(D=Darren, C=Carol)

D: Hi. Carol! {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

C: Oh, hi, Darren. I'm just getting ready for the Red Nose Day concert tomorrow.

D: Oh, really? Well, I'm free this afternoon. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

C: Actually, I've nearly finished. Jim and I are going to put up some ads later, though. Could you please help us with that?

D: {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

C: That's wonderful! Oh, there's one more thing. Would you mind coming early tomorrow to help sell tickets at the door?

D: Not at all. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

C: Around six would be great.

D: OK. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

C: Great.

    Nowadays, traveling is becoming simpler than ever. Many new travel ways will be available. Here are somerends (趋势)that we can expect in the next 10 years.

    With the help of technology, making plans for your trip is right at hand. Our phones are becoming smarter and can work as a reminder. You can add simple things like flight times and numbers to your phone calendar. If you want to find local food or a museum, you can just use an app.

    Chaotic (混乱的) airports are disappearing. Future airport designs will focus on a local feel. Travelers will be able to enjoy local culture as they wait for their luggage(行李). They will also provide local food in waiting areas. For example, a library in the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol gives travelers a special experience.

    In the future, travelers may not always stay in traditional hotel rooms. They might find more interesting places to make their travel more colorful. Can you imagine swinging(悬摆) into a treehouse on a zipline(滑索)? You can find one in Laos(老挝) Travelers will have more fun experiences for their accommodation(住宿)in coming years.

    Are you learning a foreign language? Do you know what a successful Language learner should do?

    First of all, successful language learners are independent(独立的) learners. They do not depend on books or teachers. They find out their own ways to learn the language. Instead of waiting for the teacher to explain, they try to find methods and rules for themselves. They also look for clues (线索)and get their own ideas by guessing(猜测). When they guess wrong, they try again. They try to learn from their mistakes. It is more important for them to learn to think than to know the meaning of every word.

    Successful language learning is active learning, so successful learners do not wait for a chance to use the language. They usually look for such a chance. They find native speakers and ask them for help when they make mistakes. They will try everything to communicate. They are not afraid to what they hear or to say strange things.

    Finally, successful language learners are learners with a purpose(目的).

    They want to learn the language because they are interested in native speakers' lives. It is necessary for them to learn the language in order to communicate with foreigners and learn about their lives. Their cultures and so on.

    On Sept 4 and 5 this year, the 11^th G20 Leaders Summit (峰会) was held in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province in east China. It was a big success.

    G20 is made up of the world's most important 20 economies (经济体)—the European Union and 19 countries. Both developed countries like the US and Germany, and developing countries like Brazil and China are members of it. Every year, the G20 members get together and talk about the world economic events. For example, after the financial crisis (金融危机) in 2008, they agreed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF, 国际货币基金组织) could give money to countries in need. Other events also included making sure poorer areas have enough food and good development.

    It was the first ever G20 summit to be hosted in China. The logo of the summit looks like a bridge. "I got the idea from the old bridges at the West Lake," said the designer Yuan Youmin. "Bridges bring people and places together in many different ways, just as the G20 makes east and west get together."

    Chinese food also pleased many foreign guests with its culture. At the welcome dinner to the member leaders there was one famous dish—Dongpo Rou. Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo made the dish first. Su once lived in Hangzhou.

    One main topic of the summit this year is to develop goals and plans of creative growth for G20 members. China itself is developing its creative ability in recent years. It is not easy to host such a summit, butChina has made a great contribution (贡献) to the G20 by bringing out a new future.

In April 2024, an earthquake happened in Taiwan Province. Earthquakes often happen, but many people have no {#blank#}1{#/blank#} about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. To keep you safe, here is some advice.

An earthquake usually happens in a short time and can be very serious, so it is n{#blank#}2{#/blank#} to prepare yourself and your family for it. Make sure all family members know {#blank#}3{#/blank#} to turn off gas (天然气), water and electricity. They should also know some important telephone {#blank#}4{#/blank#} like 120 and 119.

During an earthquake, keeping calm is important. If you are indoors, move to a safe place in the room quickly, for example, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} a strong desk or table. By doing this, you can save yourself when something {#blank#}6{#/blank#} down from higher places. Remember to stay away from windows or heavy pictures. If you are cooking, turn off the gas at once. If you are outdoors, move to a clear area like a playground. Get away from buildings, bridges and trees. If you are driving, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the car as soon as possible and then just stay inside. Don't try to drive through an active earthquake.

After an earthquake, don't run out of the building at once. You'd better stay in your safe place {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the shaking stops for 1 or 2 minutes. Make sure if there is anybody else around you, then help the people who are in need.

The umbrella is a very common object. It keeps the 1 and the sun off the people. Most umbrellas can be folded up(折叠) so it is 2 to carry them. 

However, the umbrella has not always been as 3 as it is now. In the past, it was a symbol of importance. Some African countries still use umbrellas in this 4 . Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or important person. 

Umbrellas are very old. People in different parts of the world began to 5 umbrellas at different times. The Chinese had them more than 3, 000 years ago. From there, umbrellas 6 to India and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, 7 wouldn't use them. They believed umbrellas were only for women. 

England was 8 the first country in Europe where common people used umbrellas against rain. The weather there is very 9 and umbrellas are very useful. 

Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you 10 one, thinking that for centuries only great men and women used them, you'll feel you are important people, too.