A blog can be a very effective way of spreading the words about yourself, and your other writing. It can _ your knowledge, and create an ongoing relationship with your readers. A good blog is more than just a marketing tool; it's also an expression of your personality. An obvious starting point is to post samples of your work that not only show off your skills and writing ability but also leave people wanting more. Post elections from the most exciting parts of your stories but end them just as the action reaches its peak. If you write nonfiction  , show people what they could achieve, and give them a few steps to get them started. Give tips, information and advice about the subjects you cover. For example, something about struggling with difficulty and many other issues like this. Your writing tips can also be included, as well as interesting, strange or funny things you discovered during your research. Whenever you contact an expert, ask if he or she has any interesting stories you could use. You many also give background information about your stories and locations Give details of coming posts on your blog, so people can watch out for you, or come and meet you. Personal news will help people feel better connected to you Include photos of objects and locations in your writing, famous people you meet, the views from your window, and your favorite things - with a note about where they came from and what they mean to you. Look out for things that will help your readers get to know you better, know the subject better, or anything else you think they might find useful, inspiring or entertaining. If you only occasionally post things on your blog, people have a tendency to forget you. As a writer you shouldn't ever run out of interesting materials to fill your blog with --and your readers will love you for it. You'd better blog about   _  . A) the difficulties of your position to readers B) the entertaining stories you have C) advice about your readers' subjects D) masterpieces from famous writers
B

When I was 12, all I wanted was a signet   ring. They were the "in" thing and it seemed every girl except me had one. On my 13th birthday, my Mum gave me a signet ring with my initials  carved into it. I was in heaven.    What made it even more special was that it was about the only thing that wasn't being "replaced". We'd been burnt out in fires that swept through our area earlier that year and had lost everything--so most of the " new" stuff   we got was really just to replace what we'd lost. But not my ring. My ring was new.www.ks5u.com    Then, only one month later, I lost it. I took it off before bed and it was missing in the morning. I was sad and searched everywhere for it. But it seemed to have disappeared. Eventually, I gave up and stopped looking for it. And two years later, we sold the house and moved away.    Years passed, and a couple of moves later, I was visiting my parents' when Mum told me that she had something for me. It wasn't my birthday, nor was it Easter or Christmas or any other gift-giving occasion. Mum noticed my questioning look. " You'll recognize this one," she said, smiling.    Then she handed me a small ring box. I took it from her and opened it to find my beautiful signet ring inside.     The family who had bought our house 13 years earlier had recently decided to do some redecorations, which included replacing the carpets. When they pulled the carpet up in my old bedroom, they found the ring. As it had my initials carved into it, they realized who owned the ring. They'd had it professionally cleaned up by a jeweler before sending it to my mother.     And it still fits me. When she got the ring back, the writer was about   _  . A) 13 years old B) 15 years old C) 26 years old D) 28 years old
D

The tough economy is bringing new shoppers to the secondhand market. Plato's Closet in Chaelotte, NC is a private company, which mainly buys and sells used clothes. While Charlotte has outstanding secondhand stores offering high-end and graceful brands for women, most of their stock applies to adults. Plato's closet targets teens and those in their 20s. Plato's Closet , with stores in Matthews and the university area, sells clothes and accessories  that are currently popular at about one third the retail prices . The two hottest brands, for buying and selling, are Hollister and Abercrombie &Fitch. Even though the offerings tend to be suitable for young people, there are a variety of shoppers at Plato's Closet of varying ages. Women in their 30s, 40s, and older could easily find a purse, jacket or piece of jewelry they like. If you are selling Unlike higher-end resale stores which usually work on consignment ,Plato's Closet buys on the spot. Items can be gently used, but must be in very good condition. Clothes should be less than two years old and styles should be the same as those still being sold at the shopping center. There is no negotiation; prices are set company-wide. If what you sell amounts to $30 or less, they'll give you cash. More than that, you'll get a Visa cash card. Secondhand success Don't get discouraged if you can't find something on your first trip. Resale shops are always getting new lists of goods and change their styles with each season. Be sure to check each piece carefully before buying. Price comparison Jackets: New York & Company black blazer, $12; retail: $37 Pants: Express Editor-style pants, $12; retail: $69.90. Shoes: Nine West black peep-toe pumps, $12; retail: $89. Jewelry: Necklaces, $3-$5; retail: $18-$30. In Plato's Closet, which of the following is not accepted? A) Items you sell must be in very good condition. B) You can negotiate with buyers about prices of goods. C) The clothes you sell should be less than two years old. D) You can sell your goods on the spot instead of on consignment.
B

The journey two naval   officers made some time ago to the very deepest point on the earth makes us realize how much of the world still remains to be explored. The two men went down seven miles to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean inside a small steel ball called a "bathyscaphe"   to find out if there are any ocean currents or sings of life.  It was necessary to set out early, so that the "bathyscaphe" would come to the surface in daylight, and so be easily found by the mother ship which would be waiting for it. The drivers began preparations at dawn and soon afterwards, when all was ready, the steel ball disappeared under the surface of the water.  In time, the temperature dropped to freezing-point and the men trembled   inside the ball. They kept in touch with the mother ship by telephone describing how they felt. Then, at a depth of 3,000 feet, the men were surprised by a sudden, loud noise, even the smallest hole in the ball would have meant instant  death. Luckily, though, it was only one of the outer windows that had broken. Soon afterwards, the "bathyscaphe" touched the soft ocean floor raising a big cloud of "dust" made up of different kinds of small, dead sea animals. Here, powerful lights lit up the dark water and the men were surprised to see fish swimming just above them quite uncontrolled by the very large water-pressure. But they did not dare to leave the lights on for long, as the heat from them made the water boil. Quite unexpectedly, the telephone began working again and the weak but clear voices of the officers wre heard on the mother ship. After a stay of thirty minutes the men began their journey up, arriving three hours later,  _ . What did the officers find out at the bottom of the sea? A) Different dead sea animals . B) Signs of life. C) Nothing but a big cloud D) Only dust.

B