For those of us who are studying at school, the time of exams is very stressful (紧张的) and difficult. Some people find exam times so bad that they become ill, because they are afraid of failing; they are afraid of letting their parents and family down. If exams are really making you ill or worried, don't hide your feelings. Talk to someone about it. Maybe you can speak to a friend, or someone in your family, or teachers at your place of study. If one person doesn't help you, ask someone else.

      How to get through exams? Here is some advice:

      Ask a teacher or tutor about how to review your lessons, and exam skills—how to work when you are in an exam. Take short rests during your time of work. If your mind is tired, it will not remember well. Plan your work: study at times when you know you will work at your best. Get enough sleep, and eat healthy food. You need exercise to work well. Walk, run, play sports — whatever you enjoy. Stop thinking about the future and failing.

If you feel ill, talk to someone about your worries. But don't be too relaxed! Some stress over exams makes you work hard for them.

If it upsets(使某人不安) you to talk to your friends about an exam when it is finished, don't do it! In fact, don't even think about the exam you have finished. What is done is done. You cannot change what you have written!

      To this advice, we could add: If you are studying in the evening, don't go straight to bed. Your mind will still be “going round and round”—thinking too much. Do something else, maybe walk or get exercise. Choose something that will relax you, and make you think of other things.

    Maria is a beautiful young girl. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes. But she is still very insecure(缺乏信心的). She often thinks most of her friends are more beautiful than her. One day a new girl joined her class. Her name is Sarah. She has dark brown hair and green eyes. Maria thought the new girl was beautiful and wished she looked like her. One day she decided to take action.

    She went out and bought some hair dye（染发）. When she returned home, she told her mother what she planned to do.

    "It's your decision," said her mother sadly. "But I think you look beautiful as you are."

    Maria didn't hear what her mother said. She spent a few hours dyeing her hair dark brown. She felt much better and went to school happily the next day. As she reached her class she saw a new blonde girl sitting near the front. Later she knew it was Sarah. Sarah dyed her hair blonde. It was almost the same color as Maria's was before. Sarah turned around and Maria spoke to her.

    "Why do you dye your hair?" asked Maria.

    "Well, I always love your hair' said Sarah.

    Maria sat down and sighed(叹气).

    Autumn is a beautiful season. For many Chinese, the season is also a time for rebuilding(恢复).

    Chinese herbal medicine(中药)science says that people get tired and weak(虚弱的)during the hot summer. So when it comes to autumn, we need to rebuild. There is a tradition called tieqiubiao(贴秋膘). It means to eat some meat in autumn. This can help people get ready for the coming winter.

    Autumn is also a great season for outdoor activities; Chinese people think that fresh air in autumn is good for our health. The Double Ninth Festival is an important Chinese festival in autumn. On that day, families get together and climb hills for luck in the hope that old people will live much longer. Other good outdoor activities are hiking, biking and having picnics.

    I have a good friend in my class. His name is Jim. He is from England. He is in China with his parents. He likes China. He likes Chinese food very much. He has breakfast at home. He eats an egg. bread and milk for breakfast. He doesn't like fish. He has lunch at home. The lunch in his school is delicious. He can have different kinds of food for lunch. He eats rice, meat and vegetables. Sometimes he has noodles and dumplings. He has supper at home with his friends. Sometimes he goes out to eat with his friends. He has meat , vegetables and fruit for dinner.

Dear Li Ping,

    How are things with you? It was great talking to you yesterday by phone. As I told you yesterday, I am in Jiangsu today. Tomorrow we are getting the train down to the south of the country and then a ship across to Shanghai.

    Let me tell you about the places we have visited so far. I know you want to come here on vacation one day! We started in Zibo and we spent two days in Jinan. We visited many different places and enjoyed lots of things. And the only bad thing was the weather- it rained the whole time when we were there. Can you believe it?

    At least when we got to Jiangsu, the sun was shining! We only stayed for one afternoon in Jiangsu because my friends really wanted to visit Disneyland which is in Shanghai.

    I bought you a surprise gift here. I hope you will like it. OK. That's enough from me for now. I want to post this letter now so you can get it by the weekend.

    See you soon!

Ma Hua