Mr. Guo is a teacher from Xi'an. He asked his students to hand in their homework through a QR code(二维码). "We spent an hour or two in class learning how to generate(使产生) the codes, and in the end everything gets easier." Said Guo, "When students finish the homework, they keep it on WeChat. Then, each student makes his own QR code and gives it to me. So I can check their work anywhere using my computer or telephone."

    The QR codes can be sent to Mr. Guo by email, QQ and WeChat. When Guo scans(扫描) his students' QR codes, their homework appears on his phone. He finds that their homework becomes more creative, with many pictures, music and even videos.

    Guo's students like the new way and think it is interesting. "We are living in the information age. Many students like to work with computers, which makes learning more fun." Said Tingting, a student of Guo's. "The paper is not easy to keep, but the code is easy to keep and share." Guo said, "It is worth trying to use new technology in education. Education itself is a kind of creation. I don't want my students to fall behind the times."

    However, some parents are worried. They are afraid that their children will spend too much time on computers and less time communicating with teachers. But in fact, it's unnecessary. Students still need to look up information in books and write it down when they do their homework. They only use the codes when they hand in their work, which doesn't take them too much time. Also for teachers, it allows them to check the students' work at any time. And it's also an easy way to share homework with other students.

    When you speak, write a letter, or make a telephone, your words carry a message. People communicate with words. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A smile on your face shows you are happy or friendly. Tears (眼泪) in your eyes tell others that you are sad.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} the teacher knows you want to say something or ask questions, You shake your head and people know you are saying "No". You nod and people know you are saying "Yes".

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, a sign at the bus stop helps you to know which bus to take. A sign on the door tells you where to go in or out. Have you ever thought that there are a lot of other signs around you and that you receive messages from them all the time? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} An artist can use his drawings to tell about the beautiful mountains, the blue seas and many other thing. A writer writes books to tell you about all the wonderful things in the world and also about people and their ideas.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} They can help us lo know what is going on in the world and what other people are thinking about.

    American and British people both speak English of course. But sometimes it does not seem like the same language. In fact, there are some important differences between British English and American English.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Often, Americans don't say each word separately. They say several words together. Americans may say "I dunno" instead of" I don't know". Or they may say "Whaddya say?" instead of "What did you say?" However, the British are more careful in their speech. They usually say all the words and keep them separate.

    Sound is not only the difference between British English and American English. Words sometimes have different meanings too. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Americans drive trucks, but in England people drive lorries.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}In England, if you are going to telephone your friends, you "phone them up". In America, you "give them a call".

    There are also some differences in grammar. For example, Americans usually use the helping verb "do" when they ask a question. They say "Do you have a storybook?" But the British often leave out the helping verb.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Most languages are like this. Languages change over time. When people live in separate places, the languages change in different ways. This is what has happened to English. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Many people in Canada speak French but their French is very different from the French of France.

⑴ {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Jeff likes sports and travel. He would like something that can help him spend boring time on his journey(旅途).

⑵ {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Mrs. Green doesn't like to exercise, but she likes cooking and reading books about foreign places.

⑶ {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Mr. Dean wants to improve his garden during summer, So he would like something that can help him to do that.

⑷ {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Lisa, a 22-year old girl, worries about her weight(体重). She is wondering how to lose weight.

⑸ {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Sophia likes to look smart. When she is free, she enjoys listening to the music. Now she plans to learn something about music.

    Do you want to visit the North Pole(北极) this summer? {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So if you enjoy the sunshine very much, come to Sunshine Hotel in the North Pole this summer. It's very far from where you live, so you can only come here by plane. It is also very cold here. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can play with the snow in the evening because it is still bright (明亮的).

    In Sunshine Hotel, there are 20 floors (楼层) and 100 rooms. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You have to pay S 100 for a room for one night. Every room has a big balcony(阳台). {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Sometimes you may see some interesting animals. There is a coffee bar (咖啡馆) on each floor. You can get hot coffee here for free. If you want other drinks, you have to pay for them.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Do you want to feel anything different? Welcome here!