It is necessary for us to improve our problem-solving abilities.If you don't properly understand the problem, your solutions may be ineffective or fail entirely.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}For example,is there one problem or actually several?Can you restate the problem in your own words?By spending time with the problem you will better understand it and be equipped to generate（产生）solutions.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Collect data,ask people or experts connected to the problem,look for resources online,in print,or elsewhere. Once you have data,organize it.Try to do this by rewording or summarizing it.Perhaps you could even map it out in a chart.You may not need to bother with this step for simple problems,but it will be essential for those of a more complex one.

    The first step in finding a solution is to look at data that you have gathered about the problem and to analyze its importance.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Start with the raw data.Sometimes,information will need to be broken into smaller,more manageable parts or to be ranked for its importance.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}.You might do this on a limited,trial scale at first to test the results.Or,you might go all in.Keep in mind that unpredictable problems which you did not plan can arise at this stage.

    Keep in mind that problem-solving works in a cycle.It will generate a number of different solutions that each should not be ignored.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}If not,then you must look for another solution and start the process over again.So make small changes if necessary.

A.If you fix the problem,you have found a suitable solution.

B.Once you have chosen the best solution,put it into practice.

C.You should focus on the problem and your problem-solving process.

D.Gather as many acts as you can about the problem to get a clear picture of it.

E.A hobby is another way that you can continue to improve your problem solving skills.

F.To define the problem clearly,you will have to ask questions and look at different angles.

G.When analyzing,you will look for links and relationships for better understanding the overall situation.

When to Say “No” to Antibiotics (抗生素)

    Although they know that antibiotics kill only bacteria but not viruses and the obvious risk of antibiotic overuse to personal health, many doctors still use antibiotics when the drugs are not necessary. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In some serious cases, the patients with them failed to respond to any medical treatment and died within days. Therefore, several medical organizations have tried to correct antibiotic misuse by explaining when the drugs are not needed.

    Ear Diseases

Earaches account for over half of ear related diseases for children. Most earaches gradually heal with no antibiotic in days, especially in children two and older. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In severe cases or when children under two years old experience moderate to severe pain, antibiotics might be required.

    Eye Diseases

    Doctors often use antibiotic eye drops after treating related diseases. Macular Degeneration, for example, is an eye disease generally treated with injections or laser operation. But those drops are rarely needed after such procedures and can even damage patients' eyes.

    Lung Diseases

    For older patients, particularly those who live in long-term care centers, doctors need to use antibiotics when a routine test finds bacteria in lung. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Throat Diseases

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Therefore, antibiotics shouldn't be widely used in treatments for such diseases. Only less than one third of strep throats are bacterial. If you suspect bacterial throat, get tested to find out for sure.

    Another report, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also indicates that antibiotic misuse affects at least two million people annually, killing more than 23,000. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Therefore, health experts urge all doctors in practice to follow the above instructions.

A. Most throat diseases are caused by viruses.

B. Just wait two days to see if symptoms disappear.

C. But if the result proves normal, the drugs won't help.

D. In this case, antibiotics are the most effective for the old.

E. Most doctors already know it, so they say no to antibiotics.

F. Under such circumstances, limiting antibiotic misuse is a must.

G. This may develop the “superbugs”, which can't be easily controlled.

    How to become a better reader?

    Language and literacy(读写能力) are among mankind's greatest inventions. Evolving and even dying over the course of human history, languages are a reflection of our cultural and societal attitudes. Most humans acquire language in early childhood and speak fluently when they are about three years old, but our continued relationship with language gives shape and meaning to our lives. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒈Take it slow

    Many readers feel that they read too slowly, especially compared with others but the truth is that the faster you read, the less likely you are to comprehend fully what you're reading. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Reading is a lifelong process; learning to read closely and slowly will help you become faster over time without missing anything.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When humans first began reading written words, it was unusual to read in silence. Though general inappropriate for commuters or for late-night adventurers, reading out loud is one of the best ways to improve your reading ability. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If so, you will begin to read more accurately and with better vocal expression. Try listening to the author reading their own work-you'll be surprised to find how clearly it comes through on the page.

    ⒊Write

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} How and what you read affects how and what you write, and the best readers often make the best writers. But while much can be learned from close, repeated readings, there are many secretive pleasures to language that can only be experienced through the practice of writing.

A. Read aloud.

B. Get into the rhythm of the authors voice.

C. Here are 3 ways to become a better reader.

D. Writing and reading go hand -in-hand.

E. Try writing every day for a month; you will never read the same again.

F. The ability to read is important to form an identity and express one's feelings.

G. In that case, do not hesitate to re-read the passage.

    For over one hundred and fifty years, Americans of all social classes have worn blue jeans. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whether they are worn for work or for fashion today. Strauss' invention continues to be popular not only among Americans but also among people around the world.

    Levi Strauss was born in Germany in 1829. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}He grew up in Kentucky before moving to New York in 1847. Before becoming an American citizen and moving to the West in 1853, Strauss worked in his brother's dry goods business. This gave him a chance to produce his famous invention. After the gold rush of 1849, Strauss decided to move to the West to seek his fortunes.

    Strauss did not want to be a person who searched an area for minerals. Instead, he knew he could make a good living by selling supplies to the miners. At first, he planned to sell sewing supplies and cloth. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}When he heard miners complaining that their clothes were easily broken or they usually tore their pockets during mining, he decided to use a special fabric to make pants for the miners. These pants proved so popular that he quickly ran out of materials to make more.

    In 1873, Strauss received a letter from a Jewish tailor named Jacob Davis who had invented a process of connecting pockets with copper rivets(铆钉). This made the pants last a long time. Because Davis did not have the money to patent his idea, he offered to share it with Strauss if Strauss would agree to pay for the patent. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    By the time Strauss died in 1902, he had made a great contribution to American fashion. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}The business has been growing ever since and Levi Strauss' company is now one of the largest clothing companies in the world.

A. As a young boy, he moved with his family to the United States.

B. Nobody knew what kind of material was suitable.

C. He did and Levi jeans have been made with metal rivets ever since.

D. However, he did not get much business for those products.

E. He also made a great contribution to America's clothing industry.

F. Since they were invented by Levi Strauss, they have become a symbol of American consumer culture.

G. As the business grew, Strauss got much money from it.

Tips for Procrastinators (拖延者)

    You manage to finish and hand the project in on time, but you feel exhausted. Then, your teacher says, "Get ready. We will start the test in 5 minutes." {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Many of us are guilty of delaying doing what we should do. At the same time, we might risk missing a deadline and not getting a good mark. It is also very stressful. Here are some tips for procrastinators on how to get your work done ahead of time.

    Create a to-do list. Creating a list will help organize your work and ideas while keeping you on track. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Keep it up to date by checking off completed tasks as you go along. This will keep you focused and orderly.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Chances are, you won't be able to get a lot of work done when you're tired. Finding a time of day when you are full of energy will get you to be more productive.

    Choose reliable study partners. Working with study partners will encourage you to complete the task at hand and ensure that you remain focused. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Divide the work into smaller parts. Procrastination is often a reaction to feeling overwhelmed (无法对付的). Dividing work into smaller parts will make it easy to handle. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will find your ability and be more likely to finish what you need to do.

    Hopefully these tips will help you do away with the stressful, last-minute efforts of a procrastinator.

A. Work when you're feeling energetic.

B. Remind yourself to turn off all the devices.

C. You forgot that there's also an examination today.

D. Try to encourage yourself to stick to your work plan.

E. Deal with your tasks a bit at a time instead of wasting time wondering where to start.

F. Put the tasks that you feel less confident about or are likely to avoid on the top of the list.

G. You know that others are relying on you and they think that you deserve trust and are responsible.

    Everyone wants to be self-confident, but maybe we just don't know how to be. Here are some tips on how you can feel more confident about yourself.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Everyone has shortcomings. When you have found your shortcomings, work to overcome them. If you are a shy person, take part in social activities, such as parties, and speak to at least one or two people there.

    Second, try to spend more time with positive people. Successful and confident people have their own ways of settling problems. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Third, set goals for yourself. With each goal you achieve, you self-confidence will increase. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} We are afraid that we might lose. Stop thinking like that and give yourself a chance.

    Fourth, start each day with a sense of opportunity. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Think positively about yourself.

    Actually everyone has his or her own way of becoming confident. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Friends might have useful suggestions, too.

    In short, as long as you try new things, you are sure to become more confident.

A. You should talk with your friends.

B. Pay attention and learn from them.

C. First, don't think about your weak points.

D. It's not always right to ask friends for help.

E. sometimes we might be afraid of trying new things.

F. First, you should know what your weak points are.

G. Start your day by reading something encouraging.