1 . If you feel discouraged because of your plain looking, here are some practical ways that you can rethink about your own appearance self-esteem(自尊).

Throw away conventional, media-defined ideas of beauty.     1    , but you can change your own. Don’t focus on the beauty you see in ads but, instead, on the beauty you see in the real-life people you admire.

Define yourself in ways other than how you look. Make your self-esteem based on your inner, not outer qualities. Focus on what you like about your abilities, personality and perspective on the world. These almost always show improvement over time.     2    .

    3    . Be concerned about your body’s shape; be concerned about how your body functions are. Engage in enough exercise and sensible eating to get in shape, but not to the point of trying to force yourself to follow the image of a fashion model.

Use others as a sounding board. You may think your nose is huge, but those who care about you may find the very features that bother you the most lovely. If you’re feeling that you “look funny” or “fat”, ask your nearest and dearest.     4    , saying that you don’t need all that makeup or shapewear to be the person they love.

To sum up, changing our society’s views of attractiveness won’t be easy.     5    , and you will eventually define your identity in terms that allow you to gain fulfillment that lasts.

A．Focus on keeping healthy

B．Be concerned about how you feel inside

C．They may, surprisingly, give supporting ideas

D．Shifts in our viewpoint can make no difference

E．So work your way through the tips listed above

F．You’re not going to change society’s definition of beauty

G．And they are often more changeable than facial or bodily features

2 . Five Ways to Find Your Passion

●Cultivate (培养) more self-awareness.

When you know yourself, you know your passions. Self-awareness is an important step to figuring out your passion. Ask yourself the following questions in order to figure out patterns or themes that could lead you to your passion: What kinds of things bring me joy? How do I feel when I do those activities?     1    ? What are my strengths?

●Make a vision board.

Making a vision board anytime you’re looking to change something in your life is a powerful way to paint a picture of what you want.     2    . Even if you are not certain about the passions you’d want to put on the board, you can create a personal vision statement for the board (i. e., I live out my passions or My life is full of what I’m passionate about), which will help guide you to find your passion.

●    3    

If you’re operating the same way every day and finding you’re not able to discover your passion, something clearly needs to change! In this case, you may need to explore new areas. You may want to step outside of your comfort zone. You may find some new inspiration.

●Notice what inspires you.

Speaking of inspiration, pay attention to anything and everything in your life that sparks something in you. Spend two whole days writing down all the big and small things that inspire you, and after those two days, you can start to notice common themes and patterns.     4    .

●Practice mindfulness (正念).

Mindfulness involves the process of slowing down and noticing things (particularly your own thoughts and behaviour) with more conscious (有意识的) awareness.     5    . We often already know what we’re passionate about and just need to get in contact with our inner selves to bring it to the forefront.

A．Get out of your comfort zone

B．What are my values and beliefs

C．Finding your passion is no exception

D．Reach out to people with similar interests

E．These are indicators of what your true passion is

F．A mindfulness practice helps us follow our inner feelings

G．Here are several tips to help you get started with mindfulness

3 . The demands of today's busy schedules have driven us indoors, where we now spend almost 90 percent of our time commuting（通勤）, at work, and inside our homes. This modern way of living disconnects us from the outdoors and from the natural light and fresh air we all require to be healthy.     1    

Marvin Skycove: A Cozy Nook Like No Other

Marvin Skycove is a glass structure that projects into the open air, enhancing connections with the outdoors. Skycove creates a smart extension of usable space, opens a room to panoramic（全景的）views, and allows in restorative light from four directions.     2     And while Skycove is a fantastic way to use light and views, imagine yourself sitting in this space on a starry night or during a summer rain shower.

Marvin Signature Modern: Windows and Doors that Play Nice

Combining large windows and doors to create large glass walls is a great way to complement a modern design and truly blur（模糊）the boundaries between indoors and out.     3     The Marvin Signature Modern line was created to solve these very problems. Marvin Modern windows and doors are engineered to work as part of a high-performing, unified system.

Bi-Fold Windows: Not Just for Restaurants Anymore

    4     Like their bigger cousins, bi-fold windows can virtually pull a room outdoors. These types of windows have been used commercially for many years in restaurants and bars, but they're now finding their way into our homes.

Marvin Has Well-Being in Mind

At Marvin, well-being is our guidepost.     5     We try hard to find new ways to thoughtfully bring light and fresh air into every inch of a building. We purposefully marry our 100 years of industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach to deliver people-first products inspired to help people feel happier and live better in their homes.

A．But doing so can result in poor performance and may create odd feelings.

B．Bi-fold windows are often found between doorways and outdoor living space.

C．Our windows and doors are designed to help people feel balanced and healthy.

D．This glowing（发光的）setting creates a calming space to enjoy a coffee or a book.

E．When Bi-fold doors open, the panels are folded, leaving the whole space wide open.

F．It was designed to allow people to effortlessly create a personalized atmosphere inside.

G．Here are some products that are designed to connect our indoor space to the outside world.

4 . One of the keys to doing well in school is staying positive. Positivity will make you feel better and give you some good attitudes to be more productive with your schoolwork. By staying positive, you can do well in your classes and earn the grades you want.

Be optimistic about school

    1     Instead, try to be positive about what you feel good about and are looking forward to in the future. You can create a list of things you are grateful for or write down one thing every day that you are looking forward to. These can help you appreciate the future and what it has to offer.

    2    

Sometimes taking the focus off yourself can help you to be more optimistic. Help make others feel better and often you’ll feel better as well. Try to share any encouraging thoughts if you have them. Then, you can give small, thoughtful gifts to your friends. People appreciate it when others are thinking of them. Even you can buy a coffee for your friend.     3    

Take feedback(反馈) positively

Though it may sometimes be difficult, it’s important to not get down when teachers offer you feedback. Take what they say and learn how to apply it to be better in the future. When you get any potentially negative feedback, you can take a deep breath. Take a minute to calm down your first response before you react. Be thankful for feedback.     4     Consider it as an opportunity to improve yourself.

Be around positive people when you’re at school

Positive friends can make you feel better about yourself.     5     Negative people can often waste your energy, especially in difficult environments like school. Pay attention to how you feel around people. Positive people should make you feel energetic and excited about the future.

A．Encourage other students.

B．Take advantage of extra help.

C．Don’t get tense by being too impatient.

D．Thank your teacher for giving you feedback.

E．It can encourage them to stay positive at school.

F．Make sure not to focus on the negative in every situation.

G．Seek out friends that are optimistic and positive about their lives.

5 . Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude and affection for the incredible women who have shaped our lives, whether that’s your mum, your grandma, your friend or whoever else you’d like to celebrate.     1     But figuring out what to say can be tough! Wondering what to write in your Mother’s Day card that could possibly capture your love for your mum?     2    

Expressing gratitude and appreciation

Start with a classic expression of gratitude. Thank your mother for her unwavering love, support, and the countless sacrifices she’s made.     3     Highlight specific memories or actions that showcase your mother’s love and care. Whether it’s her comforting words during challenging times or the delicious meals she prepares, acknowledging these small but significant gestures adds a personal touch.

Affectionate closing

    4     Common phrases like “With all my love,” or “Forever grateful” reinforce the depth of your feelings. After you’ve finished crafting your masterpiece of a Mother’s Day card message, sign it with a flourish! A personal touch, such as a heart or a smiley face, adds an extra layer of authenticity to your message.

A Mother’s Day card is a chance to convey the love and appreciation you feel for the remarkable women in your life.     5     Whether your style is poetic, humorous, or emotional, the key is to be sincere and genuine. As you put down your feelings into words, remember that the most meaningful messages come from the heart, creating a lasting keepsake (纪念品) that your mother will treasure for years to come.

A．Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing!

B．There are countless ways to create a heartfelt message.

C．Express your excitement about creating more memories together.

D．End your message with warm and affectionate closing expressions.

E．If you have plans for the day or future adventures, mention them in your card.

F．A simple “Thank you for everything you do” sets a warm and appreciative tone.

G．While selecting the perfect Mother’s Day card is important, the affections written inside hold even greater significance.

6 . How to Have a Better Conversation on Social Media

You’re not alone if you find social media to be both a space for staying informed and a space full of hate and disagreement. These days, that is the landscape we log into and struggle in.     1    .

Don’t voice opinions on everything

Too much information is like an “Everything Storm” for us to absorb and respond. Thus, it’s OK — and normal — that there are some topics we know more about and others we know almost nothing about.     2    . By focusing on just one or two topics and leaning on our own personal experience, rather than unclear references online, we can escape the storm or at least. grab an umbrella as it strikes.

Find a place to fully express ourselves

    3    . However, sometimes our thoughts are too messy or complicated to express in a bite-size package. Move to modes of communication that allow us to fully express ourselves without limits. Talking on the phone or in person may not always be possible. Try taking conversations to direct messages.

Stop competing for “likes”

The internet has become an arena (竞技场), where we all compete, for “likes”. We use emojis to cheer and boo (发出嘘声). Often the supposed winner of a debate is who-gets the most “likes.” This can be entertaining, yet it blocks the forming of genuine connections with people.     4    . Find a place far away from the audience, where we are not judged and scored instantly for what we say.

Accept differences

It’s sad but true: many of us act differently online than we would in real life, and often see anyone who disagrees as a “troll” (网络怪物).     5     Remember we’re speaking with someone whose feelings and experiences have shaped their opinions. Approach people online with compassion, and we’re on the way to opening doors to new understandings.

A．Exit the battlefield

B．Remove this word from our vocabulary

C．It is wise to limit our comments to the former

D．Many social platforms enforce strict word limits

E．Luckily, we can still survive with some strategies

F．Briefing your message in a reply will get you more connections

G．Our online feelings can be described as “entertaining” and “connecting”

7 . When you have negative (消极的) emotions and physical symptoms (症状) like stress and anxiety over a long period of time, to the point that it affects your everyday life, you may be experiencing sadness.     1    , like losing a job or having to plan a big event. The good news is that there are ways to prevent feelings of discomfort from changing into sadness.

    2    

If you’re feeling anxious or you’re having trouble focusing — find a way to remove it. Go outside, go to the bathroom, call a friend, or take a few deep breath. Your nervous system is being flooded with stress hormones (荷尔蒙), making it hard to calm down and see things clearly. So you need to change your environment.

Relate what happened

Go over your situation again.     3    . Do this with a friend, a family member or even yourself, by writing a diary or talking out loud while walking your dog. By doing this, you can remind yourself of details you may have paid no attention to.

Name your emotions

As you describe what happened, name your emotions.     4    . For example, instead of saying you simply feel annoyed, maybe you actually feel disappointed. You can use the feelings wheel, a tool that can help you express your emotions more accurately.

Examine what gives you discomfort

If you have terrible road rage (狂怒), have a conversation with yourself about it. You might ask yourself: Why am I so angry on the road? Is it because I am in a rush? Or is it because I hate sitting in traffic? Then, find ways to lessen the situation.     5    . To avoid traffic, ask your boss if you can work from home a couple times a week.

A．Learn new words

B．Change the situation

C．It may result from a major life challenge

D．Anger can influence your daily life greatly

E．This can help find what is giving you discomfort

F．To avoid being rushed, you can leave the house a half hour early

G．The key is that you should express your emotions more specifically

8 . Ever since I was a child, I’ve been frightened by the idea of disappointing people.     1     From preschool through my master degree years I was always the first in my class. But obviously, I’m not a genius. Sometimes, I brought home a nine out of ten grade and my parents would ask me where the other point had gone.

Of course, the explanation was simple: I’d made a mistake. But for a perfectionist, that’s a very dangerous thought, which can cause a chain of abusive self-talks. After all, that mistake was so stupid.     2    

What hides behind my perfectionism is the illusion (幻觉) of control, the idea that if I work hard and do my best, I’ll be perfect and protected,     3     Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, except me; everything is a competition, and anything I can’t win is a dead loss.

    4     It can even make you physically sick with headaches, stomachaches, muscle cramps and so. on. In some cases, it leads to self-harming behavior, such as eating disorders and addiction. The other dark side of perfectionism is that you become unable to truly appreciate your success — you only focus on what you could’ve done better.

Despite the problems, perfectionism has allowed me to complete a lot and become who I am today. “To see perfectionism as a uniquely negative thing is actually to deny a part of yourself,” said the perfectionism coach Yasmina Hajoui.     5     But that desire needs to be balanced and come from a healthy place.

A．Perfectionism is a survival mechanism.

B．There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do things well.

C．The problem is that perfectionism brings more than stress.

D．I should have studied more, worked harder and focused better.

E．In perfectionism, we tend to believe that only our achievements define us.

F．And if something isn’t perfect, that means it’s my fault and that I’m awful.

G．My solution to that anxiety was to achieve perfectionism-and mostly, it worked.

9 . Behavioral scientists have found that good listening is one of the most important things we can do to improve our relationships.     1     At its core, listening in a one-on-one conversation is about taking an interest in another person and making him/her feel understood.    2     But some recurring (重复出现) features include attentiveness, conveying understanding, and showing a positive intention towards the speaker.

In addition to actively attending to a speaker’s words, good listeners also use questions and body language that indicate their understanding and their desire to understand. This might feel awkward at first, and what’s most effective might depend on your relationship with the speaker.    3     Another great way to show your understanding is by summarizing what you just heard and asking if you have missed anything. Summaries like this show the speaker that you’re truly trying to understand him/her rather than just waiting for your turn to talk. But while a good conversation requires back and forth, planning out your response while the speaker is talking is a common way to miss what’s being said.    4     This might feel embarrassing, but asking for clarification actually shows that you’re committed to understanding.

    5     It’s okay to ask for a moment to formulate your response and taking a beat to think can help speakers reflect on their speech as well.

These might seem like small changes, but together they make a big difference. And when people feel heard, they report more satisfaction, trust, and connection in their relationships.

A．Finally, don’t be afraid of silence.

B．So, what can we do to become better listeners?

C．It’s possible to know what truly excellent listening looks like.

D．But with time and practice, you can internalize these basic behaviors

E．There’s no universally agreed-upon definition of high-quality listening.

F．Researchers have found that smiling and nodding at set intervals doesn’t quite work.

G．So try to stay present and if you lose focus, don’t be shy about asking the speaker to repeat what you missed.

10 . For most of history, people lived in small groups of up to 150 people. Then villages and small towns developed, offering safety and support through the sharing of resources. As time passed, urban living brought additional advantages such as better jobs, schools and healthcare. Larger towns also gave people more chances to meet and interact. This is important.     1    

Today, over half of the world’s population currently lives in towns and cities. But this has resulted in a strange paradox (悖论). Although social opportunities are one reason people choose to live in large cities, research suggests that city life can be lonely.     2     People from all over the world can join online communities and make virtual friends without leaving their home.

The development of virtual communities can be traced back to the 1860s. Back then, telegraph operators exchanged messages and gradually formed friendships over long distances.     3    

Later, in the 1960s, radios started to provide a means of short-distance communication and developed communities with their own unique language and usernames.

    4     Computers were not very powerful yet, so people could post messages and share news and stories but not music or photos. Still, people loved being able to make friends online and then hang out with them. As technology became more powerful, online communities for fun, education and business emerged, where people could explore a virtual 3D world, have online lessons, and even buy things with virtual money.

These days, there are thousands of virtual communities and that number keeps growing. Many people believe they will become more important.     5     Particularly, they’re concerned that posting personal information online might lead to a loss of privacy. So perhaps the future will be more like the past. People will spend most of their time in real communities.

A．This trend, however, is not likely to continue.

B．As Aristotle said, the nature of humans is to be social.

C．That may explain why virtual communities are so popular.

D．The first popular online communities developed in the 1980s.

E．Before cell phones existed, radio was an easy way to communicate.

F．Nevertheless, others worry about problems with these communities.

G．This is among the earliest examples of virtual community interactions.