Nowadays with the development of the economy, our life is becoming easier and easier in many ways. We can drive a car to travel to and from work. We can save a lot of time, shopping online instead of going to stores. Besides, the elevator is widely used in our daily life. 【小题1】 The elevator safety troubles us from time to time. Here are several ways for you to help you use the elevator safely.

【小题2】

Before stepping on the elevator, you should check your and your children's clothing for the loose parts, such as shoelaces（鞋带）and gloves, which can be trapped in the moving parts.

Mind your position.

【小题3】 Tell your children not to lean on the handrail（扶手）, which can slow down the elevator and may make other people lose their balance. You should stand on the right instead of on the left, which is convenient for some people who are anxious to go downwards or upwards.

Locate the emergency stop button.

【小题4】 The button may be near the bottom, but sometimes alongside the stairs. If the elevator breaks down, it is helpful for you to stop the elevator.【小题5】

Reducing Test Anxiety

Test anxiety arises when a student excessively worries about doing badly in a test. This can become a major hindrance (造成妨碍的事物) to test performance and cause extreme nervousness and memory problems among other symptoms. 【小题1】

Think positively. Scientific research has shown that our expectations can affect our performance. 【小题2】However, if you expect that you’ll do poorly, studying may not be enough to help you perform well. Therefore, it is a wise choice to think positively.

【小题3】 Fear releases adrenaline (肾上腺素) , preparing the body to deal with danger. Your heart rate and breathing speed up and you may feel shaky, sweaty, or dizzy. Anything you can do to reduce these physical reactions will help you think more clearly and feel more confident.

Eat before the test. Don’t skip breakfast to study. 【小题4】 Choose protein-filled snacks and avoid sugar, which can give you quick energy that may run out in the middle of the test. Eat something even if you feel sick—try crackers or toast to settle your stomach. Avoid caffeine and energy drinks, which can increase anxiety.

Get a good night’s sleep before the test. Studies have shown that you will do well in the test if you get enough sleep. 【小题5】 If the test is later in the day or the evening, or if you just couldn’t get a full night’s sleep, take a nap. Research has shown that a short nap—less than an hour—can improve alertness, memory, creativity,  productivity, and moods, and can decrease stress.

   After the age of 25， the number of friendships we maintain begins to fall. 【小题1】

Learn to identify opportunities.

“We let chances to make friends pass us by every day，” says Kate Leaver in her book The Friendship Cure.  【小题2】“Instead of forcing a little small talk with your kind neighbours，” she says， “ask them in for a cuppa and get to know them. ” 

 【小题3】

Joining a group， club or class is an effective way to meet people. “Teaming up for a shared activity，project or goal is an experience that can promote bonding and closer connections，” says therapist Miriam Kirmayer. Pursue a challenge or skill you are interested in， because then you will have a good time and feel more at ease in starting a conversation.

Allow yourself to be vulnerable（脆弱的）.

 【小题4】 What if your offers are rejected? Leaver and Kirmayer say that a degree of vulnerability is needed in trying to start friendships. Keeping to yourself isn’t going to help you. Sharing recommendations or letting others in on plans， says Kirmayer， is a simple way to share， which will help build closeness and trust.

Don't put too much pressure on it.

As we age， our friendships change. According to a 2016 study， we hit our peak number of friendships at the age of 25. 【小题5】 clinical psychologist Linda Blair advises not putting too much pressure on any new connections and not expecting too much from one person.

Planning is good as it decides in details how we do what we want to do it. However, a plan bears no fruit without being actual carried out. My experience in the English speech contest last month was a case in point. A month before the event, I spent hours work out a schedule with my goals and practical steps. After that, I set out read widely for an inspired topic , wrote a speech, and practised my pronunciation with good public speech skills. I finally stood out as a first prize winner. I know why I achieved my success. It came from good planning but better practice.

How to Speak in Public

Many people have a fear of public speaking. They worry that they will lose their words，bore the audience or somehow make a fool of themselves. It is easy to try to avoid public speaking，but that usually doesn't work out. Everyone has to speak publicly at some point in their life. You may give a speech in a class or a meeting. Maybe you'll have to give a speech for some honor you've received. 【小题1】

Relax. 【小题2】 Your audience don't expect you to be perfect. They want you to succeed just as much as you do. If you're thinking you'll forget everything，remind yourself that you are prepared and knowledgeable. Imagine yourself doing well.

Be yourself. You are not Jack Canfield or Tony Robbins. Share your true personality with your audience，and they'll find you reliable. 【小题3】

Know your topic. Try to speak about the subject you know well. Research the topic to make sure that you are correct. Public speaking is easier when you don't feel like a fraud（骗子）.

【小题4】 Choose your message for the group you are speaking to carefully. If you' re giving a public speech, then rude jokes certainly won't be suitable.

Give value. Base your speech on 2 or 3 main points. 【小题5】 They' ll be satisfied if they leave with something they can use, and that is what public speaking is all about.