We are lucky to live in a rich country where we have many things. However, most of us usually {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (waste) some things.

    Electricity is one thing that we waste most. Lights, TVs, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (radio) and other things are often kept on even when no one is using them. We should turn them off {#blank#}3{#/blank#} we do not need them. It takes  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (little) than a second to do it. Anyhow, not wasting electricity saves money, because we do not have to pay for the electricity we do not use. The {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (two) thing that we often waste is water. Fresh water is precious, so it shouldn't be wasted. It is only a simple matter of turning {#blank#}6{#/blank#}a tap. I am sure everybody can do this {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (easy) if he wants to. Another big waste is food. My mother used to cook so much food that much of it was thrown away. I told her we had wasted so much {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (food). She thought I was right and now cooks mainly what we can eat.

    It is not right to be wasteful. I find there is a simple way of not wasting things. That is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (use) only what we need. Do not touch what we do not need. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}this way, we can stop being wasteful.

No.9 Middle School has decided to hold a blood drive(献血活动), and you can help.

①Hello! My name is Emma and I'm eleven years old. I have a brother, Josh, who's just five. I live with my family on a farm in the southwest of England. I was born in London, but my parents moved to Devon when I was two. My brother was born here, in Northam. My father runs the farm and my mother is a vet (兽医). We have lots of animals on our farm like ducks, chickens, pigs, sheep, cows and horses.

②I love living in the country. I don't mind getting up early every day. I'm old enough to help my parents with the work on the farm. I love feeding ducks and chickens. It's not difficult at all. It takes me about a quarter of an hour to give them fodder every morning, but first I have breakfast myself. Sometimes I also help my dad milk the cows, especially on weekends.

③My brother and I go to a local primary school (小学). My mother always drives us to school and picks us up when lessons are over, at 3 o'clock.

④On Wednesdays, I have a karate (空手道) class so I go back home by bus. When I come back, I do my homework first and then help my parents with the animals or in the garden. We usually have dinner at six o'clock. After dinner, I often play computer games or watch TV. Before I go to bed, I always read for a while but not too long because I have to get up early the next day.

Learning methods (方法) are really important for everyday learning or studying for tests. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Drawing mind maps helps a lot. Mind maps can help you remember what you have learned easily and quickly. How to draw a mind map? For example, find a topic (主题) you learn about firstly. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} This can be helpful and you can have a try.

Explaining (解释) to others is win-win. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Sometimes you may find it easier to learn something when you explain it to others. This is because in order to explain something clearly to someone else, you first need to understand it well and then to use the right words to explain it.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#} This method means that experiencing things in real life is better than reading things in books. Doing things by yourselves makes your brain more active. So you will remember and learn more easily.

Taking tests is also helpful. Some people enjoy taking tests because they think that can give them a strong will to be successful. If you're the kind of person, you can try asking your teachers, parents or classmates to set an exam. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

Enjoy using the ways above and you are sure to learn faster and do better in your study!