The famous scientist and thinker, Charles Darwin, was born on February 12, 1809. As a boy, Charles liked to go for walks in the fields and forests. He enjoyed watching nature, and comparing what he saw with everything he had read in science books.

    At sixteen, Darwin was sent to Edinburgh University to become a doctor. But he was interested in the history of nature. Then he was sent to study in Cambridge University. He left the university in 1831. Some time later he heard that the ship Beagle was going on a trip to South America and wanted a scientist. His teacher advised him to go. So when the Beagle left England in December, 1831, Darwin was on it. The trip lasted almost five years.

    In 1842 Darwin went to live in Ken. Darwin understood that plants and animals are not always the same, and that they really change. By 1859 Darwin had finished his famous book "The Origin of Species". Darwin continued his studies in science before he died in 1882.

    The Monkey Buffet Festival is on the last Sunday of November. It is a great day for monkeys in Thailand(泰国). The festival has a history of twenty-five years. People there think monkeys can bring good luck to them. So, to thank monkeys, they have this special festival.

    On that day every year, people put lots of fruit, vegetables, cakes and even drinks on the tables outside. They are all for monkeys. Many people come to see the monkeys on that day.

    During the festival, there are a lot of interesting activities about monkeys. Young people always dress like monkeys. And they sing and dance and play some music on the street.

    Monkeys always live in groups. Most of them live in the trees. They are good at running and jumping. They eat fruit, vegetables, flowers and birds' eggs. Monkeys are clever. Do you think so?

    Today is November 28th. It's my sister Gina's eighth birthday. In the morning, my parents take us to Zig Zag's Store. There my mother buys a red sweater for Gina. And we go to Xinhua Book Store. There I buy some CDs for Gina. My father also buys a book for Gina, and its name is Harry Potter. It's Gina's favorite book. In the afternoon, my parents have a birthday party for Gina at home. Gina's friends, Bill, Jim and Cindy come to the party. Bill brings a new pencil to Gina. Jim gives Gina a soccer ball because she likes playing soccer. Cindy gives Gina an English-Chinese dictionary. Gina is very happy. Oh, I'm Gina's brother. My name is Robert.

⑴{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The WWF is working hard to save pandas—the symbol of animals in danger.

⑵{#blank#}2{#/blank#}A journey by train is more relaxing than by bus, but it costs more money.

⑶{#blank#}3{#/blank#}It was a small village 30 years ago, but now it has more tall buildings.

⑷{#blank#}4{#/blank#}You need to listen for key words and main ideas, just the same as reading.

⑸{#blank#}5{#/blank#}The match was difficult and no one could score at all. It was really boring.

A. B. C.

D. E.

    There are some very good things about open education. This way of teaching allows the students to develop their own interests in many subjects. Open education allows students to be responsible(负责) for their own education. Some students do badly in traditional classrooms. The open classroom may allow them to enjoy learning. Some students will be happier in an open education school. They will not have to worry about grades or rules. But many students will not do well in an open classroom.

    For some students, there are too few rules. These students will do little in school. They will not make good use of open education. Because open education is so different from traditional education, these students may have a problem of getting used to making so many choices. For many students it is important to have some rules in the classroom. They worry about the rules even when there are no rules. Even a few rules will help this kind of students. The last point about open education is that some traditional teachers do not like it. Many teachers do not believe in open education. Teachers who want to have an open classroom may have many problems at their school.

    You now know what open education is. Some of its good points and bad points have been explained. You may have your own opinion about open education. The writer thinks that open education is a good idea, but only in theory(理论). The writer believes that most students, but of course not all students, want some structure in their classes. They want and need to have some rules. In some cases, they must be made to study some subjects. Most of the students are pleased to find subjects they have to study interesting. They would not study those subjects if they did not have to.

Open Education