English is the first language of several countries. However, it has many differences. British, American, and South African English are all spoken differently. In many English language courses, the British and American differences are taught. One is not more correct than the other, but there are important differences between the two.

    Probably the biggest difference between American and British English is the vocabulary. Different words and expressions are used to talk about the same thing. For example, in the United States, people throw their garbage into the trash can. In England, people throw their rubbish into the dustbin. In Britain, people take a lift to the fifth floor. In America, people take an elevator.

    American and British grammar can be also different. For example, speakers of British English will ask "What did you do at the weekend?", but Americans usually say "on the weekend." In the United States people usually say "I've gotten a new car.", but in the UK they will say "I've just got a new car."

    The pronunciation in American and British English is also different, even when the spelling is the same. The word "tomato"—pronounced "to-mah-to" in British English—is a classic example of this.

    Vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation are three ways English is different in different parts of the world. Learning all these is not easy, so English learners should just know that they are always there.

( 1 ){#blank#}1{#/blank#} ( 2 ){#blank#}2{#/blank#} ( 3 ){#blank#}3{#/blank#} ( 4 ){#blank#}4{#/blank#} ( 5 ){#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    You are in a full-time school called “life”. Each day in this school you will have the chance to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them, but they're part of your life. Each person has a different path. As you travel along your life path, you will be faced with many lessons that you will need to learn in order to realize your goal. These lessons are specific. As you travel through your lifetime, you will meet challenge lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges that you don' t need to deal with. You cannot be sure why you struggle hard for money while your friends enjoymuch wealth. You must remember that you will be faced with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn, whether you choose to learn them or not. Remember, don't compare your path with that of people around you and focus on the differences between their lessons and yours.

    Life is not fair, and you may indeed have a more difficult path than others around you, and the only thing you can do is to accept it and make it better.

Information Card

B

    I'm Sara. I'm a middle school student. At school, we have nine subjects — math, English, Chinese, science, geography, history, art, P.E. and music. My mother is a Chinese teacher and she says Chinese is beautiful and important (重要的). I like Chinese. I always read Chinese books before I go to bed. I also like history. It is my favorite subject. Mr. Brown is great fun. In his history class, I can learn many interesting stories.

    Mr. Green is my math teacher. He says math is useful and interesting, but I think it is boring. My science teacher, Mrs. Smith, is nice. I listen to (听) her carefully (认真的) in class. But I can't do well in the science exam(考试). I don't know why. This subject is really difficult for me.

    We always have art, P.E. or music in the afternoon. For me, the classes in the afternoon are fun and relaxing. In P.E. class, I like to play ping-pong with my P.E. teacher Mrs Miller plays very well.

根据材料内容简要回答下列问题

A: Do you know what shopping online is?

B: Yes. I buy a lot of things on the Internet.

A: Really? Could you tell me some advantages of it?

B: Of course. First, it is very convenient. You can buy anything you want, and they will send it to your home.

A: Wow, that is great.

B: Yes. What's more, it is much cheaper than the products in a big supermarket.

A: Ah, that is quite a smart way of shopping. What is its disadvantages do you think?

B: Well, the biggest one is that you cannot see the true products. You can only look at the pictures and some introductions(介绍). You cannot try them on if you buy some clothes or shoes. Sometimes you may get the one not fit(适合)you on the Internet.

A: I agree with you. How to deal with(处理)this?

B: You can return(返回)the products if you are not satisfied now. I think shopping online is more and more popular. It will be more and more important in our life.

A: Thanks a lot for your introduction. It helps a lot!

B: You are welcome.

    Sam hated doing chores. And he had many chores. For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays he took out' the rubbish. And on weekends he always washed his father's car. He also cleaned his own room once a week. Sometimes he even had to (1) look after "his little sister and brother.

    Sam had a foreign friend at school. His name was Kumar. Doing chores in Kumar's family was very different. In the house only the girl did chores. His sisters made all the beds and cleaned all the rooms too, even his bedroom. His mother always cooked the meals, and his sisters helped her to go shopping, and prepare(准备) the food. They worked hard at home, doing all the chores with their mother. So when Kumar talked to his friend Sam about chores, he felt very lucky. One day, Sam had an idea. He asked Kumar, "Could I borrow your sisters?" He wanted them to help him clean his room, but (2) they said "no". Instead  (相反), they asked Sam to teach their brother how to do chores, so that he could make his own bed.

Sam and Kuimar are very good at science. They are going to be scientists after university. They want to make a robot to do the chores. Then everyone一mothers and fathers, sons and daughters- will be happy!

任务一: 根据短文,回答问题。

When was the last time you gave or received a hug（拥抱）？ Do your parents hug you before you go to school？ In Western countries, it is quite common to greet close friends or relatives with a hug.

You might hug your teammates after winning a basketball game. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Friends who haven't seen each other for a long time will usually hug each other when meeting.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} After coming to China, I've noticed that the Chinese seem unwilling（不愿意）to hug.

My Chinese friends tell me that hugging is considered to be very intimate （亲密的） in their culture. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Chinese people don't usually hug in public. But people's attitudes towards hugging can also change.

I remember watching a video story about a "hugging party" that was held in shanghai.. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The Chinese who took part in the party looked uncomfortable. However, after the party, several of them changed their minds. They found that hugging didn't have to be embarrassing and could actually be quite nice.So next time you see your parents, give them a hug and see how it makes you feel.