Too often an inappropriate view gets around us that it is our physical conditions that make us happy or unhappy. As a consequence, physical conditions have been overstated.

__(1)_ , that is, good standard of living, high goals that we want to obtain, surrounding ourselves with a nice house, nice car, nice clothes, etc. __(2)_ . But many times once we obtain our goals and are surrounded by what we thought would make us happy, we are still unhappy.

Also on the other end of the stick, many, many people are unhappy now, because they have not obtained their goals and __(3)_ , which, consequently, adds to their dissatisfaction with life.

So this is why so many people keep themselves for most of their lives in a state of “incompleteness” and unhappiness, and this is why so many super successful people still aren’t happy. The reason is that __(4)_ . They think that the Universe should give them what they want first and then they’ll be happy. But that just puts a barrier in between them and happiness, because of the way the Universe is set up.

The message here is to understand that your desires tell you where you want to put your focus in your life, however,__(5)_ . You make yourself happy from the inside out. Not the outside in. Do not require certain conditions be met for your happiness, because it won’t work anyway.

                              Small talk isnˈt so small

Small talk may not be about serious matters; however, researchers into the subject have found that it’s important. Thatˈ s because small talk keeps us connected to one another and can lead to bigger things such as a job or a new friendship.   (1)   Here is some advice on helping you start a conversation, and keeping the  conversational ball rolling:

Start with the obvious(明显的).   (2)   For example, your job, hobbies, a person you both know, etc. If you don’ t know the person, it’s always acceptable to bring up a neutral (中性的) topic such as the weather or the recent news. It isn’t  necessary to be clever —all thatˈ s required is to show interest in the other person and to be willing to talk.

     (3)    If the other person has done something you like or is wearing something attractive, It ’s always proper to praise. But avoid talking about a person’s physical appearance.   (4)   Besides, keep your praise short and to the point and continue with another topic.

     (5)   itˈs perfectly OK to talk about your own interests for a while, but keep your conversation from becoming a monologue(独白). Itˈ s only polite, for example, that after talking about your own children, you turn the conversation back to your partner by asking about his or her children.

         With the summer holiday just around the corner, it seems like everybody is busy planning their vacations. Here are some tips that can help you enjoy your holiday without emptying your pocket:

      Travel off-season

     Go to your desired destination while the demand is low and take advantage of huge discounts. During the peak season, the hotel and flight prices increase quickly, and you’ll likely spend more of your vacation time standing in line due to the rush of tourists.   (1)  

       (2)  

        Websites can help you find discount hotel rooms. Look for places that do not charge extra for children if they use the existing bedding. Stay with the locals. If you and your family are going to stay for a longer period, renting a small apartment is a good choice.

        Eat like a local

       Why eat at big chain restaurants when you can experience something new?   (3)  

      During your family trip, try new food where the locals eat. This will not just save money, but also provide you with a new and different experience. For smaller meals and snacks, avoid restaurants and try street food or other takeout.

        Don’t hesitate to bargain

       Tourist- heavy places are known for overcharging for just about everything. Clothes, travel goodies,souvenirs, etc. are very expensive at these places.   (4)   Bargain hard to get the best price.

      Choose local transportation

        (5)   Instead, take buses, railways or subways, which are always cheaper. If you are planning to stay for a while, you can consider renting a car. Hiring a car is much easier than carrying your bags everywhere if you are moving around a lot.

What problems do you have with your study？Do you want to improve the way you study？Do you feel nervous before a test？Many students say that a lack of concentration is their biggest problem. It seriously affects their ability to study，so do their test results.　36　

Study Techniques

You should always study in the same place. You shouldnˈt sit in a position that you use for another purpose.　37　Donˈt watch TV while you are studying. Experts warn that your concentration may be reduced by 50 percent if you attempt to study in this way. Always try to have a white wall in front of you，so there is nothing to distract you. Before sitting down to study，gather together all the equipment you need. Apart from your textbooks，pens，pencils and knives，make sure you have a dictionary.

　38　Finish one thing before beginning another. If you need a break，get up and walk around for a few minutes，but try not to telephone a friend or have something to eat.

Test taking Skills

All your hard work will be for nothing if you are too nervous to take your test. Getting plenty of rest is very important. This means：do not study all night before your test！It is a better idea to have a long term study plan. Try to make a timetable for your study which lasts for a few months.

　39　Doing some form of exercise every day will also improve your concentration. Eat healthy food too.

When you arrive in the examination room，find your seat and sit down. Breathe slowly and deeply. Check the time on the clock during the test，but not too often. 40