Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Knock on the frame. Turn on the speakers. Play your music. Listen at home. Return bad speakers.

Answer: Once you’ve found speakers, don’t buy them blind if you can help it. First rap your knuckles against the speakers. The speaker should feel solid and give you back a solid sound. If it sounds hollow now, it’ll sound hollow when you try using it to play your entertainment at home. If you’re buying speakers online, you can search for reviews or tests of the speakers, but to some degree you’re shopping blind. Check that all the plugs work, then listen to the sound. Stand close enough, about ear-level to the front of the speakers. Judge if the internal components give you the sound you desire. The tightness of the covering over the speaker as well as the material of the speaker cone change the sound. Listen for any distortion, fuzziness, or crackling.  If the outer enclosure is wide or loose, the sound reverberates too much inside the speaker. If the enclosure is too tight, the speaker rattles and the sound distorts.  Cones are made of varying materials such as aluminum and polypropylene and push out air to make sound. Turn the settings up to volumes and frequencies you’ll use at home in order to judge the speaker’s sound range. If possible, give the sound quality a personal test. Good test songs are ones you know well that you have available on a CD or other format where the song’s quality hasn’t been compromised. Queue up the tracks. Listen for sound quality as well as the problems, such as if the vocals and instruments sound off.  Test different features by using a variety of songs, such as ones that include a strong bass, quiet vocals, or instruments. Quality speakers may help you experience parts of the songs you’ve never heard, including small details like fingers sliding on strings or covered-up instruments. You may be able to use a music device such as an iPod, but transferring the song file to the iPod lessens the quality and doesn’t give you the most accurate speaker test. A home test puts the speakers in the environment you want. Set the speakers up where you intend on having them. Play your music, movies, TV shows, or whatever else you intend on listening to with them. This is a good time to play your music too if you didn’t do it before.  Relax. Even if the speaker seems impressive at first, stay attentive. Is this one you can listen to for a while, or does the sound quality make you want to turn it off? Test it with your amplifier if you can. Speakers and amplifiers all have their own sound characteristics. The best combinations usually come from complementary qualities. For example, a mellow sound balances a bright sound. Remember that sound quality is personal and objective. Your needs influence what speaker is right for you, so don’t let any salesperson pressure you into a decision. Before you buy the speakers, make sure the store has a friendly return policy. This is even more important if you’re shopping online, since you don’t get a chance to test the speakers in person and have to wait through shipping. Many companies will let you return the product for full price two weeks to a month after the purchase date.  Keep your receipt and original boxing on hand until you’re sure that you’re keeping the speakers. Always keep and refer to the warranty information. The warranty gives you the right to quality assurance and a refund for a faulty product. Most companies accept returns for manufacturing flaws and dissatisfaction, not damage related from installation, use, or wear and tear.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Mix the baking soda and vinegar. Apply the mixture to the tile and let it sit. Wipe the mixture off with a sponge and rinse the tile off. Dry the tile.

Answer: If you prefer an all-natural tile cleaner, add 1 cup of baking soda (180 g) to a bowl. Drizzle in just enough white vinegar to create a thick paste. It’s normal for the mixture to fizz when you combine the ingredients. Once the baking soda and vinegar mixture stops fizzing, apply it the dirty tile with a damp sponge. Allow the mixture to sit on the surface for at least 15 minutes so it has time to break down the soap scum. You may want to leave the baking soda paste on the tile for up to a half hour if the soap scum is particularly thick. After you’ve allowed the baking soda paste to sit on the tile for at least 15 minutes, wet a clean, non-abrasive sponge and wipe it away. Next, use a spray bottle filled with warm water to thoroughly rinse the tile so it’s completely clean. If there are some areas where the soap scum hasn’t come off, you can scrub them with a soft-bristled brush. When the tile is completely clean, use a clean towel or cloth to wipe down the surface. It’s important to dry the tile completely if you want to keep the surface free of soap scum and mildew.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Lean on friends and family. Read wedding-related blogs and forums. Talk to a counselor.

Answer: A good support system is vital to moving on from a broken engagement. Reach out to your closest friends and family—not just to help you dissolve the wedding plans, but to receive their love and encouragement. Being around people who love and cherish you will help your self-esteem and allow you to heal faster.  Don’t hesitate to let people know when you need to talk or just hang out so you’re not alone. If you want to talk about the relationship, consider asking your closest confidants their impressions of your ex-fiance. A large number of weddings are called off each year. Because of that, there is a range of online media to help would-be brides and grooms navigate this unfamiliar terrain. You might be feeling a bit lonely or misunderstood because your best friends or family can’t relate to your situation.  If so, browse different wedding-related blogs and forums to communicate with others who have walked in your shoes.  Look up blogs and forums on TheKnot.com, Brides.com and check out the blog A Practical Wedding for support and advice. If you were blindsided by your broken engagement or if you can’t come to terms with your relationship ending, seeing a professional counselor may help. This person can help you find closure about your broken engagement and create a strategy for you to reengage with your life and your dreams. Ask your family doctor for suggestions of counselors in your area or check the local listings on PsychologyToday.com.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Look approachable Introduce yourself to people you don’t know. Ask questions to get to know people better. Talk to new people as they arrive. Find ways to connect with people. Move around the room.

Answer:
. If people are avoiding you or not coming up to talk to you, assess your body language. Notice if you’re crossing your body and try to uncross your arms and legs. If you’re looking down (or on your phone), look up and try to make eye contact with other people. Smile and look friendly.  If you appear open and friendly, people are more likely to approach you. Stand near the action of the room. If you're standing far from the crowd, it may be harder for people to approach you. Find someone you don’t know and introduce yourself. Keep it simple and don’t overthink it. Once you know each other’s names, you can start a conversation or find things you have in common. For example, go up to someone and say, “Hi, I’m Liv. What’s your name?” Asking questions shows that you’re interested and engaged in conversation. Make a point to ask open-ended questions so that the person can elaborate on their answers and build on the conversation. You’ll get to know each other better and keep the conversation going. Ask questions such as, “How did you end up in Los Angeles?” and, “What kinds of things do you do for fun?” Meeting new people is easy if you’re the first person they interact with once they get to the party. If you notice somebody new show up, go up to them and introduce yourself. If there’s food at the party, offer to get them a drink or show them the food table. If you and the person are of age to drink alcohol, offer them a drink. Search for things about someone else you can connect with. You might find someone who attends the same school or university as you, is from your hometown, or is wearing a similar shirt. You have more things in common with most people than you might think. Comment on what you have in common. For example, say, “I like your shirt! I have the same one.” Avoid staying in the same place all night. Get in the habit of moving around and seeing the room from different vantage points. This will help you observe what other people are doing and if you want to meet other interesting people present at the party. Moving can help you seem alluring to others and might keep people guessing. Aim to move every 10-15 minutes or so.