Subway

    A subway is not just an important form of transport. It is also a window for other people to learn about local cultures.

    Beijing, China

    The Beijing Subway was opened in 1969 and is the oldest subway system in China. It has added some modern technologies. All stations now have touch-screen maps. In some stations, people can also see traditional Chinese cultures. For example, on the walls of a few stations of Line 8, there are some pictures of blue and white porcelain(青花瓷）.

    Stockholm, Sweden

    The system of the Stockholm Subway has 100 stations in use, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. The first subway line for Stockholm was opened in 1950. The Stockholm Subway is well-known for its decoration of the stations. It is called the longest art gallery in the world. Over 90 percent of its stations are decorated with paintings. A few stations are decorated with red bedrocks（岩床）. This makes you feel as if you are in a cave.

    London, UK

The London Underground or the Tube is the oldest subway in the world. It was opened in 1863. During World War II, it was used to protect people from German plane attacks（袭击）on London. Now, it is a symbol of the city. There is no air conditioning in the trains, so it is very hot in summer.

    New York, US

The New York City Subway has the most extensive public transportation system in the world, with 469 stations. It is also one of the world's oldest public transit systems. The New York City Subway runs 24 hours a day. It has an express train on almost every line. You can get to your destination(目的地）promptly. The trains themselves are full of fun; you will see people doing moonwalk dances like Michael Jackson, playing the guitar and singing.

    Different countries have different customs(风俗) in the world. It's very important for us to know about them.

    When you go to the US, someone often says to you "give me five". What should you do? Do not get five dollars from your pocket! It will make others laugh! The person is not asking for your money, but your fingers.

    In the US, "give me five" or "give me the high five" is a popular gesture. You can see it often in films or on TV. It means hitting(敲打) each other's right hands together.

    People do it when they meet for the first time or something happy happens. For example, a student good grades in exams. If a football teams wins a game, the players will give high fives to everyone around to celebrate.

    This gesture may come from the old Roman gesture of raising the right arm for the empor. This showed the person raising his arm did not have a knife in his hand.

    Why not try to give the high five to your friends?

    Do you think that it's possible to raise money by playing tricks on others? It is possible on Red Nose Day in the UK.

    The day was on March 15 this year. People do some funny things to make people laugh and raise money. They tell jokes. They dance in a funny way. Most importantly, they wear red noses. All the money goes to help the poor in the UK and Africa.

    Red Nose Day is not the only way to raise money for charity. Here are some other interesting ways to help people in need. Let's have a look!

Charity shops

    In the UK, some people like buying things in charity shops. This kind of shops sell used(用过的) things like clothes, shoes and books. People donate them to the shops. So things in the shops are very cheap. The money they raise goes to help sick children and homeless people.

Charity concerts

    This is a common(普通的) way for pop stars to raise money. Concerts help raise money and awareness（意识). The Live 8 concert in 2005 was one of the largest concerts of this kind. It helped make people care more