In my spoken English class, I asked the students about their university life. To my surprise, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} . After their highly controlled(控制) high school lives, they were having difficulty getting used to (习惯) the free time in the university. When I asked them to describe their high school lives, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} they got up at six in the morning and studied until ten or even later at night. Most of this time was spent doing lots of homework.
When they entered the university, in my opinion,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} to spend all their waking hours studying. They should also take an active part in social activities. They should learn to divide their time outside of class between sport sand clubs. What's more, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} watching TV and chatting with their roommates. But what surprised me most was that many of them did not seem happy because{#blank#}5{#/blank#} . They felt that they should be doing something else what ever they were doing. That's why they were not happy.
To those students, my advice is: Get used to it and learn to make decisions for yourselves.

    When you're feeling low, helping yourself is the best thing to do. It may be the hardest, but no one can do that but you. Here is some advice for you.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}⑴My name is Sara. I'm from Russia. I'm interested in meeting new people and seeing different cultures. I'm learning French，so I'm looking for a friend who can speak French.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}⑵I'm Jerry. I am 29 and I am from Germany. I am a friendly and easygoing person. I'm interested in poems now，so I want to find a pen pal who likes writing poetry.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}⑶My name is Linda. I'm from India. My friends always say that I'm really kindhearted. I like to know more about different people from different countries. I would like to make friends with Americans most.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}⑷I am Sam and I am 21 years old. I'm Italian. I love animals and doing sports. My friends say that I am a shy and friendly boy. I am looking for true friends who are fun to be with and like to talk a lot.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}⑸I am Knoll, I am from Japan. I love travelling, and I have been to the USA, Korea and Hong Kong. I love music and watching TV. I want to make friends with those who are from the USA, because I'm planning to study there after college.

Small talk

    Americans often have short conversations, called small talk, about unimportant things with strangers or people they know but not very well. They may have small talk at parties, while waiting in line at the store, at family events or work. It's a way to say hi and express friendliness.

    Small talk is very useful. It can avoid uncomfortable silences and build stronger relationships. For example, when you first meet someone or talk to someone you don't know well, you can break the ice by making small talk. Small talk with a colleague(同事) about his child may help you to understand more of his life outside the office.

    In 2013, researchers from the University of Essex asked some people to make small talk in a study. They found small talk can make people happier. People who talked briefly(短暂地) with a waiter in a coffee shop felt happier than those who simply went in, ordered and left.

    However some people are not good at small talk. Here are some tips to improve your small-talking ability.

    Firstly, find common ground. When you have something similar with your speaking partner, that means you have something to talk about.

    Secondly, ask open-ended questions. They are suitable(合适的) for small talk. For example, if you ask visitors whether they like your city, they may simply say "Yes." But if you ask "What do you think of our city," they will have more freedom in how they answer.

    Thirdly, become a student. Nobody knows everything. So, as someone is answering one of your open-ended questions, they bring up something about which you know nothing. So, tell them! This lets the other person become the teacher. They feel good about sharing their knowledge and you get to learn something. It's a win-win situation.

    Finally, practice makes perfect. Like anything, getting good at making small talk takes practice.

    If you make small talk in your native language, you might become happier. If you are making small talk using English, you will most surely improve your speaking and listening skills.

    Lila was a smart girl, but she couldn't see things clearly. She loved to ride her bike. But she couldn't see the way before her.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}，But she couldn't see the ball when it was coming. Lila loved to go to school.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    One day Lila's mum took her to see an eye doctor.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. When Lila put on her glasses, she could not believe all the things were so clear!{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. She could ride her bike around the neighborhood{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. And she could see the words on the blackboard at school. She wanted to wear her glasses every day.

Dear humans,

It's the first time I write to you, my Children. I sent you many messages in the past, but you didn't take them seriously. So I decide to write you a letter.

First, let me tell you more about our family. Dear humans, besides you, I have many other children. Some of them fly in the sky; some of them swim in the water; some live in ice-covered places; some run in the grasslands.

They might be very close to you, or even live in your house. But there are others that you may never have the chance to meet.

You bring them home to be your pets, friends and helpers. You put them in the zoos. You kill them for their meat and fur. And you even hunt them for fun. They bring you money and happiness, but they also bring you illness and death.

I hope you remember that wild animals are not your food, clothes or furniture. They are not killers, either. They are, in fact, your brothers and sisters. You should grow up together. I'm worried that one day you will be lonely if you keep killing them.

So, grow up, humans. Grow up to be more loving and caring. I hope you and all the wildlife can live happily in my arms.

Yours,

Mother Earth