How to Host a Successful Party
Everyone loves a party but when you’re the host, making sure the event goes as planned can be stressful. Before the big day, take some time to prepare well and you’ll have a better chance of throwing a successful party.
Pick a theme for your party. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. A loved one’s homecoming, a wedding announcement, and a block party to meet the neighbors are only a few examples of party themes.
Send out the invitations. Generally, guests should receive their invitations two weeks before the party. If a guest will be traveling a long way, the earlier they get the invitation, the better.
If you’re hosting a party at home, look at your surroundings with a critical(挑剔的) eye. Put small articles away for a clean look and add some decorations to make the room more festive.
Plan your food list and shop ahead of time. If you’re the host, you will need lots of advance notice of your menu and the number of guests you are expecting.
Double-check the details the night before the party. Do a quick walkthrough, starting at your front door, and make sure there’s an area for guests’ coats. Finally, count your serving plates and glasses to make sure there are enough.
A.Create the proper atmosphere. |
B.Dress early for the party. |
C.But it should be related to the reason for having the party. |
D.Then walk through your home and make sure everything is fine. |
E. This gives them time to schedule the event into their time frame.
F. Allow time for guest arrival before serving a meal.
G. Dishes that are prepared in advance will save you much time.
From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal. Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship.
Different cultures emphasize the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree. For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust. Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in "small talk", usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job.In many European countries — like the UK or France —
Talks and silence may also be different in some cultures. I once made a speech in Thailand.I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; The people present just stared at me and smiled.After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much. In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary.
Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems. Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; We think that they are rude. In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly.
People from different parts of the world have different values, However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other.
A.and sometimes these values are quite against each other. |
B.people from both nations keep the rule that work comes first. |
C.Meeting people from another culture can be difficult. |
D.however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly. |
E. instead there was an uncomfortable silence.
F. It is quite a common case to meet people from different cultures.
G. people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or cafes rather than at the office.
Getting your children to study can be a little like getting them to eat their vegetables.Make a study time and have it at the same time every day. This will help your kids to learn to schedule their day and will give them a sense of control over how they spend their time.
Allow them to study in blocks of time, such as for half an hour with a five-minute break in the middle. Ideal (理想的)study times are after dinner or right after school before dinner.
Never allow your children to study in front of the television, as that will encourage passive activity.You’ll also need to help your kids find the right place to study. After you’ve set up a good study time for little learners, set up a good place where they can get those creative juices flowing.
Make sure there is a table or a desk and a comfortable chair.
This includes helping them out with their homework sometimes and being there for them with the answers to any questions. The input you give your children during study periods will help form a bond and help make studying enjoyable.
A.Hold them to the schedule they create for themselves. |
B.Pick a place where your children can study properly. |
C.Keep the atmosphere light and offer lots of encouragement, too. |
D.One of the best ways to form good study habits for your kids is to design a schedule that they keep to. |
E. Try to stop this bad habit by offering some sort of reward.
F. Instead, use TV as a treat or a reward when the homework is completed.
G. Finally, spend time with your kids when they’re studying.
Even if you think that your parents are mean-spirited at times, loving your parents is a normal and fulfilling part of life. You love them for the fact that they created you, raised you, and are in part a source of who you are. Here are some ways to love your parents.
_____ A gentle “good morning” and “I love you” will warm a coldest heart. Remember that they brought you into this world. Without your parents, we might still wander at an unknown corner in an unknown world. Respect them more and cherish these moments. You can use these moments to learn from them when you're off on your own. It's OK to get angry but angry actions don't help you or your parents. Act calmly, cool off, journal about your feelings, or talk to a friend. ___
___
Obey their requests. It will make your attitude better and earn you more respect from them. It may seem like you are going through hell when you don’t get what you want or you have to clean. However, you had better remember they keep a roof over your head when it’s cold, raining, snowing, or too hot. Understand that parents are human beings and make mistakes.___ ___ Since you can forgive your friends, why not forgive your parents?
Keep company with them. Do things with your parents like watching TV, or go somewhere with them. ______ Listen to their old stories and learn from them. You will find they are your teachers in this way or another.
Some people simply may not be able to love their parents. ____ Seek help if you are being abused in any way. Parents do not have a right to harm you.
A.Forgiveness is the key. |
B.Tell them you love them every morning. |
C.Parents will in turn express their love to you. |
D.After this, share your feelings with your parents. |
E. Anyway, spend as much time with them as you can.
F. Please remember parents are as important as friends.
G. There can be realistic reasons for this, family violence for example.
I teach economics at UNLV. Last Monday, at the beginning of class, I cheerfully asked my students how their weekend had been. ________He then asked me why I always seemed to be so cheerful.
His question reminded me of something I’d read somewhere before: “Every morning when you get up, you have a choice about how you want to approach life that day,” I said.“________”
“Let me give you an example,” I continued. This university is 17 miles down the freeway from where I live. One day I only had to drive another quarter mile down the road to the college. ________I tried to start it again, but the engine wouldn’t turn over. So I put my flashers on and marched down the road to the college.”
“As soon as I got there .I arranged for a tow truck to meet me at my car after class. A teacher asked me what had happened. ‘This is my lucky day,’ I replied, smiling at her. ‘________What do you mean?’ She continued to ask. ‘I live 17 miles from here. My car could have broken down anywhere along the freeway. It didn’t. Instead, it broke down off the freeway, within walking distance of here. I’m still able to teach my class and arrange for the tow truck to meet me after class. I explained to her. ”
“Her eyes opened wide, and then she smiled. ________” So ended my story.
I scanned the sixty faces. Despite the early hour, no one seemed to be asleep. Somehow, my story had touched them. In fact, it had all started with a student’s observation that I was cheerful.
A.I choose to be cheerful. |
B.You’re your own master. |
C.But just then my car died. |
D.I smiled back and headed for class. |
E. One’s life depends on one’s attitude.
F. Your car breaks down and today is your lucky day?
G. One young man said that his weekend had not been so good.
根据短文内容, 从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项, 选项中有两项为多余选项。
Travel Manners
Every culture has its own unwritten list of behavior that is acceptable. Every society also has its taboos, or types of behavior that are considered a violation of good manners.
The word taboo comes from the Tongan language and is used in modern English to describe verbal and nonverbal behavior that is forbidden or to be avoided. They tend to be specific to a culture or country, and usually form around a group’s values and beliefs. What is considered acceptable behavior in one country may be a serious taboo in another.
Verbal taboos usually involve topics that people believe are too private to talk about publicly, or relate to one’s manner of speaking. In many cultures, for example, it is considered bad manners to discuss subjects such as sex or religion in public. In some countries, the volume of one’s voice may annoy people. For example, one of the biggest differences among many Western Asian, and African cultures is the use of eye contact. In the US, people make eye contact when they talk to others.
In many Asian and African cultures, however, children are taught to lower their eyes when talking to their elders, or those of higher rank, as a way to show respect.
Certain gestures made with the hands can have very different meanings depending on the country you are in. Crossing your middle finger over your forefinger is the sign for good luck in many western countries. Also, in some Asian countries, moving your hands a lot while talking, or ‘talking with your hands’, is considered unsuitable.
Behavior that is acceptable and non-offensive in one culture can be highly offensive in another. When visiting a foreign country, be aware of some of the basic differences, as this will help to ensure a more enjoyable trip.
A.Nonverbal taboos usually relate to body language. |
B.In Vietnam and Argentina, however, it is a rude gesture. |
C.In spite of what some people may think, taboos are not universal. |
D.Cancer is a taboo subject and people are frightened to talk openly about it. |
E.Learn a country’s customs so that you don’t hurt the local people unconsciously.
F.They might think that someone who is speaking or laughing loudly is rude or aggressive.
G.If a person avoids eye contact, others might think they are being dishonest or unconfident.