Nowadays, lots of foreigners are learning Chinese. Like many of them, I 1 knew two words of Chinese ("Ni Hao" and "Xie Xie") when I first came to Beijing, China in 2009. As you can guess, my life was 2 for a while after I arrived. Simple tasks like ordering food or taking a taxi were quite stressful.

    I knew I had to learn more Chinese, so I 3 a Chinese class. My teacher was 4, although I didn't learn enough to have a real conversation. Later I studied on my own as well, but my progress was still slow. And I decided to 5.

    Around this time, I started playing in a band with a Chinese man who became one of my best friends in Beijing. He taught me a lot of 6 about music, such as "melody". He learned a lot of English from me in return, so it was a good way to 7 language and culture.

    I have learned enough Chinese to 8 many problems like booking train tickets. These days, there are more foreigners who are studying Chinese. I can 9 why it's an amazing language. Finally, I found that the best way to learn a 10 is to make friends with native speakers and spend time with them.

    Welcome to the Painting Competition for Woodlands Students

The International Anti-Drug(禁毒) Day this year is coming soon. In order to raise teenagers' awareness(意识) to fight against drug taking, the City Art Council is going to hold a painting competition for the students in our city.

    Students who want to take part in the competition can hand in their own 2D paintings in either of the following two ways:

★Each school will be provided with a box for students to put in their paintings. Boxes will be picked up by the City Art Council on Thursday, June 23rd, 2016, before the end of the school day.

    ★Paintings can be also handed in on Friday, June 24th, from 8：00 am to 10：00 am at the Woodlands Art Hall (175 Riverside Street)．

    All paintings are required to be 60cm wide by 80cm long or smaller. Larger sizes will not be accepted. Each student can only hand in one painting.

The final decision on the competition results will be made on June 26th, the AntiDrug Day. The name list of the winners will be made known on the website of the City Art Council on the same day. All winning paintings will be shown to the public at the City Youth Park from June 27th till the end of July.

    Prizes: 1st Prize(10 students)＝$300 Gift Card each

    2nd Prize(20 students)＝$200 Gift Card each

    3rd Prize(30 students)＝$100 Gift Card each

For further information：Visit http: // www. Woodlands Art Council.org or call 25698632.

    This is Mrs. White. Now she is teaching math. She works in a middle school. She lives in London, Mrs. White and Mr. White have three children. They all love animals and they have a big dog and a cute cat.

    Mrs. White is Sophie's aunt, Sophie lives and studies in Liverpool, but now she is in London. She is on her holiday here. She wants to do some shopping with her aunt.

    Mrs. White's son Arnold doesn't like shopping, but he loves going out with friends. They usually go to a park to play soccer or basketball in the afternoon. Today, Arnold isn't playing soccer or basketball. He is swimming.

    Mr. White works for a company (公司). He isn't working today, because he isn't feeling well. He is in a hospital now.

    Liangliang is 11 years old. He{#blank#}1{#/blank#}in a small village in China. It's difficult for{#blank#}2{#/blank#}to go to school every school day. There is a very big river{#blank#}3{#/blank#}his school and the village. There is no bridge and the river runs too{#blank#}4{#/blank#} for boats. So he goes on a ropeway to{#blank#}5{#/blank#}the river to school. But he is not{#blank#}6{#/blank#}." I love to play {#blank#}7{#/blank#}my classmates. And I love my teacher. He's{#blank#}8{#/blank#}a father to me," he says. Many of the students and{#blank#}9{#/blank#}never leave the village. It is their dream to have a bridge.{#blank#}10{#/blank#}their dream come true?

A Family Photo