1 . Ways to make a great first impression

You’ve heard it a million times already. But it really does take but a few seconds to make that all-important first impression（印象）. Here are some easy ways for you to impress your classmates or teachers.

*    1    

Before you shake hands with somebody, make sure that your hands are clean. The hand-shake should not be too strong or weak. Most people use their right hands, unless they have a reason to use the left.     2    

*Be on time

When meeting someone for the first time, arriving on time is as important as breathing. You may have an excuse, but that will leave the person who hardly knows you with a bad impression.     3     It’s better to be hanging around the place than be stuck in traffic.

*Introduce yourself and ask for names

Make sure you properly introduce yourself. Ask for their name in a polite way.     4    . This will increase the chances of their remembering your name in the future. Always remember to stand up when greeting someone and be sure to introduce them to anyone you’re with.

*Make good conversation

To get the most out of your discussion, try to find something common between the two of you.     5    . A person will feel more comfortable with someone they can relate to（产生共鸣）.

2 . It was Jennifer Williams’ mother who got her interested in books. As a librarian, Williams’ mother read to her three children every day. “From when we hadn’t gone to kindergarten,” Williams told vadogwood.com, a local news site, “until we went to college.”

When Williams, who is now 54, became an elementary school teacher and tutor in Danville, Virginia, she wanted her students to be falling in love with reading just as she had. But early on, she realized that some kids had little chance to get enough books to read.

To Williams, the solution was simple: give kids books. In 2017, she donated (捐赠) 900 used children’s books over three days. “I wanted to do something that’s going to continue my faith,” she said.

So she started a new project for herself: give away one million books. It sounds like an unreachable number, but as Williams posted on Facebook: “Don’t complain in the stand if you aren’t willing to work hard out on the field.”

She got to work, first by persuading her friends to donate books or money to buy books. Before long, as news of Williams’ project spread, strangers started leaving varieties of books on her front walk way. As quickly as the books came in, Williams gave them to local schools—free of charge —and also supplied 41,000 books to little free libraries around the city just over the North Carolina border. She also hosted a book club for prisoners in the local prison.

Over the four years she’s been doing all this. The Book Lady, as Williams has come to be celebrated, has given away more than 78,000 books—only 922,000 more to reach her goal! And she’s not slowing down. “Reading can take you anywhere,” she told CNN. “You can travel in time and space. If you can read, you can learn almost anything.”

How are you doing? I am now working like a student editor of my school’s English website and in charge of a new column calling After-school Life. It reports diversity after-school events and activities from home and abroad broaden students’ horizons. I wondered if you could do me a favor and record some of your after-school events. If be possible, please send me some picture and videos about your thrilling activities. The more, the better, of course! By a way, do you have time to visit your website www. hongxinghighschool. com? I would appreciate it if you can tell me that you think of it. Thanks a lot!

6 . Last week, I wrote about how I had no idea how important the social aspect of my life was until the pandemic(疫情)hit．That made me_________ just how much I valued my face-to- face conversations and _________ with my friends. It also hurt that our annual _________ to Europe and other countries was gone. We’ve_________ so many wonderful people and made so many new friends on those trips as well.

Most of us take too much for granted and aren’t as _________ as we should be for what we have. But when one of those great things in our lives is suddenly_________ ,we certainly notice how much we _________ those things when they are gone.

Something I took for granted was my _________ long walk. I have given myself a minimum _________ of 20,000 steps a day. I use a super great __________ my wife gave me, a Fitbit, which __________ each step I take and gives me weekly__________. That little device has helped me stay fit, even now as the __________ age of 80 approaches.

Last week, I had a fall and hit my right knee so hard that I could __________ walk for many days. That is when it __________ me that I’ve taken the __________ to walk without pain totally for granted. I think all of us should take time to __________ all the great things in our lives that we are just taking for granted. I__________ now, that all of us consider making a list of that kind so we have time to enjoy and appreciate what we have while we have it. Doing so has the potential to make us more __________ as we begin to truly __________ all the great things we have in our lives.

7 . Pilates (普拉提), yoga and the running machine get all the attention when it comes to popular ways to keep fit. There is, however, a more humble exercise that might not be so attractive, but has all the benefits—walking.

Certified fitness professional Jolynn Jaekel explains, "What I love about walking is that anyone can do it at any age and any fitness level. Plus it is good for your heart, your head and your wallet.”

A recent report detailed the health benefits of walking. The report found that walking regularly to fulfill (执行,履行) the 150 minutes of moderate (适度的) physical exercise every week, recommended by the UK's chief medical officer, could save 37, 000 lives each year.

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California found that quick walking reduced the risk of heart disease more effectively than running. They observed participants aged between 18 and 80 over a six-year period and found that walking reduced the risk of heart disease by 9.3%, while running reduced it by 4. 5%. And there is even more good news: 30 minutes of quick walking over five days could help you sleep easily, according to research by Oregon State University. The study by the university showed that walking helped participants sleep better and feel more alert during the day.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll notice the differences in your mind and body. So, go out for your 30-minute walk in a nearby park or green space.

Of all the precious gift I have received in my life, I value a mask from a stranger more.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, people are requiring to wear masks on buses in China. Therefore, I forgot to wear one on the day that I had a vital exam. As I was stopped by the bus driver, I realized that I will be late for the exam. I nearly burst into tears while an old woman next to me handed me a mask, and she told me not worry. Thanks to the precious gift, I finally attended that exam in the time.

The mask represents not only Chinese people's determination to prevent and control the epidemic, but our great qualities of helping each other and get over all the difficulties we may face together.