As you know, homework is a big part of going to school. Luckily, here are several suggestions for you to make homework easy.

    Make a homework plan

    Most middle school students have two or three hours of homework a night. If it is a heavy homework day, you may need to spend even more time. It is a good idea to come up with some kind of homework schedule(进度表), especially if you are going to do sports or other activities after school.

    Watch where you work

    A bedroom, study or any room where you can get away from noise is good for you to do your homework. But don't study on your comfortable bed, or you might fall asleep there.

    Take a break

    Most people's attention (注意力) don't last very long, so take some breaks while doing your homework. Sitting for too long without relaxing will make you less productive(多产的) than if you stop to take a break regularly. Taking a 15-minute break every hour is a good way for most people.

    Get help when you need it

    Sometimes even though you are listening carefully in class, some subjects seem too hard. The first person to ask for help is your teacher. He or she may be able to work with you before or after school and explain things more clearly. Your classmates may also be able to give you a hand. However, this might not give you the results you want. Lots of people understand something well but are not able to explain it.

 A. What if you win      
 B. Life won't be the same without you

 C. Life isn't crystal stair.    
 D. There is a rainbow after every storm.

 E. Focus on the future.  
 F. To give up is to live a meaningless life

    The life has been full of challenges and difficulties. Life is not about the smartest person or the strongest person, or even the richest person. However, life is about having the mind in your heart "Never Give Up", even when you feel that giving up is the only choice. The world is waiting on your gifts.

    ①{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    You are important to this world and believe it or not, someone is waiting for you to enrich their lives. You are too important to the world to just give up.

    ②{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    You many feel that life is challenging you from time to time and you can't take it anymore. You may want to give up right now. But here is a thought, what will happen if you overcome the difficulties?

    ③ {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    When an Olympic runner is in a race, he or she is focusing on one thing - the finishing line. You have to focus on the big picture – not just where you are right now. Focus in where you want to be. Make an agreement with your mind and your mouth.

    ④ {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    One of my favorite poems is called "Crystal Stair" written by Langston Hughes. In that poem, a mother tells her son that life is tough, you will meet rocks and hard places, but the end is victory to those who stand their ground and ride the course.

   ⑤ {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Whatever you are facing, you can make it through. There is a rainbow on the other side of your situation. Stay strong, stay focused and never give up.

B

    After you get back home from a trip, one of the most pleasant things is sharing your stories with people. And that's what we'd like you to do. Our magazine's “True Stories” section is for your strange experiences, heart-warming tales and funny stories on your trip. So if you have good stories, please write to us!

    If your story is chosen as the best one, you will win the nine-day trip across North America, including a seven-night trip along the California coast. For more information, please call 800-227-2826, or e-mail us at TrueStories@hotmail.com.

    Besides, you need to remember a few things if you want to write a story:

    Keep the story brief (简短的) and lively (within 250 words).

    Please send your story as the body of your e-mail, not as an attachment (附件).

    Most of the stories we print have photos, so send pictures, but try not to go crazy. Send only the best one(s).

    Please send your photos as an attachment, not embedded in (把……嵌入) the body of your e-mail.

    We don't mind if you or your friends are in the pictures, as long as you tell us who or what is in the photos.

    We need to be able to get in touch with you, so tell us your phone number and home address.

From the Other Side

    Lara and Tara are twins.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}, but they are very different in everything else. For example, hot food is Lara's favorite, and Tara has a sweet choice.

    However, this isn't the problem with the twin girls. They always argued that the opposite one was wrong.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, while Tara insisted that mornings were fresh and it was difficult to stay up till midnight.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. To put an end to their fights, their parents decided to create a small drama. They wanted the girls to understand that they were both correct from their own point of view. Their parents covered the girls' eyes with black ribbons, and brought them to the dining room. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Lara was asked to stand on one side of the board and Tara on the other. They couldn't see the other side of it. When the ribbons were taken away, they were surprised to see a huge board between them.

    Now, their father asked Lara, "What's the color of the board?" She replied, "It's black!" {#blank#}5{#/blank#}She replied, "It's white!" The two girls began to argue again. While Lara was confident it was black, Tara was sure it was white. Then, they were asked to exchange(交换)their places. They couldn't believe their eyes. Tara, who insisted it was a white board, saw a black one. Similarly, Lara, who argued the board was black, was shocked to see a white one. They understood that each of them was right in her own view. Most of us are like Lara and Tara. We are right most times, but insist that others are wrong!

A. They look like each other

B. For years, their arguments continued

C. Their mother asked Tara the same question

D. In the room, a big board was placed in the middle

E. Lara thought it was terrible to get up early in the morning

    World Environment Day is on June 5th every year in the world. It makes people realize the problems of our earth. From June 5th to 16th of 1972, the UN had a meeting in the capital(首都) of Sweden(瑞典)—Stockholm. This was the first meeting to study how to protect the environment. We have only one earth, so everyone should do something to protect our earth. We should try to do the 3Rs every day—reduce(减少), reuse and recycle(循环). We should buy things without lots of packaging(包装). Use many things in our neighborhood—They don't have to travel very far and so they can reduce pollution. Recycle all the things you use. Carry reusable bag for shopping.

At home, we should try to save water and electricity every day. When we go out, we'd better walk, ride bikes or take a bus. Try to plant more trees and use less paper to protect the forests on the earth. And we should see every day as World Environment Day and try to do anything to help our environment.

    We all want to protect our planet, but most of us are too busy or too lazy to make a change that would improve our lifestyle and protect the environment.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} There is nothing new here but if you follow at least some of these suggestions, you can be proud of yourself for taking part in protecting the environment.

    Donate

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If they can still be used, give them to someone who needs them. You can also give them to charities. These charities will give them away to help people in need.

    Turn off your electrical devices (电器)

    When you are not using an electrical device, turn it off. For example, if you are not watching TV, turn it off. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} It's an easy habit to form which will help you save a lot of money.

    Walk or ride a bicycle

    Driving is one of the biggest causes of pollution. If your parents want to give you a ride, ask yourself the following question: Do I really need to use the car? {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

This list is far from being complete, but besides protecting the environment, all these things will help you save money.