Teenage life—better now, or in the past?

    Does this situation sound familiar（熟悉）?

    You are complaining（抱怨）to your parents about something. Maybe your computer isn't powerful enough to play the latest games.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}.Then you hear…

    “When I was your age, there weren't any computers or video games. And I didn't get a bike until I was sixteen. And it was second-hand.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}”

    So, is it really true that life is better for teenagers now? It is certainly true that many teenagers have got more things nowadays.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}So parents have got more money to spend on each child. And many things are cheaper than they were when our parents were children.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Forty years ago, no one could imagine a world with tiny computers and amazing smartphones. And now these things are necessary—we can't imagine living without them!

    However, technology often means we spend more time at home. And often it's just us, with our computer or television. Teenagers don't do enough exercise.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} And, although young people still get on well with their friends, some people think teenagers today don't have so many social activities as they did in the past.

    What do you think? How is teenage life better these days?

A. And it was too big for me.

B. A typical family is smaller now.

C. Or your friends' bikes are better than yours.

D. So they aren't as healthy as they were in the past.

E. Technology is probably the greatest change in our life.

    Do you ever wish you were as thin as a model(模特) or as strong as your favourite football player? Maybe you wish you were taller or just thinner a little. Those thoughts are a natural part of growing up.

    But learning what you can and can't change about your body is part of growing up, too. It can be hard to do. But when people accept the way they look, they often feel happier.

    Some children worry that they're not growing and developing as fast as their friends. It's important to know that puberty(青春期) doesn't happen at the same time for every child. And there are no special medicines that can make it happen sooner!

    Eating healthy foods and exercising more can make all children feel better. Why? Because they will help you feel energetic (精力充沛的) and keep your body working just the way it should be. Watching TV and playing computer games can be fun, but they don't do much for your body because you sit when you do them.

    But when you move your body—by playing, dancing, taking part in sports, or even cleaning your room—you exercise your muscles(肌肉). When you exercise the muscle, it gets stronger. And when you have strong muscles, you can do whatever you want to do!

Information Card

    Friends are very important in people's live.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I think it's very easy to make friends with other people and build a friendship between each other. However,{#blank#}2{#/blank#} So what is true friendship? In my opinion, true friendship includes:

    First of all, true friendship must treat their friends loyally and help each other. In other words, you must not take advantage of your friends,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, some unfriendly people make friends in order to cheat money and feelings, or get a certain secret and so I don't think these are true friendships.

    Second, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}For example, if a friend is really in need of money to escape from some troubles, true friends might lend it and help him or her.

    Third,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}One of the greatest men once said:" If you tell your happiness to your friend, you will get double happiness. If you tell your sadness to your friend, you will get half.

    Last month I got the chance to take part in an underwater research project in an area of the Gulf of Mexico called the Flower Gardens. A team of professional researchers were trying to learn more about the fish and other animals that live in this part of the sea. The Flower Gardens are a long way from the shore(海岸) and we spent three days on a boat.

    The team used a piece of underwater equipment to collect information. This underwater equipment is called a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The ROV could measure water depth and temperature and it also had a camera that sent live film back to the boat. The ROV was great fun. It was controlled by a computer on the boat, and I was allowed to operate it a few times.

    However, the thing I enjoyed most was diving into the water. At first, I was quite frightened—mainly because I couldn't see land in any direction. But as soon as I jumped into the water, I wasn't afraid anymore. It was amazing to see the colourful fish swimming around and I could see all the way to the Flower Gardens, which are almost 30 metres down.

    I will never forget the Flower Gardens. The trip was like a holiday but I also learnt new things about science and research projects. The team were very friendly and everyone was happy to explain what they knew about the sea. It was a great opportunity and it has made me think about my goals in life. The experience will surely encourage me to work harder to become a scientist.