In Europe, small cars have always been more popular than large cars. In the United States, large cars and midsize cars are more popular than smaller cars. As a result, European automakers used to make different kinds of small cars while American automakers used to build bigger, heavier cars. However, these days, automakers in both America and Europe produce cars of different sizes. This is because most automakers export their cars all over the world.

    The price of gasoline (汽油)is one reason for differences in car choices. Since gasoline is more expensive in Europe, many Europeans want smaller, lighter cars that will travel a long way on a gallon（加仑）of gasoline.

    Other reasons also enter into the big or little car decision. Many European cities have narrow, winding（弯曲的） streets. In these cities a small car is easier to control than a large one.

    For a long time, few Americans bought small cars. Instead they chose large cars, because these roomy cars were more comfortable for large families and long trips. Some people also liked the powerful engines（发动机） that large cars had. Since gasoline was cheap, drivers did not mind that the large cars used a lot of gasoline.

    But in the 1970s, there were gasoline shortages in the United States. The price of gasoline went up. Though large cars were still more popular than smaller cars, sales of small cars increased. Some people also bought small cars because these cars caused less air pollution than larger cars.

    Today, Americans' car preferences are still changing. Though Americans are still buying many small cars, the fastest growing sales are for certain kinds of large cars. These types of cars are called minivans and sport utility vehicles(SUV). They are very popular today. But of course, that could change tomorrow.

    Many children go to the zoo on October 4 to see elephants, monkeys and tigers because that day is World Animal Day.

    Now, more children like animals and want to make friends with them. In the zoo, they learn about animal life. They don't need to go out to show their love of animals. They have pets(宠物)at home.

    Mark is a middle school student. He has a black cat. He gives it milk to drink and meat to eat. The cat is his true friend. Jane is also a middle school student. She has two tortoises. They are as big as her hand. Every day, she changes(换)the water for them. She likes to watch them.

B

    In choosing a friend, one should be very careful. A good friend can help you study. You can have fun together and make each other happy. Sometimes you will meet fair-weather friends. They will be with you only if you have money or luck, but when you are down, they will run away. How do I know when I have found a good friend? I look for certain qualities of characteristic, especially understanding, honesty and reliability (可靠).

    Above all else, I look for understanding in a friend. A good friend tries to understand how another person is feeling. He is not quick to give his opinion. Instead, he tries to learn from others. He puts himself in the other person's place, and he tries to think of ways to be helpful. He is also a good listener.

    At the same time, however, a good friend is honest. He does not look for faults (过错) in others. He notices their good points. In short, a friend will try to understand me and accept me.

    Another quality of a friend is reliability. I can always depend on (信赖) a good friend. If he tells me he will meet me somewhere at a certain time, I can be sure that he will be there. If I need help, he will do his best to help me. If I am in trouble, he will not run away from me.

    There is a fourth quality that makes a friend special. A special friend is someone with whom we can have fun. We should enjoy our lives, and we would enjoy our friendship. That is why I especially like friends who are fun to be with. A good friend likes the same things I like. We share experience (经验) and learn from each other. A good friend has a good sense of humour, too. He likes to laugh with me. That is how we share in the joy of being friends. And I know that he is looking for the same quality in me.

    When I meet someone who is reliable, honest, and understanding, I know I've found a friend!

    You have probably heard the popular Australian greeting, "G'day mate!"

    G'day is a short form of "good day". And "mate" is the same as "friend". Some think that "mate" came from the word "shipmate", used by people working on ships.

    But Australian English is much more complex(复杂的) than just saying "G'day mate!". There are many special words and expressions in Australian English when you see someone you know. For example, if you're being lazy you're a "bludger". If you crash your car you've just had a "pulling a sickie".

    Australian English is a funny mixture(混合体), because English and Irish(爱尔兰的) criminals(罪犯) were sent by the British to Australia. They brought their slang(俚语) with them.

    Also, it's because there are so many special plants and animals in Australia. Many of their names come from Aboriginal(土著的) English, like "Kangaroo" and "Dingo".

    Nowadays, Australians watch a lot of American television and listen to American music. That has a large effect(影响) on the way they speak.

    There are actually three types of Australian accent(口音), but the most well-known is Broad Australian English. It is common in country areas. It's the most difficult to understand.

    So next time you meet an Australian, remember that there's a reason they sound so special!

    A village in Thailand has a very special holiday. Each year, on the last weekend of November, the people have a big dinner for the monkeys in their village. The monkeys of this village live together with people. But they are always a problem because they like to take away food from people. So the villagers decided to have a very special big dinner for the monkeys. The big dinner has bananas, apples and other delicious fruits and vegetables. In all, the people give more than 2,000 kilograms of food to about 1,000 monkeys living in the village.

    The monkey festival started in 1989. It is good for the village because every year thousands of visitors from all over the world come to see the monkeys playing and eating. There are also music and dances with young people dressed like monkeys. You can see monkeys anywhere you go. But you may be scared-they may climb on you at any time and the away the food or things in your hands.

    The festival is also a way for people to thank the monkeys for the money they bring to the village.