Junior school students in Harbin，Heilongjiang, had a "long weekend". They had four days off from Oct. 19-22. It was not for any festival, but was caused by serious smog.
    The smog was caused by high levels of PM 2.5 in the air.
    PM 2.5 is small particles（微粒） of pollution in the air with a diameter （直径） of 2.5 micrometers or less. Waste gas from cars and factories is the biggest cause of PM 2.5 pollution.  On Oct. 17, the World Health Organization named air pollution a cause of cancer.
    To better protect children, cities are taking action.
    On Oct. 21, Harbin Education Bureau decided to close primary and junior high schools for two days.
    Beijing started a program on Oct. 22 which has a warning system with four levels. The red warning is the highest warning level. It means that the next three days will see serious pollution.
    When a red warning is issued（发布）, schools will close.
    If there's pollution that's not as serious, the Beijing Commission of Education will ask schools to stop PE classes and outdoor activities.
How will students be informed?
    "First, the Commission of Education will inform schools online," Ye Yan, head of Beijing Shijingshanqu Experimental Primary School, told Beijing Times. "Then teachers will text students' parents."
    Will the days off affect the study plan?
    "Missing school days will be made up during the summer or winter vacations,"  said Wang Hao, a physical education teacher in Beijing Chaoyang district.
    For students in Harbin who had the long weekend, they would go to school on the next two Saturdays.

    China Science and Technology Museum was opened to the public in September 1988. But the second project was completed in May, 2000. Its main task is to spread knowledge of science and technology among the public.

    The activities of China Science and Technology Museum include popular science exhibitions, Astro­vision film shows, training education programmes and experiment exhibition programmes. The museum has an area of 40，000 square metres, of which 16, 000 square metres is for exhibition halls.

    The Astro­vision Theatre is one of the museum's major attractions and also one of the largest Astro­vision theatres in the world. It makes visitors feel they are in actual events rather than see a film. Many great science activities are often held at the museum, and the museum wants to be an important window to the world.

Which Musical Instrument(乐器) Shall I Learn?

Many people would like to learn how to play a musical instrument, but they have one big problem: What to play? Ask yourself the following questions to help decide.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many instruments have different uses, but some are better for certain kinds of music. That is to say, your favorite music may sound more beautiful on some instruments than others, so think about this before you start.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Think about your long-term future as a musician. If you want to play with other people, what kind of instrument would be the most useful? You might think of the violin. But if too many people have the same idea with you, will you still choose to learn it?

Where are you going to practice? Many people live in flats(公寓) practicing the drums, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Think about where and when you are going to practice, and the feelings of the people you live with or nearby.

How much money can you spend? This is quite a big thing. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But this doesn't change the fact that many, such as the piano, are always very expensive. If you can't buy your favorite instrument, will you be able to borrow someone else's?

Still not sure? Talk to people you know who already play instruments. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} It's also a good idea to find a good music teacher who plays a few different instruments, and who can give you some advice and help you in the right way.

Here are some English learning tips to help you improve your English.

Ask yourself weekly: Whatdo I want to learn this week?

Asking yourself this question every week will help you think about what is most important to you. If you make a plan for each week, you will be surprised to notice how much you have improved your English by the end of the week! This feeling of success will encourage you to learn even more English.

Quickly review before going to bed

Research has shown that our brains process information that is fresh in our brains while we sleep. By going over important knowledge before you go to sleep, your brain will work on this information while you sleep!

Speak English aloud

Understanding grammar rules does not mean you can speak English well. You need to practice speaking aloud. Speaking by yourself at home and reading the exercises that you are doing will help connect the muscles of your face to the information in your head and improve your pronunciation.

Do five to ten minutes of listening at least four times a week

If you decide that you are going to work hard and listen for two hours, maybe you will not do extra listening exercises soon. But if you listen five to ten minutes at least four times a week, you will find it's not so hard to develop the habit of listening to English.

Look for situations to practice your English

Learning English in a classroom is important, but using English in real situations will improve your Englis h skills greatly. You can create new situations by using the Internet to listen to news, exchange emails in English with email friends, etc.

Title:{#blank#}1{#/blank#} to Learn English

 Hi, Oliver,

 How are you? I'm writing to share some good learning habits with you. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Study the same knowledge in many places.

 You may have a regular place to study - - - a quiet room or a corner of the school library. But scientists say it helps you remember if you study the same thing in two different places. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} See if you remember what you have learned better than you read the same thing twice in the classroom.

Don't just learn one skills at a time.

 Have you ever seen players training? They usually do speed and skill training together. Our brain works like that too. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, if you are studying English, you may want to study vocabulary, grammar and reading all at the same time.

Space out your studying.

 Most of you may have the experience of studying for a long time the night before a test. That may get you a good grade in an exam. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Scientists have found that spacing out is your ability to remember things. You can study for an hour tonight, an hour on the weekend, another hour a week from. now. Then you won't need to stay up all night for a test.

 Hope you can develop good learning habits.

 Helen.

Please share one more good learning habit. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}