At long last, Stefano Boeri Architects' brilliant Bosco Verticale towers are finally completed. The “world's first vertical forest” consists of a fantastic pair of costly towers that add nearly 2.5 acres of lush vegetation to the sky line of Milan, a city notorious (声名狼藉的) for its air pollution. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Like a pair of green lungs, its forested appearance of 21,000 plants will absorb CO₂, control noise pollution, lessen the urban heat island effect, and create oxygen and favorable micro-climates.

    The Bosco Verticale mixed-use towers are constructed with a $2.5 billion public-private investment as part of the re-development of Milan's Porta Nuova district. The towers, measuring 260 feet and 367 feet, house 800 trees between 9 and 30 feet tall, over 4,000 shrubs (灌木) and 15,000 ground cover plants. Bosco Verticale is created with LEED Gold Certification (绿色建筑黄金认证) in mind. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    The buildings shrub have welcomed their first residents. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}  A fast-growing bird population has already begun to nest in Bosco Verticale's rich leaves, of which over a hundred different species of trees and shrubs are represented. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 

    The superstructure is also selected for the world famous International Highrise Building Award as one of the five most beautiful and original high-rises in the world that is completed. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. “We take great pride in this project, which may earn us an award” says Boeri.

B. Boeri is currently in China, where he plans to build another Bosco Verticale project.

C. It is also equipped with a gray water recycling and irrigation system.

D. However, Bosco Verticale will be more than just a beautiful sight to enjoy.

E. “The real key to this project is biodiversity,” says Boeri.

F. It is also well received by the Chinese experts in the field.

G. But those families aren't the only ones to call the vertical forest home.

How to Improve Your English

    One of the most important questions that every student asks is how to improve your English. There are probably as many answers to this question as there are people {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Let's begin with the three most important rules to help guide you. You'll find further ideas below.

Rule 1:{#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    The most important rule to remember is that learning English is a process. It takes time, and it takes lots of patience! If you are patient, you will improve your English.

Rule 2:Make a Plan

    The most important thing to do is to create a plan and follow that plan.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Patience is key to improving your English, so go slowly and focus on your foals. You'll speak English well soon if you keep to the plan.

Rule 3:{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It's absolutely necessary that learning English becomes a habit. In other words, you should work on your English every day. It's not necessary to study grammar every day. However, you should listen, watch read or speak English every day even if it's for a short period of time.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} When you truly understand and master these three rules, then you will find your English level is really great.

How to Choose a Good Book

    You love reading, and you're dying to get your hands on a book. But you've read all your books several times, and you're getting tired of reading the same ones. You're planning to go to the library, but don't know what kind of books to get. With the right knowledge, it's easy for you to choose a good book.

    Make a list answering these questions:

    What kind of books do you like? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Is there a type of book that you would like to try? What are your interests? By doing this you will find books that you might like.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Very often good books are quietly collecting dust in your own house. Maybe you forget about one, or someone who is living with you has a couple of good books. Also by searching your house, you can find books that you can read, and they won't even cost you any money.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Read best-seller lists published in most newspapers or weekly magazines. Find out which new books are making headlines, and why.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    If it does, then use its search engine to find a certain book or books by a certain author. You can also do this at home.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    If you would rather have Book 1 over Book2，put Book2 back. If you would prefer Book 3 to Book 1, put Book 1 back.

A. Search your house.

B. What books have you read?

C. Ask someone to recommend a good book.

D. See if the library or bookstore has computers.

E. Read book reviews in newspapers and magazines.

F. Narrow down your choices.

G. What authors do you like?

Make a difference

    I love to make a difference to others. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Do you want to contribute to other people's lives, helping them in small and big ways? If the answer is yes, but you are frustrated not being able to follow through, keep reading.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It includes service, time, ideas and methods, leaving your mark on people so that if they were interviewed, they would say, yes, that person made a positive difference in my life.

    Being inspired to make a difference 'really increases your energy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But that's not the point! The problem is that we often don't think we have enough time or resources to make a difference—we're too busy living our lives or earning a living. Actually we can afford to spend time on it.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In fact, other than the challenge of finding the time to do this, I can't think of a single disadvantage to this inspiration.

    This is truly one of my favorite tools to attract more enthusiasm in an easy way into my life. More importantly, I love making a difference in other people's lives. That's why I do it. Attracting enthusiasm is just the "side" benefit.

    We have all learned from Law of Attraction teachers that we will receive more of what we are "broadcasting" to the Universe. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. It is one of my top values.

B. It will help you attract more efforts and enthusiasm into your life.

C. Making a difference will help you attract more attention.

D. So get inspired to make a difference and your life will improve.

E. To make a difference, you can contribute something you have

F. If you want to make a difference, your energy will change when you focus there.

G. There is nothing but positive consequences when you focus on making a difference.

    Happiness has become a big deal in the past ten years. Hundreds of books, lectures and even the media tell us that happiness is within our reach. All we have to do is follow some simple steps, like meditation, living in the moment and doing yoga. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In fact, feeling deeply sad is a normal part of the healing (治愈) process.

    It's said that if you are going through a hard time, it's important to do what you can to feel better.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Perhaps they can work for you too.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} But if you're not anywhere near an ocean, lake or river, looking at images of moving water on TV can make you feel peaceful.

    We have to get our happiness where we can find it. If you have lost the ability to find any pleasure in your daily life or the people around you, something deeper is going on. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Think about the times you were at your happiest. That may sound a little strange. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    We can't allow natural and normal emotional low points rule our lives, but we can't ignore them either. They must be processed, so we can move on.

A. Getting close to nature can help cheer you up.

B. Looking at water while in nature can be calming.

C. You'd better get yourself checked out by a medical doctor.

D. Here are some ways that have helped me and many people.

E. Talk with your friends and try to find your happiness from them.

F. But if you are going through a really difficult time, none of this may feel right.

G. But doing this actually sends chemicals to your brain, and it can make you feel better.

Learning how to apologize is similar to learning any new behavior. It may feel awkward and may not be polished at first {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There are several tips that will help you as you learn how to apologize.

First of all, wait until the right time and you are in the right place. Although public apology is often appropriate, discretion（谨慎）should be used. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Remember, you will be raising a topic that may recall a bad experience or bad feelings. Be respectful as you approach this task.

Be direct and brief in your approach. Acknowledge the fact that injury has occurred and then take responsibility for what happened. Be sincere in expressing your regret and demonstrate your willingness to take ownership of the situation. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

Even if you follow these steps, be prepared for rejection. Sometimes, the person apologizing has an expectation that the apology will lead to immediate forgiveness and acceptance. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you think of the offense（冒犯）as an emotional bruise（瘀伤）, think of the healing process as the color changes we see as a bruise heals.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Knowing when to keep one's mouth shut is a virtue. Keeping quiet may be very difficult, as post-apology listening is not easy. We may hear unpleasant observations from another about our own shortcomings. We may hear the expression of anger. One of the ways we let others know we are truly responsible and accountable for our mistakes is by listening to the other party pour out the feelings associated with our actions.

A. Forgiveness and acceptance may take time.

B. To give or receive a good apology is an art.

C. But with practice, everyone can learn to do it.

D. Listening to the response to our apologies is important.

E. Most apologies can and should happen in a private setting.

F. In other words, avoid excuses and offer to repair the damage.

G. Taking responsibility doesn't mean accepting blame for everything.