How to prepare for exams?

    Here are some tips you can read with your child.

    The first step in preparing for examinations is to set a fixed time each day to study and a schedule to say when to start the revision and for which subject. The plan should include how many chapters to revise and how many worksheets (活页练习题) to work on. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Parents who do not know the examination schedule can search “exam timetable” to see the official examination schedule. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The second thing is to decide on the place to study. Some need total silence in a library before they can concentrate while others like to have some background music like in the cafeteria, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}So there is no need to tell your child to change the study place if he is producing the desired results.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}For lessons, pupils must participate in lessons and discussions actively. For exercise, work on the simple ones in the textbook. For theory, pupils can use the mind map method to summarize the facts.

    At last, be smart. Focus on chapters that are the core of the subject or difficult chapters. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Next the most effective way to revise is to use an active approach.

B. Making good preparations counts.

C. The mind map can help you a lot in your revision work.

D. Your child has to be self-disciplined (自律的) to follow the plan.

E. It is not necessary to read from the first to the last page.

F. The best time to start revision is one or two months before the examination.

G. Both are alright as long as your child is comfortable with it.

    I grew up on a farm in the small rural (乡下的) community of Catawissa, Missouri, as the sixth of seven children{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In the fall of 1970, he was working on a house when the ladder broke. His back was broken.

    He stayed in the hospital for three weeks. When Dad returned home, he was still in a back brace(支架) and unable to work{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    One night we heard a car coming up{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Rose was at the door, holding an envelope filled with money. She told my dad she had collected money and was there to deliver it

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I can still hear her saying, “Archie, whenever someone's baler (干草打包机) is broken, you bale their hay. Someone passes away, Altha is cooking. It's our turn.”

    That evening, this 6-year-old understood what being a good neighbor was, and that because her parents were good neighbors, their kindness would be returned. I learned later my mom's sisters all “adopted” one of us kids to help with Christmas, and we received gift baskets from more than one organization.

My parents were used to being the givers and not the receivers of such generosity (慷慨{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. He tried to protest but Rose would have none of it.

B. Besides running the farm, Dad was also a carpenter.

C. Apart from a carpenter, Dad was also running a farm.

D. We kids were always curious about who was visiting.

E. I was too young to realize our family had no money coming in as Christmas approached.

F. It was comforting to be helped when in trouble, but what was important was to help others in return.

G. They had a bit of pride to swallow, but continued all of their lives to show us kids the value of kindness.

How to write an email?

    While many people are accessible by email, sometimes it is difficult to determine how exactly to write an email to them. Here are some tips for you to follow.

Write an appropriate subject line. The subject line should tell the recipient (接收者) immediately what the email is about. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Remember that your wording also has to be brief.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is best to be more formal rather than informal, so when writing to someone you have never met or written to before, a “Dear Jane Smith” is appropriate. When addressing someone whom you are a little familiar with, a “Dr. Smith” is okay until they tell you to address them by their first name, in which case a simple “Jane” will be okay.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Within the first two sentences of your email, your recipient should know exactly why you are writing to him. Sometimes an introduction may have to precede (先于) the sentence that states why you are writing, and sometimes it has to follow.

    Use appropriate language. You may be used to using informal language in certain social settings. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Even when dealing with colleagues or friends you are familiar with, do not immediately fall back on informal language.

    Keep it simple. People may get dozens and even hundreds of emails a day.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}In that way, they can save much of their time when reading emails.

A. Use proper greetings.

B. Express your ideas clearly.

C. State your purpose at the beginning.

D. Be as specific as possible when writing the subject.

E. However, an email may not be the best place to use such language.

F. It is important to check the language to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes.

G. It is always easier for them if you keep your email as short and brief as possible.

How to Plan a Holiday Trip

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whether it's to grandma's house, a family reunion or simply a holiday getaway, these yearly road trips can often be the source of dread and stress. The thought of being trapped in the car with restless children or the possibility of car trouble along the way is enough to make anyone consider staying home. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Plan out the route for your car trip. If you're planning on driving to your holiday destination, a little planning can help make your trip easy and uneventful. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Remember, it's likely that you won't be the only person on the road during the holidays, and traffic is always a factor. Alternate routes or shortcuts can help reduce time spent in traffic jams and get you to your destination sooner. This information can also come in handy in case of road construction or other situations that might block your primary route.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Although traveling by air can be quick and convenient, it can also be much more expensive. Start planning your trip early to take advantage of advance purchase discounts and avoid sold out flights. Many airlines become extremely busy during the holidays so booking in advance can also help ensure that you get the flights that you want. High traffic destinations such as New York, Los Angeles or Atlanta can be extremely crowded during the holidays. If you have the option, consider booking your flight to a nearby airport and renting a car for the short drive to your destination.

    Consider your luggage needs. If you're traveling by car, the issue of luggage is only important with regards to the amount of room needed. Before you begin packing, think about how many people will be in your vehicle and how much room they will need to travel comfortably. This could affect the number of bags that you can take along. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Not only is the possibility of lost luggage an issue, but most airlines now charge extra for checked baggage.

    For a family of four, carrying a few bags each could result in several hundred dollars worth of baggage fees during your trip. Try to pack as lightly as possible.

A. As an alternative to driving or flying, check into the possibility of traveling by train.

B. Plan your trip to avoid peak travel times.

C. Luckily, with a little planning, these situations can be avoided.

D. Book airline tickets.

E. Each year, millions of people load up the family car and set out on a holiday trip,

F. For traveling by air, the number of bags that you take is a much bigger concern.

G. Consider your starting point and desired destination, and investigate several possible routes.

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!