In the UK, bus journeys are very common. Buses are often convenient(便利的) for the people who live or work in the city centre. Passengers can avoid heavy traffic and do not have to pay for the parking. However, taking the bus is just a necessary but boring part of life: They get on the bus, pay for it and sit down or find a place to stand when it is crowded. Everyone seems sad and bored.

    In Latin America, however, bus trips can be wonderful. For a start, films are showed on the buses between cities for passengers to have fun along the journeys. Local buses do not show films, but drivers usually turn on the radio and it can be great for passengers to listen to songs and get relaxed.

    Even better than films and music are the sights and sounds on the buses. Local buses always go to parts of the town that passengers would not visit by themselves. There passengers can see shops that they have never heard about. And they can also see other cultures of the town from the windows of the buses.

    Besides, passengers' luggage(行李) is also interesting. It is common to see a happy dog's head getting out of somebody's bag or a lovely chicken "speaking cheerfully" under somebody's arm. Once on a bus in Peru, a farmer even tied a sheep to the top of the bus. It was quite surprising.

    In all, taking the bus in Latin America is really fun and unforgettable.

What is “Walk to School”?

    Now we are working on a program of "Walk to School". We would like as many parents and children as possible to take part, even if in a small way. Children who walk to and from school along with their parents can learn essential (基本的) road safety and life skills.

    You can take part by…

    Walking to and from school with your child every day.

    Walking for one or two days during the week.

    Encouraging others to walk, if you already do.

    Walking is great!

    Walking is great exercise! A walk is good for your body and can keep you fit.

    You won't have to waste time looking for a parking site .

    It's free. You'll save money by not using the car.

    It's pollution free.

    It's a good chance to talk to your children and to meet other parents, too.

    Enjoying walking to school!

    Here are some suggestions to help you and your child enjoy walking to school.

    Plan a safe route together.

    Teach children what a kerb (马路牙子) is and what it means.

    Encourage your child to help you choose the safest places to cross the road.

    Look at and discuss the things you see on your way－especially road signs and what they mean.

    Walk to school! Thousands of parents and children already take part, could you?

    Please go to www.walktoschool.org.uk for more information.

    Hello! I'm Barbara Green. I'm a girl. Look! I'm from America. I live at 225 King Street, Washington. (华盛顿) My telephone number is 474-8980. My e-mail address (电子邮箱地址） is barbaragreen@sina.com. Do you like to give a call or send an e-mail to me? I'd like to be your friend.

    There are some skills for students to listen to teacher in class, which means you're going to have to practice it. Just as you would have to practice basketball to be a better player, you also have to practice listening. How to listen in school? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    One of the things you need to do is to make sure that your mind doesn't wander(漫游). It's easy to start thinking about other things, especially when you're not interested in the subject. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Next, listen for the main ideas. If you want to catch every little piece of information, you'll feel tired and bored. You'll also need to look at the teacher. Not only does this show respect (尊重) to the teacher,  it also helps prevent your mind from wandering. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Or it could just be someone talking to their neighbors who shouldn't be, it can even be some birds outside the classroom window, or a group of kids who are talking loudly as they pass the door to your room.

    Finally, you need to take notes because you can not remember everything the teacher says. You'll have to take down the notes so that you can study it after class. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Listening isn't always easy, but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be much more successful in your classes.

A. Ina word, it's good for us students to join school clubs to develop ourselves in an all round(全面的) way. I Why not choose a club right now and go for it?

B. Nowadays, some students think joining school clubs is not good for their studies. But I don't think so. I think it's important for us students to choose our favorite club and join it.

C. Li Hong from Class 3 was once a shy girl. But after joining the club, she works on her abilities by helping others in study and organizing activities. She now becomes more outgoing. "As students, we should not always get buried' in our books," said Zhang Xuan, my desk mate, I am now in an English drama(戏剧) club. I can both practice my English and improve my acting skills.

D. School clubs play an important part in our school lives. They can make our lives better, and improve us as well. In the clubs, we can develop our hobbies and interests. By joining clubs, we can get skills, knowledge and friendship.

A: Hello, Henry. How are you?

B: Hi, Peter. I'm fine, thanks. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

A: I'm fine, too. Do you have a ping pong ball?

B: {#blank#}2{#/blank#}But I have a soccer ball. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

A: No, playing soccer is boring for me. But I have a basketball.

B: {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

A: It's under my bed.

B: {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A: That sounds interesting. Let's go.