(John, one of the exchange students, wants to buy something in Beijing. But he doesn't know where to go. Now he is asking Millie for help) John=J, Millie=M

J: Where can I buy some postcards, Millie?

M: Go to the bookshop in the shopping mall in Old Street. You'll find many postcards there.

J: Can you tell me how to get to the shopping mall?

M: Walk across the footbridge. Then walk along New Road until you see the traffic lights. Cross New Road, you'll see a restaurant. And the shopping mall is next to it.

J: Oh, I see! I also want to buy some souvenirs for my friends. Can I find some in the shopping mall?

M: You'd better go to the Souvenir Shop. It's very easy to find. Just come out of the shopping mall, you'll see the shop is at the other side of the street.

J: That's great! By the way, can I enjoy Beijing Duck in the restaurant?

M: Of course! The Beijing Duck in that restaurant is very nice.

J: Thanks a lot!

    My best friend and I are in the same school. Her name is Alice. We first met each other two years ago. We were all new in the school then. She is beautiful. She has long black hair, round black eyes and a small nose. She doesn't like to dress up, so I usually see her wearing jeans and a T-shirt or sweater.

    Alice and I are always talking or laughing about something. She has a wonderful sense of humor (幽默感). When I am not happy, I like talking to her. And she always tries her best to make me happy.

    We have the same interests. We both enjoy playing the guitar and singing. We like going to the movies. Sometimes in summer, I go with her and her family to their summer house by the lake. We usually spend most of the afternoon swimming. In the evenings we walk into town or stay at home and watch TV. It's always fun to be with her.

    Though our lives get busy, we still have time to see each other. I am better in math and science and she is better in English, so we often help each other with our homework.

    I am lucky to have a friend like her.

    Question: I'm 15 and I've been having trouble sleeping at night. It usually takes me 2 to 4 hours to get to sleep.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I can't focus on my lessons at school. Please help me!

    Answer: If you are a person who doesn't regularly get a good night's sleep, you are not alone.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Here are some tips for helping you get a good night's sleep.

    Keep regular hours

By keeping regular hours your body and mind know what is coming up and can start to prepare for you to sleep.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you can't go to bed at a regular time, then make sure you get up at a regular time. So after a late night you wake up tired, and it forces you to go to bed earlier.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    I know, you hear this about everything from heart health to losing weight, but exercise really does do you a world of good. However, don't do it too close to going to sleep. It is better to do it about an hour after dinner.

Relax before going to bed {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In fact, when you lie down to go to sleep, your mind is going to be thinking about the programs you have been watching. Instead, take just 20 or 30 minutes before bed to read or sit, anything that gets you to slow down and gives your mind a rest!

    In the countryside of China, many people are moving to cities to find work. They move because often there isn't much work in the countryside. Services like hospitals and schools are usually not very nice there.

    But in the big cities like London, New York, Paris, people are moving out. They want to live a quiet life. They don' t like the city because it is noise and dirty (脏的)in cities. The traffic is heavy. Living in the cities costs too much. They want a big house with a garden and fresh air. So they move the countryside with clean water and green trees. There, they begin new lives and try to make new friends.

Customs on Eating

    Food in China and western countries is different. China has about 5000 years' old history. They may spend half of their time on food. Chinese people choose food very carefully. They only use. fresh materials (新鲜的材料) to make food. For example, they only eat fresh fish. Chinese have a lot of ideas for cooking. They can cook a chicken in over ten ways.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Western countries, like England or America, don't have fresh food because they buy their food from supermarkets which only sell stored materials (储存的材料).{#blank#}2{#/blank#}They are healthy for man's body. Western people do not have many skills for cooking, and mostly they only boil, steam (蒸) and bake the food. By the way, western people are very good at making desserts and chocolate. They can make very good cakes and chocolate{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    In China, the person who invites other people for meal would pay for the meal, but it's not the same way in western countries.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} They can afford it. They won't be happy if you pay for them. In western countries like America or England, people will always give tips (小费) to the waiter after they finish the meal in a restaurant. If you don't, the waiter will not be happy. In China this only happens in some top restaurants and hotels in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

    Another difference in eating is that:{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Chinese people only have three meals during a day. But western people may have more. They usually have afternoon tea when they would have fruit, cakes or biscuits with cheese.

    A few days ago, I ran into a stranger as he passed by. I said sorry to him and he said, "Excuse me, too, I wasn't even watching for you." We were very polite this stranger and I. Then we went on our way after saying goodbye.

    Later in the kitchen at home, as I cooked our meal, my daughter Betty walked up to me, very quietly. When I turned around. I nearly knocked her down. "Get out of the way!" I shouted angrily. She ran away, crying.

    That night, when I lay in bed, my husband said to me, "You were so rude to Betty. Go and look around on the kitchen floor, and you'll find some flowers there. Betty brought those for you. She picked them herself - pink, yellow, and your favourite blue."

    When I heard this, I thought deeply: While meeting with a stranger, I was calm and polite; but with my daughter, I was not patient. I felt sad and tears began to fall.

    I quietly went to Betty's bed, "Wake up, my dear," I said, "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" She smiled, "I found them by the tree. I knew you'd like them, especially the blue." I said, "I am so sorry that I treated（对待）you that way today." And she whispered（悄声说）, "Mommy, that's okay - I still love you anyway." I kissed her and said, "I love you too and I do love the flowers."

    That day Betty gave me a lesson on how to get along with each other in the family. I spent much time on work before and didn't realize how important family life was. I decided to change myself in the future.