For many years, we couldn't talk with the deaf. These deaf people couldn't use a spoken language.

    But beginning in the 1700s, the deaf were taught a special language. Using this language, they could share thought sand ideas with others. The language they used was a language without sound. It was a sign language.

    How did this sign language work? The deaf learnt to make certain movements with their hands, faces and bodies. These movements stood for things and ideas. People might move their forefingers accross their lips. This meant "you are not telling the truth". They might tap their chin with three fingers. This meant "my uncle".

    The deaf learned to see a finger alphabet. They used their fingers to make the letters of the alphabet. In this way, they spelled out words. Some deaf people could spell out words at a speed of 130 words per minute.

    The deaf don't use the sign language andfinger spelling as much as they once were. Today, the deaf learn to understand others by watching their lips. They also learn how to speak.

    In the front of many American homes you can see a mat(脚垫). This mat is sometimes called "welcome mat", because many of the mats have the word "welcome" on them.

    Because Americans don't take off their shoes before going into the house, they need a welcome mat to clean their shoes. If the children don't clean their shoes on the mat, they may be scolded(被责骂) by their parents. If you go to an American home, please remember to clean your shoes on the mat, or you may be told to do so. "Different countries, different customs(习俗)."

    We know music is very important in our daily life. Do you notice music playing at any of those places when you go somewhere? Today most stores, stations, restaurants and other places play music. You might even hear music in an office or on a farm.

Scientists believe that music influences the way people behave. They think that the sound of western classical music makes people feel richer. When a restaurant plays classical music, people spend more money on food and drinks. When the restaurant plays modern music, people spend less money. Without music, people spend even less. Scientists also believe that loud, fast music makes people eat faster. Some restaurants play fast music during their busy hours. This makes people eat faster and leave quickly. Restaurants can make more money in this way.

Some scientists think that music makes you think and learn better. They say that music helps students to be more active. It is true that people learn better when they are relaxed. And listening to music can help you relax.

The next time you hear music somewhere, be careful. It might influence the way you do things.

    Children with no shoes on do better at school than those with shoes on，a study suggests．

    For over 10 years，researchers from universities observed （观察） children in 100 schools from 25 countries．They found that classrooms were quieter when children took off their shoes．It provided a quieter environment where pupils were more willing to focus on study than those with shoes on．

    "Children are much more willing to sit on the floor and relax if they have no shoes on，"said professor Stephen Heppel，a lead researcher．

    "The last place a child would sit to read is an upright chair．And we've found that 95% of them really don't read on a chair at home，"Heppel added．"When they go on holidays，they read lying down．"Professor Heppel hopes to bring the"shoeless policy"to all U．K．schools．He says relaxing conditions at school make children feel as if they're at home．He believes all the teachers will be glad to adopt the habit．