As we know, there are differences between Western culture and Chinese culture. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Let's look at some words about animals and plants. Most expressions in Chinese about the dog, for example, "a homeless dog", "a mad dog", "a running dog" and "a dog catching a mouse", have bad meanings. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. In English, people use the dog to describe good actions. For example, "you are a lucky dog" means you are a lucky person. And "every dog has its day" means each person has good luck sometimes. To describe a person's serious illness, they say "sick as a dog". The word "dog­tired" means very tired.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. But in Western culture, "cat" is often used to describe a woman who is unkind. There are many other examples of how "cat" is used differently as well.

   {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. People think the rose stands for love, peace, courage and friendship. And the rose is the national flower of England, America and many other countries.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. We can learn about many differences in cultures by comparing how some words are used.

A. However, Chinese love cats very much

B. The words about plants and animals are used in good or bad ways in different cultures

C. We can see differences when we pay attention to the way words are used

D. However, westerners love cats very much

E. We can see similarities when we pay attention to the way words are used

F. The rose is regarded as a symbol of love in both China and some Western countries

G. But in Western countries, dogs are considered to be honest and good friends of humans

Dear James,

    How are you? I want to tell you about the ways (方式) my family go to work or school. My parents are teachers, but they are not in the same school. My father's school is far from our home. It's about five kilometers. He drives his car to school every day. My mother usually walks to her school, because her school is near our home. I have two brothers, John and Peter. John is a high school student (高中生). He likes taking a bus to school. He thinks it is fun, because he can meet his friends and tall with them on the bus. It takes him thirty minutes to get to school. Peter and I are students in a middle school. My mother is in the school, too. I always go to school with Peter. We ride our bikes to school for ten minutes every school day.

    What about you? How do you get to school?

Yours,

Amy

With the development of science and technology(技术), our daily life is becoming easier and more colorful.

The only thing better than reading a good book is reading it with others. In a book club, a group of people will find a book. Then everyone will read it by themselves first and then talk about the book with others. Reading is not just something you love doing by yourself. It's also fun to talk about what you' re reading with friends.

There are no rules(规则) of starting a book club. But it's better to have a plan for it. Here it is.

First, before you start a book club, you should think about" What will my book club be like?"" When and where will we meet?"

Then, ask your friends to come to your club. Think of eight to twelve people around your age. You may ask your friends for help, and they can ask their friends to come. These people may be your new club members. And you can make friends with them.

Next, having a topic can also help. The topic may interest members to look up more information about it. You might want to read stories about history. The topic" history" makes it easier to know which books to read. If every time every member helps find a book to read, you might know more great new books and writers.

Finally, make sure to read the book before the meeting. And then come to the meeting with questions to talk about.

In a word, it's better to do than to say. △

These days, it seems that many people are trying to live more with less. They throw away all the less- used things, or some things that are not necessary. They are discovering the pleasure of spending their time and money on the things that matter most. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

◆More free time

The more things you own, the more time you will spend keeping them in order. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You' ll be surprised at how much time you' ll have to do what you really want to do. Care for fewer things, and spend more time with friends and family.

◆Money saved

As you stop buying things you don't need, your finances will be better.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Learn to reward yourself with rich experiences.

Changed values

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You will realize that things don't bring lasting happiness. True happiness comes from making memories with loved ones.

Living simply lowers your stress, betters your health and allows you to find out what's important.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Don't wait for a holiday to start living simply. Start today, and you will find that less is more.

A. Just keep the things you use or enjoy.

B. Here are some advantages of living simply.

C. Once you break the habit, your values will change.

D. You can save some money and take a special trip instead.

E. Try to discover the peace and happiness this way of living can bring.

F. With the change of your values, you will get more satisfaction and joy.