China covers large areas and has a great population. Different living habits have always been an interesting topic in the country. Recently, another difference between southern Chinese and northern Chinese became a hot one: the way people shop at markets.

    People from southern China say that they always buy what they need for just one or two meals. It is normal for them to buy half of a Chinese cabbage, two potatoes and 0.25 kilogram of beef at a time.

    However, one may be laughed at if he does this in the north. Instead, buying vegetables and meat enough for a week is usual. Also, you can buy a small amount (数量) of fruit, such as a single apple or pear, each time in the south. Shop owners even help you peel and cut them. But shop owners in the north hardly offer such service. And many fruits are sold in baskets and boxes.

    The difference could be due to the different weather.

    Food can be kept for a long time in the north, as it is usually cold and dry there. Many northern Chinese have the habit of storing food, especially for the long winter. But the hot and wet weather in the south makes southern Chinese buy just enough food for one meal or one day, or else the food may go bad.

    In Britain you're allowed to drive a car when you're seventeen. You have to get a special two-year driving license before you start. When you're learning, someone with a full license always has to be in the car with you because you aren't allowed to drive the car on the road alone. You don't have to go to a driving school—a friend can teach you. The person with you isn't allowed to take money for the lessons unless he's got a teacher's license. 

    Before you're allowed to have a full license, you have to take a driving test. You can take a test in your own car, but it has to be fit for the road. In the test, you have to drive round for half an hour and then answer a few questions. If you don't pass the test, you're allowed to take it again a few weeks later. In 1970, a woman passed her fortieth test after 212 driving lessons! When you've passed your test, you're allowed to go on driving if you like, and you must be healthy. Britain's oldest driver was a man who drove in 1974 at the age of 100. 

    Before 1904, everyone was allowed to drive, even children. Then from 1904 car drivers had to have a license. But they didn't have to take a test until 1935. In the early days of car driving, before 1978, cars weren't allowed to go faster than four miles an hour, and someone had to lead the car with a red flag.

I am David. My home town, Bao Loc, is just a small town in Vietnam (越南). But for me, it's really a paradise (天堂). 

The weather is very comfortable. It's not very hot or cold. In the centre of the town, there is a beautiful lake. You can lie on the bank (河岸) and see the white clouds in the blue sky or count (数) the stars at night. You can go there just to relax when you have a lot of things to think about. One of the most famous places is Dambri Waterfall (瀑布). You can enjoy this beautiful waterfall if you come. Don't forget to take some pictures with your camera. 

Bao Loc is very small. It will take you 45 minutes or 1 hour to go around this town. It's so small that people here know each other. They are very friendly. 

Tea and coffee are Bao Loc's local food. I think you will like them very much. 

Why does Bao Loc become a paradise? Because my family are here and they always make me feel warm and safe.

About 470 pilot whales have been beached in Tasmania in Australia.This has been the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} （large） whale﹣beaching event in Tasmania since 1935.People are working hard{#blank#}2{#/blank#}（save） the whales.Every year，around 2，000 large sea animals，such as dolphins and whales，die by {#blank#}3{#/blank#} （swim） onto a beach or into water that's too shallow for {#blank#}4{#/blank#} （they） to swim away.This {#blank#}5{#/blank#}（know） as "beaching".Pilot whales and killer whales are some of the most commonly beached whales.Rescue workers are trying to "refloat" the whales so they can swim away.The job is especially challenging {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the whales are so large.Pilot whales can grow up to 7 meters {#blank#}7{#/blank#} （length） and can weigh up to 2，300 kg.Since the rescued whales will return to the place again{#blank#}8{#/blank#} others are still in trouble，workers are trying to make sure that rescued whales don't get beached again.Dr.Carlyon from the rescue team says the cool，wet weather has helped keep the whales {#blank#}9{#/blank#} （live）.About 90 whales {#blank#}10{#/blank#} （die） so far.Rescue efforts are likely to continue for a few more days.

When Peter was six, he started receiving pocket money from his mother. When he turned seven, he 1 £7 a week. Now at the age of fifteen, he 2 £15 every week. He has the raise in pocket money because he spends money wisely.

3 a shopping mall near Peter's home. At weekends, he watches 4 movies with his friends, or takes his little brother to the play center there. He buys his grandparents small presents when he visits them. Sometimes, he takes one 5 bus ride to museums and zoos in another town. When he has saved enough money, Peter goes to the bookstores 6 great books and donates them to children in need. His mother is satisfied with 7 he spends his money. She thinks it is a smart choice to give Peter pocket money. "This habit 8 help Peter manage money well," she says.

Peter's mother even suggests giving pocket money to children as 9 as when they are four. "To learn how to deal with money is 10 useful life skill. Giving children pocket money in their early years teaches them the importance of budgeting."