TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It is a set of meetings, held in various (不同的) cities around the world every year. TED meetings invite speakers to give reports on different topics. The speakers are from different parts of the world. They are usually experts in their fields and talk about new ideas and recent developments that are important to their work. The speakers are often also well-known with people such as Microsoft giant Bill Gates and the world-famous expert, Jane Good all, having given talks. There are many talks on environment and international development, aid work, and how to help poor people with all kinds of new ideas. There are also a number of talks about education and education reform (改革).

    As the talks cover a wide variety of topics, all speakers have a strict time limit — each report must last no longer than 18 minutes.

    Like all organizations, however, TED has had its downs as well as ups. Some people think the organization is turning intelligent members of the scientific and other communities into entertainers (表演者). What else, those who attend must be very privileged (有特权的) with tickets for TED events costing about $ 6,000 (or more).

    However, www.ted.com, the organization's website can make many great talks become accessible to everybody who has an Internet connection. Every weekday, a new video is uploaded (更新) from a TED event, allowing people around the world to listen to the talks for free. At only 18 minutes, even if the video is not that interesting, you know you are not going to waste too much time.

Most TED talks are in English but there are talks available in other languages, too. As a result, the site is excellent for practicing English and learning new vocabulary, especially in a topic that you find interesting and enjoyable.

    Every year during the National People's Congress (全国人民代表大会), there is an important report. It is the Government Work Report (政府工作报告). On March 5, Premier Li Keqiang gave this year's report at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

    The report is about the Chinese government's work. How did the government do last year? And what does it plan to do this year?

    Take a look at some parts of this year's report!

    Fast facts about the Government Work Report

    Last year's work:

    · China's GDP grew by 6.6 percent. The GDP is the value (价值) of everything made in a country in a year.

    · Per-capita disposable income (人均可支配收入) grew by 6.5 percent.

    · About 13.61 million new jobs were created in cities.

    This year's plan:

    · Over 10 million people will be lifted out of poverty (贫困). Each of them will make over 2,300 yuan a year.

    · Air pollution will decrease (减少).

    · Mobile phone users will pay 20 percent less for mobile internet services (移动网络服务).

    The government's job is to help us live better lives. It has to work hard in order to do this. This year's Government Work Report asks the government to do more. Take a look!

    Government works for the public; words can't compare with actions.

    Struggle creates history; hard work makes a bright future.

    Make big advances in green development.

    Only when the elderly live happily can the young have a future to look forward to.

    Some people in the West like to stay at home during their weekends. They work in the garden, visit their friends, read books or watch television. Many families take their lunch to a park or some where far from the city. They like to eat under some trees or near a nice lake. If they live near the sea, they often go to the seaside. There they can fish, swim or enjoy the sunshine.

    Some people in the West like travelling. They think travelling and outdoor activities are interesting and exciting. They work hard to save money, but their main purpose is to travel.

    Most Western students often make use of their weekends to camp. There are thousands of interesting camp bases in Western countries. They can swim, go fishing, attend lectures, and take part in many other activities there. It can help them quest for the secrets of nature and teach them how to be self-reliant(自立的).

    People in India call New Year "Diwali" or "the Festival of Light(光)".

They often clean their houses before the day of Diwali. Most people clean their houses in the morning. They often decorate their houses with flowers. They also make sweet food look like flowers, people and animals. Then they visit their friends and give them presents and cards.

    On New Year's Day, many people open the doors and windows and light(点亮) candles in front of the doors. They want to bring good luck to their families. After Diwali, people often dean their houses again. Some people like to make loud noises at their houses. They think this can make bad spirits(幽灵} go away.

    In Canada you can find dogs, cats, horses, etc. in almost every family. These are their pets. People love these pets and have them as their good friends. Before they keep them in their houses, they take them to animal hospitals to give an injection(打针) so that they won't carry diseases. They have special animal food stores though they can get animal food in almost every store. Some people spend about two hundred Canadian dollars a month on animal food. When you visit people's home, they would be very glad to show you their pets and they are very proud of them. You will also find that almost every family has a bird feeder in their garden. All kinds of birds are welcomed to come and have a good meal.

    They are free to come and go and nobody is allowed(允许) to kill any animal in Canada.