The precept of abstaining from the destruction of life.

I tend to feel that this precept is fairly straightforward. Don't kill people, or animals, needlessly. I suppose that my opinion may differ from others in that I'm not a pacifist - we have a duty to keep from contributing to the destruction of the lives of others through inaction, as well as through action.

The precept of abstaining from taking that which is not given

This is the basic 'Don't Steal' precept. Of course, this applies to things owned by someone else. Apples in random trees are still good to go. If you wouldn't want someone else taking your stuff, don't take theirs.

The precept of abstaining from sexual misconduct

This one, yeah, well... what is sexual misconduct? Some people would say it's anything against the norm. I personally believe that if it's consensual, and between adults, and does no lasting harm to anyone, then it's fine. So, for example, cheating is bad (not consensual to, and harmful to the person being cheated on) while polyamory is okay (all parties know and are okay with the sexual relationships, no one is being decieved).

The precept of abstaining from falsehood

I don't feel it's okay to lie unless it's to protect someone. Lying about your homework, or where you were to your parter = bad. Lying to an abusive husband about where his wife is when she's trying to leave him = acceptable. Again, it's not precisely the what you do that matters, but why you're doing it. And always minimize harm.

The precept of abstaining from intoxicants that cloud the mind and cause carelessness

This one is fairly straightforward. You get your mind all fogged up with whatever substance, you're not going to think properly, you may do things you'll regret later. If you feel you can have a drink or two without that effect, that's your choice and I won't judge. However, people often don't know, or over-estimate their limits.