Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Wash and scrub the cantaloupe. Scoop out the seeds. Serve the wedges on the rind.

Answer: Place the cantaloupe under running water and use a vegetable brush to scrub the entire surface. Because these melons grow on the ground, they do sometimes carry food-borne pathogens like salmonella, so washing is very important. Place the melon halves so the cut sides are facing upward. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds from the center of each half. Take care to remove as little fruit with the seeds as possible, because that's where you'll find the juiciest and sweetest flesh. Once the wedges are cut, you can serve them as is to be eaten as hand-held snacks. To eat cantaloupe like this, hold a wedge by the rind and eat the fruit from the rind by taking small bites. Don't eat the greenish flesh touching the rind. Discard the rind when there's no orange fruit left on it.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Place a couple of potted plants in your dorm. Add a small lamp for light and style. Purchase a couple of floor cushions or beanbag chairs.

Answer: Small potted plants will add a natural look to your dorm room. They take up little space, and are simple to care for. If you anticipate having little time to care for and water plants, look into purchasing succulents (including cacti). These plants are easy to care for, require little water, and can thrive in most kinds of light. Look for small potted plants at a local plant nursery or gardening center. This is a practical decoration as well as an aesthetic one. If you plan to do a lot of homework in your room, you'll need a lamp to help you see by. Add a small lamp on your desk, or invest in a larger floor-lamp to provide light for the whole dorm room. Lamps come in many different styles and shapes. Look for lamps to purchase at a nearby furniture store, office-supply store, or general retail stores like Target or Walmart. If you're short on space in your dorm but would still like to have seating to entertain friends, consider adding a beanbag chair. You can also find large-sized floor cushions, which take up less room than the beanbag chairs but still provide seating space. You may be able to find floor cushions or beanbag chairs at your university bookstore. If you have a cohesive color theme to your dorm, colored beanbag chairs or floor cushions can help reinforce the colors.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Get a knife and crayon. Glide the knife on the tip of the crayon, going back and forth.

Answer: The knife doesn't have to be super sharp -- a butter knife will do. Be careful not to hurt yourself! Cutting from the base of the crayon to the tip is easiest, though you can also try working from side to side.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Pay attention to their listening skills. Notice empathy. Pay attention to courtesy and conscientiousness. Assess how they talk about others. Notice how they work and get along with others.

Answer:
A person who is truly emotionally intelligent will be an adept listener. Rather than dominating the conversation, cutting people off, or constantly interjecting, you will note that they are thoughtfully engaged in listening to the other person. Often times, they will summarize what the person has just said to them to signal that they understand and hear them. You might hear them say things like "so what I'm hearing is that it's not the job that you don't like, it's the miscommunication from the staff that bothers you." They will also be able to manage any intense emotions that they might feel so that they can communicate clearly. Emotionally intelligent people are typically also highly empathetic. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. A person who is empathetic is likely to ask a lot of questions and display curiosity and genuine concern when someone is upset or having an issue. You will likely see them consoling others when they are crying. People often go to them when they are having an issue and want support. Notice the people in your circle whom others tend to flock to. Another testament of those with EI is being gracious and thoughtful. This can be evidenced through both physical actions and verbal responses. For instance, the person who regularly leaves their trash for others to clean up is likely not emotionally intelligent. Likewise, the person who constantly talks about how great their significant other is with a coworker who is undergoing a divorce is likely not EI. Someone who is EI will also have good boundaries. They will not try to impose themselves emotionally on other people and they will not take advantage of other people. A person with EI will steer away from gossip and speaking negatively about others, unless necessary. If you regularly hear them bashing others or notice that they tend to be in the middle of drama, then this person is likely not emotionally intelligent. EI people tend to be very honest but not unnecessarily blunt. Though they will not bash someone, they are also not ignorant to the shortcomings or negative qualities of others. If you work with this person, you can easily assess how much of a team player they are. Reflect on the times that you have had to complete projects with them and whether or not it was a smooth process. Note also how well they kept their promises related to deadlines. Note whether they bicker with others or manage to keep the peace. Note how they deal with change. People who are EI are also more adaptable to change. They will not complain, balk, or refuse to adapt. They will recognize other people's perspectives and reasons for change.