It's important to prepare for rainy days. Similarly, it's important to save money.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Why? It's because they've got used to spending all the money they make. Sometimes, the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. Here are some tips to help you save money.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}The first step in saving money is to know how much you're spending. For one month, keep a record of everything you spend money on. Once you have your data, organize these numbers by category(类别) and get the total amount for each.

    You can make a budget(预算). Now that you have a good idea of how much you spend in a month, what can you do now?{#blank#}3{#/blank#}To plan your spending, you can build a budget. In this way, you can limit over-spending and make sure that you put money away for unexpected situations.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Doing so make it much easier to get started. Begin by deciding how long it will take to reach each goal. Some short-term goals include starting a fund to cover 6 months to a year of living costs and saving money for a vacation. Long-term saving goals are often several years or even decades away and can include saving for retirement and putting money away for a child's college education.

    Make saving money easier with automatic transfers (自动转帐). Automatic transfers to your savings account are very helpful.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}By moving money out of your checking account, you'll be less likely to spend money you plan to use for savings.

A. You can set savings goals.

B. You can record your costs.

C. You can plan your spending.

D. You can keep a record of what you do.

E. They can make saving money much easier.

F. However, some people find it hard to save money.

G. You can move money out of your savings account.

    Did you know that money is not worth the paper it is printed on? Money is really just a symbol.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Long ago, people did not use money. They made or grew food, clothes, and other things they needed. Later, people started trading. They would trade what they made to someone else in order to get different foods and goods. To trade like this is to barter（物物交换）.

    The barter system was a good system. Bakers could trade bread for wheat. Weavers could trade cloth for meat. Trading not just let people work at certain jobs.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    But one problem with bartering was that not everyone agreed on prices. People had to work out a price each time they wanted to trade. Another problem was that the goods might be too heavy to carry. What if the cow farmer wanted to trade a cow for a horse with the horse farmer? They would have to carry their animals with them.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} What if the cow farmer wanted to trade a cow for a chicken? A cow is worth more than a chicken. The farmer should get “change.” But how can you make change from a cow?

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} People used to use all kinds of small things for money. They used shells, beads, feathers, seeds, and even salt. A group of people would decide the worth of a kind of shell. Other kinds of shells would be worth more or less. Then people had money that was worth a certain amount. It was easy to carry. It was easy to make change.

    With time going by, we finally have the money that we use today.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. This is where money comes in.

B. That means it stands for something else.

C. They made clothes from wool from their sheep.

D. Bartering did not have a way to make change, either.

E. It also gave people a way to buy things they needed.

F. With money, we don't have to travel with chickens, cows, or clay pots!

G. When people traded, they no longer had to make everything they needed.

    On many websites, experts share advice on how to achieve your life goals. Most of the experts agree on one thing. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some ideas on how to start your day on the right foot.

    Get up an hour early.

    People who get up early in the morning get a jump on the day. In American English, we like to say, “The early bird gets the worm.” Here, if you were a bird, the worm would be the reward. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Therefore, they are more likely to succeed.

    Exercise!

    Some people may disagree with this one. Exercising in the morning may not be for everyone. Some people like to exercise after work or at night. However, at the end of the day, you may not have the tune or energy to exercise. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Think about your day at night.

    Take time at the end of the day to think back on all the things that have happened. And spend a little time thinking about tomorrow. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But it may help you to prepare if you take a few minutes to think about what you need to do next day. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You probably won't have time to do everything you've planned. But that's fine. If you have done one thing, that means you are one step closer to your goal.

A. This is not the best way to start your day.

B. Starting your day in a right way is most important.

C. Also, know that your day will probably change.

D. You've already gotten your exercise!

E. Exercising in the morning prevents that from happening.

F. So this expression means that people who rise early have an advantage.

G. Some people who talk about “living in the present” may disagree with this.

How to Be a Great Best Friend

    Everyone wants to be a great best friend but doesn't know how or where to start that perfect friendship. The following will help you.

    Be your own best friend first. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you can't respect yourself, then you can't respect others. Understand what values are important to you and stick to them. Seek out others who honor those values because you'll only end up hurting yourself and possibly others if those people don't have the same values as you.

    Trust each Other. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} All you have to do really is make sure you can both trust each other. Don't try to trick or use your friend to your advantage; you need to make them know they can trust you.

    Learn to listen. Nobody likes a best friend who just talks and talks, but never listens. If you're a chatterbox, try to develop good listening skills. Whenever your best friend says something, listen carefully and say something. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If they ask for advice, listen carefully arid give them the best advice you can.

    Care for your best friend. If your best friend is upset, ask them what's wrong. They might not tell you straight away, but they should in the end. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Understand dial certain things are private, and trust that they'd be just as patient with you if you were in their shoes.

    Let your friend have other friends, too. If your best friend picks another friend over you, try to be friend over you, try to be friend too. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Everyone is always looking for new friends. But never leave the old one; your loyalty (忠诚) is what the other person expects and counts on every day.

A. Learn how to respect yourself.

B. Maybe you guys can be a group of friends!

C. Don't interrupt while they're talking to you.

D. Best friends are the most valuable friends you have.

E. If they don't tell you, don't get angry at them.

F. To be a great best friend really doesn't take much.

G. Take time out of your day to appreciate the funny things in life.

    If you think your vocabulary is weak, a little effort every day over six to nine months can go a long way in improving it. Here are some tips for increasing your vocabulary.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You may be comfortable reading a particular part but make an effort to read different articles on every page. The editorial (社论的) page is highly recommended not only for vocabulary but also for structuring and presenting thoughts. And there are different articles in the newspaper every day.

    Make it a habit to read a new book every week. It is not surprising that those who read a lot of books develop good vocabulary. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Make a list of words that are new to you and look up their meanings in the dictionary.

    Watching English movies and television shows. It is important for improving English and learning new English words. It's an interesting way to add the number of your vocabulary. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Use vocabulary cards. Vocabulary cards are used by students who are trying to learn many words in a short time. You can make your own cards by writing the word on one side and the meaning on the other side of a piece of paper. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Use the Internet. The Internet is an unlimited (无限制的) resource for reading material. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You will come across plenty of material to read, which you might find interesting, and important. The Internet will also introduce you to new words. Be sure to look them up in a dictionary.

A. You can consider becoming a member of the local library.

B. Flash cards are a convenient tool to use to learn new words in your free time.

C. You cannot learn English well without enough vocabulary.

D. Pick up a topic of your choice and search for articles about it.

E. You should develop your own way of learning vocabulary.

F. Besides, by doing this you can learn the correct pronunciation as well.

G. Read the newspaper every day.

    Do you remember those times when your mother told you to avoid talking to strangers? But now you're not a child any more. In fact, there are advantages of talking to strangers.

    1: You can meet a really great person.

    Talking to a stranger is a good habit because you never know whom you may meet. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} You can also meet someone who'll give you a chance to get your dream job.

    2: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You have some opinions about different subjects and you know your friends' and relatives' points of view about them too. But there are millions of other people who think differently and can give you unpredictable yet smart ideas that'll broaden your horizons.

    3: You can improve your social skills.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Asking appropriate questions and attentive listening are two skills that many of us don't have. You can better these skills when talking to a stranger.

    4: You will feel a boost of confidence.

    If you belong to that shy type of people, talking to a stranger may seem to be a real challenge for you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can overcome your fear of being judged by others by talking to strangers and become more confident.

    5: You can cheer someone up.

    The thing you will definitely like about talking to strangers is that you can make someone's day better. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Compliment people and they will think something pleasant about you. Having a sweet short dialogue is one of those perfect chances to make people cheerful.

A. Smile and people will smile in return.

B. It can expand your world view.

C. Why not speak to someone until your turn comes?

D. I'm also extremely shy but I realize it's not an issue at all.

E. You can meet a person who'll become your best friend in future.

F. It may show you the solutions you didn't know about.

G. Whatever social skills you have, you can make them better when talking to strangers.