I've been keeping an English blog for many years. These practical tips have helped me over the course of my blogging.

    Read quality books, blogs, journals, etc. which are written in English.

    Blogging is not always about writing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Reading also improves your English comprehension, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and writing.

    Practice helps, so continue writing.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Trying to make a perfect post free from grammar and spelling mistakes is good but you're not making use of your time efficiently.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Think about the main points you want to raise. I prepare an outline of my post and a list of the points I want to talk about. Doing this has helped me stay on track and centre on my main points. The outline and the list of points I want to write about serve as my guidelines when I'm writing.

    When writing, use simple words and sentences.

    Using simple sentences makes your job as a blogger easier. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Always remember this: The aim of your writing is to get your message across and the only way to become an effective writer is successfully getting your message across to your readers.

    Write your posts ahead of time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} To free yourself from the pressure of making a post on daily basis, which might influence your writing, consider making your posts ahead of time.

A. Also, it makes your posts more understandable to your readers.

B. Welcome comments from your blog readers.

C. There are advantages of daily blogging, but if it becomes tiring, forget about it.

D. Don't be afraid of making mistakes.

E. Mistakes can be reduced with the help of your readers.

F. You need to read to be able to write fluently

G. Prepare an outline of your post.

    How is a smartphone different from a cell phone, and what makes it so smart? To understand this, we should start with a history lesson. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Cell phones were used for making calls while PDAs could store information and a to-do list, and could be linked to your computer. Then PDAs added cell phones' features, while cell phones added PDA-like(and even computer-like)features. The result was that the smartphone came into being.

    Here are some features of smartphones.

    Operating system. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In general, a smartphone will be based on an operating system that allows it to run applications. For example, Apple's iPhone runs the iOS, and BlackBerry smartphones run the BlackBerry OS.

    Mobile Internet. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For this we should say thanks to the growth of 4G data networks, as well as the addition of Wi-Fi.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A smartphone may allow you to download apps, edit photos, and get driving directions with GPS. The applications may also allow you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents—or at least view the files.

    QWERTY Keyboard. A smartphone includes a QWERTY keyboard. This means that the keys are laid out in the same manner they would be on your computer keyboard, where you don't have to tap the number 1 to enter an A, B or C.

    These are just some of the features that make a smartphone smart. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} What makes a smartphone today may change by next week, next month or next year. Well, a smartphone of the future may be in your brain.

A. Apps.

B. Documents.

C. In the beginning, there were cell phones and PDAs.

D. A smartphone is a mobile phone with an operating system.

E. The technology about a smartphone is always changing, though.

F. You can use your smartphone to link to the Internet at a higher speed.

G. Years ago, many people thought it must be a smartphone if it had a touch screen.

    Does Using Technology in the Classroom Help College Students?

    Almost anywhere in the world, you are likely to find people doing the same thing in public places, on trains and buses or wherever else you look. They spend their day looking at laptop computers, smartphones or other personal electronic devices. They are thinking mainly about their electronic devices, and not much else.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} More and more college students have no problem walking into a classroom and immediately opening their laptops. Others may spend an entire study period with a smartphone in hand. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} But recent research suggests that using technology during class time may harm college students' ability to remember and process the subject material they are learning.

    Arnold Glass, a professor in Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a student researcher investigated the issue of divided student attention. During half of their daily class periods, the students in their study were permitted to use any electronic device as much as they wanted. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    The students' academic performance was measured in several ways throughout the semester. They took a short test every day, longer tests every few weeks and a final exam covering all the class material. The researchers found that the average daily quiz results showed no evidence of harmful effects from the use of technology. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They showed that all the students performed poorly on questions covering material taught on days when they were permitted to use technology in the classroom.

    Glass says that it shows the use of electronic devices in the classroom prevents students from processing information. The students hear what the professor is saying. But they might be buying things online or reading unrelated emails at the same time, for example. So they are not thinking deeply about the subject matter as they are hearing it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. The same can be said about the world of college education.

B. However, the average results of the larger tests and final exam told a different story.

C. And that, Glass says, makes it harder for the information to enter their long-term memory.

D. Technology, in general, is not the only way that students find to distract themselves in class.

E. But even if technology is helpful to some students, there are times when it needs to be turned off.

F. Some students argue that the increasing use of technology can have many helpful effects on society.

G. During the other half, researchers closely watched them to make sure no one was using any technology.

Interview dressing tips for high school students

    Most high school job seekers aren't interviewing for professional jobs. Instead, they're usually looking for part-time jobs in shops, restaurants, or volunteering. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. In fact, a teen would look pretty silly in an adult business suit.

    Here is a guide on what you should wear and shouldn't wear in an interview.

    Choose proper interview clothes

    When you're dressing for a job interview, your clothing should be in good condition, workplace proper.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Instead, try not to stand out, and fit into the office culture.

    Wear dress shirts and slacks (长裤)

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Paired with dark slacks, it's a look that is mature (成熟的) and tasteful, but still comfortable.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Just because high school job interviews are more casual(随意的), you don't have to rule out a tie!

    After all, looking a little dressed up doesn't hurt anyone. A tie can be a great choice for a young man, looking to make a good impression.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    You should avoid extreme hairstyles or colors. Also, keep makeup to the minimum. No jeans or shorts, or anything especially low cut or too short－keeping everything professional is a must.

A. No ties

B. What not to wear

C. A tie can make a great impression

D. It's a perfect time to find your own preference

E. It is not the time to show your unique style or personality

F. Accordingly, a teen's interview clothes don't have to be very formal

G. A simple dress shirt is a perfect choice for a high school job interview

How to Develop Appropriate Self-Confidence

Under most circumstances having self-confidence is a good thing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is this strong sense of confidence that allows them to go out in the world and reach for their goals.

But can you have too much self-confidence? {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In most cases, knowing your strengths and having the assuredness to go out and take risks are admirable qualities. But when this confidence makes you inflexible, opposed to trying new things, and incapable of listening to others, it can become harmful to success and well-being. So what can people do to ensure that their self-confidence is realistic, authentic and socially appropriate?

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Whether you are evaluating your own success or offering praise to your children, try to place a greater emphasis on the work that went into the task rather than just focus on how things turned out. You cannot always control how things go, but you can control the amount of work you put into achieving your goals.

Keep learning new things. Even if you are highly confident about your skills in an area, keep looking for new challenges. It is easy to become overconfident if you think you know everything there is to know about a subject. Finding new challenges to overcome does sharpen your skills. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Listen to what others have to say. Overconfidence can sometimes cause people to become rigid and even arbitrary. Instead of assuming that your way is the right or only way, try to keep an open mind. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, it is important to listen in order to gain a new perspective.

A. Focus on the effort, not the outcome.

B. Is overconfidence definitely a good thing?

C. You might not always agree with other people.

D. Having too much self-confidence is beneficial to us.

E. Are you teaching in a different way and extremely excellent?

F. Confident people tend to be more successful in a wide variety of fields.

G. Finding new challenges also reminds you that there're fresh ways of thinking about things.

We know that choosing a college major can be stressful.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}! Here's what you need to know about college majors before you commit.

Career prep

Choose a major because it will prepare you for a specific career path or advanced study. Maybe you already know that you want to be a nurse, a physical therapist, or a web developer.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Make sure you're ready for the coursework required for the career of your dreams.

Earning potential

Future earning potential is worth considering. After all, college is such a big investment. The majors that lead to the highest salaries include just about any type of engineering, mathematics, computer science, and economics. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. That six figure salary may not be worth it if you're not happy at the office.

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Some students choose a major simply because they love the subject matter. If your love is philosophy, don't write it off just because you're not sure about what the job market holds for philosophers. Many liberal arts majors provide students with critical thinking skills and writing abilities that are highly valued by employers.

Explore your interests

If you truly have no idea what you want to study, that's okay.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. That gives you four semesters to play the field. Make the most of any required general education courses—choose ones that interest you. Exploring your interests will help you find your best fit major—and maybe even your ideal career.

A. Many schools don't require students to declare a major until the second year

B. The most exciting aspects of college life is that it fosters new passions

C. A double major provides you with an understanding of two academic fields

D. However, keep your quality of life in mind, too

E. But have no fear

F. Before you decide, check out the curricula

G. Subjects you love