We all need a healthy environment, but we produce waste every day and it is harmful to our environment. Though we are young, we can still do something to help. In fact, even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment. Here are some ideas for you to live a green life.

    Remember these three words; reduce, reuse and recycle.

    Reduce means" use less". Don't waste things. This saves money and reduces pollution and waste going into the environment. Before we buy something new, think if it is really necessary or maybe the old one will be just as good! When we do buy thing, choose local products if possible, and try not to buy too many things from abroad.

    Reuse mean" use again". Use things for as long as possible. When we buy things, make sure that they last a long time. We should take care of them so that they will last, and we should repair them if we can instead of throwing them away and buying new ones. Don't use a paper cup or a paper bag. It's better to use a china cup(瓷杯) and a lunch box because you can use them again.

    Recycle means" change things into something else". Although it takes energy to change something into something else, it's better than throwing things away or burning them. Find out what can be recycled in your neighbourhood and take part in recycling programmes. We should also buy products made from recycled materials, such as recycled paper, to help save trees.

Title:{#blank#}1{#/blank#}to Live a Green Life

    Ma Wanqing, 13, is a Junior I at Chengdu No.3 Middle School. By looking at this kid, you would never think he's a scientist.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} He got patents（专利）this month for two inventions（发明）：a feet-washing machine and an easy trash can（垃圾桶）.

The feet-washing machine looks like a toy, but it really works." Just hit the button, and that's all it takes: the machine washes and dries your feet for you," said Wu Di at Chengdu Zhongya Patent Office.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's something his mum makes him do every day.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} He drew many pictures, and he made many changes to his first ideas. After lots of thinking and hard work, he is finally finished.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} "It's all because I'm too lazy, "he tells them.

But his mother, Wang Xiao lin, thinks differently." He's hard-working. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}"

    There are 24 solar terms (节气) in China, and the Grain Rain (谷雨) is one of them. It falls on April 19 this year.

    This solar term is called the Grain Rain because it is known for "rain" that helps the grain grow. From its name, we can guess it means a time of more rain. So if you go out in the next two weeks, you may need to bring an umbrella with you.

    But this is a great time for planting crops. If you miss the time for planting during the Grain Rain, you will feel sorry later. So maybe you can try to plant some flowers or vegetables in your garden. When the spring rain falls, farmers begin to grow crops. Farmers often say, "Spring rain is as precious (珍贵的) as oil." It brings farmers hope for a good year ahead.

    There are also many interesting customs during the Grain Rain. In the northern part of China, people like to eat Chinese toon (椿芽) mixed with eggs. The food made during the Grain Rain tastes wonderful and is good for your stomach. In the southern part of China, the tea leaves are picked during the time. They are called Grain Rain tea, which is famous for its freshness and sweet smell.

    It's December. It's snowing and the weather is really cold in the north of China. You can see many children playing with snow. Some of them are skating on the river because it's so cold that the water in the river freezes (结冰). It's a white world. How beautiful! But in Australia now, the weather is hot. Many people go swimming in the sea. They are having a good time. Jim and his friends are playing soccer near the sea. The sunny weather is really cool for them. They want to swim after playing soccer.

    Why are they swimming in December? It is winter, isn't it? Yes, it is in China. But it isn't in Australia. That's because we, Chinese and Australians, have different season (季节) in a year.

    A ratio compares two numbers. For example, if you have 3 pens and 4 pencils, the ratio of pens to pencils is 3 to 4. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 3 to 4, 3:4 and 3/4. One type of ratio is expressing (表示) numbers as a percent. A percent is the ratio of a number to 100. In other words, a percent compares one number to 100. The percent means "per hundred". {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can use "%" to express percent. So 35% means 35 out of 100, and 15% means 15 out of 100. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Probability means the chance (可能) of some things happening in the future. For example, if there is a 90% chance of rain, 90 times out of 100, it will rain. That is a very high probability. However, if the weatherman says that there is only a 10% chance of rain, then 10 times out of 100, it will rain. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    You can also express probability by using ratios. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 5 of them are black while only 1 of them is red. If you choose a pen at random (随机地) from the pencil box, then the probability of choosing a black Den are 5 to 6, or 5/6. On the other hand, the probability of choosing a red pen is only 1 to 6, or 1/6.

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