A year ago, I paid no attention to English idioms( 习语 ), though my teacher emphasized(强调) the importance again and again. But soon, the importance of English idioms was shown in an amusing experience.

    One day, I happened to meet an Englishman on the road, and soon we began to talk. As I was talking about how I was studying English, the foreigner seemed to be astonished. Gently shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders, he said, “You don't say!” “You don't say!” I was puzzled. I thought, perhaps this is not an appropriate(合适的) topic. “Well, I'd better change the topic.” So I said to him. “Well, shall we talk about the Great Wall? By the way, have you ever been there?” “Certainly, everyone back home will laugh at me if I leave China without seeing it. It was magnificent(宏伟的).” He was deep in thought when I began to talk like a tourist guide. “The Great Wall is one of the wonders in the world. We are very proud of it.” Soon I was interrupted again by his words “You don't say!” I couldn't help asking, “Why do you ask me not to talk about it?” “Well, I didn't request you to do so,” he answered, greatly surprised. I said, “Didn't you say ‘you don't say?'” Hearing this, the Englishman laughed to tears. He began to explain, “‘You don't say' actually means ‘really!'. It is an expression of surprise. Perhaps you don't pay attention to English idioms.” Only then did I know I had made a fool of myself. Since then I have been more careful with idiomatic expressions(习语表达). Remember -- what the English teachers said is always right to us students.

    Charles Dickens was born in one of the small towns in England.

    When Dickens was nine years old, his father found a job in London and the family moved there. Later on his father was put in to prison(监狱)for owing(负债). His mother could not supply(供应) enough food to him and his younger brothers and sisters. He had to do something for his family, so he could not go to school.  

    Only until his father was out of prison, Charles could go to school. At that time he was already twelve. But he did not finish school. Two years later he began to work in a factory.

    And at first he was a journalist(记者)and wrote for newspapers. The future writer often went to the library to read books. He read a lot. Then, at the age of twenty-two, Dickens began to write and he wrote a lot of novels and stories all his life.Dickens died over a hundred years ago，but people are still reading his books with great interest.

Edgar Snow (1905—1972) was an American reporter. He is best known for his books and articles on Communism in China and the Chinese Communist revolution.

Snow came to China in 1928. He spent over 10 years traveling {#blank#}1{#/blank#} in China and trying to understand its people. At the same time, he tried to show {#blank#}2{#/blank#} he learned to the rest of the world.

For examples, Red StarOver China, which came out in the 1930s, is {#blank#}3{#/blank#} as the first book that introduced China's revolution to the west. In it, Snow collected firsthand information on the Long March, as well as on the work and lifestyle of members of the Communist Party of China in Shanxi Province.

Many Westerners were introduced to the Party {#blank#}4{#/blank#} his book. Norman Bethune, a Canadian doctor, came to China after reading Snow's book. He worked {#blank#}5{#/blank#} to save the lives of Chinese soldiers during World War Ⅰ.

"When the whole world had forgotten us, Snow came to see us and {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the world what had happened. We will remember Snow's great help to China forever," Chairman Mao said during an interview with a German reporter in 1938.

Snow's {#blank#}7{#/blank#} is still needed now as well as in the future, according to People's Daily. "No writer has spoken more strongly about Sino-US relations than Edgar Snow. And no matter the era, people around the world always need some sort of link," the paper said.

Ms Li is our teacher. She teaches us English. She is k{#blank#}1{#/blank#} and patient.

Every morning, Ms Li gets up at 6：40 a．m. and has bread for b{#blank#}2{#/blank#} at 7：00 a．m., then she walks to school. She gives two lessons in the morning. At noon, she talks to some students and has a short break.

In the afternoon, she gives a lesson. After that, she takes part in some a{#blank#}3{#/blank#}， such as playing table tennis with her students. Then she walks home.In the evening, Ms Li cooks dinner and does the dishes. She reads some books and g{#blank#}4{#/blank#} herself ready for her lessons tomorrow. Sometimes she helps her daughter with her homework. She s{#blank#}5{#/blank#} watches TV at night because she has no time. She usually goes to bed at 10：00 p．m.

My sister Lily likes cartoon movies. She always watches them. Her favorite movie is Frozen. I never watch cartoon movies. I think they are boring. I like action movies best. They are exciting. Mom likes music programs. The band she likes best is the Jonas Brothers. I like it, too. I watch talent shows with mom every Friday. Dad only watches the news. He says it's very relaxing. He doesn't like other programs. My brother Bob likes western movies best. He thinks cowboys (牛仔) and horses are wonderful.

—Mike

My mother's favorite TV program is Nature News. She always watches it and she sometimes asks me to watch nature programs with her, but I think they are boring. My father watches a football game on TV at 7:00 p. m. every Wednesday. I don't like it, but my father likes it very much. He also likes the news. My sister Tina's favorite program is a game show. She thinks it's fun and she watches it every Saturday. I like cartoons best. I find them very interesting.

—Helen