Is it good to be in a middle school? Most American children think so. In America, middle schools often have sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. It is different in different places.

    For children, going to a middle school is a big change. Most middle schools in America have a special day for new middle school students. On that day, they are showed around the school by their new teachers. And they could know a lot about the history of the school. They also would make friends with the old schoolmates (校友).

    They will grow up and learn some different and difficult things in a middle school. A new middle school student will learn foreign languages, computer, music and art, health, and other skills, such as cooking.

    A middle school will have sports teams, clubs and have activities for children. They can choose what they like and join them. If they are good at singing, playing basketball or something else, or if they want to learn, they can join them. Most American children think it's good to be in a middle school.

Mrs. Brown goes to see her son in London. Her son works in a music club there. Mrs. Brown doesn't know London well. And she can't find her way. 

She sees a man at a bus stop. She wants to ask the man the way. "Excuse me! But can you help me please? Which bus goes to Miller's shop? "Mrs. Brown asks. The man is very friendly. He smiles. But he can't speak English. He can speak French. He is new in London. He puts his hand into his coat and takes out a small book. He opens it and reads something on it, "I am sorry. I can't speak English. "

Do you know people had three names: their family name, given name and courtesy name (字) in ancient (古代的) China? Let me introduce them to you.

Take famous poet Li Bai as an example (例子). His family name is Li, his given name is Bai, and his courtesy name is Taibai.

People use their given names when they are with their family or friends. And your elders like your grandparents and parents call your given name at home. But in the workplace, people use their courtesy names.

Men get their courtesy names when they are 20 years old. Wome n get their courtesy names after they get married (结婚).

People's courtesy names have something to do with (与……有关) their given names. For example, Zhuge Liang's given name is Liang. It means" bright". His courtesy name is Kongming. And the meaning is" very bright".

初中生活中, 你有什么改变？你是怎样改变的？请以"How I Have Changed"为题写一篇英语短文。描述你发生的变化。写作内容包括外貌性格、兴趣爱好、学习习惯等方面, 80词左右。

Winter is the best season of the year. During the winter, months, temperatures are usually colder and there are fewer hours of daylight. The winter months in most of China are November, December, and January. 

Cold winter temperatures are caused by the tilting (倾斜) of the Earth. When Earth's Northern Hemisphere (半球) is tilted away from the sun, there are fewer hours of daylight and the temperature is colder. When the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun, there is more daylight time and the temperatures are warmer. The tilting of the Earth as it spins causes the seasons to change. 

Animals have special ways of preparing themselves for winter. Some animals, like birds and butter- flies fly long distances, or migrate, to warmer places during the winter months. Other animals such as bears, gophers, snakes go to sleep through the winter. Squirrels and raccoons (浣熊) don't migrate or hibernate. Instead, they gather enough food during the fall months, so they have plenty to eat during the winter. 

In some areas, winter is a time when snow falls and gathers on the ground. People who live in these places can enjoy special winter activities like skiing or snowboarding. They can also build snow- men. When the water in lakes and rivers freeze, people can ice skate or go ice fishing!