Mom and Dad are two of the most important persons in your life. Over your lifetime, they may influence you more than anyone else you will meet. So if your mom loves to read, you just might grow up carrying a book wherever you go, just as she does. But parents do a lot more than just pass on their hobbies. Moms and Dads need to care for their kids the minute their kids are born. Most parents will do this as long as they live.

    Here are some ways you can stay close, get along well, and build a strong relationship with your parents.

    Spend time together. Instead of playing computer games or watching TV, ask your mom and dad to play with you. Go outside together, or do some reading.

    Be kind. Little things might mean a lot to your mom or dad. You can brighten a parent's day with a hug, a card, or a joke. It's also lovely when a kid cleans up his or her room without being asked. And if you try not to fight with your brothers or sisters, your parents will be so happy!

    Do your best at whatever you do. You don't have to be perfect, but when you do your best, you make your parents proud. It makes them happy to see how you're turning into a good kid. Why？Because it lets them know they're doing a good job.

    A middle-aged man, Xu Shijie, from Kaifeng is a pedicab (三轮车）driver, or rather, a tour guide. Over the past 15 years, he has served hundreds of foreign tourists. He told them stories about Kaifeng in English.

        ①      With the help of a dictionary, he read English magazines and books in his spare time. He also kept a diary in English. Thus, he could learn more new words and grammar.

    He first talked to a foreign tourist in 2003. He was nervous and not sure whether the tourist could understand him or not. Luckily, the tourist understood him and they talked happily that day. Since then, Xu has studied English even harder. He practiced listening and speaking skills every night. In order to provide a better introduction to Kaifeng, he has also read lots of books about the city's history and culture.

    Xu is now better known as Jason, his English name. He has become the most popular pedicab driver in Kaifeng.    ②     He often helps tourists buy train tickets or medicine. Sometimes, he also helps them find quality hotels.

    Many people call Xu a culture ambassador. XU said he would try his best to live up to the praise and make Chinese culture known to the world.

    We've heard about several "poor students" in the past year. Cui Qingtao, a student from Yunnan, working with his parents on a building site when he got an admission letter(录取通知书) from Peking University. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} She is a student form Hebei. She was doing her part-time job in a different city when her family got her admission letter from Peking University.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, they are all strong and optimistic (乐观的). Li Enhui said in an interview, "As long as we are alive, there are no problems that cannot be solved, and many people don't have my experiences. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}" Such an idea makes many adults feel embarrassed. He refused to accept donation money and decided to make money by himself. This is also the common thing that "poor students" have. Whatever kind of values you hold, such personalities(品格) are necessary for growth. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not everything goes well all the time. Only being strong and optimistic, can one go through difficulties. In fact, living in poor families doesn't promise such good personalities, and living in happiness doesn't promise optimistic attitudes(态度). We like such "poor students" because they are strong and optimistic.

    For them, few can choose their lifestyles. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That's why they are highly praised. Every one of us should learn from them.

    In some Western countries, many children do chores to get pocket money (零花钱).

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}School students have to do homework and study for tests. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} They often do chores on weekends.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} So they don't get much money. But that's enough. Many of them only want to buy candy(糖果). And candy is cheap! They often help do the dishes, sweep the floor, or feed the pet cat or dog.

    When they get older, they want to buy more and more things. They want things that are more expensive than candy. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They often help their parents wash the family car, cut the grass, or cook meals.

    Some jobs are a good way for kids to learn new things. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Of course, their parents help them at first.

A. So they have to work harder!

B. They usually start to do this when they are ten years old.

C. They don't have much free time on weekdays.

D. For example, they can learn how to use a lawnmower (割草机) or how to cook.

E. Young Kids don't need to do chores.

F. Young kids only do easy chores.

    We usually use chopsticks and spoons: Americans usually use forks and knives. However, the people in some countries don't use any of these tools. They prefer to eat with their fingers. It sounds messy, but they have ways to keep clean.

    In the southern part of India, people use banana leaves to eat. Everyone gets a small square of banana leaf. Each person washes his or her square of leaf, and then uses it to eat.

    In Ethiopia, food is wrapped in a special kind of bread. This bread is very flat and feels like a wet sponge(海绵). There are lots of holes in the bread to hold food and sauce. A small piece is torn of(被撕下) to pick up food.

    In the Middle East, people eat with only their fingers on the right, hand. They always try to keep the right hand clean. The left hand is used for touching dirty things.

    Brandon Forest Park is a place of interest. This large woodland is home to many birds and other wildlife. It's open all year round to visitors.

    In the centre of the park is the Forest Shop and Cafe. You can buy maps in the shop and     there are all kinds of gifts and souvenirs on sale as well.

    The Cafe is open from 9 a. m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is open from 9 a. m. to 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday. But on Wednesday it's shut all day.

    There's also a large area for visitors to enjoy a picnic lunch. But please don't throw rubbish. Bicycles are for hire(租用). For an hour it costs $3. 5 and for half a day it's $9. 79.

    Special events are held at the park during the summer. There's going to be an outdoor play, a concert and a horse-riding race this summer.

    More information about the park can be found on our website www.brandonforestpark.com.