Watering plants is an important part of having a garden. But different plants have different needs. Plants like plenty of water, but how do you know what is too much or too little? Here are just a few helpful suggestions you may want to consider.

    3 Do's 3 Don'ts

    Water early.

    Water in the morning before it begins to get hot. It's a perfect time to water your plants. This way they are ready for the hottest parts of the day. Don't water too much.

    Although plants are usually thirsty, too much water can be harmful to their growth. If you notice the leaves are becoming yellow and falling off, it is a clear sign of too much water.

    Drain （排水） properly.

    Be sure to check the surrounding area of your plants regularly. The extra water should be drained well. Don't water late.

    This is especially important. Although not everyone will be able to do their watering in the early morning hours, try not to wait too late in the day. If you water in the afternoon when it is hot, lots of water will evaporate （蒸发）before reaching the roots. If you water in the evening, the roots will be too wet.

    Prevent insects.

    A thin, fine mist （喷雾） will prevent insects from setting on the leaves and flowers. Don't water the leaves.

    The most ideal place to begin is the root. This is where most of the growth and development takes place. In order for your plants to be strong, the roots have to be healthy.

    To really know what works well for your plants, watch them for signs of over watering or signs of not getting enough water. For more great advice on rose watering and growing roses, visit http:// www. my rose guide. com.

Under the influence of the Silk Road, China is often an exporter (输出国). However, throughout the history of these routes, many things were introduced to China through them. Here are three of them.

The Central Asian area introduced many products to China. For example, during the Han and Jin dynasties, nomadic people from the North introduced crops (作物) like carrots to China through the Northern Silk Road. One of the foods made from those crops is Hubing, a type of bread popular in the western areas of China. It was introduced to Chang'an by people from Central Asia during the Tang Dynasty.

Besides, many of these people from western areas opened cake shops in Chang'an. One of the most popular products these shops sold was Biluo, a type of cake that looked like a pillow. People could see the color of the filling inside from the outside because the surface of this dessert was quite thin.

Another food is a large number of spices (香料), such as pepper. They were introduced to China through areas such as the Indian Subcontinent. Pepper was first used for medical purposes, but later, during the Tang Dynasty it was used for cooking. After the Tang Dynasty, China began to grow pepper in its southern areas. However, the production was not enough to meet the needs and pepper continued to be imported (进口) from abroad.

During the Song Dynasty, thanks to the development of sea transportation, pepper was imported in large numbers and it was no longer as valuable as before. But for most people, pepper remained an expensive spice that was only saved for special events, such as when cooking for guests. During the Ming Dynasty, the Sea Silk Road greatly increased the import of pepper to China.

The food introduced to China through the Silk Road not only enriched the diet of the Chinese people, but also encouraged cultural exchanges.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Taking exams will be one of the most stressful times of your life, especially when you have your parents and your teachers telling you all the time {#blank#}1{#/blank#} important exams are. You will probably be under even more {#blank#}2{#/blank#} if you have an older brother or sister who has already done well in {#blank#}3{#/blank#} exams and your parents expect you to do so too. But don't worry, because it's{#blank#}4{#/blank#} to feel stressed before taking an exam. In fact, research has {#blank#}5{#/blank#} that a little stress in your life can motivate (激励) you and help you get better results.

I have a happy family. Dad is a teacher. Mum is a worker. She works in a factory. Dad teaches English and Mum works in the daytime. In the evening, all of us are at home. Fangfang and I do our homework. Dad reads and writes. Mum usually cooks dinner. After dinner, we watch TV. 

 Today is Sunday. Dad and Mum don't go to work and we don't go to school. What are we doing? Dad is reading. Mum is cleaning the rooms. My sister and I are playing games. Our friends Li Lei and Wang Ming are looking at us. They want to play with us. We often play together. 

A big test makes students feel fear and worried. But taking tests is something faced by all students at all levels of schools. How do you prepare for the tests as well as reducing fear? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Maybe they will be of use to you. 

Calm down. Don't panic. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You will be focusing on the fear, and not the coming test. Many times, fear can even prevent you doing well. If you panic, take deep breaths, and think that you can do this. 

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}People who make a detailed study plan often have an easier time of their studies. When making a study plan, calculate(计算) the amount of time you have left before the exam date. Is the exam in a month? Did the teacher spring the test on you suddenly? Is it a mid-year exam that has been waiting since the start of the year? Depending on the time, make your study plan long or short. 

Take notes and ask questions. If you come across what you can't understand, write it down.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}And don't worry—you aren't stupid if you ask questions. Questions mean that you're actively learning. Besides, a question ahead of time could mean a better grade on the exam. 

Good study skills help to achieve better results with less effort. So use the ones that work for you. 

What else can you do to prepare for a test? (No more than 15 words) {#blank#}5{#/blank#}