5 Ways to Get Work Done

    As the day draws to a close,are you having trouble finishing your work? You don't need to end up with a sense of failure.In the hours left,the following ways can help you get things done to have a sense of achievement.

⒈Trick yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}So,try this: add something to your to-do-list that takes only 30 seconds to finish.Feeling a bit inspired? Then use as short a deadline to deal with another.Or focus on something by giving yourself only five minutes,and then work as long as you can.

⒉Take lots of breaks.

    Find yourself checking your cellphone or reading the Internet?{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Have some breaks,and you'll be able to face your work again with delight.

⒊Use rewards.

    One-hundred more words on this report,and you can have a cup of coffee.One more phone call,and you can check your personal email.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

⒋{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Most of us spend too much of our day sitting.It's bad for our health and bad for our concentration.Take a walk or do some jumping in a free meeting room—anything to get you refreshed and your brain working again.

⒌Work as a team.

    When you have a big project deadline coming up,you can even keep a meeting room and work in the same place.{#blank#}5{#/blank#},but also you'll feel more connected to your co-workers while doing it.

A.Get physical exercise

B.Don't feel guilty

C.Do things energetically

D.Not only will you get more done

E.Rewards are wonderful motivators

F.Endless work makes us busy and tired every day

G.A feeling of having made progress will inspire you

    When the kids are out of school, parents are eager to use the holidays for some quality family time.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} While there's great concern among parents about the impact of screens on physical activity and face-to-face communications, parental use of screens is often overlooked. One recent report found that parents spend over nine hours per day with screen media. It's no wonder that families find it hard to have high-quality social interactions.

    Want our kids to put down the phones and tablets?{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's necessary that we unplug when we ask our kids to do the same. Some family activities we create can help us engage with our kids without the concern of screen time.

    Why not leave the devices at home and go for a tech-free nature walk? It will be an opportunity to make us more connected to the world beyond the screen. Focus on being in the moment and kids may enjoy collecting plant seeds or stones.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    A board game night is ideal for bringing family members together and being engaged. Moreover, playing games together fosters social interaction, cooperation, and the development of Social Emotional Learning (SEL).{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Some other family activities are wonderfully fun without the use of electronic devices. For example, take the kids swimming, or bring them to an indoor rock climbing gym. Bake a cake for a neighbor or plant a garden.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Your kids will get lost in the activity, forgetting the devices.

    To be clear, technology has many benefits to parents and children. However, creating some tech-free time can help parents and kids feel more connected to each other.

A. We parents must model that behavior.

B. Even so, too much of a good thing can be bad for family time.

C. However, many of us find it hard to compete with electronics.

D. Parents may learn from their kids about science and nature as well.

E. Best of all, family members can enjoy being engaged in a shared experience.

F. The kids are more likely to have buy-in when they feel like they have a say.

G. All these activities require family members to focus their attention on the task at hand.

    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.

What to expect at high school

    Are you super worried about what to expect at high school? Well, guess what? Everyone is! The following tips will help guide you safely through your first day!

    Understand that you'll be moving a lot.

    Depending on the school you're at, there could be more subjects and you'll have more classrooms! {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Be ready to move around and remember what classrooms they are in.

    Understand the newness of high school.

    There are usually more strict teachers and more classrooms! Don't worry. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} More friends and more freedom (hopefully)! There will be a lot of differences, so go along with it and don't feel nervous about the change.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Stay away from students who have higher grades than you! They're older and you will be an easy target (目标), so watch your back! If they do try to threaten (恐吓) you or anything, tell your parents or teachers to help you with it.

    Be prepared for the dining room.

    Make sure you have friends to sit with, or you'll look lonely and feel lonely. Make some new friends to sit with. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Remember to stay good in school.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You don't need an “A” for everything, but an “F” on everything is not good! Spend enough time on study and take notes during class.

A. One for every subject.

B. Put your books in order.

C. Know who to watch out for.

D. There are some advantages!

E. Try to eat healthily on your first day.

F. Try to make a good impression on the teachers.

G. Do your homework and make sure you study hard!

    A volunteering vacation can be a meaningful way to spend your time off, but to make the trip satisfying both for you and the cause you are supporting, several factors need to be considered. Here is some advice on planning the satisfactory vacation:

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are hundreds of causes to volunteer for, and finding one close to your heart will lead to a more worthwhile trip. Possibilities include wildlife conservation, education, environmental protection, health and nutrition. Also, consider any personal and professional skills that you can contribute. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Choose your destination and setting. Your volunteering trip will be more enjoyable if you use it to reach a favorite destination. Southeast Asia is on your mind, helping with tree­planting programs in Bali would benefit the environment and let you appreciate the scenic island. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Is volunteering outdoors in a hot or snowy climate attractive, or do you prefer being in an air­conditioned office?

    Ask the right questions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be aware that most volunteering programs require a week-long stay. Ask other questions like: How many hours of work per day is required? Are there days off? Will you be working individually or as part of a team? And what are the goals of your efforts? {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Ask if the cost includes only accommodations or meals and transportation too.

A. Figure out your cause.

B. Find a well­respected organization.

C. And think about the surroundings you want.

D. Your duty there is to rest and play.

E. The more you know about your trip, the more successful it will be.

F. Despite the word “volunteer”, these vacations usually cost you some money.

G. If you're a doctor, for example, working at a health clinic could be an ideal fit.

Although I learned English for years. I could not speak in complete sentences when I studied in London as an exchange student. In the beginning, I even needed to think twice before replying to a simple greeting. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}If you have a similar experience, here are some tips. 

Practice "output" more often; {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's OK to start with only simple sentences or short paragraphs. Meanwhile, you can even practice your grammar.

At the time I didn't have opportunities to talk with the local people. So, I self-talked to describe what happened around to myself.

Another method is that you can record yourself speaking and then listen to the recordings to identify areas that needs improving. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

Language is not a hard science. It is more than just a set of rules, but a means of communication. Like small children picking up their mother tongue, we can get speaking skills more naturally by becoming completely involved in the language and using it. When using a language, we focus on the idea itself, rather than the rules.

Find the "support group" that suits you, 

Find a native tutor. A language tutor is a great idea where you can practice regularly and get your mistakes fixed in time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I feel much less shy when I speak English with other non-native speakers there. For example, joining a language group is really a great way to practice output.

A. Communicate with local children.

B. Raise your mind like a kid.

C. It is of much benefit to write in the language.

D. It was so painful that I was so confused about my language ability.

E. Or try some language clubs.

F. It is easier for you to "open your mouth".

G. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes.