America's holiday shopping season started on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Shoppers make the most money this time of year, about 20 percent to 30 percent of all revenue all year. About 136 million people shopped during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}In an era of instant information, shoppers can use their mobile phones to find deals. Nearly 80 percent of this year's holiday shoppers, or about 183.8 million people, shopped on Cyber Monday.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Online spending on Black Friday rose 15 percent to hit $2.7 billion this year. Cyber Monday spending increased 12 percent to $3 billion. NBC News reported that for many, shopping online was a more comfortable alternative than crowded malls.

      The shift to online shopping has had a big impact on solid shopping malls. Since 2010, more than 24 shopping malls have closed and anadditional 60 are struggling. Fortune says the weakest of the malls have closed. However, the business in malls is thriving again, it adds.  According to a survey, 94.2percent of malls were full with shops by the end of 2014.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

      The average American consumer will spend about $805 on gifts. That's about $630.5 billion between November and December – an increase of 3.7percent from last year.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}That goes toChina's Singles' Day, celebrated on November 11, which posted record sales of$14.3 billion in 2015.

A．More and morepeople shop online nowadays.

B．That is thehighest level in 27 years.

C．It is thebusiest shopping day of the year.

D．One-in-fiveAmericans used a tablet or smart-phone.

E．Thetraditional mall industry can hardly survive.

F．Cyber Mondayfalls on the Monday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

G．Nonetheless,Cyber Monday is not the biggest online shopping day in the world.

    The holiday season isn't about shopping and gifts.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, holiday travel can be more expensive than gifts. Fortunately, the following tips will help keep your travel spending under control.

    Plan ahead. The earlier you book your travel, from airfare to hotels, the easier it is to find good deals.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Your best prices on airfare come when you book three weeks before the plane leaves for domestic(国内的) flights. For international flights, consider booking 30 days in advance. Many experts point out that you should book travel between one month and three months out for high-traffic holidays.

    Book your air travel on cheaper days. Traveling by air on Tuesdays and Wednesdays often costs less than on Fridays and Sundays. During the holidays, it's not just about a specific day of the week. You also need to consider the days surrounding the holiday but days immediately before and after a holiday can be expensive. One of the best ways to save is to plan your air travel on the day of the holiday.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Consider traveling overnight. Red-eye flights and overnight flights often cost less than those at more convenient times.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}  Traveling overnight can help you avoid a night in the hotel, as well as save your money on travel to your destination.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can't bring liquids with you on the airline, but you can bring sandwiches and other snacks. When you're on the road, you can buy food at local groceries to make your own meals, especially if you have access to（可使用） a microwave.

A. Bring your own food.

B. Consider affordable accommodations.

C. Traveling by plane is not the best choice.

D. Plus, booking earlier can save your money.

E. For instance, traveling on Christmas Day might be a great deal.

F. A great deal of travel also takes place during this time of year.

G. Other choices include sleeper trains as well as overnight ferries.

How to Make Friends

    Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. If offers companionship, improves self-worth and promotes good health. There are times in our lives such as when we have recently moved into a new town, or changed our jobs or schools. Such changes often leaves us without a friend.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. But for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful suggestions on how to make and keep friends.

1）Associate with others.

    The first step to making friends is associating with other people. You can go to public places to meet new people. Besides, you will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member of such places.

2）Start a conversation.

    Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

3）{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Choosing friends with common interests is important in building friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together. Hanging out will always be a pleasant experience.

4）Let it grow.

    It is a good thing to stay in touch. However, try not to press your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and finally you may lose your friend.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

5）Enjoy your friendship.

    The best way to enjoy your friendship is to allow your friends to be themselves.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be.  Become the kind of friend you will want your friend to be to you.

A. Be cheerful.

B. So you will need to give your friend time to react to you.

C. Making new friends comes easy for some people.

D. For a friendship to develop you need to stay in touch.

E. Do not wait to be spoken to.

F. Try not to find fault with your friends.

G. Do things together.

How to Calm Down at Work

    The workplace can be a stressful place. Anxiety, conflict, bad management and overwork can lead to frustration and stress.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Keep something you like to look at within sight. A photo of a loved one or a favorite personal souvenir are the best examples. Keep such an item somewhere you can glance at it whenever you wish to do so.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Take a moment to engage your body. If you're unable to leave your work area, stand and stretch for a moment. Muscle tension exercises can also help you calm down.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}For instance, start by squeezing all of your face muscles as tightly as you can for twenty seconds and slowly releasing them.

    Write down the reason why you are upset.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper can help clarify the issue you're having. Writing down your thoughts can even help you determine the best way to address your frustration or anxiety and move forward.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you and another co-worker are constantly frustrated with one another, set up a time to speak with him or her. Say something like, "Hey, Sarah, let's sit down sometime soon and chat to make sure we're on the same page about our upcoming project."

A. Turn to your workmates for help

B. Communicate with your workmates

C. A vase of flowers on your desk is another good example

D. Focus on one particular muscle or muscle group at a time

E. Here are the steps you can take to help you calm down at work

F. Engage your body by rolling your head, shoulder, and ankles while sitting

G. The best way to figure out exactly what's bothering you is to write it down

    We are told that 'a family that eats together stays together'. We even follow it by making the whole family sit in front of the television while eating, right? Wrong. Television does nothing to help make the family relationships better. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's thus better to give the TV a break and to sit at the dinner table. Family dinners need another important part－conversations that bring in a pleasant atmosphere.

    It often serves well to start the conversation right before dinner so that setting the table and doing other things may become less boring. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} as a result, there are no embarrassing moments when people are actually eating. Also, you can change the topic if you feel that it might start arguments.

    Children aren't usually very good at sharing information and don't know how to reply when you ask them questions like 'How was your school today?' {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For this, you can ask them about the after-class activities that they might be taking part in.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Therefore, all controversial (有争议的) topics should not be talked about. Actually, if you have had a funny incident in your day at the work, share it with others. What's more, it serves well if you share your childhood memories with your family. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In a word, it is always important to choose the right topics for the family dinner conversations.

A. Try to know more about them than just their school life.

B. It's often difficult to start a conversation at a family dinner.

C. But try to keep in mind some family dinner conversation ideas.

D. Doing things together can make family members feel interested.

E. In fact, it only increases the distance between members of the family.

F. They, especially your kids, will feel excited to hear about what you did as a child.

G. Conversations during dinnertime should encourage family members to eat well.

    HSC, mid-terms, finals, no matter how you describe them, exams have something in common—including how to study well. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Plan a study timetable

    Make sure you will cover your material in time with a realistic study timetable. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. With a plan in place, you'll be less likely to put off your work as knowing how you will use your time will also mean you make best use of it.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Give yourself the best environment by choosing somewhere with enough light, a comfortable chair, and little to no distractions. Sit down with all that you need — and only the things you'll need — like any books, notes or pens, as well as some water and healthy snacks on hand. Also ask what you don't need. A rule of thumb is if it doesn't help you study, it shouldn't be on your desk. It may look so simple but is really effective to help you focus on your study.

    Keep healthy: sleep, eat and move

    When exams come around somehow there never seems enough time for the basic things like sleep and exercise. Taking care of your health and wellbeing will really help you study at your best by improving your memory, mood and energy levels, and keeping those stress levels down. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Eating three meals and sticking to healthy snacks throughout the day will give you the energy you need to focus. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} A good aim is 20-30 minutes of exercise but even a walk nearby during study breaks will do you good!