America's holiday shopping season started on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Shoppers make the most money this time of year, about 20 percent to 30 percent of all revenue all year. About 136 million people shopped during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In an era of instant information, shoppers can use their mobile phones to find deals. Nearly 80 percent of this year's holiday shoppers, or about 183.8 million people, shopped on Cyber Monday.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Online spending on Black Friday rose 15 percent to hit $2.7 billion this year. Cyber Monday spending increased 12 percent to $3 billion. NBC News reported that for many, shopping online was a more comfortable alternative than crowded malls.

      The shift to online shopping has had a big impact on solid shopping malls. Since 2010, more than 24 shopping malls have closed and anadditional 60 are struggling. Fortune says the weakest of the malls have closed. However, the business in malls is thriving again, it adds.  According to a survey, 94.2percent of malls were full with shops by the end of 2014.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

      The average American consumer will spend about $805 on gifts. That's about $630.5 billion between November and December – an increase of 3.7percent from last year.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}That goes toChina's Singles' Day, celebrated on November 11, which posted record sales of$14.3 billion in 2015.

A．More and morepeople shop online nowadays.

B．That is thehighest level in 27 years.

C．It is thebusiest shopping day of the year.

D．One-in-fiveAmericans used a tablet or smart-phone.

E．Thetraditional mall industry can hardly survive.

F．Cyber Mondayfalls on the Monday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

G．Nonetheless,Cyber Monday is not the biggest online shopping day in the world.

How to help children improve the ability to study

    Children often have trouble studying because they haven't developed good study habits. Teaching your child study skills early will give those skills to become habits.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Create a Positive Learning Space. To increase concentration, set up a workspace for your child.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.  His or her desk should have as few distractions as possible and be well equipped with school supplies, like pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, loose leaf paper and even a computer if your child is at a grade level where a computer is helpful or necessary. The environment should also be cheery and fun so that he or she has a good mental association with it.

Maintain a Reliable Schedule. Make sure your child studies at the same time every evening. This habit keeps children from wasting time ,and helps them focus. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. Most children have trouble focusing for more than an hour. Encourage your child to take a brief break can help him or concentrate more deeply when it's time to do so.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.Encourage your child to turn off his or her cell phone, video games and computer unless the computer is needed for the task at hand. These devices often distract children and can lead to wasting time. You should also be reasonably quiet and calm while your child is studying. Avoid noisy activities like talking loudly on the phone, vacuuming or watching television while your child is studying.

    Give Positive Reinforcement(强化).Positive reinforcement is not simply a matter of rewarding good study habits or high test scores, but also of acknowledging a child's progress no matter how small. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.It will help to improve his or her study skills in effective ways.

A. Studies show kids and teens are more willing to study when praised.

B. A loving, caring and optimistic reaction will often be just the thing that your child needs.

C. The following tips can help your child study better.

D. Keep your child away from electronic devices.

E. If possible, only use the space to complete homework.

F. Avoid Distractions.

G. Also, let your child take a brief break every hour or so.

    Have you ever noticed how terrible weather seems to drag your spirits down?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But there are various things you can do to keep your spirits up until spring.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    A snowy, icy, cold, or rainy world can be beautiful and often has sounds and smells of its own. If you're an artist, or photographer, winter provides a great deal of inspiration and different colors to work with. Even if you don't feel that creative, simply watching a winter scene from the comfort of your home can be a pleasant way to relax and enjoy the peace.

    Take part in winter activities.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you're a beginner to these snow sports, try learning in areas where you won't be worried about more experienced people crowding you out. Local parks are ideal starting points to encourage you to get out and give new winter sports a go.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Winter comes with the shortest days and lowest light of the year. Go out if you can. If you can't, or if you're so far from the equator as to have little or no daylight, use bright lights and perhaps light or white walls.

    Stay active.

    As much as possible, get yourself outside. Take at least a short walk. If the weather does not permit, move around inside. Walk up and down your stairs if you have them{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It also regulates such things as sleep and diet. Move around at least a bit each day.

A. Go out.

B. Brighten up.

C. Find things to enjoy about winter.

D. Enjoy skiing, sledding, or ice-skating.

E. There's nothing you can do about the weather.

F. Making snowmen is a fun activity for both kids and adults.

G. Exercise gets your body temperature up and your blood flowing.

How to Make Friends

    Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. It offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leave us without a friend.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

    ⒈Associate with others.

    The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

    ⒉Start a conversation.

    Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

    ⒊{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.

    ⒋Let it grow.

    It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

    ⒌Enjoy your friendship.

    The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be. Become the kind of friend you will want your friend to be to you.

A. Be cheerful.

B. Do things together.

C. Do not wait to be spoken to.

D. Try not to find fault with your friends.

E. For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

F. So you will need to give your friend time to react to you.

G. Making new friends comes easy for some people.

    Does a Dog Help a Teen with Low Self-esteem?

    A dog is known as man's best friend for good reason. Loyal and affectionate, a dog companion can enrich its owner's life in many ways. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of low self-esteem(自尊)as they try to navigate the wavy waters of adolescence and deal with all of its associated highs and lows.

    A teenager who lacks self-esteem may feel isolated from his peers and unable to tell his parents about personal issues. The company of a dog can be a huge comfort and ease feelings of loneliness and awkwardness. A dog offers genuine unconditional love. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    All dogs need exercise, so taking his dog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and benefit from fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is often the first step toward regaining control of other aspects of their life, says mental health specialist Dr. Alan Cohen. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Exercise releases chemicals called endorphins (内腓肽) into the brain, which create positive responses in the body, including improved self-esteem.

    Dogs can help teenagers be more sociable and make new friends, suggests HELPGUIDE. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} A dog is a great ice-breaker, avoiding awkward social situations and putting the teenager at ease with people he meets. The more confident the teen becomes when out and about with his dog, the more his self-esteem will improve.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If a teenager is suffering from depression or developing dangerous habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, more extreme action may be required. In these cases, professional help should be sought. Parents who suspect that their teen's low self-esteem is a sign of a far more serious problem should ask a suitably qualified health professional for advice.

A. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge, question or criticize.

B. In some cases, having a dog will not help with a teenager's low self-esteem.

C. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful to people with depression.

D. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings or getting advice you don't want.

E. In particular, someone with low self-esteem may find a pet dog to be extremely beneficial.

F. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling, jogging and throwing a ball.

G. A teen may meet his peers while walking his dog in the park or taking part in a dog training class.

How to keep yourself safe from new virus?

After a new-type coronavirus was detected in viral pneumonia cases in Central China's Wuhan city three months ago, more cases have been reported in recent days. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}:

⒈ Wear masks outdoors

●Wearing a mask is one of the most effective ways to protect you from getting infected.

●Make sure to wear it properly by tightening up the nose clip and pulling the bottom of it over your chin.

●{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, a mask is also needed to prevent you from spreading germs to others.

⒉ Cover your coughs and sneeze with tissue

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve, but avoid covering with your hands directly.

⒊ {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Wash your hands with soap and running water thoroughly for at least 15 seconds.

● Before eating and after using the toilet

● After returning home

● After touching trash or garbage

● After contacting with animals or handling animal wastes

⒋ Strengthen your immune system and exercise regularly

● Exercise regularly is one of the most important ways to help you stay away from catching any infections.

● Make sure that shared spaces have good air flow and avoid going to crowded places such as hospitals, railway stations and airports. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

● Seek prompt medical attention if you have symptoms of fever and respiratory infection.

● Avoid close contact with people who have flu or cold-like symptoms.

●{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Avoid contact with wild animals or farmed livestock without any protection.

A. If your hands are not visibly dirty

B. Eat thoroughly cooked meat and eggs

C. Wash your hands frequently and properly

D. Protect yourself and others from getting sick

E. Wear a mask if transport or movement is necessary

F. If you're not feeling well or have symptoms of fever

G. To prevent catching the infection, here's what you can do