Tips for a Happier Workplace

    You don't have to be friends with your co-workers, but you do need to be friendly. Read on for fresh ways to make your office a kinder, gentler place.

◆Give a happy “Hello! ”in the morning

    Do you walk into the office, eyes down, and immediately start work? If so, you are likely to find that co-workers ignore(忽视)you or avoid you.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It's really amazing how fast this small gesture can change unfriendly workplace relations.

◆Learn the art of small talk

    Ask your co-workers about their interests—their favorite music, movies, and books, as well as their hobbies {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Once you know what catches their imagination, pick up stories from newspapers or magazines to help start conversations.

◆Ask what they think

    People love to be asked for their opinion, so go out of your way to ask, “What do you think of this report? ” or “How do you think I should deal with this situation? ”{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

◆Avoid gossip(流言飞语)

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}So return the favor. When a co-worker walks towards you bearing a piece of gossip, respond(回应)with, “Really? ”and then change the subject or get back to work. If you don't respond, the gossiper will move on.

◆{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    To win friends at work, start with good office etiquette(礼节). There's nothing more frustrating(令人沮丧的)to busy co-workers than to have their emails and phone messages ignored. Your silence doesn't just make their jobs harder; it also conveys(传达)an unpleasant message: You are unimportant to me.

A. Stop complaining.

B. Return calls and emails immediately.

C. Then give the advice giver a silent thank-you.

D. Always work as hard as anyone working for you.

E. You don't want anyone talking about you behind your back, right?

F. Showing an interest in them will make them feel comfortable around you.

G. Get into the habit of greeting your co-workers with a smile as you arrive in the morning.

    People lie all the time, but depending on how skilled they are, it can be difficult to determine when someone is lying to you. Do you know how to recognize the signs that someone is lying to you? Some of the signs are obvious while others are more subliminal(难以察觉的), but there are ways to catch someone in a lie, you just need to know what they are. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

1） Liars make false eye contact.

    A person who is lying to you won't make eye contact with you or they make too much eye contact. If a person is lying they may feel you are watching him and he will look down at the floor or away from your eyes. Some people try to stare you in the face deliberately. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

2）Liars avoid using contractions(缩略形式)

    The liar will say “I did NOT notice that.” instead of “I didn't notice that.”{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Usually it ends up making the story a lot less believable.

3）Unnatural Body Language.

    Liars often feel uneasy, turn away from the person to whom they are speaking, blink(眨眼) rapidly, smile less and have pitch changes in their tone of voice. They may cross their arms which is a sign of being “closed” or trying not to reveal too much information. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They could touch parts of their face, an ear or a nose or play with keys or another item that they have in their hand.

4）Liars provide additional information without being asked for it

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The result is the more complicated the story is, the less believable it will be. You will have the feeling that nothing could be further from the truth.

A. This is an attempt by the liar to be absolutely clear what they mean.

B. Here are some easy ways to recognize liars and catch lies.

C. Sometimes people look unnatural when they are lying

D. They will get angry if you doubt their story

E. They seem to think that by telling their story in detail, you will find it more believable.

F. They try to change the subject or move the conversation in a different direction

G. In this way they feel like making eye contact will make what they are saying more believable.

    Winter running is the best way to lose winter weight. But before heading out, make sure you have a solid plan. You don't want to come across accident along the way.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Wear the Right Shoes

    The right shoes will depend on the road. You should wear shoes that are made for the kind of surface you run on. For example, if you are running on slippery surfaces, you want shoes with great friction(摩擦力).{#blank#}2{#/blank#} When trying out a pair of running shoes, check the fit, feel and ride of the shoes. These elements（要素）are important once you take your new shoes out for a run.

    Warm Up

    Warm-up is an important part to keep fit. Especially if temperatures drop and your muscles are stiff(僵硬的) from the cold!{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It also prepares the muscles for the intense (激烈的) activity ahead. The cold climate won't feel as cold when you do warm ups. This is because blood flows much faster after a good warm up!

    Deal with Wind

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The key is to run into the wind and finish by running against it . This keeps icy wind from blasting(用力撞击) your face. To prevent any injuries or accidents, break your run into small parts.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}You can use certain creams on the nose and cheeks to prevent frostbite(冻疮).Don't skip your sun-block if you're running during the day. UVB(紫外线) passes through the clouds. Running for an extended period on a cloudy day will still damage the skin!

A. Don't run in the wind

B. Running makes you warm

C. Warming up prevents injuries

D. It's hard to run if it's too windy

E. Your shoes should fit very well so you don't slip

F. Here we are giving you important tips to remember

G. It also helps to keep the skin protected from the wind

    How to Read a Book

    Books can be your best friends.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} They can introduce you to things you may never see… But do you know how to read them in order to get the fullest enjoyment possible? The following tips should help.

    ① Find a book. Look in the library or in one of the large bookstores. You could also ask friends if you could have a look at their book shelves. Search the shelves until you find a book that looks good Read the first page to see how it reads, and the cover text on the back of the book, if it has any{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    ② Buy or borrow it and take it home. Do not start to read it until you have the time.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}And set aside time to do nothing else but read, as it can be, at times' suspenseful (悬疑的), exciting and relaxing.

    ③ Get comfortable on the couch. Have a lamp (灯) behind you, lighting the area where you are reading. Make sure the television is off and that anything else that, could distract you has been attended to {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ④ Start the book by turning the pages and really enjoy it. Do not think about anything else but what you are reading. Put yourself into the action or location in the story. Once you concentrate completely, it will be difficult to put the book down. And remember that reading is not running your eyes over a book.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, if you need t0 read the book quickly, then you do not need to pay attention to every word.

A. If you are busy doing other things, you should wait until you have finished them.

B. Get warm if you are going to be sitting still for a few hours.

C. If you are already concentrating, then buy it or borrow it.

D. Try to imagine the story in your head.

E. They can take you to places that you may never go.

F. You should read it actively and enjoy it completely.

G. Otherwise, you will miss it.

    Here are five tips for being a good friend.

    Listen more than you speak. Next time you ask a question, wait for the answer. Let the person tell the full story, and explain his complete answer.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep your promises. There's nothing worse than the type of friend who leaves you hanging. Whether it's a friend get-together or meeting at the mall, they always manage to break their promises and leave you feeling upset and disappointed. This is the reason why an important part of strong friendships is the ability to trust each other.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, next time you make a promise, keep it.

    Give advice, but only when it is asked for. By offering advice when it's not asked for, you're ignoring the needs of your friend.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Otherwise, don't give it. Be with them, hug（拥抱）them and make them breakfast in bed, but keep your wisdom to yourself and save it for another time.

    Let your friend have other friends, too. If your best friend picks another friend over you, try to be friends with their friends too. Maybe you guys can be a group of friends!

    Everyone is always looking for new friends.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Your loyalty（忠诚）to friendship is what the other person expects and counts on every day.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  Everyone has their own faults, and they need to work through them. Don't be bad to your friend about his or her faults, but help him or her work through them while asking for help on your own as well.

A. Remember that no one is perfect.
B. But never, ever leave the old one.

C. If they want your advice, they will ask for it.

D. You are who you are, and your best friend will accept that. E. Never leave the problem alone and pretend it doesn't exist.

F. And then, when you feel that your words can add value, speak.

G. And part of this trust can only be developed if you can keep your word.

    My mother is a diligent and kind woman. She is very busy from morning till night. As a teacher, she works hard. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Both my brother and I love her dearly as she loves us.

    My mother has been teaching math at a middle school in my hometown. She goes to work early in the morning and does not return home until late in the afternoon.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} She treats them with patience and teaches them well. For her excellent quality and very good teaching results, she has been elected as a model teacher several times.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Every day, when she comes back home from work, she sets about doing housework, sweeping the living room and bedrooms or cleaning the furniture, and putting everything in good order. She seems to be busy all the time. As she has been very busy working every day, she looks older than her age. But she looks as cheerful and happy as ever. Mother never buys expensive dresses for herself, but she often buys some inexpensive but high quality clothes for us. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} She just eats a plain meal outside when she is too busy to cook herself. She lives a busy yet simple life, without any complaints.

    Often she says to us, "work while you work, and play while you play. That is the way to be happy and gay. If you do not work, you will become lazy and be of no use to society". What a piece of good advice this is!{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This advice of hers will always serve as a guide to my behavior. My mother is great indeed, and I always feel proud of her.

A. She enjoys listening to classic music.

B. As a mother, she takes good care of us and gives us every comfort.

C. She loves her students and cares for them.

D. She never goes to expensive restaurants to enjoy meals.

E. My mother is hard-working and never wastes money.

F. I never forget it and always bear it in my mind.

G. Can you tell us something about your mother?