When we meet someone for the first time, we often would like to talk about ourselves. We just want to show the best to others. But why not listen? Sometimes, listening is better than talking. Then how to be a good listener? Here are a few suggestions:
◆Look at the speaker. It shows you are listening carefully. It's also a good way to “talk” to your friend with your eyes.
◆Don't cut in. Give your friend enough time to say what she or he thinks. Don't stop your friend's words. Even if you want to say something, you should wait till your friend finishes.
◆ Try to understand. When you are listening, try to catch her or his feelings and ideas. It helps you know your friend better. And your friend will feel better about you. She or he may think you are the right person to talk with.
◆Show your ideas at the right time. "It's interesting." "What happened next?" … These are useful when you are listening. And you can give advice when your friend asks for it.
It's never too late to become a good listener. It can change your life and the lives of the people in your life.

Julie: Look! The elephants are eating grass. They are so big.

Susan: They are big and friendly to people.

Julie: There are giraffes over there.

Susan: What are they doing?

Julie: They are playing with the elephants.

Susan: Do you like giraffes?

Julie: Yes, I do. They are very cute.

Susan: Are the koalas there sleeping?

Julie: Yes, they are. They usually sleep during the day.

Susan: Is the lion eating there?

Julie: No, it isn't. It's relaxing. It relaxes for 20 hours every day.

    When people travel abroad(到国外旅游), they sometimes stay in the homes of the local people. This is a homestay(家庭寄宿).

    I am living with an old English couple, in the west of London. They have a clean four-bedroom house. This is a new house. It has two bathrooms and a garden with many beautiful flowers. I have a bedroom of my own.

    There are some shopping centres and a restaurant next to the house, and the house is close to an underground station. It takes about 30 minutes to take an underground to the centre of London.

    I think a homestay may be a good choice for you if it is your first time to visit abroad. The local people are friendly and ready to help. If you want to celebrate the holidays with them, you will get to know more about their culture and customs.

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    We live in the age of the computer. People like scientists, teachers, writers and students use computers to do all kinds of work. But more than 30 years ago, computers couldn't do much. They were very big and expensive. Very few people were interested in them and knew how to use them. Today computers are smaller and cheaper. Since they can do a lot of work, many people like to use them. Many people have them at home.

    Computers become very important because they can work faster than men and make fewer mistakes. Computers can help people do a lot of work. Writers now use computers to write. Teachers use them to teach. Students use them to study and children use them to play games. Computers can also remember what you put into them. Computers are very useful and helpful. They are our good friends. Do you want a computer?

    When visitors came to see Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street, they often did surprising things. Sometimes they put their heads in their hands and cried. Sometimes they talked and talked, and couldn't stop. And sometimes they just sat there and didn't say a word. But nobody was more surprising than Dr Huxtable.

    He was a large man, tall, well-dressed. He came into the room, walked to one of the big chairs, and suddenly fell into it. He sat there, with his eyes closed, looking pale and ill.

    Holmes looked in the man's pockets-and found a train ticket from Mackleton, in the north of England.

    "Mackleton-that's a long way," said Holmes, "it's not twelve o clock yet, so he probably left home before five o'clock this morning. He was probably hungry."

    After a minute or two, the man began to move, and his eyes opened. A second later, he stood up. His face was now red and unhappy.

    "Mr Holmes, I am so sorry! I forgot to eat or drink anything this morning that's why I felt ill. But I'm better now," said our visitor," and Mr Holmes, come back to Mackleton with me by the next train, please!"

    "I'm sorry, that's not possible," said Holmes," I'm working on two important cases. I cannot leave London at the moment."

    "Important cases!" our visitor cried, "But this case is very important too. You know about the kidnapping of the son of Duke(公爵) of Holdernesse three days ago."

    "What! The Government Minister?" I was shocked.

    "Yes, that's him. And he is one of the greatest men in the country." said Dr Huxtable, "Mr Holmes, the Duke is offering five thousand dollars for news of his son, and another one thousand dollars for the name of the kidnapper."

    "That," said Holmes, "is a most interesting offer." He looked at me, "Watson, I think we are going with Dr Huxtable back to the north of England this afternoon."