Have you seen some machines that eat used plastic bottles and give some coins to the users(用户) ?

     Recently, such machines have appeared at universities in Chongqing. They can turn rubbish into treasure and encourage the public to recycle rubbish. The machine is as large as a fridge. Users put an empty bottle in the machine, It is identified(识别) by a  small camera. Then it is put into a built-in bin. The users can get some coins. They can also give away the money.

     When the machine is filled with bottles. it will tell the company's(公司) head office. Nearby stations will send workers to have bottles collected . packed and send to the company.

     The bottle recycling machines could greatly encourage the public to recycle rubbish and save natural resources(资源) . Now the machine only eats plastic bottles. At sometimes in the future it will also cover others, such as glass bottles, to turn more rubbish into treasure and make full use of the natural resources.

     People can also see similar machines in Shanghai. In the future, more such machines will appear at some large stations. Bus stops, neighborhoods and schools.

    If you want a more interesting experience when you arrive in a new city or country, here are some better ways to travel, both for you and for the environment.

    Way 1 Get out of the car and walk. It's slower but it's the greenest way to travel. It's also the most rewarding（有益的）way to see a city, but remember to wear comfortable shoes.

    Way 2 Cycling is also  a good choice. Many hotels now  offer free bikes to guests. It is convenient for people to travel around the city. Some also provide electric bikes that make it easier to go up hills and on longer journeys. Some cities also have mobikes, and you can pick up one easily. It's not free but very cheap.

    Way 3 If you have to take transport in a city, try to take public transport. Most cities now offer lots of information and very clear maps at the city's website.

    Way 4 If possible, take buses, trains or ships to travel from city to city. They are usually greener than cars and planes.

    Way 5 When the only way to travel is by car, rent(租) an electric car. Many car rental companies now offer them, so always ask!

    What are hurricanes?

    You may already know that hurricanes are storms. They can cause

terrible waves, winds, and rains. They happen during “Hurricane

Season,” which is from June 1st until November 30th in the Atlantic

Ocean and from May 15th until November 30th in the Pacific Ocean.

Kinds of Hurricanes

    There are five kinds of hurricanes. it helps people know a hurricane is so bad because the greater the wind speed is, the more dangerous the storm is. For example, a kind of hurricane has winds over 155 miles per hour, which are strong enough to break the buildings along the seaside completely.

    Hurricane Dangers

    When a hurricane happens together with heavy rain, there can be a terrible flood. The centre of a hurricane is called the eye. While most of a hurricane has dangerous strong winds, when the eye is a calm area in the storm in fact. When the eye of a hurricane passes over land, people might think that it's over, but before long the wind and rain increase again as the second part of the hurricane moves through.

    Hurricane Safety Tips

    There is no way to stop a hurricane or make it change direction, so if you ever find yourself in the path of a hurricane, be sure to remember the following safety tips.

    ● Be sure you have a radio, fresh drinking water, and enough food.

    ● Tell neighbors, friends, and family members your emergency plans. Tell them where you'll go if you need to leave your home.

    ● Stay inside during the storm. You could be badly hurt if you go outside.

    What do you see when you look at abstract (抽象的)art? Can you understand it? Does it look like anything?

    Abstract art became popular in the early 20th century. Artists did not want to paint, draw, or sculpt things exactly like they looked. They didn't want their art to be realistic(现实的). They were more interested in basic shapes and colours.

    Picasso is probably the most famous of these artists. He painted and drew in many, many styles. Sometimes he used a lot of blue colours (his "blue period"). Later, he used more red and pink colours (his "rose period"). Many of his other paintings are called "cubist (立体派的)" because they are made of painted squares.

    After a long time, Picasso's paintings became more and more abstract. He painted people and things using strange shapes. His work was so strange that many of his workmates didn't understand it.

    Kandinsky, another famous artist, used lines, shapes, and patterns to paint his subjects. His paintings also used strong colours to express feelings. Other artists like the surrealists (超现实主义画家)，were interested in subconsciousness (潜意识). Painters like Breton and Magritte used many symbols in their work. The meaning or subject of their work wasn't always clear. Dali, another surrealist artist, painted pictures that looked like dreams.

    There are still many abstract artists around the world. That's the way many artists prefer. They want each person to look at art and find their own meaning in it.