The Vine That Ate the South

    Kudzu is a fast-growing vine(蔓生植物) that covers a large area in the southern United States. It is so common that one might think it is a native plant, but it is not. Kudzu was brought to the United States from Japan in 1876. Many Americans thought it was beautiful, and they began to plant it. They didn't know it could grow up to a foot a day during the summer months. Nor did they know it would grow up and over anything in its path.

    In Japan, kudzu experienced cold winters and a short growing season. But in the United States, it has a very long growing season with warm and wet southern weather. It is fine weather for the vine to grow fast.

    In the 1920s, people used the vine to feed farm animals. Ten years later, the government supported to plant kudzu because it kept soil from washing away. However, by the 1950s, the government no longer wanted people to plant the vine. Twenty years after that, the government said it was a harmful plant.

    The vine grows up trees and buildings, making some beautiful shapes. However, trees die after kudzu covers them because they cannot get enough light. Scientists are looking for ways to kill the vine. They used poisons(毒药) to kill the vine. However, some of the poisons made it grow even better. Scientists also find it difficult to dig up Kudzu. The plant is really tough.

    Because kudzu is so hard to kill, some people are making the best of it. So they try to find different uses for the vine. They find the vine can be used to make paper and baskets, it can be used to feed the goats, and it can even be eaten by people. Scientists are studying it in the hope that the vine can be used as a medicine. At the very least, kudzu serves as an example of the unexpected results that can come from non-native plants.

The sun is setting，brightening your kids' faces as they play in the waves.You reach for your phone for this perfect moment.But before you do，here's a bit of surprising science：Taking photos is not the perfect way to keep memory as you think.

Taking too many pictures could actually harm the brain's ability to keep memories，says Elizabeth Loftus，a psychology professor at the University of California

Photos may outsource memories.It works in two ways：We either shake off the responsibility of remembering moments when taking pictures，or we're so distracted（分心的）by the process that we miss the moment altogether.

The first explanation is the loss of memory.People know that their camera is recording that moment，so they don't try to remember.Similarly，if you write down someone's phone number（不假思索地）because your brain tells you there's just no need.That's all well and good — until that piece of paper goes missing.

The other is distraction.We're distracted by the process of taking a photo — how we hold our phone，composing the photo，such as smiling faces，all of which uses up our attention that could otherwise help us memorize.

However，taking photos can benefit memory — when done mindfully.While taking a photo may be distracting，the act of preparation by focusing on visual details around has some upsides.

When people take the time to zoom in （拉近镜头） on specific things，memories become strengthened.

Another benefit is that we recall moments more accurately with the photos.Memory has been reshaped with the help of new information and new experiences.Thus，photos or videos help us recall moments as if they really happened.

Memories die away without a visual record backing them up.Therefore，a photo is an excellent tool to help remember when done purposefully，which is worth exploring further.

My name's Kevin Kent. I'm a new student in Xingxing Middle School. It's nice {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (meet) you all. My school is not very big, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} it's clean and beautiful. There are four {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (building) in our school-a classroom building, a dining hall, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} office building and a library. The library is a big building {#blank#}5{#/blank#} a lot of books . Our classroom is very special (特别的). There are some desks in it, but there aren't {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (some) chairs in it. We can {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (sit) on yoga(瑜伽) balls. They are red, orange, blue and yellow. They are for students. And we all like them. And there is a {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (teacher) desk in the front of the classroom. On the desk, there {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) a computer. There are pictures on the wall. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (we) classroom is very beautiful because of them. 

What is your classroom like? I really want to know it. Can you tell me?

Some Useful Ways to Cheer You Up

No one can be happy all the time. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some suggestions for you when you are in a bad mood.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Friends can help each other by realizing that they are not alone in their feelings. Talking to parents is important, too. Parents can share their own experiences of dealing with bad moods. Teachers are also there to talk with you and make you feel better.

Do some exercise. Go for a run, play some tennis, ride your bike, or punch a punching bag（打沙袋）. They can help you get over from your bad moods.

Get enough sleep. Though it can be hard to find enough time, getting enough rest is very important. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Make your feelings on paper. Writing can help you express your thoughts and feelings. Painting, music or other art forms are also helpful.

Feel easy to cry. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}In fact, it often makes a person feel better. If you find that you are sad, bored, or hopeless much of the time, or if you just can't seem to feel happy, you can have a cry. It can help you feel relaxed.

In China, the 12th month of the lunar calendar (阴历) is called Layue. The month is full of interesting festivals and customs.

Laba Festival, which is on the 8th day of Layue, is the first festival in this month. From this day on, people begin to get ready for the Chinese New Year.

On Laba Festival, people eat hot Laba porridge (腊八粥). There are usually eight things in the porridge: rice, red beans, peas, dried lotus seeds, dates, and three different kinds of fruits and nuts. The porridge is not just good for your health, but a blessing for the coming of the Chinese New Year.

Laba porridge is not the only tasty food in Layue. Laba garlic (腊八蒜) is popular in the north. People begin to soak (浸泡) the garlic in vinegar from that day on, and eat it with dumplings during the Chinese New Year. While in the south, people like making sausages (腊肠).

Another major celebration before the Spring Festival is Xiaonian. It is usually on the 23rd or 24th day of the last lunar month. Traditionally, it is an important day when people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God who looks after the family.

Don't forget to clean your home. This is also an important thing to do to prepare for the Chinese New Year. It means sweeping away the dust of the old year and welcoming a fresh start. Now, the last thing for you to do is to wait for the coming Spring Festival.