Special homework was given to the students in Grade Four at a primary school in Foshan, Guangdong this April, that is to say the children must11100 million grains(颗粒) of rice. A maths teacher Miss Chang asked her students to2the homework in two days. If some .students3to finish in time, they would go on counting the, rice at the weekend. Some parents thought: that if it took a4to count .three grains, if would fake more than a year to count 100 million grains of rice.

    5, others thought it was a good idea. A parent surnamed, (姓) Lin said it could,6 students to use their brains. “I will7my daughter to count 100 or 1,000 grains of rice first, and then8them and multiply (乘以) the figure to, reach 100 million grains of rice, So she will have a clear9of the number 100 million," she said. "The special homework could10help develop children's patience," Lin added.

    Some Internet users also praised the special: homework for encouraging children to11 new ways to do their homework.

    Miss Chang said earlier this week that she hoped the, students could learn knowledge12practical activities. She said she was13 that 10 of her more than 40 students had finished the special homework by using cups or other14to count the rice. The homework helps students develop their abilities to15problems. It's good for them.

    One day, a woman took a bus with her son. The boy was about four years old. He ran on the bus and 1 up and down on the seat. There was a man next to them. When he saw it, he was a little 2 and told the boy not to run or jump, because it was very dangerous and it was also impolite (不礼貌). But the3said, "He is just a little kid, we shouldn't be so strict with a child." The man said to the woman, "4 we don't teach the kids now, they will not follow the rules in the future."

    Do you agree with the woman or the man? At 5, we have family rules. For example (例如), we can't6 on school nights. In the school, we also have school rules. We can't listen to music in the classroom. We 7 eat in the classroom. We must wear uniforms8 Monday to Friday. Parents and schools are sometimes strict, but remember, they make rules to help 9. We must 10 these rules.

We are often warned by our teacher not to waste precious (宝贵的)time, because time lost will never return. I think it quite true. What does time look like?  {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Time is abstract (抽象的), so we have to think about it.

Time passes very quickly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}.  It is because they don't know how to make use of their time. They waste it in going to theatres, cinemas and parks, and doing other things. Why do we study every day? Why do we work? Why do most people would rather take buses instead of walking? The answer is very simple. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

Today we are living in the 21st century. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. When a person dies, his life ends. Since life is short, we must devote our time and energy to our study so that we may be able to serve the people well in the future. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, for it does not only bring us failure but also does us other harm. If it is necessary for us to do our work today, let us do it today and not leave it until tomorrow.

Remember time is much more valuable (珍贵的)than money.

A. We look upon time as life

B. Nobody knows because we can't see it or touch it and we can't buy it with money

C. Some students say they don't have enough time to review all their lessons

D. Laziness is the thief of time

E. We wish to save time because time is precious

    Is it good to be in a middle school? Most American children think so. In America, middle schools often have sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. It is different in different places.

    For children, going to a middle school is a big change. Most middle schools in America have a special day for new middle school students. On that day, they are showed around the school by their new teachers. And they could know a lot about the history of the school. They also would make friends with the old schoolmates (校友).

    They will grow up and learn some different and difficult things in a middle school. A new middle school student will learn foreign languages, computer, music and art, health, and other skills, such as cooking.

    A middle school will have sports teams, clubs and have activities for children. They can choose what they like and join them. If they are good at singing, playing basketball or something else, or if they want to learn, they can join them. Most American children think it's good to be in a middle school.

    If you are hungry, what do you do? Have your favorite meal and stay quiet after that. Just like your stomach, your mind is also hungry. But it never lets you know. It 1 serves your needs and never lets itself grow because you keep it busy thinking about your friends or favorite stars. When mind loses 2 freedom to grow, creativity gets a full stop. This 3be the reason why we all sometimes think "What happens next?", "Why can't I think?"

     In fact, hunger of the mind 4 through wide reading. Why reading but not watching TV? It is because reading 5 the most educative tool used by us since our childhood.

    Once you read a book, you run your eyes 6 the lines and your mind tries to explain something to you. The interesting part of the book 7 is stored in your mind is regarded as a seed（种子）. Now this seed is unknowingly used by you to develop new ideas. If it is used many times, the same seed can give you great help to relate lots of things. You can never think of these things even in 8 dreams in your life.

    This is creativity. Also this helps you 9your vocabulary. In no time you can start talking with your friends in English or any other language 10you will never run out of the right words. So guys, do give food for your thoughts by reading, reading and more reading.

    There are some skills for students to listen to the teachers in class, which means you're going to have to practice them. Just as you would have to practice basketball to be a better player, you also have to practice listening. How to listen in school? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    One of the things you'll need to do is to make sure that your mind doesn't wander(漫游). It's easy to start thinking about other things, especially when you are not interested in the subject. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

   Next, listen for the main ideas. If you want to catch every little piece of information, you'll feel tired and bored. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Not only does this show respect to the teacher, it also helps prevent your mind from wandering. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Or it could just be someone talking to their neighbors who shouldn't be, it can even be some birds outside the classroom window, or a group of kids who are talking loudly as they pass the door to your room.

    Finally, you need to take notes because you will not remember everything the teacher said. You'll have to take down the notes so that you can study it after class. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Listening isn't always easy, but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be much more successful in your classes.