Jane Austen(1775-1817),an English novelist, started writing young and completed six novels in her life. Today Austen's books are more popular than ever. In the last 10 years, five of her six novels have been made into Hollywood films, while her books continue to be best-sellers.

Richard Jenkyns, a professor of English at Oxford University, says that her novels are about marriage, friendships and the family, which are still with us today. “The stories are timeless," Jenkyns said.

Pride and Prejudice(偏见)(1813) is Austen's most famous work. It is a love story about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. At first, these two dislike each other. Elizabeth is pretty ,smart and lively. She is proud because Darcy doesn't know about her family.  Mr. Darcy is handsome, rich and has a better family background. So, he is proud as well. At the same time, Darcy holds a prejudice against the Bennet family. He has no understanding of why the family, especially its mother and daughters should try so hard to find wealthy and powerful husbands. He thinks they are vulgar. Anyway, Elizabeth and Darcy finally fall in love and become a romantic couple but their families don't want them to.

In Pride and Prejudice, some of the main things that Jane Austen wants to teach people are as follows.  Opposites can attract each other. Lovers should not ony make each other feel relaxed or comfortable, but also educate and improve each other.

 Austen is often called the greatest romanti writer, so it is surprising she remained unmarried. "Maybe she was too romantic, waiting for the perfect man,”Jenkyns says.

    It's Sunday. Children don't go to school on Sundays. But Kate gets up early in the morning. “It's my birthday. I'm eight years old today.” she thinks, “Where are Dad and Mum? I want to know what they can give me for my birthday.”

    Her father and mother are not at home. They are going shopping. And now they are talking about what to buy for Kate.

—Dad: How about the doll? It looks nice. I think Kate would like the doll.

—Mom: I don't think so. She is not a little girl. I think she likes a new dress. Girls often like new dresses very much.

—Dad: But she has a few new dresses and some new blouses. Oh, I think she must be very happy to have a box of colorful pencils and some picture books. Do you think so?

— Mom: Yes. Let's go over there and buy them.

What do you think of an RV (房车) trip?

Liu Yuxi and Liu Hongjia decided {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(take) an RV trip after staying at home for a long time. 

There are many differences between RV trips and other {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(kind) of trips. "People should know when to leave and {#blank#}3{#/blank#} to live when the holiday starts. But we don't need to worry {#blank#}4{#/blank#} these problems when we travel," Liu Hongjia said. "On an RV trip, you can go or stop anywhere you want at any time."

In 2020, the two turned 30. They wanted to try something new {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(remember) the special year, so they took a "Rolling 30" trip. They drove about 14, 380 km from Shanghai to Xizang in 100 days. The RV trip was {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (enjoy). They went from a busy city to quiet nature. They saw Mount Qomolangma,{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (high) mountain in the world, from their RV. It was {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (real) great. Liu Yuxi and Liu Hongjia enjoyed {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(they) during the trip. "Our RV is so small, but it can take us to a big world. We really have {#blank#}10{#/blank#} great time," they said. 

Do you want to go on an RV trip too?

"It's hard to say this, but I'll have to leave school in a few weeks' time, " said Mr. Thomas, standing at the front of the classroom. 

It was early on Monday morning and Mr. Thomas' students were surprised at the news. All of them loved Mr. Thomas very much and they never thought that he might leave. However, Mr. Thomas reached the age when he was going to retire. After hearing the news, the class kept gloomy for the next few days until the class monitor gave them a small scolding (训斥). 

"We should not be like this, "she said. "Instead, we should study hard to thank Mr. Thomas for being so good to us. " The class agreed, and they thought of an idea of having a farewell (送别) party for Mr. Thomas to surprise him. 

On Mr. Thomas' last day at school, everybody brought a different kind of delicious finger food to class and put it in the middle of the classroom. They covered the blackboard with farewell messages. When Mr. Thomas showed up, all the students said "Goodbye, dear teacher!" together and promised Mr. Thomas that they would do their best in schoolwork in the future. 

Mr. Thomas was really surprised. And he was really touched. The class, in turn, was glad that they did the right thing. After all, it was the simplest way to show thanks to their favorite teacher.