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.

                                                                  Questions you should ask yourself when you fail

    Let's face it.We all fail.The more new things we try the more failures we are likely to have.Experiencing failure can be a learning experience and an opportunity for a fresh start.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} A good way to begin this process is by asking yourself some tough questions.

1．What can I learn from this?

    Take responsibility for what went wrong.OK，so it was not all your fault—but some of it was.Successful people don't make excuses or blame others.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Be critical but constructive.Try to look at the experience objectively.Make a list of the key things that happened.Analyze the list step－by－step and look for the learning points.

2．Do I need to acquire or improve some skills?

    Did the problem reveal some lack of skill on your part? How could you learn or improve those skills? Perhaps there are books or courses or people you could turn to.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

3．Who can I learn from?

    Is there someone whom you can turn to for advice? Did a boss，colleague or a friend see what happened? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Most people do not ask for help because they believe it to be a sign of weakness rather than strength.It's not.It shows that you are ready to learn and change.Any good friend will be happy to help.

4．What will I do next?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Will you try something similar or something different? Revisit your goals and objectives.This reversal has been a setback on your journey but think of it as a diversion rather than a halt.You can now reset your sights on your destination and plan a new course.

A．Now draw up an action plan.

B．Make them stepping stones to future success.

C．They take responsibility of the failure.

D．In fact the only way to avoid failure is to do nothing new.

E．The important thing is how we deal with failure.

F．Make a self－development plan to acquire the skills and experiences you need.

G．If they are constructive and supportive then ask them for some feedback and guidance.

How to read more and learn more

    These days, more and more Chinese people enjoy sending and receiving message on the phone. It can help the to get the latest news and communicate with friends. But I think I should read more books besides the textbooks, the more, the better. It can broaden my mind and improve my language skills.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Here are some tips for you.

Clear your purpose for reading

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Most people read for two main reasons, pleasure or knowledge. Clearing about your reading purpose can not only help you choose the books you really need to read, but also remind you why reading the book is important to you, so you will keep reading and complete the book faster.

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

    No matter what you are reading, it is important to enjoy what you read. Your friends may tell you the books they love, but those books might not necessarily be the ones you enjoy.

Give up books that you don't enjoy

    You may have chosen books that you are interested in, and they are right to your purpose. But while you are reading them, there may still be some books that you don't enjoy reading. Whenever you realize that you aren't enjoying the book you are reading, give it up.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Set a reading goal

    It is interesting that I read the books borrowed from libraries faster than those I bought. The reason is the books I bought don't have a due date! I don't need to return those books. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Before you read each book, ask yourself what time you need to complete this book by.

A. Read only what you are interested in.

B. Read the books borrowed from others

C. Remember reading shouldn't be a chore

D. Of course, it also can help me to get good grades

E. We need to get the latest news and communicate with friends

F. Before you start reading, ask yourself why you are reading this book

G. Having a reading goal helps you work out how much reading you need to do in a week or even a day.

Saving money while traveling

    There are a lot of matters to think on before going out on a trip.  If you fail to plan the trip properly, then money will simply let itself loose from your pocket. Moreover, if you haven't planned a road map of your tour,  then confusion is quite inevitable (必然的). {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Package tours. Tours and travel agencies have attractive offers for tourists wanting to spend a couple of days on trips. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Once you have accepted the package tour, all your expenses during the travel will be greatly reduced. You can save a lot in lodging(住宿 ) and traveling.

    Inexpensive lodging. Never choose expensive lodging if your tour is a low-budget one. People tend to spend a lot booking luxury hotels (豪华旅馆),  and save little to enjoy other activities during the trip. This idea is absolutely not wise when spending limited money on the trip is your main aim. Moreover, the expenses increase quickly when your kids are with you. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You can use the money saved on good food and amusement.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The peak season is the time when rates are sky high due to the increase of millions of tourists who can afford to spend a lot of money. You, not being amongst this crowd that can spend generously, must book your holidays during the off season.

    A guide map. Make a guide map about the places to visit, expenses of travel and the activities to try. While planning you should also estimate (估计) your total expenses. Calculate the maximum amount and try to spend less than that. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Refer to the guide map while traveling and follow the money-saving travel tips as much as possible.

A. Reduce shopping.

B. Off season travel.

C. You must keep yourself updated with such offers.

D. This will help you to keep actual expenses below the estimated.

E. You can save lots of dollars when you don't have a credit card.

F. Therefore, book a fairly low-price lodge to save a few dollars.

G. So knowing some money-saving travel tips becomes necessary for you. 

The Do's and Don'ts of Settling Family Problems

    Sometimes something more than consideration is necessary to resolve family issues. How should you cope with a family argument or conflict? Gad Krebs, a Positive Relationship expert, believes you should consider the following three options.

    Don't listen to random advice on how to have a successful relation

    Well intentioned people can offer relationship advice readily available.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Firstly, it's the case where those offering ideal solutions are struggling with miserable relations themselves. Secondly, even though they do enjoy harmony at home, the advice that works for them won't necessarily work for you. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. This is a result of the unique personalities of the couple. What works for one couple may be disastrous for another.

    Ask for professional directions

    Businesses employ consultants and the sick visit doctors. These professional specialists can be reliable. Relationships should be no different. Living as a couple will lead to conflict; this is unavoidable. Although some disagreements can be settled by the couple alone, others cannot. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Turning to a competent specialist during a crisis can allow the couple to gain a new perspective on the issue, as well as give them an opportunity to evolve themselves. However, proud people are always unlikely to expose their problems. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    Never say “You never” or “You always”

    In the heat of an argument people can shift their focus from specific and technical complaints – “You are 10 minutes late” – to broad and summary statements – “You're always late!” {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. It defines not only who they are, but who they always are.

A. Rely on professional specialists

B. Accept this advice and then ignore it

C. Most people as for help when they find themselves lost

D. Each relationship operates according to its very own courses

E. Criticism can turn poisonous when a specific issue becomes an identity

F. It is at this point that they need to be mature enough to seek outside professional help

G. Similarly, proud couples, like them, suffer unnecessarily due to their inability to ask for help

    College is a time to study hard and go to class. But a new survey finds that US students spend more time, working paid jobs than studying. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many students finish school deep in debt.

    Work vs. School

    Researchers surveyed 1,507 students ages 18 to 34. All were presently admitted to college or graduate school. Results showed that 85 percent of students worked while in college. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} That was more than twice the time they spent in the library. It was almost two hours more than they spent in class. And it was 1.4 hours more than they spent studying at home.

    Deep in Debt

    People in the US spend more on college students than almost every other country in the world. The cost of college is at an all-time high. So is the level of student loan (贷款) debt. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It is even worse for younger adults with entry-level jobs. US students also build up personal debt while in school. They spend an average(平均)of $4,321 to pay back that debt.

    Students Bear the Burden(重担)

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} American parents pay for an average of $17,314 of college costs. Students spend almost $100,000. Almost 75 percent of US parents use their day-to-day earnings to help pay for their children's schooling.

    Very Worried

    Students reported feeling very worried about their finances. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Young ladies felt more stress(压力)than young men. They pay more for student loan debt.

A. US colleges cost a lot to attend.

B. US college students spend more time studying.

C. Researchers also surveyed almost 10,500 parents.

D. They spent about 4.2 hours a day working paid jobs.

E. Students are responsible for paying back more of their debt.

F. Student loans are the second-largest source of US family debt.

G. Six in ten students said they worried "frequently" or "all the time".