Stop Phubbing (别当低头族)

Last month, Justin Valdez, a college student was shot in subway in San Francisco, the U.S. The surveillance(监控) video showed that before Justin was killed, the killer pulled out the gun several times, and even wiped his nose with it. However, nobody noticed the killer. The surrounding passengers all focused on their mobile phones.

We may see the same scene everywhere in the life: in subway, restaurants. Elevators, roads, people are watching their mobile phones. From family reunion to date with a friend, people can't stop checking their WeChat, Facebook on the mobile phone and snubbing(无视) the persons in front completely. Not only the young people, but also the olds and the kids.

“Phubbing” is a new word which comes from the words “phone” and “snub”. It means the habit of snubbing someone in favor of(只顾着) a mobile phone. The word “phubbing” was included in the Australian National Dictionary in 2012. So we can see phubbing is spreading globlly.

Phubbing seems innocuous(无害的); however, it disturbs our life. Stop posting photos. Let's put down the mobile phone and enjoy the real taste of food and the warmth of interpersonal(人与人之间) communication.

Information Card

    Every week I have a two-day holiday.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. So every weekend I have a good time . {#blank#}2{#/blank#} I sometimes go to the countryside with my classmates by bus to breathe (呼吸) the fresh air , climb the hills and enjoy the beauty of nature .Sometimes I go for a picnic in the open air with my friends by bike . There we draw pictures and take photos. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Last Saturday , I went on a trip with my parents .{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. We sat around it , singing and dancing happily . When we felt tried , we sat together , looked at the stars and chatted (聊天) for a long time , and then went to sleep in the tent .{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    In the Middle Eastern country of Syria (叙利亚), there are over 4 million refugees (难民). Youssef was 10 years old when a local Syrian musician discovered his talent: a deep, powerful voice. However, Syria's civil (内部的) war took place. He and his family lost their home.

    When the Action for Hope Music School announced that it was looking for talented children to train, his family encouraged him to attend the school. A year and half later, the now 14-year-old, Youssef, with another 11 children, was chosen to take part in a concert.

    Youssef, a shy boy, was a lead singer in the concert. He gave a confident performance of traditional Syrian songs. “We only heard the sound of a mortar ( 迫 击 炮 ). It fell near us. Many buildings fell down. That is all I remember,” said Youssef. “Music makes me forget everything. Music is the most important thing.”

    Basma, director of Action for Hope, said the music school offers strength to the children who suffer (遭受) from the war. They can find a good way to express themselves and stop thinking of themselves as refugees.

    “Art gives strength. It comes from the ability to create,” Basma said. “People who are in difficult conditions need this strength much more than the rich.”

⑴Every year, thousands of students choose to study in another country for a term or a year. Studying abroad can be an exciting experience for many people. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

⑵Living in another country can make you learn a language and about another culture. You will see the world differently and learn more about yourself. The experience of studying abroad may also look good on your future resume(求职简历) Many companies today want people who can speak a second language or have experienced living or working in another country. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

⑶Once you decide to study abroad, you have to make choices. To choose the right country or school, ask yourself: Where do I want to go and why? How much do I want to pay? How long do I want to study abroad? Do I want to live with roommates, alone or somewhere else? {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

⑷Get your passport and visa early. Before you go, learn some of the language and read about some common customs in the country that you are going to learn about the money. Bring some of it with you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

⑸After the first few weeks abroad, many students will feel a little homesick. They may miss their families, friends and familiar ways of doing things. Remember that it takes time to get used to a new place, school and culture. When you feel sad or homesick, try to talk to others or write about your feelings in a notebook. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    A city without cars would be very strange, right? But Venice is such a city.

    Venice is in the northeast of Italy. It isn't built on land, like Beijing or Shanghai, but on more than 110 islands. Seawater is everywhere around the city.

    Even so, travel isn't difficult. The waterways have always been the best way to get around. There are 117 waterways and more than 400 bridges that can lead you where you want to go.

    People in Venice move from place to place by boat. They like to enjoy cool summer nights while taking boat trips. They can talk to other people as they go along.

    Venice grew out of small islands in saltwater lakes when some Italians escaped(逃跑)from a war more than 1,500 years ago, and built homes there.

    Water makes the city special, but it is also a big problem.

    Once, people used too much underground water. This made the city get lower, little by little. Now the city has gone down by 23 centimetres.

    Another problem is the rising seawater. The temperature has risen over the years. This has made arctic(北极的)ice melt.

    Scientists are trying different ways to stop the city from getting even lower.