Investing in yourself

    Figuring out how to invest your money can be a difficult task. This is something that you will want to learn how to do.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Things that will improve your knowledge, skills or health are all great investments. However, before you start, you need to be clear about what you will gain out of doing all of these things.

    You may think investing in yourself means investing in your education. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} . There are some other things you can do as well as buying a gym membership or learning a new skill.

    So what are some specific things you can do? {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . Reading books can really expand your mind and allow you to learn different skills and gain knowledge. I'm talking about the books where you will actually learn a new skill, not fiction books.

    You can also take courses and attend seminars. These programs are taught by people with a high level of knowledge or skill. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . Only in this way can you avoid being fooled by some sales presentation.

    Moreover, investing in yourself is a safe way to keep your money. Although a savings account is seen as the most secure investment, that isn't 100% safe. Even if you never experience your bank closing down, the return is little when inflation(通货膨胀) is taken into consideration. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . But over time, they will show up in terms of your happiness level as well as your level of success.

A. This is just one way.

B. The benefits will stay with you.

C. If you aren't a reader, you should start with that.

D. The more you do this, the more valuable you will be.

E. Of course, you need to do some research before investing.

F. The best way to invest your money is to invest it in yourself.

G. When you invest in yourself, you may not see gains right away.

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.

A. You aren't like anybody else

B. You already do lots of things well

C. Turn your back on too many rules

D. Check the rules about dos and don'ts

E. Whatever the presentation, public speaking is tough

F.The one thing you don't want is for them to fall asleep

G. So trying to force a whole set of rules into it will just make things worse

    Everyone can benefit a lot from reading books. The following is about various benefits of reading books.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Whenever you read something, you learn information that you wouldn't have known. If you want to learn new words, reading books is a great way to enlargeyour vocabulary.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Similar to solving puzzles, reading books allows your mind to practice its processing skills. Going without books for too long will turn your mind into mess.

    One of the primary benefits of reading books is its ability to develop your thinking skills. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Wherever you are faced with a similar problem in real life, your mind is able to put its mystery solving skills to a test.

    The information in books can be referred to over and over again. For example, reading a cookbook allows you the chance to review the cooking steps whenever you need to. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Don't even think about writing the information down because you may lose the paper sooner or later.

    These are just some of the wonderful benefits of reading books. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} If you can't even go outside, you can download free e­books online and read them on your computer. That way, you can see how useful reading can be for yourself.

A. You can improve your memory by reading.

B. Reading keeps your mind in good condition.

C. Reading books can make you become confident.

D. Reading books provides you with new knowledge.

E. Reading mystery novels, for example, trains your mind.

F. Following the steps from a cooking video will be difficult.

G. Why don't you drop into a bookstore and pick a book up?

    While you are travelling abroad，cultural mistakes are more serious than linguistic mistakes，which can lead to serious misunderstanding and even ill—feeling between individuals．{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Touching Someone{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In Mediterranean countries，if you don't touch someone's arm when talking to them or if you don't greet them with kisses or a warm hug，you'll be considered cold．But backslap(拍背)someone who isn't a family member or a good friend in Korea，and you'll make them uncomfortable．In Thailand，the head is considered sacred—never even pat a child on the head．

Talking Over Dinner

    In some countries，like China，Japan and some African nations，the food's the thing，so don't start chatting about your day's adventures while everyone else is digging into dinner．{#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's not because your group is unfriendly，but because meal times are for eating，not talking．

Removing Your Shoes or Not

    Take off your shoes when arriving at the door of a London dinner party and the hostess will find you uncivilized，but fail to remove your shoes before entering a home in Asia，Hawaii，or the Pacific Islands and you'll be considered disrespectful．So，if you see a row of shoes at the door，start undoing your laces．{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Once you are on the ground of a different country，remain highly sensitive to native behavior．{#blank#}5{#/blank#}And don't feel offended if something seems offensive—like queue jumping．After all，this is a global village，and we are all very different．

A．Personal space varies as you travel the globe．

B．Asians consider removing shoes impolite at home．

C．Never be completely surprised by anything．

D．The linguistic mistake means that someone is not fully expressing his idea．

E．Look out for the following cultural mistakes and try to avoid them．

F．If not，keep the shoes on．

G．You'll likely be met with silence．

    Ways to say “Happy birthday to me”

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I'm at an age when not everyone looks forward to cakes and presents.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It always makes me feel excited to be alive and grateful for my life and my family. So I think even if your birthday is a regular old day at work or home, there are some easy ways to raise it to the special occasion.

    Give a gift to someone else.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} While everyone loves to open a birthday present, there is a lot of joy and goodness to be gained from being generous with others. Making a birthday donation (捐赠) to a charity that means something to you.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Try something new. Today is new to us. Why not enjoy the newness of the moment? Dip your tones into some new waters, sign up for an adult education class, go for a new-to-you park or plan a new trip.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Whether or not you have the opportunity to share a meal, outing or party with friends and family, please take time on your birthday to connect with people who are important to your life, if you use social media like phones, you are likely filled with well—wishes from loved ones. Use these as a. jumping off point to start new conversations and reconnect with people who lift your spirits and support in your journey towards being your best self.

A. Connect with people who matter to you.

B. Freshen up yourself with countless opportunities.

C. It's better to give than to receive

D. This year my birthday is on a Saturday.

E. I love my birthday, though.

F. Download an app to learn a new language is also a good choice.

G. One choice is to donate a dollar amount to match your age.

    With the summer holiday just around the comer, it seems like everybody is busy planning their vacations. Here are some lips that can help you enjoy your holiday without emptying your pocket:

    Travel off-season

    Go to your desired destination while the demand is low and take advantage of huge discounts. During the peak season, the hotel and flight prices increase quickly, and you'll likely spend more of your vacation time standing in line due to the rush of tourists.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Eat like a local

    Why eat at big chain restaurants when you can experience something new?{#blank#}2{#/blank#}During your family trip, try new food where the locals eat. This will not just save money, but also provide you with a new and different experience. For smaller meals and snacks, avoid restaurants and try street food or other takeout.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Websites can help you find discount hotel rooms. Look for places that do not charge extra for children if they use the existing bedding. Stay with the locals. If you and your family are going to 8tay for a longer period，renting a small apartment is a good choice.

    Choose local transportation

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Instead, take buses, railways or subways, which are always cheaper. If you are planning to stay for a while, you can consider renting a car. Hiring a car is much easier than carrying your bags everywhere if you are moving around a lot.

    Don't hesitate to bargain

    Tourist-heavy places are known for overcharging for just about everything. Clothes, travel goodies, souvenirs, etc. are very expensive at these places.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Bargain hard to get the best price.

A. Save on hotels.

B. Surf the Internet while traveling.

C. So it's best to find out when the off-season starts.

D. Therefore, avoid buying anything there.

E. Planning your meals is another way to reduce your travel costs.

F. For this reason, you shouldn't feel ashamed to ask for bargains.

G. As a tourist, avoid taking taxis whenever possible, since they are expensive.