It is difficult to find true friends these days. A lot of people would backstab(背后伤人). Some make friends just to use them. Others promise to be your friends but they are never there when you need them the most. They appear only when they need something from you.

    Once you find a friend who is worth keeping, make sure to take care of what you have with that person. How? Here are some tips on how to make friendship last forever:

    1).Call for no reason. Call just to say “Hi” or just to ask “What's up?” You don't need a huge or an important reason to call a friend. If you can't call, just send an e-mail. This would send a message that you remember your friends at any time of the day.

    2).Know when to say I'm sorry and thank you. Don't let pride get in the way, especially when you are wrong. The word “sorry” already has saved a lot of friendships. Show praise for the things, big or little, which your friend does for you. Did she listen to you when you were complaining about that physics exam? Did he offer his shoulders for you to cry on when somebody broke your heart? Say thank you. It's that easy.

    3).Avoid hurtful words. If you have nothing good to say, don't talk at all. Don't hurt your friend's feelings by saying hurtful words that, most of the time, you don't really mean. If you're a true friend, you will be careful with your words.

    4).Don't lie to a friend. Trust is the first thing for building up true friendship. Write them a note from time to time. Also, try to be thoughtful. Give simple gifts that will make their day.

    5).Know how to keep a secret. Show your friends that they can depend on you to be there whatever happens. If you promise to keep the secrets for your friends, just do it.

    6).Be generous with your time. Spare some time to see your friends however busy you are. You can always spare an hour or two after school or work to visit them.

    If you are the type of person who knows how to take care of friendship, you are certainly a keeper!

    There are many libraries in Britain. Let's learn something about them.

Public libraries

    Most towns in Britain have a public library. A library usually has a large selection of books and other resources, which library members can use and borrow for free.

    Britain's First Public Library

    The first Britain's public library opened in Manchester in 1852. Its first librarian was a man called Edward Edwards. Edwards attended the library's opening ceremony and two famous writers called Charles Dickens and William Thackeray were there, too.

    Services of library

    Modern public libraries have something for everyone. Most of them have audio books, CDs, newspapers and DVDs as well as books to borrow.

    How to Join a Library

    To join a library, go to your local library and fill in a form. You'll receive a library card which is needed when using library services.

    Mobile Libraries

    Not everyone can get to a library. Some people live far away from towns and cities. Other people find it difficult to go out because they have an illness or a disability. Thanks to mobile libraries, these people can still borrow books.

    The libraries are special. Unlike most libraries, which store books in buildings, mobile libraries usually keep their books in a mini-bus. The back of the mini-bus has shelves for the books, and it is big enough for borrowers to step inside and look around. A driver take the mini-bus to a certain place at a certain time, so people know when to expect it. They can return their books and borrow some more.

    All Aboard the Library!

    A school in London didn't have space for a library inside the building. However, everybody agreed that it was still important to have a school library. So, the head of the school, Graham Blake, decided to park an old bus on the school car park and change it into a library. Pupils helped to paint the bus, and after eight months, the new library was ready.

Information Card

    Young people like pop music but not many of them like classical music. In fact, classical music is very pleasing to your ears. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Some classical pieces are so good that you will still love it after a long time.

    The main musical instruments in classical music are the violin and piano. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is small but a musician can play it very loudly or softly. The piano is also a great musical instrument. It is very big and heavy. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} The violin or piano can be played with all the other musical instruments.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Don't think that there are no singers in classical music. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Their voices are as beautiful as the sound of a musical instrument. The next time you hear a piano or violin playing, close your eyes and listen if it is the most beautiful sound in the world.

A.We call this kind of music a violin or piano concerto.

B.In fact, singers of classical music can sing very high notes.

C.Its sound has the widest range among all musical instruments.

D.You need to listen to a piece of classical music a few times before you fall in love with it.

E.The violin is called the "King of Musical Instruments" because its sound is very beautiful.

    I am an English boy. My first name is Eric. Miller is my last name. What's this in English? It's a kite. It's blue. It's my kite. I like it very much. Look! That's my jacket. It's black and white. Where is my family photo? Oh, it's on the wall(墙). In the photo, you can see my parents, my sister Jane, my brother Tom and me.

    As a mother of three young girls, Alison Cowan worried about her daughters growing up too fast. From asking for the latest toy to wanting to wear make-up, it seemed to Alison and her husband. Alan, that their children were never satisfied with what they had.

    The girls would ask for a toy, but would lose interest in it as soon as their friends had something new. Birthday parties were no longer just a few party games and blowing up balloons. All the parents seemed to invite professional performers and compete over who could give the most expensive party bag. At just seven years old, Amy and her friends were paying more and more attention to their appearance. It was a feeling that many parents would have.

    However, few would dream of leaving a comfortable family life and a comfortable house to move their family 3. 000 miles away to Africa in search of a simpler life. But last June, Alison and her husband, Alan, moved with their daughters to Kampala in Uganda, to show them a different lifestyle.

    For almost a year, the girls play in the red, dusty streets with local children and visit markets to buy fresh fish and vegetables for dinner. They have been able to play and use their imagination away from the distractions(分心) of the consumer-driven society. Now, instead of competing over who has won a computer game, the girls think about things like the frequent water shortages and electricity cuts in certain areas. "At times, we've been without water for five days. The girls always accept it, though. Their world before had been so small, but now they understand 93."