This is a home of the future, a "smart home", where technology can do almost everything. Imagine we are in the year 2050, ①the computer wakes Tom up in themorning as usual. In front of him is a to-do list of the important events for the day, and it is provided by the computer too. According to Tom's request, the computer serves a list of possible dishes. All the dishes are nice.

    As Tom eats breakfast, the computer reminds him to reply to Lucy. Before Tom finishes his next bite, Lucy's computer receives the message. Then Tom goes to the supermarket. The store's system checks his car when he drives to the pickup area and greets him by name. "Good morning, Tom! Your order is in Case4. Thank you for shopping.'' When Tom removes his order from Case 4, all trades are completed automatically(自动地)over the information superhighway. That is, the money is electronically paid into the bank. Soon after arriving at the office, Tom reads another message from Lucy, telling him that she will go to dinner with him.

    The smart home can also do many other things:

    ◆Find things like keys and mobile phones.

    ◆②        (打开或关闭)machines and lights with your voice.

    ◆Clean your home from clothes to buildings automatically.

    ◆Record everything and everyone entering and leaving the house.

    ◆Take care of each member of the family, young or old.

    ③With the development of technology, the smart home will come true in the future. It is sure to play an important part in our life.

    Tears come out of my eyes when I talk to my parents on the phone. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} This is what I want to know most. I have supper at 5 o'clock in the dining room. Now it is the busiest time for my parents. Dad works from seven o'clock in the morning to nine o'clock in the evening, so all the housework is left to my mum. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Every day she gets up at 4 o'clock in the morning, and then works till dark.

    I promise her to study hard in the university because I am her hope. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} I just want her to promise me that she can take care of herself and my dad because they are just like the blood in my body.

    In my family, everyone is equal. We are very happy to have meals together. Mum says that the happiest time for Dad and her is to see my sister and me come back home. We play cards in the room, watch TV and do anything we like, with Dad and Mum preparing delicious food in the kitchen. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} I forget all the difficulties and unhappiness at that time. The only thing I would like to do is to enjoy the time with my parents.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Love your parents as they love us. Give them a call, telling them you love them and miss them.

    Bobsledding (雪橇运动) is a fast and exciting winter sport. A bobsled has a two-person team or a four-person team and it goes at about 100 kilometers an hour. When a bobsled team goes down the course, the other teams wait and watch. Then each team tries to go down faster than the others. Each team can try several times. In the end, the fastest team wins the. prize.

    This is a true story about a bobsledder, Eugenio Monti from Italy. The year was 1964. The place was the bobsled course at the Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. The two best teams were Eugenio Monti's Italian team and Tony Nash's British team. After their first two runs, these two teams were equal (同等的). Then the Italians made their third run, and it was the fastest of all. The British team got ready for their third run, but suddenly a bolt (螺栓) on their bobsled broke. The British bobsled could not go down.

    When Monti heard this, he took a bolt from his bobsled and sent it to the British team. The British team put the bolt on their bobsled. They went down very fast and won. The British team got the gold medal (金牌), but everyone talked about Monti. They called him a great sportsman. He also got a special prize, the 1964 International Fair Play Trophy ( 国际公平竞赛奖杯). Many people think this trophy is a greater prize than a gold medal. It was new then, but now it is given every year to a great sportsman or sportswoman.

Dear Alan,

    Guess what? I have a chance to choose my new place to live! I'm excited and a little nervous. Could you please give me some help?

    I'm not sure whether I should live in a house or in an apartment. On one hand, a house will be too big for just one person, so maybe I should rent an apartment. On the other hand, if I rent a house, I could find someone else to share with me. The only problem is that a house full of people might be too noisy for me. I prefer to have my own space. The city has some nice apartments, but they are also too expensive. However, if I could find a two-bedroom apartment and get a roommate, that would make it more affordable. I just need to search for a roommate who is neat and quiet. You know I can't live with someone who is loud and messy. I don't have a car, so I also need to think carefully about the location. I probably need to look for somewhere near a bus stop or an underground station. That way I will have more time to study and spend less time travelling.

    I'm looking forward to your reply.

Love,

Victor

A: Hello, Tim.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

B: There are forty students in our class.

A: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

B: Most of my classmates exercise three or four times a week. Some students exercise every day.

A: {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

B: Sure, it's very important for us. Do you often exercise?

A: No, I hardly ever exercise.

B: {#blank#}4{#/blank#}I think you should exercise more from now on.

A: I think you're right. Thank you.

B: {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    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. 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.