In 1986, the Honda automotive company wanted to see if it could make a human-like robot, to help in home, play football, balance on one foot, and even dance. Over the years there were some problems but soon the researchers managed to get a robot named ASIMO. It could walk on uneven(不平坦的) surfaces, and move its center of gravity like we do to climb stairs.

    More recently, ASIMO was improved so it could turn round and run at six kilometers per hour, using its upper body to control movement.

    ASIMO is designed to be friendly. It is hoped that robots like this could be used to help elderly people in their home. Honda are also using this technology to help people with disabilities. It can also push a cart(手推车) and open and close doors. ASIMO can even shake hands. It stands 120 centimeters tall, so that it can look into adult faces when they are sitting down. It can hold two kilos in its hands. It can even carry a tray without dropping the contents.

    So, where next for this kind of robot? Well, while ASIMO is attractive, it is still controlled by a human. Researchers in the USA are working on the robots that can learn about the world around them, and give a reply to human touch and voice. The robots are even learning to recognize(辨认) objects, people and vocabulary. Soon the descendants(后代) of these robots may be serving you drinks or helping with jobs at home and at work.

    How did you learn to ride your bicycle? You took a few lessons and then practiced a lot, right?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}No one is born (天生的) knowing how to study. You need a few study skills and then practice them.

    Pay attention (集中注意力 )!

    Do you have difficulty paying attention in class? Are you sitting next to a noisy person? Is it hard to see the blackboard? Make sure you are sitting in a good place that lets you pay attention.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

      Take dear notes (笔记).

    It's a good idea to write down important things your teacher says or writes on the blackboard in class.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Good notes can help you study easily.

    Plan ahead (提前计划).

    Waiting until Thursday night to study for Friday's test will make you feel tired.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}One of the best ways to make sure that doesn't happen (发生) is to plan ahead.

    Have a good sleep.

    The test is tomorrow and you're finished your study plan, but you find you just can't remember anything! Don't worry.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}You'll be surprised by what comes back to you in the morning.

    Jia Meng used to keep a diary in Chinese. But one year ago, the 14-year-old girl from Heilongjiang Province began to write her diary in English, because Jia found her mother was reading her diary secretly. She changed the language because her mother can't read English. “It's like killing two birds with one stone.” said Jia, “My private things become safe and my English improves a lot.”

    Jia's mother is not the only mom who reads her child's diary. Recently, Renmin University of China had a survey among over 23,000 parents. The results show that 40% of parents read their children's sectects. That's why many teenagers try to find ways to protect their privacy(隐私).

    Wu Lei, 15, of Shanxi, keeps a diary, too. But he doesn't write it on paper. He writes online which he thinks is perfectly safe because his parents know nothing about the Internet.

    Lu Huan, 13, of Guangdong, said her parents always secretly listened to the talk between her friends and her on the telephone in their room. To solve this problem, Lu asked her parents to buy her a mobile phone.

    “Parents want to know what is going on in their children's lives,” said Shao Xiazhen, a teenage expert in Beijing. “But sometimes they go about it the wrong way.” Shao suggested to teenagers that instead of hiding their secrets, talking to parents should be a better solution. “If your parents know that you are safe, they'll let you keep your secrets.”

Information Card

    John is eight years old, and he is a very funny boy. He works hard, so he is good at his subjects. And his teachers and parents like him very much. But he has a very big head.

    Last year, he spent ten days in his uncle's home on summer vacation. His uncle lives in a mountain village and it's about four hundred miles away from his city. He took a train to a small town. There his uncle waited for him and took him to his house by bike.

    John made some friends soon. They played games and swam in the river happily. But one afternoon he cried to his aunt, "All the children make fun of me. They say I have a big head."

    "Don't listen to them," his aunt said. "You have a beautiful head. Now stop crying and go to the store to buy fifty potatoes."

    "Where is the shopping bag?"

    "Oh, dear. I haven't got one. Use your hat."

Information Card

    A boy lost his arms in an accident (事故) and his father lost his life. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Except for(除了......之外) writing with his foot, he could hardly do anything in his life. As the two brothers grew up together. They had lots of problems. And they often argued(争吵). {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So he was very sad and did not know what to do. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Though her sister wanted to take care of her, she decided to do everything by herself. At school, she studied hard. Once she wrote:" I am lucky. Though I lost my hands, I still have legs. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}One day, the boy and the girl came to a television interview (访谈) Program. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} The boy wrote" My younger brother's arms are my arms." While the girl wrote" Broken wings, flying heart."