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Dear Kids Advice Magazine

June 10, 2017

Hi, my name is Evan and being the eldest child in the family surely has its disadvantages. First of all, I have to share all my toys and games with my younger Siblings, William and Julia. Of course, they don't need to return the favour because I'm totally uninterested in their things. Besides that, Julia and William are always hanging around me. It's especially annoying when I have a friend over. We look for a secluded place in the house where they can't disturb (打扰) us, but within minutes, they've found us and are asking to join in.I just can't seem to get a moment's peace. At meal times,I have to eat whatever is on my plate regardless of the portion size or taste. William and Julia only need to try one bite when it's not their favorite food. Not only this, but I'm expected to be cooperative (合作的,配台的) at all times because I'm the oldest and need to be a role model for them.

    It doesn't seem fair either that I have more chores to do around the house than Julia and William put together. Plus, when it comes to practising our musical instruments,I have to practise more than double the time. Oh, and the worst part of it all is the huge quantities of homework I get compared to them.

    I'm feeling rather annoyed wilh my sibling situation. Can you please write back with some advice?

Yours truly

Evan Smith

    Playgrounds offer kids fresh air, friends, and exercise. However, each year, more than 200,000 kids go to hospital because they are hurt in one way or another when playing on the playground. So what can we do to improve the situation(状况)?

    We should make sure the playground is safe for the children. It should be soft and thick enough, so when the children fall, they won't hurt too much. Things like water, rocks or broken glass might cause danger to the kids. Cleaners should check the playground from time to time and clear away these dangerous things. In fact, children themselves also need to help keep the playground clean and safe. That means each time after playing they should pick up the rubbish they've produced. If someone finds there is something wrong with the equipment(设施), he should report to the keeper of the playground, so people will come to fix it.

    Teaching kids how to play safely is also very important. Kids should know the rules of the playground, so they won't get hurt easily. For example, they should never push when others are on seesaws or swings. If someone is going to jump off some equipment, he should first look down to make sure no other kids are in the way. Of course, wearing right clothes may also help to keep safe. Clothes with strings (绳) can get caught on equipment which may hurt the kid badly.

    In short, our kids can both enjoy themselves and be safe if we are working together to improve the situation.

    One day, a strong cowboy was traveling on his horse when he saw a bar (酒吧). {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Then he tied his horse outside the bar, walked into the bar and ordered two bottles of beer. This cowboy was new in town. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} He guessed that they might play some tricks on him, but he said nothing and continued to drink. After drinking, he walked out of the bar and found his horse lost.

    However, he kept calm (平静的), came back into the bar, and said to the others slowly, "I don't know what you did to my horse there, but I'm leaving in five minutes. And by then if my horse isn't back, I will have to do here what I did in Texas!" The cowboy added, "{#blank#}3{#/blank#}" After hearing these words, the others seemed a little bit afraid.

    The cowboy went back to his seat and ordered another two bottles of beer. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} He was very happy. Just as he was leaving, the boss of the bar came up and asked what he did in Texas. The cowboy turned to the boss and replied in a low voice, "{#blank#}5{#/blank#}"