The Sunday Mail magazine interviewed some parents about whether children should do chores at home. Different people have different opinions.

 Ms Miller thinks that kids these days already have enough stress from school. They do not have time to study and do housework, too. Housework is a waste of their time. They should spend their time on schoolwork in order to get good grades and get into a good university. When kids get older, they will have to do housework. So there is no need for them to do it now. She thinks that doing chores is not so difficult.

However, Mr. Smith disagrees with her. He thinks it is important for children to learn how to do chores and help their parents with housework. It's not enough to just get good grades at school. Children these days depend on their parents too much. Doing chores helps to develop children's independence and teaches them how to look after themselves. It also helps them to understand the idea of fairness. Everyone should do their part in keeping the house clean and tidy. The earlier kids learn to be independent, the better it is for their future.

    One fine winter day some ants were working in the field . They were very busy . Just then a grasshopper (蚱蜢) passed by . “ Good day ， kind ants . ”said the grasshopper . “ I am very hungry . Won't you lend (借给) me a little food ?( A)  我没有东西吃了。I  will pay you before the next autumn .” “ Have you no food of your own ? ( B) Why didn't you gather any food during the summer ? You know there was much food in the field this summer . What were you doing then ?” asked an old ant . The grasshopper answered ， “ I( C )       ( sing ) all day and night during the summer . And I  had no time to gather any food .” “ Well， then，”said the ant .“   （D）   You only played and did not work during the summer . We'll never lend you any food .” （E） And the ants went on working .

The Art of Paper

    Chen Zijiang is a paper-cutting expert whom I interviewed for my article on Chinese Art. Paper-cutting is something that he learned to do from an early age.

    "It is a Chinese folk art with a long history," Mr Chen told me, "Paper cuts of animals have been found in tombs{#blank#}1{#/blank#}" He added that by the Southern Song Dynasty, paper-cutting had become an important part of everyday life.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}They are paper cuts for decoration, for religious purposes(宗教目的) and for design patterns.

    Paper cuts for decoration are often seen on windows and gates.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} They are also used on presents. A present for parents whose child has recently been born might show a paper cut of children, for example. Paper cuts which show the Chinese character for double happiness are often used to celebrate weddings.

    Paper cuts for religious purposes are often found in temples.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The third kind of paper cuts are those used to make patterns on clothing. They are also sometimes used to decorate jewellery boxes {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. They are usually put up during holidays to bring good luck.

B. They are also used as offerings to the dead.

C. Dragons are very popular patterns for these designs.

D. They can date back to the time of the Northern and Southern Dynasty.

E. Mr Chen went on to explain that there are three types of paper cuts which people still make today.

    With air pollution making much difference to many of Chinese cities, parents are calling for the installation(安装) of air cleaners in classrooms. There has been much debate over whether air cleaners should be used in China's schools. Some parents have donated cleaners to their children's classrooms, while others raise money together to make the purchase(购买). “Our school bought air cleaners last year. We did a little fund raising, with each parent throwing in several hundred for that,” said one parent.

    However, the idea of installing air cleaners for all the classes has been refused by some schools. Liu Liangcheng, vice-principal of Beijing's Taipinglu Primary School, says installing air cleaners bought by parents may lead to problems. “We have refused air cleaners bought by parents before, as there are clear and strict rules against educational fees. We can't just break the rules here. And without standard guidance (指示) from local authorities(权威部门), it is hard to decide on the brand of the cleaner, installation and even safety of the device(设备).”

    Moreover, experts say air cleaners can cause other health problems. Deng Gaofeng who works for the China Academy of Building Research says. “ In the classroom, if we keep windows and doors closed, the concentrations (浓度) of CO₂ will double from 1,000 PPM to some 2,000 PPM. According to national safety standards, the highest level should not be more than 1,500.” In addition, experts say air cleaners on the market are mostly designed for homes or offices. Evaluation(评估) is needed to know whether they are suitable in classrooms.

    It seems whether air cleaners should enter China's schools is an ongoing question. It still requires a more detailed plan.

阅读以上信息，用恰当的单词完成下面的表格，每空一词。

Topic : Should air cleaners be installed for students in school?

Dear Lisa,

    I'm going to have a party on September 27. It's my 12th birthday. I would like to enjoy this day with my family members and friends together.

    I will be very happy if you can come to join us. You are always my best friend. Your sister Jenny is welcome too. She is a nice girl. I like her. Because it's a princess—theme (公主主题的) party, please wear your beautiful clothes and shoes.

    There is a lot of fun at the party. My mum wants to cook a lot of Chinese food for us. Because September 27, 2015 is also the Mid-Autumn Festival, my grandma says she can make some moon cakes. You never eat them, right? They are delicious. There are also film DVDs and fun games for us. I'm sure all of us can have great fun on that day.

    The party is in my house, and it starts at 3:00 p.m. Can you come? Tell me please.

Yours,

Emma