I used to be a thin little kid who was always the shortest and sickest in my class. I wasn't very athletically involved during my childhood.

    When I entered middle school, a lot of my friends were signing up for the school's sports teams. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}On the first day of tryouts(选拔赛) for the soccer team, the coach told us to run laps for warm-up. As I struggled to keep up with the team, I found myself falling farther behind until I was the last one to finish. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    I was disappointed, but at the same time, I knew I had to do something about my health and fitness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} People thought I was crazy because I ran a slow 11-mintue mile in the gym class, but I was determined to get into shape and improve my mile time.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It was a lot of running for me, but I kept on practicing day after day. As the seasons progressed, I found that I could run longer and faster.

    Eighth grade soon rolled around and I was feeling really confident about trying out for another sports meet. Instead of attempting soccer a second time, I decided to give field hockey a try. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} This time, I was well prepared. After a week of tryouts, I was ecstatic (狂喜的) to see that my name made it on the list.

    I was inspired, and I learned an important lesson: Once you do get into shape, don't stop or give up!

A. Again, the coach instructed us to run a lot of laps.

B. After tryouts were over, my name never made it on the list.

C. I made a big decision to sign up for the track and field team.

D. Being in shape helped me feel energetic, flexible, and strong.

E. Fortunately, I wasn't the only slow runner trying to get into shape.

F. The first day of practice was one of the hardest workouts I've ever had.

G. One of my friends convinced me to try out for the soccer team with her and I agreed.

    While it's wonderful to share a special trip with friends or family, traveling alone is another experience. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

1）. Meet new people.

    People who are traveling alone seem more approachable to others. Before you know it, you could be chatting with some interesting folks at a sidewalk cafe or even joining a group of like-minded people on the beach. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

2）.Do everything you want and nothing you don't want.

    Have you ever been hesitant to do that half-day at the spa you are eager for because you feel bad leaving your travel partner with nothing to do? {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you want to “waste” the day sitting at an outdoor bar drinking a cocktail instead of sightseeing, you won't have to answer anyone.

3）.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If traveling makes you a good, smart person, then traveling alone makes you better and smarter. Taking a trip by yourself might seem frightening. However, once you take the courage and get over your fears, you'll feel a sense of energy. A successful single vacation can inspire you to try new things in life.

Great service.

    For some reason, service at hotels and restaurants seems better when you're traveling alone. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And it's possible that when you make it known, you could be offered a better room or a free cocktail.

A.The key is to keep an open mind and keep safety in mind.

B.Travelling  alone makes you truly listen to your inner thoughts.

C.When you travel alone, you don't need to please anyone but yourself.

D.Here are four good reasons why you should try it.

E.It is refreshing.

F.Cheering up.

G.People tend to admire those who travel alone.

    Listening to others requires entering actively and imaginatively into the situation and trying to understand a frame of reference different from your own, and yet so many of us don't listen properly as we should. Listening means more than just sitting silently while someone else talks.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Here are some ways to become a better listener.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Make sure you actually hear fully what your friend is saying, and you can't cut your friend off verbally carelessly. While you might intend to help move the conversation along your friend might feel as if what he has said needs to be continually talked over or sounds anything but interesting.

    Nod to encourage the conversation along. A better option to let your friend know you're interested in what he says is just to nod along from time to time. Sometimes you nod along but then start thinking about something unrelated to what he could say.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Turn out background noise. If you're easily distracted by laughter, glasses clinking, children crying, you might need to work extra hard to focus only on your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Don't hesitate to tell them that the background noises are getting in the way. If you can't focus, try moving to another area.

    Don't text or look at your phone!{#blank#}5{#/blank#} For you see, when you're sitting in front of someone, he is the most important person in your world at that moment.

A. Stop the speaker whenever you have a question.

B. Practice silence when someone else is talking.

C. If necessary, ask your friend to repeat himself.

D. Whoever is calling or texting can wait until you're done with your conversation.

E. It means trying to see the problem the way the speaker sees it.

F. In this case, try to push away your thoughts until you're absorbed in what your friend is saying.

G Remembering ideas from previous conversations proves that your attention is kept and encourages your friend to continue.

How to Make Friends

    It can be difficult to make friends living in a big city, especially when you don't know many people. However, over years of experience and studying social skills, I have discovered that it's possible to make friends without even trying. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Be seen without trying to get attention.

    You don't have to say anything interesting to get people's attention, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This can be done anywhere you go, such as the supermarket or your yoga studio.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    There's an interesting phenomenon that occurs when you listen to other people. They will keep talking. Just keep giving them good eye contact and show with your body language that you care. Listening is an instant way to build trust and likeability.

    ⒊Think about what you can give to the other people.

    We often think about what we can get from others when we try to make friends. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Try offering a piece of helpful advice or invite someone you just met to grab coffee or lunch with you the following week.

    ⒋Always have some good stories to tell other people.

    When you have at least a few stories to share with others, you'll never run out of things to talk about. Try to be honest to share your stories with others. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    ⒌Smile like there's no tomorrow.

    It may not be natural for some of us to smile, but a smile is one of the most attractive things that someone can display when they're meeting new people.

A. However, that thinking needs to be changed.

B. All you have to do is place yourself in environments where people will see you.

C. Don't ever stop thinking about how you can add value to yourself.

D. There are just a few strategies that you have to use on a consistent basis.

E. Try to be involved in conversation.

F. Use the power of listening.

G. For example, you can share a story about a struggle or challenge.

Prepare to Succeed

    People are always thinking about success. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This thought isn't one that brings them closer, however, because thinking, dreaming or wishing just doesn't get it done.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}You may ask, “Why is preparation necessary?”

    The easiest answer to this question is to say that if you are not ready to move forward, then you may just as well keep doing what you have always done.

    Success doesn't come easy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Success requires you to be prepared to sacrifice leisure time, or time spent watching television or going out with friends, at every opportunity. Success means you are prepared to do whatever it takes to constantly move the yardsticks （码尺）forward day after day.

    Here is just one quote, from Calvin Coolidge, the 30^th president of the United States, that expresses what preparation is about: “{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is rather the vital necessity of action today to ensure our strength tomorrow.” This quote can be interpreted to mean that you may have strength or confidence to start on your way right now to move toward your final goal. However, it is also critical that committed action each day builds to help you keep going when obstacles arise or when you just don't feel like you have the interest or energy to stay focused.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}That shows you what steps or actions to take, when to take them or what to do if issues, obstacles or other life issues get in the way.

    The bottom line is actually quite clear: You are either willing, able and committed to achieve what you want, or you are simply dreaming or wishing that success finds you.

A. There are no shortcuts （捷径）.

B. Success is getting what you want.

C. Our real problem is not our strength today.

D. Preparation also means that you have a plan or a goal.

E. The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.

F. It is in their brains as they go about daily routines looking for something better.

G. One of the most important parts of personal or professional success is preparation.

    If you need to prove who you are in China, you will usually need to use an ID card. It shows your name, date of birth, address, nationality, photo and ID number. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    On April 17, Alipay introduces its first electronic ID card. The card is an electronic version of real ID card and is recognized by Ministry of Public Security. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Users can simply select "Web ID" in the app and follow the instructions.

    The electronic ID card can now be used in Hangzhou, Suzhou and Fuzhou. People in these three cities can use the card to check into hotels, buy train tickets and do other tasks {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    About 4 million people will be able to use the service within the next year. "{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Even if they forget their ID cards, they can still get things done. Since the process is simplified, it also makes things easier for government offices and companies," Tang Feifan, mayor of Suzhou, told Zhangjie online.

It's safe to use Alipay's new service, in case you are worried that someone might steal your identity. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Then, you have to pass both a fingerprint and facial recognition scan before you can use the electronic ID card.

A. This gives people another choice.

B. The safety of the electronic ID card is the main concern.

C. They don't have to show their standard ID card anymore.

D. But not all people have welcomed the electronic ID card.

E. But now, you can prove your identity using your smartphone.

F. It's quite easy to get an electronic ID card by using the Alipay app.

G. First, you must unlock your phone, and enter your Alipay password.