A: Hello, Jim! What are you doing now?

B: Oh, I'm reading my report card.

A: I suppose you have passed all the exams. You are always hard-working.

B: It's true that I always do my homework by myself. But I often get nervous when I see the envelope from school.

A: How about your math this time? I know you don't do well in it.

B: It was lucky that I passed the math exam this time. We had a new math teacher this semester. She is a university graduate and works as a volunteer in our school. Her teaching has a good influence on my study and starts to open my eyes to the outside world.

A: That's really great. Does she like living in our hometown where the air is thin?

B: She said she felt happy with her decision.

A: By the way, I got a message for you. Your mother asks you to look after yourself well.

B: OK. Thank you.

    People all over the world celebrate the New Year. However, not all countries celebrate in the same way, and in some countries, the New Year doesn't begin on the same date every year. It can depend on the seasons, the moon or the sun.

    In many countries, the New Year begins on 1st January, but people start celebrating on 31st December, New Year's Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Time Square. While they're waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 o'clock, everyone counts down from 10: 10, 9, 8 … As soon as it's 12 o'clock, everyone shouts very loudly, "Happy New Year!" and they say, "Out with the old year and in with the new!" Suddenly there are fireworks and special drinks. Sometimes people sing an old song called Auld Lang Syne. New Year's Day is often a family day. Some people relax at home. Some families get together for a special meal with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a walk.

    On New Year's Day, many people make resolutions for the New Year. They write down a list of things, such as "I will help out more at home. I will work harder at school." or "I won't spend so much time playing video games." When they have made their list, they read it to their family or friends and promise to follow their resolutions.

A. French Club

Do you know Paris （巴黎）? Can you speak French? Want to learn French? Join the French club now! Meet on Friday. Call Joyce at 8223-3278.

B. Music Club

Do you like music? Can you play the violin, the piano or the drums? You can have a great time in our music club on Wednesday. Come and join us!

C. Cooking Club

Are you good at cooking? Do you enjoy delicious food? Learn to cook in Room 302 every

Tuesday. Call Tom for more information if you are interested.

D. Kung Fu Club

Can you do Chinese kung fu? We have the best coach （教练） from Shaolin Temple! Come and have fun. Call Fred at 8961-3042.

E. Volunteer Club

Do you want to help others? Every Sunday afternoon, we'll visit the old people's home and help them: clean the room, cook dinner for them or tell them stories.

F. Chess Club

    Can you play chess? Do you want to be a good chess player? Join us now and you can learn to play chess every Thursday. Call Mr. King at 8491-3086.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Kate: My friends and I really like helping others.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Mike: Cooking is boring. I love music and I can play the piano.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Gina: I can't play sports, and I can't cook, but I can speak a little French.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Jack: I can play chess a little. But I really want to be a chess player.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Scott: I like Jet Li and I'm really interested in Chinese kung fu.

    I have a cold. I feel very tired. My throat is sore, I have a cough and my head hurts. Last night, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. The fever made my body feel hot. I really don't like being sick, because I can't go to school. And my friends can't visit me, either. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.

    There is no cure（治疗）for the common cold. Below are three ways to help stop a cold spreading and to feel better again.

    First, wash your hands. Washing your hands is the most important way to stop the spread of colds. Cold germs(细菌）are spread by touch. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. So if we wash hands carefully using soap and hot water. We won't get the cold easily.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} There is a saying that "coughs and sneezes spread illness". Always use a handkerchief(手帕) or napkin to cover your mouth when coughing and your nose when sneezing. That way, the germs won't get onto your hands and spread to things you touch such as doors, cups or plates.

    Finally, clean your house and take care of yourself. We can use a robot cleaner to clean our house on time. Be sure to use only your own toothbrush and cup……

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, but if you get worse, you should see a doctor at once. Eat healthy simple foods such as soup or rice. Get enough rest and sleep. Stay in bed, read a book, do your schoolwork or practice your English!

    Remember that a common cold only lasts a few days. You'll feel better soon.

A. Next, cover your nose and mouth

B. The germs(细菌) get on to your hands and from there into your eyes, nose and mouth

C. We should stay away from all kinds of colds

D. I also had a fever so I didn't sleep very well

E. Because if one of you gets a cold, often all of you get it

F. Some cold medicines can help stop fever and aches

G. I hope all of you'll get better soon

Information Card

    Can you imagine a sea of sand three times bigger than India? This is the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world. It covers 11 countries in North Africa and is over 9 million square kilometers.

    In the Sahara, temperatures are very different during the day and at night. It is much hotter during the day than at night. During the day, the hottest time is between 2 p. m. and 4 p. m.-when temperatures rise to 33℃. But it is very cold at night, the coldest time is at 4 am, when temperatures fall to -1℃.

    Because of the extreme temperatures in the desert, it is a very difficult place to survive (幸存). Marco Rivera, our survival expert, has some tips.

    Take warm clothes and a blanket. You will need a hat, long trousers and a thick sweater to keep you warm at night. During the day, cover your body, head and face. Clothes protect you from the sun and keep water in your body. You will also need a warm blanket at night. It can get cold rapidly. When the temperature drops, it can be a shock and make you feel even colder.

    Try to drink some water at least once every hour. You need your water to last as long as possible. Drink only what you need. If you eat, you will get thirsty and your water will run out soon. You can eat a little, but only to stop you from feeling very hungry. Eat a small amount of food slowly.

    It's important to stay out of the sun during the day. Make a hole under your car and lie there. This will keep you cool and help you sleep. Find a warm place to sleep at night. A small place near a tree or a rock will be the warmest. But be careful before you decide where to sleep. Dangerous animals like snakes also like to sleep in these places. Look carefully for animals before you lie down.