For a long time, I have been thinking about the idea of going abroad to do something worthwhile(值得做的), such as doing some voluntary work, working with kids or animals. However, I had been stopped for different choices with the kind of things I could do and different countries where I could do them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} And I had been puzzling over how I was able to afford the flights, costs and everything.

    I thought I couldn't wait to do something.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So I just got up off my bed and went downstairs. I started making sandwiches, and then put some crisps, some biscuits and an apple into about six little picnic bags. I called a couple of friends and told them my idea that I was going into the city to give these foods out to the homeless.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    While we were buying some other things in the supermarket, we saw a whole cooked chicken that was on sale, so we bought it. We gave it to the first homeless man we came across.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} What a feeling like no other!

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But I was very sad because I knew I had only helped one person out of thousands. Actually, it made me cry. But still at least I felt good to have helped others and the excitement got me satisfied, so I just had to keep doing that!

    I think we don't need to look too hard or travel too far for the things that are always on our own doorsteps.

A. He was really shocked and grateful.

B. He seemed glad to share the story with others.

C. They don't need to travel far for voluntary work.

D. Besides, it's very expensive to prepare for that.

E. I said to myself, “I have to do something worthwhile NOW！”

F. My friends loved my idea so much that they decided to join me.

G. I felt very happy because I did something making someone's day.

    For each working person, the rarest resource is your daily time. You may feel like that you do not have enough hours in the day, only endless things to do. Of course, some of these things are not part of your job, such as other colleagues asking for your help or bosses making new demands.

    How can we reasonably refuse them?

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Just by doing the following three steps, you can usually make yourself and the other person comfortable while refusing them.

    Listen patiently to others' requests

    It's not simply hearing what the other person is saying. You have to stop what you're doing and carefully listen to what they say. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The point is to let the other person see that you are willing to help, and let them understand that you've already known their needs. In this way, even if you eventually refuse them, they'll understand that you are not available, instead of not willing to help.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When we listen, we all hope that other people will come to a conclusion quickly. But when we speak, we instinctively（本能地）start from the beginning of the story. In fact, this way of speaking is not good for communication. So if you want to refuse somebody, just tell them No, and then explain the reasons why.

    Provide an alternative solution

    Maybe you really don't have the time to listen to the other person's request. In situations like this, don't just tell the other person that you don't have the time. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} For example, you may say, “Sorry, I really don't have the time right now. Is it OK if we talk tomorrow morning?” In this way, although you refuse him, he still can feel your support.

    In conclusion, refusal is unavoidable, but you can choose the way to refuse. An inappropriate refusal may cause great harm to your working life.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Begin with conclusion when refusing.

B. Start from the beginning when refusing.

C. Even if your time is limited, it is best for you to do so.

D. Instead, you should give them a time when you would be available.

E. In addition, this willing-to-help attitude also shows leadership skills.

F. In fact, there has been a mature methodology (科学方法) for this matter since long ago.

G. An artistic refusal, on the other hand, may lead you to some unexpected benefits.

    Rivers play an important role on the earth, and we can't imagine what the earth would be like without rivers. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    With a length of 6, 650 kilometers, the Nile is the longest river in the world. The Nile River has been the source of human civilization since ancient times. The Nile has two main branches—the White Nile and the Blue Nile. The White Nile starts from the Great Lakes region of East and Central Africa through Lake Victoria.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} The Blue Nile carries with it a lot of fertile soil which turns out to be very important to farming in Egypt.

    The Amazon River is the world's largest river with a width of about 40 kilometers during the rainy seasons but about 10 kilometers wide when it is not flooded. The Amazon River has such a big water volume that it accounts for(占.....比例) more than 20% of all the world's fresh water—far more than any other river. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}The main Amazon River flows mostly through Brazil and Peru but its tributaries can also be found in many other countries.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}It has a depth of about 250 meters. Its length is 4, 700 kilometers. The sources of the Congo River are in the highlands and mountains in the Eastern Africa Rift Valley. It's the second largest river in terms of water volume. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The Congo River basin(盆地) is the catchments(流域，集水区) area of the Congo River. It lies in both north and south of the Equator, making its flow very stable as there are always some tributaries experiencing a rainy season at any time.

A. Some of them are worth mentioning.

B. The Congo River is the world's deepest river.

C. Do you know which is the deepest river in the world?

D. The Blue Nile originates from(发源于)Lake Tana in Ethiopia.

E. Without rivers, there would be no living life in and along them.

F. And it flows through the second largest rain-forests in the world.

G. Streams that begin in the Andes Mountains are its sources.

Do's and Don'ts of Donating

    Giving up your unused or unwanted stuff is a great way to make space in your home for the items that you do enjoy on a regular basis. Not sure where to start? Here are some do's and don'ts of donating your belongings.

    Do Prepare Your Clothes

    You've thoroughly cleaned out your closet and drawers, and have a mountain of clothing waiting to be donated.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Make sure all buttons are accounted for, and that you can't see any dirty marks, or damage.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The number one rule of donating your stuff is to make sure that it's in good, usable condition. Don't pass along old clothes or furniture, chipped dishes, books that are missing pages, or toys with lost pieces. Nobody wants to accept your damaged belongings. Find a local company that will recycle these items instead.

    Don't even think of donating these items

    With a little common sense it's easy to figure out items that are ideal for donations{#blank#}3{#/blank#} As a gentle reminder, it's never a good idea to donate car parts, dangerous waste, construction materials and weapons. Don't donate large appliances Major appliances such as stoves, fridges, freezers, washers and dryers typically reside on the 'do not donate' list due to health and safety reasons. All items accepted for donation must be thoroughly clean and in good working order. With secondhand appliances, it can be difficult to guarantee that they fit the bill. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Don't donate recalled items

    Every so often a product recall hits the news headlines. Highchairs, toys, holiday lights for Christmas trees the list of recalled items due to safety concerns is endless.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}A dangerous product should be thrown away, and not passed on to an unsuspecting person. Think of the well-being of others before dropping off something that's viewed as a hidden danger in your own home.

A. They're all acceptable items for donation, too.

B. Instead of donating an unwanted large appliance, call your local trash collection company and arrange for their safe disposal.

C. But unfortunately some people will throw away the contents of their home without a second though.

D. Before you bag up these pieces, inspect each one to ensure that they're in good condition and ready to be owned by someone else.

E. Don't donate damaged items.

F. Clothes aren't the only household items that can be donated.

G. Never donate recalled items!

    In the 60s, people asked about your astrological (about star) sign. In the 90s, they want to know your website. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Your website is an electronic meeting place for your family, friends and potentially, millions of people around the world. Best of all, you may not have to spend a cent. The Web is filled with all kinds of free services and all it takes is some time and creativity.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Like the table of contents of a book or magazine, the home page is the front door. Your site can have one or more pages, depending on how you design it.

    While web pages vary greatly in their design and content, most use a traditional magazine layout (版面设计). At the top of the page is a banner (横幅) GRAPHIC. Next comes a greeting and short description of the site. Pictures, text, and links to other websites follow.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Think about whom the site is for and what you want to say. Next, gather up the material that you want to put on the site.

    While there are no rules you have to follow, there are a few things to keep in mind: {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you want too much at the beginning, you may never get the site off the ground. You can always add to your site.

    Less is better. Most people don't like to read a lot of long texts online. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Smaller is better. Since it can take a long time to download large files, keep the file sizes small.

    Have the rights. Don't put any material on your site unless you are sure you can do it legally. Always remember to get the permission from the writer first.

    Now it's time to roll up your sleeves and start building.