The Clockwork Radio
    The British inventor Trevor Baylis created this really clever ′wind-up radio′ for people from Third World countries. in some parts of the Third World countries, it's very hard for people to get or pay for enough energy. This radio uses no batteries (电池) and does not need any electricity to run it. A clockwork generator (发电机) is put inside the radio and works as the power. When it is fully wound up (上弦), the radio can work for long periods.

    The clock work product is not a new invention. The Victorians had already put it in wide use. We may find them used in toys as well. Then what is new about this clockwork radio? Baylis has used this simple but effective (高效的) way of creating electricity to both help the people of the Third World and to develop a product which is selling well in Western Europe.
    Even former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandella has one of these radios and personally recommends this product to others.

    It's true that every country has its customs.

    We all know that in America if people are pleased with you, they will give you a sign "OK". But maybe you don't know this sign is rude in Brazil.

    In Poland, guests usually choose flowers as presents for hostesses(女主人). Remember the number must be odd(奇数的). And the hostess doesn't hope that you remove the cover of the bunch(束) of flowers. You must be more careful when you give red roses to a woman because the red rose means love.

    In China we often hear people say that "nodding" means agreement(同意). And "shaking the head" means disagreement. But in Bulgaria they mean the opposite.

    We really need to pay more attention to the differences in customs. What's more, we should learn more about them in order to avoid embarrassment(尴尬). Do remember: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Celebrate :庆祝  Lunar:农历  Lantern:灯  Riddles:谜

Do you know how to learn a new language quickly? The best way is to put yourself in the language.

Talk with a native speaker(讲母语的人).People often spend too much time learning grammar. However, speaking with a native speaker can help people learn better. If a friend around you can speak the language you plan to learn, try to ask him or her for help. If it's hard to find such a person in your real life, you can make a pen friend online. Of course, you can travel to a country where the language is spoken. It doesn't matter whether you speak the language well or not. When you communicate in it, you are improving your speaking.

Use the language as much as you can. People often say they have learnt a language for many years, but their speaking is still not fluent (流 畅 的). In fact, they perhaps speak the language for only a few hours a week in these years. If you want to learn a new language quickly, remember to use it every day. If you can save your break time, you can learn extra (额外的) 20 or 30 words a day.

I'm Tom. This is my room. It's yellow. You can see a desk, a table and a bookcase. A computer and a photo are on the desk. A tape player is in the bookcase. You can see my model planes. They are on my bed.

This is Linda's room. She's my sister. The pink room is big. You can see her photo in a cabinet(柜子). The clock and two books are in the cabinet, too.

This is my parents' room. It's purple. A big bed and a big bookcase are in the room. Lots of books are in bookcase. My parents love reading.