Sam: Hi, Maria! Where are you going for the coming vacation?

Maria: Nothing much. I'm staying at home. I think I can {#blank#}1{#/blank#} and watch TV. How about you?

Sam: well, I'm going to Nanjing with my {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

Maria: Oh, that sounds good! How are you going there?

Sam: {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

Maria: {#blank#}4{#/blank#} are you staying there?

Sam: A week.

Maria: What are you doing there?

Sam: I'm {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

Maria: Good plan. Have a good time! Show me your photos when you come back. Bye-bye!

Sam: Goodbye!

    Island University has a competition for middle school students.

    Read about the competition on their web site.

    School Competition

    Students! Here is your chance to help the physically disabled(残疾人). Think out a robot or a machine to help them live better. There'll be three prizes. The winning schools will each get $15,000. Read the information below:

    What do you have to do?

    Try to know problems faced by the physically disabled in Hong Kong. Write a 200-word article on the difficulties these people have to suffer each day.

    Try to know modern inventions that help the physically disabled. Then think out a robot or a machine that will improve the lives of the physically disabled. Draw your invention. You can make as many drawings as you like to show your invention. You can even make a small model of your invention.

    Write a short description of your invention.

    Who can join?

    All middle school students in Hang Kong.

    So, come on! Join the competition, and get the chance!

    Surfing the Internet can help open students' eyes and get more knowledge. As a teacher, I encourage my students to use the Internet. In class those students who surf the Internet understand lessons better than the others. Besides, people can use the Internet to write letters or stories and send emails. Many students communicate with their friends online. You can also make friends by chatting on QQ. It's cheaper than calling somebody far away and it's much quicker. Nearly one third of young people surf the Internet for fun. They like to listen to music, watch films, and go to their favorite stars' websites. But can the Internet cause problems? Some of my students who used to study well at school are now failing exams. Because they spend a lot of time playing computer games.

Should We Keep Animals In Zoos?

    Zoos are popular places in communities around the world. They're places where people can learn about wild animals by seeing them up close. Some people  though, believe zoos aren't good for animals. They think wild animals should only live in the wild.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Wild animals have been kept in cages for thousands years. Over time, people began speaking out about the practice of keeping animals in zoos. The rise of animal rights movement and groups have led many to question whether or not zoos are right.

   {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Zoos provide care for animals that they wouldn't receive in the wild. Animals are fed a healthy diet in zoos. Also, zoos have veterinarians who provide medical care for hurt or sick animals that would often be left to die in the wild. In some cases, zoos help animals to live longer.

   {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Though many animals live longer in zoos, some mammals live longer in the wild. Elephants live near twice as long in the wild as they do in zoos. Scientists believe the causes for this include elephants in zoos becoming stressed and depressed when they are forced to live in small spaces.

   {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    It may seem like a good thing that zoos set animals back into the wild, but there are often problems with this practice. Zoo animals don't learn hunting skills since they are fed by zookeepers. They also have no idea to stay away from predators, cars or hunters in the wild.

   {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    How much do zoos actually teach people about animals? A 2014 study showed that only 1000 out of 3000 children who visited a zoo learned something new. Groups such as PETA believe the biggest thing children learnt at zoos is that it's fine to keep animals in cages instead of in the wild.

    It is necessary to learn how to communicate with people from other cultures to build good relationships with them. Here are some rules.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A little knowledge can be helpful. Before meeting with someone from another culture, try to take time to learn the basic "dos and don'ts" of that culture.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Each culture has its own values, beliefs and prejudices (成见). You shouldn't judge people based on these differences. Instead, respect them for what they are. You may even learn something new.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Don't shout at others. Raising your voice doesn't make you easier to understand. Communication difficulties lie in cultural differences, not because of intelligence (智力).

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Some cultures may expect more physical contact between people. For example, some cultures may shake or touch hands more readily than others. So don't take it as impolite.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Communicating with people from other cultures can be enlightening (使人领悟的) and useful, but also have its difficulties. Expect that not everything will come out quite right or be fully understood. Be patient with others, and ask them to be patient with you.