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.

    Why is setting goals important? Because goals can help you do, be, and experience everything you want in life{#blank#}1{#/blank#} goals allow yourself to make your life happen.

    Successful and happy people have a vision of how their life should be and they set lots of goals (both short-term and long-range) to help them reach their vision. By setting goals you are taking control of your life{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals. Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident. Goals aren't difficult to set, and they aren't difficult to reach{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You are the one who must decide what to pursue and in what direction to aim your life.

    Research tells us that when we write a goal down we are more likely to achieve it. Written goals can be reviewed regularly, and have more power{#blank#}5{#/blank#} they are harder to neglect or forget. Also when you write your goals in a particular way you are able to make yourself continuously aware of situations that will bring you nearer to your goals.

A. Like a contract with yourself

B. Instead of just letting life happen to you

C. Winners in life set goals and follow through on them

D. It's like having a map to show you where you want to go

E. My suggestion is that you shouldn't set goals just for the sake of it

F. I think there's nothing which can stop you from achieving your goals

G. It's up to you to find out what your goals, ideals and visions really are

    Do arithmetic problems 15 through 25. State the different forms of the verbs on page 50 of your French workbook. Read pages 12 through 20 of the Shakespeare play, and don't forget to fill in the missing chemical symbols on the worksheet.

    Sound like a list of your homework for the next few nights—or maybe even just for tonight? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's your teachers' way of evaluating how much you understand what's going on in class. And it helps strengthen important concepts.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's inviting to start with the easy things to get them out of the way. However, you'll have the most energy and focus when you begin, so it's best to use this mental power on the subjects that are most challenging. Later, when you're more tired, you can focus on the simpler things. If you get stuck on a problem, try to figure it out as well as you can—but don't spend too much time on it because this can mess up your homework schedule for the rest of the night. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But don't pick someone whom you'll be up all night chatting with, or you'll never get it done!

    Most people's attention spans(一段时间) aren't very long, so take some breaks while doing your homework. Sitting for too long without relaxing will make you less productive than if you stop every so often. Taking a 15-minute break every hour is a good idea for most people. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Once your homework is done, you can check over it if you have extra time. Be sure to put it safely away in your backpack—there's nothing worse than having a completed assignment that you can't find the next morning or that gets ruined by a careless brother or sister. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Now you're free to hang out.

A. In conclusion, no one is expected to stay long, and people have very different learning styles.

B. But if you're really concentrating, wait until it's a good time to stop.

C. If you need to, ask an adult for help or call or email a classmate for advice.

D. Luckily, you can do a few things to do less homework.

E. When you start your homework, deal with the hardest tasks first.

F. And no teacher still believes that “chewed by the dog” line—even when it's true!

G. Homework is a major part of going to school.

    If you want to keep fit, please refer to the following;

    Move More

    Make it a rule to find ways to move your body. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Climb stairs instead of taking the elevator. Walk your dog; play with your kids. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute dance class. But that's great when you're up to it. At the same time, move more.

    Quit Smoking

    Ever since 1960 when it was announced that smoking was harmful to health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products. Just recently, we've seen more and more teens smoking. Could it be the Hollywood influence?

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Take care! Warn your children against smoking.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, more than can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney (肝肾) disease and cancer.

    Reduce Stress

    Easier said than done, stress comes in many ways.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like such as walking on the beach or in a park, read a good book, visit a friend, listen to relaxing music, and watch a funny movie.

    Protect Yourself From Pollution

    If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good.

A. Avoid Excessive Drinking

B. There are many things you can do to move your arms and legs.

C. Think carefully about what you will do.

D. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low.

E. It seems that the stars in every movie smoke cigarettes.

F. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook.

G. Some techniques given by experts are to think positive thoughts.

How to stay focused in class

    Being relaxed during class is a bad habit, and it is also bad to your grade. Focusing in class not only proves to teachers that you are a capable student but also shows that you have the ability to control yourself, which will be very important.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} No matter how much you want to sit with your friends during the class, try your best to avoid them. Talking with friends around you is not going to give you the focus in class. This will get you into trouble.

    Look at teacher and make eye contact. Your teacher is not just standing up there talking.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Show the teacher that he or she has your full attention by looking them in the eye. This person should have your full attention at all times during class.

Take notes. By taking notes, you'll be able to "get into" the lesson. Write down key points as your teacher speaks. And listen to the key phrases such as "This is important" "This is the main idea" "This will be the test" etc.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Get involved in class discussions. This is a wonderful way to become a more focused, successful student. When a teacher asks a question, offer to answer it.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This shows the teacher that you are listening carefully during the class.

    Ask a question.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This really shows your teacher that you want to be better, and can recognize the things you are having difficulty with. Chances are that someone else in the class has the same question （and was too afraid to ask!）. They'll be relieved, and so will you.

A. Avoid sitting with friends.

B. This can help you listen more attentively.

C. If he or she ask for an opinion, share your own.

D. Talking with friends makes you lose interest in class.

E. He or she is trying to give you an acceptable education.

F. The more quickly you answer, the more attention you pay.

G. If you don't understand something, never be afraid to ask.

Public Speaking Training

    Get a coach

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}, so get help. Since there are about a billion companies out there all ready to offer you public speaking training and courses, here are some things to look for when deciding the training that's right for you.

    Focus on positives

    Any training you do to become more effective at public speaking should always focus on the positive aspects of what you already do well. Nothing can hurt confidence more than being told that you aren't doing well. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, so good public speaking training should develop those instead of telling you what you shouldn't do.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you find a public speaking course that looks as though it's going to give you lots of dos and don'ts, walk away! Your brain is so full of what you're going to be talking about. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. As far as we're concerned, there are basically no hard and fast rules about public speaking. Your audience can be your friends.

    You are a special person not a clone

    Most importantly, good public speaking training should treat you as a special one, with your own personal habits. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Your training course should help you bring out your personality, not try to turn you into someone you're not.