringing up a topic the person mentioned earlier. Did your co-worker talk about working with his son on a science fair project last week? Follow up and ask how it went. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}In fact, sometimes it says more that you can recall and show interest in even the small happening in another person's life.

    Handle criticism in a wise way.

    While you want to be generous with your praise, be careful with your criticism. For example, if someone makes an error, don't call that person out in front of a group. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Anyhow, be always gentle with criticism and only offer it when it's truly needed.

    Ask for advice.

    Asking someone for advice is a great way to get people to like you. It shows that you respect the other individual's opinion.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} When you make someone feel better about himself or herself, that person will most certainly end up liking you for it.

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    Most people love to talk about themselves. If you are asking questions and getting people to talk about themselves, they'll leave the conversation thinking that you're the coolest.

A. Try to be confident and respectful.

B. Everyone likes to feel needed and important.

C. It doesn't have to be a big, life-changing event.

D. Ask other people about their lives and interests.

E. Always use an individual's name in a conversation.

F. You can discuss your own mistakes before digging into someone else's errors.

G. The basics of getting people to like you are obvious—be nice, considerate and polite.

    With the development of science and technology, mobile phones have been an important communication tool in our modern life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    First, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If we have a mobile phone, it is possible for us to access anyone at anytime and anywhere. We could call our clients and customers for business. And we can send messages, including text and picture messages to our friends for personal affairs.

    Besides, mobile phones have been multi-functional nowadays since its advance development. It could take photos instead of digital cameras. It could be used as a radio or recorder or for playing music. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Sometimes we would not like to be available to anybody; sometimes we receive so many rubbish messages.

    In conclusion, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It is really a great invention, which makes our life more convenient and more colorful.

A. But sometimes mobile phones can also make you in a dilemma.

B. Mobile phones bring us more benefits than disadvantages.

C. Mobile phones really bring convenience to our lives.

D. Mobile phones play an important part in our work.

E. However, some small troubles would visit you after using it for some time.

F. And it also could be a game player.

G. Thanks to it, our life becomes easy and colorful.