How to deal with your homework

    Write it down.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Make a note on your notebook. Always be sure to write down any homework for school so you won't forget anything.

    Create a homework station. Find somewhere comfortable and quiet to work.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It will take twice as long to get the homework done. Shut off your cell phone, log off (退出) your computer (unless you will need it for your homework) and close the door.

    Do has early as possible. Don't leave homework to die last minute.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} The earlier you start your homework, the sooner you will finish! Do all your homework as early as you can, so you don't have a pile of (一堆) homework the next day.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Think about how long it will take you to complete each homework subject. For example: English-ten minutes, science-ten minutes, math-forty minutes, history-twenty minutes.

    Treat yourself. You can easily get tired by sitting through an hour or two of homework without stopping. Once you finish homework for a subject, take a small break. Just make sure it's quick (no more than 15 minutes). Do not turn on the TV, or you'll never go back and finish your homework.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Use your time wisely.

B. Start as soon as you get home.

C. Start your hardest homework.

D. Never do your homework in front of the TV.

E. You can take a walk or find something to eat.

F. After short breaks, return to finish up the last of your work.

G. Keep a homework notebook where you record all your homework.

    Have you heard about Leap year? Leap year is a year that has 366 days instead of the usual 365. It normally occurs every four years, always on an even-numbered year. The extra day is added to our shortest month. That is the second month of the year, which in non-leap years has 28 days, two fewer than any other month. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    We also call Leap year the bissextile year (闰年). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} In our calendar system there is a need for a leap year because the solar year (the time it takes the earth to go around the sun once）is actually slightly more than 365 days long. That extra day—Feb 29 every four years—helps correct the difference between our calendar and the solar calendar.

    It is said that Leap year was first made part of the calendar by the ancient Roman leader Julius Caesar. His astronomers had calculated the length of the solar year to be 365 days and six hours. So Caesar declared that an extra day be added to the calendar.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    However, Caesar's adjustment was not completely accurate because his astronomers' year exceeded the true solar year by eleven minutes and fourteen seconds. By 1582, a difference of ten days had developed between the calendar year and the true solar year. To correct this error, Pope Gregory XⅢ ruled that every fourth year would continue to be a leap year except for century years that could not be divided evenly by 400. By this system, century years such as 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not leap years, but the year 2000 was a leap year.  {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    People born on Feb 29 celebrate their growing up a little differently from the rest of us. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}But if they go strictly by the calendar, they have only one-fourth as many birthday celebrations as most people.

A. They acknowledge that they get older each year.

B. When you see Feb 29 on a calendar, you know that year is a leap year.

C. This is its formal, or scientific title.

D. This may seem complicated, but it works.

E. In a leap year, the extra day is added to the second month, giving it 29 instead of the usual 28 days

F. The leap year was introduced in the Julian calendar in 46 BC.

G. This is done every four years.

    Gifts are fun because they are intended to be a physical expression of love for one's significant other. However, the acting of preparing a gift can be annoying, particularly if you are not sure what to choose. You can do anything from buying him or her something or panning out a romantic(浪漫的)day.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Choose a suitable gift for your love.

    Romantic gifts are a symbolic gesture of your love while practical gifts are something with real value and use.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Though you shouldn't be afraid to spend the extra money on a memorable gift, it's important to remember that there are more important things.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The gift is meant to be a reflection of that. In some cases, it can feel even more thoughtful if you make something yourself.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Although wrapping is sometimes seen as an unnecessary add-on, the time it takes to unwrap the gift makes the gift-giving more enjoyable for both you and your love. Presents are best if the other people don't know what it is yet.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Besides, a romantic letter or card included in the gift also adds to the pleasure of the gift's receiver. More importantly, wait for a special moment to give the gift. You can present your gift at a point where the two of you are relaxed and things are pleasant. A gift - giving shouldn't be rushed at all.

A. Present it to your love.

B. Express your love to him or her.

C. The connection the two of you share is priceless.

D. Choosing a wonderful gift will help promote your friendship.

E. There's a certain pleasure in having something kept a surprise.

F. Your choice depends on the occasion, the relationship and his or her tastes.

G. Whatever you decide to do, make sure your gift appeals to him or her specially.

    Many people struggle with saying "No". {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Remember, just because you can do something does not mean it is required. Understand you always have a right to turn down an invitation or refuse a favor and figure out the best ways to say "No". Here are some specific tips.

    Give yourself permission to say no. Many people have an immediate reaction to say "Yes" when they're asked to do someone a favor. Keep in mind，you are never required to say "Yes". It's actually okay to say "No" sometimes. Accept this as you prepare to say "No" to someone. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Set up your personal boundaries.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, that reason does not have to be concrete. Many people think if they can do something, they should. Your reason for saying "No" can be a simple matter of your own personal boundaries. Think about what boundaries you have, and accept the fact you're allowed to stay true to them.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} People often won't take "No" for an answer. If you say "No" to someone，they may give you various reasons to try and change your mind. Stay determined for your decision and do not give in easily.

    Practice saying" No". It may sound silly, but you can actually practice saying" No" alone. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Practice giving a firm "No" to someone so you get comfortable with the words. Many people are nervous about saying" No" and may say "Yes" due to anxiety. Practicing can help get rid of some of this anxiety.

A. This will help you say "No" with ease.

B. Be aware of potential persuasion techniques.

C. Find a good chance to stand in front of a crowd.

D. It's always easier to say "No" if you have a reason.

E. Try standing before a mirror and looking at yourself.

F. It's rather easy for you to set up your personal boundaries.

G. If someone asks you a favor，you may feel you have to say "Yes".

A Pen That Draws in Any Color

    The Scribble is a magical pen that can scan colors and instantly reproduce the colors. Hold the Scribble's scanner up to any color, and within a second that color is stored in its memory. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Who can use the Scribble?

    Children will love the Scribble because it can create different colors, replacing even their biggest box of crayons. Besides, anyone working with color in their professional lives, such as artists, will be able to scan and reproduce colors instantly.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Green! One of the most important characteristics of the Scribble is that, since it can reproduce any color, it replaces marking pens, greatly reducing the huge amount of plastic waste.

    What's inside the Scribble?

    There will be two different versions of the Scribble, the Scribble K and the Scribble S. The K will be able to reproduce exact colors on paper. It includes a color sensor and a rechargeable battery. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The S looks exactly the same as the K, but it is intended for use on screen.

    How did we create the Scribble?

    We've been in the design process for two years and the Scribble has gone through various design changes to get it to where we are now. Because of its small size we have created some ideas never seen before in the color reproduction industry. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Thank you for your support.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Thank you also for your support! Make sure to bookmark our website and check back often to see the progress as well as the updated times for production and delivery of your Scribble.

    Volunteering is a great way to support an organization and make a difference in your community. It can also be an opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} And what should we plan for? Here's a guide for beginners.

    Step 1: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Do you want to help the world, or your community? Do you want to build your own skills, make new friends, and learn? Do you love what you do? Do you want to share your gifts with others or give something back? Think about these kinds of questions. That can help you to choose the right direction for your volunteer work.

    Step 2: Choose an organization that is meaningful to you.

    If you feel strongly about literacy (读写), for instance, volunteer at your local library or find out if there is an organization of volunteer tutors in your area. There are organizations doing all sorts of work. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Step 3: Start small.

    If you already have a busy school life, volunteer your time for an hour or two a week, or perhaps one day a month. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Then, if you find you enjoy the work and have more time to do it, take on more time by time.

    Step 4: Get training.

    If there is a training course, attend it. If not, talk to the group leaders and other volunteers about their experiences. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Step 5: Try not to give up.

    Volunteer work sometimes involves unpleasant tasks, difficult fellow workers, busy days, or bad management. If you find your work difficult, however, try to work through it before you decide to quit.

A. Do you love to work with people?

B. But how do we go about volunteering?

C. Get to know others in the organization.

D. It is important that you choose something that you like.

E. Think about why you want to volunteer.

F. You'll pick up some good tips to make your work there more productive.

G. You might be surprised by how much you can do in even a little bit of time.