Keeping good records

Everything’s easier if you’re organized.

“Running a house is a lot like running a business,” says Stephanie Denton, an expert organize r in Cincinnati. Ohio. To get a successful control of organizing papers, bills, and other materials, Denton suggests the following tips:

Create a place in which you can always do your paperwork. This is perhaps the most important point of a successful system. If you can’t devote an entire desk to the task ,at least buy a file cart to store active paperwork and a two drawer file cabinet（橱柜）for family records. Store the rolling file cart wherever it is most convenient and comfortable to do your work, whether that is the kitchen, office, or family room.

When in doubt, throw it out. The first step to operating a workable filing system is to remove paper you don’t use, don’t need, or that you could easily access again elsewhere. Throw out old lists, and all of the mailings or offerings you’ll never have a chance to use or even read.

Set aside two days a month to pay bills. If a monthly due date doesn’t fit into your cycle, call up  the bank or company that you owe money to and suggest a more convenient date. Keep two folders at front of your system for present bills (one to each bill-paying day) and file all incoming bills. Keep a list in the front of each folder of what needs to be paid in case the bill never arrives or gets misplaced.

Think of your filing system not as a rigid tool, but as a living, breathing system that can vary to fit your changing needs. A good filing system is both mentally and physically adaptable. Everyone’s needs are different, says Denton, but when designing a filing system, ask yourself: “Where would I look for this?” Create main headings for your filing system, such as Investments(投资), Taxes, Children, and so on, and file separate folders under the main headings. Never fill your files with too many things.

1．Which of the following tips does authors give?

       A．Removing some papers unless you are in doubt.

       B．Creating main headings for each paper.

       C．Keeping all incoming bills in a folder.

       D．Buying a file cart for storing all files.

2．In the passage, the author clearly wants to help people           .

       A．try to make file cabinets tidy and clean

       B．carry out an effective filing system

       C．know the tips of running their business

       D．learn to deal with the materials successfully

3．The underlined word in the last paragraph means          .

       A．Fixed                  B．Active                 C．Special                D．Useless

4．Among the following main headings, you will probably fine “Kindergarten records” under      .

       A．Investments.    B．Taxes.      C．Children.   D．Folders.