Two years ago, a small town in Changhua started to grow healthy rice. The healthy rice was not grown by farmers but by the students from a small primary school of only about fifty people.

    The idea of growing rice came from the school teachers. When making teaching plans, the teachers decided to teach students how to grow healthy rice on school land. They wanted the students to get closer to the land when doing the rice farming outside the classroom.

What's better, the school made money from selling the rice and giving farming classes to the public. With the money, the school could help the students who wished to go to foreign countries some day. Today the dream is becoming real — the students are flying to Japan to share their special farming experiences, and have fun over there, of course! “We all feel very proud that even students from a small town can make themselves seen in the world,” said one of the teachers.

Dear Fatima,

     Thank you for your wonderful birthday present. It was lovely.

     I told you in my last letter that we were going to Disneyland, Paris. Well, we've been! I loved it. It's not so large as Walt Disney World in Florida, but it is pretty large all the same. In fact, it's one fifth the size of Paris.

     It was so crowded! We had to wait a long time to go on the rides sometimes, but the weather was very fine, thought not so sunny as in Florida.

     There are great things to see. Sleeping Beauty's Castle is wonderful. My young sister Annette liked that best. Then there's Frontier Land—you feel you are in the middle of an old Western film. My elder brother Tom liked that. I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean area. You visit it in a boat. You really think you are living in those exciting times—but without the danger, of course.

     There are some great rides, too. I think the best is the Peter Pan ride. You seem to fly through the air over London. There's also a ride that actually goes upside down. I didn't dare to go on it, but my dad did.

     Another thing—did you know that there are more trees in Disneyland than in the whole of Paris?—150, 000 of them! My mum found that out.

     Are there places like those in your country? If so, what are they like? I know so little about you as yet, I'm so looking forward to hearing from you again. I'm sure we're going to be great pen pals. Please write back soon!

                                                              Love,

                                                             Louise

Information Card

How Can You Create Luck in Everyday Life?

    You can probably agree that some people have more good things happening to them. Let's just call that luck. Now would you like to learn how to be one of these lucky people? Here are 5 top tips for creating your own luck.

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    It is easy to believe that you never have any luck in everyday life if you don't seem to be getting any breaks. But having had a difficult life gives you unusual lessons and develops courage.

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    Some people are already lucky and they just don't know it. Instead of giving all your attention to what you are short of, look at how lucky you already are. You no doubt have some wonderful friends family and a roof over your head.

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    Luck doesn't just happen upon us—it comes to us when we're open. Learning a new skill, visiting a new place and trying a new hobby are all great ways of creating your chances.

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    You'll never create any luck if you sit there waiting for it to fall into your lap. Take steps towards your goals and dreams and greet every challenge. You will find you create more luck in everyday life.

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    Sometimes people would be prepared to help us out. If you need a hand with dealing with something rather than wait for someone to offer you a lucky break, go and ask them if they will help you out.

    Traveling by subway can sometimes be a challenge, especially during rush hour. You have to fight your way into the carriage (车厢), and keep away from others' hot water. The smells of some passengers' food are very strong, too.

    Since April, the local government of Beijing has collected public opinions on the new Beijing Subway Passenger Rules. The rules say that if passengers have bad manners while on the subway, they will end up with bad credit (信用) scores or even being refused by the subway. Four kinds of behaviors (行为) were added to the new rules. They include stealing others' seats, eating or drinking, handing out advertisements, and not paying for the tickets.

    As for eating and drinking on the subway, ①不同的人有不同的观点. Some people support the rules that all passengers except babies and people with certain health problems are not allowed to eat or drink on the subway. ②The have pointed out that the smell of food and drink can make other passengers unhappy.

    However, others question this rule, saying that drinking water should be allowed ③________ people can get thirsty after long rides on the crowded subway.