Many students ask for advice about improving their English. There are three basic questions.
The first question is about real English. Li Hao from Hubei wrote, “I enjoy watching English films and listening to real English songs. But it takes a long time. What do you think?”
This is a great way to learn English! Talk about the film or song with your friends, and guess the meaning of the new words. Just enjoy yourself!
The second question is about speaking. Sam, from Suzhou wrote, “Our school has a foreign teacher. But I’m shy and can’t speak to her. What should I do?”
When I visit China, lots of people in the street say, “Hello! How are you? Where are you from? Do you like China?” These are good questions to start a conversation. Many people are shy when they speak English, so before you begin, take a deep breath and smile! Smiling always helps.
The third question is about vocabulary. Olive, from Anhui wrote, “I want to remember all the new words. I wrote them down, but I forget them quickly. What should I do?”
Try to remember eight or nine words a day. Write them on pieces of paper and place them in your bedroom. Say the words when you see them, and change them every day. And when you’re shopping, how about counting the English words, or saying the English names for everything you see?
【小题1】How many basic questions do the students often ask?

For us students who are studying at school, the time of exams is very stressful and difficult. Some people find exam times so bad that they become ill, because they
are afraid of failing; they are afraid of letting their parents and family down. If exams are really making you ill or worried, don’t hide your feelings. Talk to someone about it. Maybe you can speak to a friend, or someone in your family, or teachers at your place of study. If one person doesn’t help you, ask someone else.
How to get through exams? Here are some①         （建议）：
Ask a teacher or tutor about how to review your lessons, and exam skills-how to work when you are in an exam.
Take short rests during your time of work. If your mind is tired, it will not remember well.
Plan your work: study at times when you know you will work at your best.
Get enough sleep, and eat ②         （健康）food.
You need exercise to work well. Walk, run, play sports-whatever you enjoy.
Stop thinking about the future and failing.
If you feel ill, talk to someone about your worries. But don’t be too relaxed!③Some stress over exams makes you work hard for them.
If it upsets you to talk to your friends about an exam when it is finished, don’t do it! In fact, don’t even think about the exam you have finished. What is done is done. ④ 你不能改变你已经写的东西！
To this advice, we could add:
If you are studying in the evening, don’t go straight to bed. Your mind will still be“going round and round”-thinking too much. Do something else, maybe walk or get exercise. Choose something that will relax you, and make you think of other things.
【小题1】Why do some students hate exams?
                                                                          
【小题2】在①处和②处填上恰当的单词。
①                                 ②                       
【小题3】将文中划线的句子③译成汉语。
                                                                       
【小题4】将短文中划线的句子④译成英语。（每空0.5分，共2分）
You                              what you                               .
【小题5】请给短文拟一个适当的标题。（2分）