1 . How to Make Friends

Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Good friendship has many benefits. It 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 leave us without a friend.     1     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.     2     You can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people.

3.     3    

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.     4     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.     5     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.

2 . Money Matters

Parents should help their children understand money.     1    . So you may start talking about money when your child shows an interest in buying things, candy or toys, for example.

● The basic function of money

Begin explaining the basic function of money by showing how people trade money for goods or services. It is important to show your child how money is traded for the things he wants to have.If he wants to have a toy, give him the money and let him hand the money to the cashier(收银员).    2    . When your child grows a bit older and understands the basic function of money, you can start explaining more complex ways of using money.

● Money lessons

Approach money lessons with openness and honesty.     3    . If you must say no to a child’s request to spend money, explain, “You have enough toy trucks for now.” Or, if the request is for many different things, say, “You have to make a choice between this toy and that toy.”

●     4    

Begin at the grocery store. Pick out two similar brands of a product—a kind of name-brand butter and a generic (无商标消费品),for example. You can show your child how to make choices between different brands of a product so that you can save money.     5    . If he chooses the cheaper brand, allow him to make another purchase with the money saved. Later, you may explain how the more expensive choice leaves less money for other purchases.

4 . Wildlife faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and other human actions.     1     Here are some tips on how to protect wildlife through small actions.

★Create wildlife-friendly areas in your backyard.

When trying to make your garden more beautiful, you can choose plants that can provide food and shelter to native wildlife.     2     Add bird or bat houses to your yard or garden to attract and shelter these species.

★Avoid harming the natural ecosystem (生态系统) in your area.

Some plants from other places can kill or harm native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

★Have a greener lifestyle.

By using less water and fewer fuels, you will be helping to protect the wildlife around you. Take buses or the subway when you can.     3     Take shorter showers, and keep your room temperature at or below 28°C during the winter.

★Buy products that are wildlife-friendly.

    4     Keep in mind that some endangered animals are killed by traps, catches or hunters who are after other wildlife within the same habitat.

★    5    

You can give money to organizations or groups that protect wildlife species in your neighbourhood.

10 . Low-cost Gifts for Mother’s Day

Offer to be your mother’s health friend. Promise to be there for all doctor’s visits whether she has a disease or needs a regular medical check-up. Most mothers always say there is no need, but another set of eyes and ears is always a good idea at a doctor’s visit. The best part? This one is free.

Help your mother organize all of her medical records, which include the test results and medical information. Put them all in one place. Be sure to make a list of all of her medicines and what time she takes them. “Having all this information in one place could end up saving your mother’s life,” Dr. Marie Savard said.

Enough sleep is connected with general health conditions. “Buy your mother cotton sheets and comfortable pillows to encourage better sleep,” Savard said. “We know that good sleep is very important to our health.”

Some gift companies such as Presents for Purpose allow you to pay it forward this Mother’s Day by picking gifts, 10 percent of whose price you pay goes to a charity (慈善机构). Gift givers can choose from a wide variety of useful but inexpensive things — many of which are “green” — and then choose a meaningful charity from a list. When your mother gets the gift she will be told that she has helped the                                        chosen charity.