My town is a great place to live in. It's the best place to enjoy your free time. There are three movie theaters in the town. They are all good, but the one nearest my house is the best. Shopping is also easy. There are many shops and most of them are trendy. They sell very fashionable clothes. They are also cheaper than those in other cities, so students love to shop here. There are also a lot of video and music stores. These are very popular with students. I go to the music store every week to buy a new CD. The most crowded place for students to hang out is the park. Everyone goes there, so it's really interesting.

    Sometimes there are even street performers. Some students think they are boring, but I think they are the most creative people. I want to be a street performer, too.

    I recently gave up driving. I passed my test last year, but I stopped voluntarily when I turned 90, I thought that it was finally the right time. Needless to say, my family was relieved--they didn't have to have "that talk" with me. My doctor was relieved too. Compared to a serious illness, taking away a senior driving license is one of the hardest things to do. Since my wife passed away years ago, I made this decision alone, although I'm sure my wife would have supported me. I knew I couldn't move as well as I used to, and my eyesight was getting worse. It hurt to turn my head when backing up the car, and, after long shopping trips, I was always tired.

    As I handed over the keys of the car to my son, I thought of all the cars my wife and I had owned over the years. A car is freedom, independence, and an extension of your personality. Without one, you feel like less of a person.

    I have a son who lives close by and we shop together at least once a week. My neighbors also offer me rides, but the idea of being dependent on other people after a lifetime of independent is hard to get used to.

    I have learned to adapt and change. With my own car, I could go anywhere at a moment's notice. But now, my life is different and I must plan ahead for everything. No more going out for mill or bread or last minute afternoon drives. However, I found a solution to some of those problems. Last month, I decided to buy a nice new four-wheel electric motorbike. At the top speed of 12km/h, it takes 20 minutes to get from my house to the store. But now, my ride is free from traffic and noise, with trees and greenery replacing cars and street signs.

    Giving up driving is hard, and some of us never accept the loss. For me, however, it was just the end result of a long and lucky life. Life in the slow lane turned out to be so much fun-and so much cheaper.

    What do you think of your Chinese? It's good or bad? If you think you are good at Chinese, you can take part in a ⑴_________. The competition is Chinese Characters Dictation Competition. ⑵ The competition has been popular among teenagers since(自从……以来) last summer.

    Today teenagers are using computers and smart phones. Many of them lose themselves in digital products such as electronic dictionaries and computers to help with their study. Overuse of these tools will make students too lazy to think and write. Some students even forget the hand writing of Chinese characters. Teachers and parents have been very worried about it. What can they do?

    Such worries ⑶_________ (bring) about the popular TV show, Chinese Characters Dictation Competition, where middle school students stand on the stage to write down Chinese characters. Over two hundred students from forty-six schools competed. 

    Chen Keyu, a Grade 8 boy beat the other competitors. Can you be the next winner?

    "No one in this world should be bullied(欺凌)and brought down by people. And no one deserves to hold in all those situations that have happened to them. If you are being bullied, you are supposed to open up and talk about it. I know you may not feel comfortable to say it out, but if you don't, they may gradually get used to bullying you. Remember that you are not alone. Others who get bullied know how you feel. People who love you will listen to you and be there for you. Stand up against bullying today. "

Jessica—15—Michigan

    "No one deserves to be bullied. It is just not right and fair. I had a friend who was bullied and I came to help and stopped it. When you see someone being bullied, please tell an adult or try to stop it yourself. You might be worried about being bullied as well, but there is no reason to be, because you are not alone. My classmates and I have set up a club called 'No Bullying' and we will go out our way to help stop bullying at school. "

    Bob—17—North Carolina

    "When I went into middle school, there was a boy whom everyone just 'decided' to pick on(欺负). He would always sit alone at lunch and never once had a friend. A few years later I remembered how many times this boy had tried to talk to me, but I never said a word. I was too scared to lose my friends. I was too selfish to help someone in need. It made me cry when thinking of how lonely he feels. Never again will I ever let anyone decide who is "worth" being happy and having friends. And I want others to learn from my mistake. When you see someone down on the ground，have the courage to be the hand that picks him up. "

    Angela—16 —Des Moines IA

    "If you've been a bully(欺凌弱小的人), you don't have to admit it, you just have to realize how you made them feel and change the way you behave. If you try to think about others, you will realize how much of a tough time they are going through. We are the future generation, and we are expected to make a change in the world. Take a stand and lend a hand, and someday we will make a difference in the world together. "

    Beverley—15—Washington D.C

Information Card

    James Watt was an English boy. He liked asking questions and was always thinking hard.

    One day he was sitting in the kitchen with his grandmother. There he saw a kettle (壶) on the fire. Some steam began to come out of the kettle. The lid (盖子) was shaking. "Grandma, what's in the kettle?" he asked. "Water, my child… nothing, but water." "But I know there is something else. It pushes the lid up. How did the steam get under the lid?" "It comes from the hot water."

    The boy said to himself, "The steam must be very strong. It can push things. If there is more water, the steam will be much stronger."

    Many years later James Watt tried to make steam work for people. He gave the world the first engine.