This Way to Dreamland

Daydreaming means people think about something pleasant, especially when this makes them forget what they should be doing. Daydreamers have a bad reputation for being unaware of what's happening around them. They can seem forgetful and clumsy. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} ey annoy us because they seem to be ignoring us and missing the important things.

         But daydreamers are also responsible for some of the greatest ideas and achievements in human history.  {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Can you imagine what kind of world we would have without such ideas and inventions?

         So how can you come up with brilliant daydreams and avoid falling over tree roots or otherwise looking like a fool?

First, understand that some opportunities(机会) for daydreaming are better than others. Feeling safe and relaxed will help you to slip into daydreams.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And if you want to improve your chances of having a creative idea while you're daydreaming, try to do it while you are involved in another task—preferably something simple, like taking a shower or walking, or even making meaningless drawings.

It's also important to know how to avoid daydreams for those times when you really need to concerntrate. “Mindfulness”, being focused, is a tool that some people use to avoid falling asleep. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

            Finally, you never know what wonderful idea might strike while your mind has moved slowly away.  {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

           Always remember that your best ideas might come when your head is actually in the clouds.

A. Having interesting things to think about also helps.

B. They stare off into space and wander by themselves.

C. Without wandering minds, we wouldn't have relatively, Coke or Post-it notes.

D. At one time, daydreaming was thought to be a cause of some mental illnesses.

E. It involves slow, steady breathing for self-control that helps people stay calm and attentive.

F. Daydreams are often very simple and direct, quite unlike sleep dreams, which may be hard to understand.

G. Therefore, it's a good idea to keep a notebook or voice recorder nearby when you're in the daydream zone.

    Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences in college or, easily, one of the worst.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Follow these tips to avoid the common mistakes that turn good roommate relations bad.

Talk things out.

    Communication is key. If something happens, sit down with your roommate and have a face-to-face conversation. I've seen roommate relations fall apart because something happens and, instead of talking to each other, the two start complaining about their roommates behind their backs.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Don't expect to be best friends.

    Some roommates become the best of friends, and some don't. Don't put pressure (压力) on yourself or your roommate, especially when you first meet.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And if your roommate doesn't end up being your best friend, don't worry.

    Ask before you take.

    This applies (适用) to food, clothes and anything else. If you want to keep a relation going, show your roommate that you have respect for what is his or hers by asking first.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Clean up.

    This should do without saying. Don't be lazy. Or, at least, don't bury your roommate in your clothes and garbage.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} But being considerate with where you put your things will help you avoid conflict.

A. This creates nothing but terrible situations and unhappiness.

B. Even if you both agree to share everything, you should still ask.

C. So you need to think twice before you help your roommates out.

D. Sometime you get stuck with someone who has tons of bad energy.

E. You don't have all the time to clean your room and keep it organized.

F. It all starts with you to have a good relation with your roommate.

G. Remember, you're trying to make a new friend, not to frighten your roommate away.

    How to test best

    It's back to school, which means it's back to tests, which might also means it's back to being majorly stressed out.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some simple ways to prepare thoroughly for tests.

    Schedule study time.

Trying to do all studying the night before a test makes it impossible to master all the materials.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Instead, prepare for a test by scheduling study time each day for several days before.

    Use your time wisely.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Also, make sure you have all the supplies（用具）you need to study so you don't lose focus. While studying, be sure to make regular short breaks. Get a snack, take a bathroom break or play a quick computer game when it feels as if your brain is about to explode.

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    Studying with a parent or friends can help you understand the material better and to learn from one another. Have every person or pair take a part of the material, and come up with questions to quiz the group. Keep the group small. Have everyone take turns as the group leader, who will assign the material, and make sure that conversation stays on what is being studied.

    Don't forget last-minute preparation.

Have your sharpened pencils and other things in your bag ready the night before the test. It's important to get a good night's sleep and then eating a healthy breakfast the next morning.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Also, studying all the way up until test time can only create more anxiety. Stop studying an hour beforehand.

A. Form a study group.

B. Stay cool before the test.

C. It doesn't have to be this way.

D. This will help you store important information.

E. This way, both your mind and body are fully prepared.

F. Before studying, clear your desk so you can concentrate.

G. It will also make you tired and stressed on the day of the test.

    Americans use many expressions with the word "dog". People in the United States love their dogs and treat them well. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, dogs without owners to care for them lead a different kind of life. The expression, to lead a dog's life, describes a person who has an unhappy existence.

    Some people say we live in a dog-eat-dog world. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They say that to be successful, a person has to work like a dog. This means they have to work very, very hard. Such hard work can make people dog-tired. And, the situation would be even worse if they became sick as a dog.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} This means that every person enjoys a successful period during his or her life. To be successful, people often have to learn new skills. Yet, some people say that you can never teach an old dog new tricks. They believe that older people do not like to learn new things and will not change the way they do things.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} People who are unkind or uncaring can be described as meaner than a junkyard dog. Junkyard dogs live in places where people throw away things they do not want. Mean dogs are often used to guard this property. They bark or attack people who try to enter the property. However, sometimes a person who appears to be mean and threatening is really not so bad. We say his bark is worse than his bite.

    Dog expressions are also used to describe the weather. The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the year. A rainstorm may cool the weather. But we do not want it to rain too hard. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Learning a foreign language can be interesting. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In order to increase your chances of success, it is important to consider which method of language learning will provide you with the most benefits. So think about the three ways of learning a language: self­study at home, attending classes and online courses.

    The main disadvantage of learning by yourself is that there is no one available to answer your questions. One way to deal with this is to make a list of your questions and ask for the help of a native speaker of the language regularly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Learning a foreign language in a classroom is probably the most popular choice. The regularity(规律性) of the lessons will encourage you to attend classes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} In most cases, the enthusiasm of the other students may also encourage you to make progress.

    Online learning is the newest method of learning a foreign language. It suits both the students who prefer to learn alone and the students who may prefer to attend a class but are unable to do so. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It is also possible to ask questions and to communicate with other students online.

    Whichever method you choose, keep in mind the reasons why you are learning the language. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} This will help you stay focused throughout the learning process.

A.Many students prefer to learn by themselves.

B.But it can also be difficult, frustrating and boring.

C.You should also make sure you will benefit from it.

D.You will be able to ask the teacher questions face to face.

E.You may even decide to ask others sometimes to help your self­study.

F.Online learning makes the whole process more interesting and fun.

G.Your personality should be considered when deciding which method of learning to use.

    Babies have the charm to melt anybody's heart instantly; no one escapes the twinkling eyes or the innocent smile. Just their presence will cheer you up, make you forget your worries and tempt you to indulge into their world.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Though I don't have any answer to the question, I wonder as to what makes their aura so desirable. And I think there is something we can learn from the young ones.

Forgive and Forget

    Babies can laugh and giggle all day because they don't keep hatred against anyone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Do you think they've constructed an evil plan against you because you refused them candy last time? Probably not, life moved on and so did they. So why do we hold on to our past and refuse to let go of the emotional baggage? Does it do us any good except prevent us from laughing to the fullest?

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    Endless questions of young kids can sometimes be enough to drain the adult mind. They are always busy wondering how things work or why things are the way they are, leaving no room for boredom. Their curiosity gives them an exponential learning curve; they pick up new things quickly and do not refuse to change.

    Unconditional Love

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}They don't judge you before they come running into your knees and they don't walk away if you don't give them the same in return. They have no expectations from you and simply do what their heart desires. If you want a hug, they'll give you a hug; if you want two, they'll give you two. So how does the adult world become so materialistic that we decide what we give based on what we think we might receive?

    Living life to the fullest is not a difficult task; you just need to have the right attitude and an open mind.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Keep smile every day

B. Never-ending Curiosity

C. What can we do to free from these worries?

D. Why do we adore the young ones so much?

E. So don't envy the peaceful life of a baby, start living it yourself!

F. Kids have a hug and a kiss for anyone and everyone who wants one.

G. Their heart is pure and their mind empty to laugh out loud and enjoy the moment.