We'd better develop our interest in English at the beginning of our study. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} We may feel good when we can say something simple in English.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So we must make some plans before study. And we should certainly carry out these plans in our study.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Our notes are much thinner than the books so that we can learn them by heart easily and can often review and read them. We may also record our notes on tapes so as to listen to them easily.

      Reading a newspaper is the best thing to improve your English.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} It will help you keep in touch with a lot ofsubjects in English.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Learn by heart the whole sentences and the phrases that contain the new words so that we may know how to use the words.

If time permits, we may read a miniChinese-English dictionary carefully from cover to cover, which may help us widen our sight and master knowledge in all ways.

A. Read a little from a newspaper every day.

B. Don't read books without making notes.

C. Carefully write an e-mail in English.

D. It's easy to develop an interest in English study.

E. The more, the better.

F. Plans are always very necessary.

G. Never just memorize single English words.

    Do you know what a big dream is? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Or, is a big dream something that provides only entertainment? Children dream big dreams, but there are three barriers to realizing dreams. They often kill them before they ever have a chance to grow.

    The Self

    Immediately following the birth of a big dream, a negative self-talk takes over and gives all the reasons why it cannot happen. This inside voice is the ego (自我). It's there for protecting and should be listened to. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Most people are influenced by the inside voice. That's why only a handful of people make their dream come true.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Family and friends are a lot like the ego. They want to protect those they love, so they will often list all the reasons why the big dreams won't come true. Sometimes, family and friends destroy dreams of those they love most, out of their own fear of being left behind.

    The World

    If one gets past the first two barriers, one has to face the world. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} In the past, big dreamers were locked up and sometimes even killed when they were shown to the world. Fortunately, in most of the world today, big dreamers just get laughed at.

    The way to realize a big dream is with confidence and action. When children have confidence and then take action, they will be ready to accept any failure. The truth is that every great dreamer whose dreams have never seen the light of success knows failure well. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Family and Friends

B. How Big Dreams Die

C. Does a big dream show one's future?

D. They simply fail until they succeed.

E. Sometimes it is right, but more often it is wrong

F. It is the last and the most terrible barrier.

G. And their big dream is to be a rock star or a famous artist.

    How Can I Fight Laziness?

    Lazy people will never amount to anything in life. However, laziness can be defeated once a few changes have been made in your mind.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many people lack sleep constantly, since they stay up too late and get up too early to prepare for work. These people have little motivation once they arrive home. Laziness works hand in hand with a lack of motivation and a tendency (趋势) to put off things. By adjusting your sleep schedule to provide a few more hours of meaningful rest, you can fight laziness throughout the day.

    Another way to fight laziness is to change your mind from passive to active. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Others take a more active approach, viewing each task as a challenge they must overcome alone. Laziness sets in when you no longer feel in charge of your own life.

    Some people fight laziness by removing the temptations (诱惑) that surround them. A television in the living room may provide entertainment. However, watching too much TV in your spare time often contributes to laziness. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Complete a few tasks and reward yourself with what you enjoy, such as a good dinner or a film. Laziness can also be a lasting problem at home. Couples and children may all have different energy levels, but laziness can be spread if not dealt with immediately. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Be the first to collect and wash dishes after a meal. Others in the home may eventually follow your example and perform their own task. It is difficult to practice laziness when you are surrounded by motivated people.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Enough exercise and a balanced diet can enable you to have more energy and help lift your spirits.

A. To fight family laziness, set an example.

B. Knowing how to fight laziness is important.

C. One way to fight laziness is to get enough sleep.

D. Finally, developing a healthy lifestyle can help you fight laziness.

E. With strong determination (意志力), you will be able to achieve your goal.

F. Some people treat their lives as if they were pushed from task to task.

G. Create a reward system for yourself, just as parents do for a child.

    Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} They teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}They may be a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger. Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible at first, but later you will find that without those difficulties you would have never realized your potential. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and completely pointless.

    The people you meet who affect your life, help to create who you are and who you become. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.

    If someone loves you, give love back to them not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}They have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

    Make every day count. Appreciate every moment.

A． They serve some sort of purpose.

B． Learn a lesson in life each day that you live.

C． Even the bad experiences can be learned from.

D． You never know who these people may be.

E． If someone hurts you, or breaks your heart, forgive them.

F． Without these small tests, life would be like a smooth road to nowhere.

G． If you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

    The art of growing dwarf(矮小的)trees, or "bonsai"(盆栽)as their Japanese planters call them, is increasing in popularity in the United States. Growing bonsai can make a fascinating hobby for anyone who enjoys plants and creating beautiful effects with them.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    In growing bonsai, in fact, one must be careful in choosing the type of tree, as the growing conditions are unusual.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Varieties of pines with small needles and hardwood trunks are especially suitable.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}This is necessary because the major growth of bonsai is kept confined(被限制) to the tree's trunk and leaves, not its root system-a process quite unlike what is done with other plants.

    Another thing the bonsai-grower must do is to trim(修整)the roots and branches of the tree periodically (定期地). Unless this is done, the plants will not have the proper proportions(比例) and will look unnatural.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The last thing one must do is to be careful to keep the tree well-watered. Because bonsai are grown in smaller-than-usual containers, they often need more water than ordinary houseplants do.

    As can be seen from the above, the art of bonsai-growing is one which requires a certain amount of time and effort.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Imagine having such a tree in your living room and passing it down through several generations of your family. That is exactly what bonsai-growing is all about: establishing a tradition of beauty which lasts for years and years and is a symbol of the beauties of the natural world.

A. Then one must be careful in choosing the size of the container.

B. How can we meet the goal of making such a kind of art?

C. Why do so many people take a fancy to the art of bonsai-growing.

D. But one must get well prepared before starting bonsai-growing.

E. The satisfactions that growing bonsai brings can be great, however.

F. The ideal for bonsai plants are trees just like normal trees in everything but size.

G. Not all species of trees can be made into bonsai.

A Few Active Listening Guidelines

    Listening is arguably the most important element of interpersonal communication. Our ability to listen well impacts the quality of all of our relationships, and not just at home with our family and friends—it can also affect our relationships and interactions on the job, as well as the effectiveness and quality of our work.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Instead, it is a skill that must be cultivated and practiced. Active listening means the difference between simply hearing, and listening with the intent to truly understand. It is a subtle but important distinction.

    ⒈Give focused attention.

    Try to minimize external (外部的) distractions. Turn down the noise, and put down or step away from what you're doing if possible. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Don't watch the clock, fidget (坐立不安) or go over your to-do list for later.

    ⒉{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Direct eye contact shows your attention and intention to listen. This doesn't mean stare, though. Be reasonable, but try not to let your eyes wander to whatever is going on around you.

    ⒊Reflect back.

    Restate, but don't repeat word for word. Paraphrase what you think the other part is saying with responses such as: "What I'm hearing is…" or "Let me see if I'm following you... "{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ⒋Respond appropriately.

    Be open and honest in your responses. Share your thoughts, insights and feelings in a clear, but respectful and considerate manner even if you disagree.

    Active listening is a model for good communication. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It takes practice to develop active listening skills, and it's a habit that has to be reinforced(加强). Remind yourself that the goal of conversation is not merely to trade words, but to truly understand what the other party is saying and to be understood in turn.

A. Maintain eye contact.

B. Instead, focus on what is being said.

C. You do not have to agree on everything.

D. Also, set aside other internal thinking and dialogue.

E. Listening is not something that comes naturally or easily for most of us.

F. Reflecting what you've heard signals that you're attempting to understand fully.

G. Remember that listening is not just to gather information and share ideas, but also to gain perspective and understanding.