Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is the color of most growing plants, too.

Sometimes, the word green means young, fresh and growing. Sometimes, it describes something that is not yet finished or plants that are not ripe.

For example, a greenhorn is someone who has no experience, who is new to a situation. In the fifteenth century, a greenhorn was a young cow or ox whose horns had not yet developed. A century or so later, a greenhorn was a soldier who had not yet had any experience in war (战争) .By the eighteenth century, a greenhorn had the meaning it has today——a person who is new in a job.

About one hundred years ago, greenhorn was a popular expression in the American west Old—timers used it to describe a man who had just arrived from one of the big cities in the east. The greenhorn didn't have the skills that he would need to live in the hard, rough country.

Someone who has the ability to grow plants well is said to have a green thumb. The expression comes from the early nineteen hundred.

A person with a green thumb seems to have a magic touch that makes plants grow quickly and well. You might say that the woman next door has a green thumb if her garden continues to grow long after your plants have died.

The Green Revolution (革命) is the name which was given some years ago to the development of new kinds of rice and other grains. The new plants produced much larger crops. The Green Revolution was the result of hard work by agricultural (农业的) scientists who had green thumbs.

Do you have true friends? Do you want to know better between you and your friends? There are three different kinds of friends: "pest friends", "guest friends", and "best friends".

The first kind of friends is simply acquaintances (熟人), and all you usually know about them is their names. You may meet this kind of friends at school, at work, or on the bus, but you don't miss them when they're not around. When this kind of friends do something bad, you don't tell them. That is why they are called "pest friends".

The second kind of friends could also be called "social partners". They are closer than acquaintances, but not as close as true friends. You know their names, a little about what they like or dislike, and a little about their family histories; you usually have a few things in common, but you don't talk about anything deep, such as your wishes or fears, and they don't open up to you how they really feel.

The last kind of friends, the "best friends", are the people you know the deepest.

You're like family, and know everything about each other. You have no problem staying at each other's houses, and you share your deepest feelings and thoughts. They will correct you when you're wrong, and though they may not be perfect, they at least will always care about you, and never do anything on purpose (故意地) to hurt you.

We all have our pest, guest, and best friends. We should value (重视) all friendship. Remember, all best friends start out as just acquaintances.

Now, camping is getting popular among young people. It's a great way to be outside and enjoy nature. If you like to be in trees, mountains or by the lake, you are sure to have a good time when you go camping. Here is some advice for camping.

You need to put up your tent only in a safe (安全的) place. If you put up your tent in other places, you may meet dangers. Remember to do it for your safety.

Fire may be not safe, so use fire only when you must. Make sure to put the fire out（熄灭) when you don't use it. Don't go away or sleep when the fire is on.

Don't forget to take your phone, and you can take photos of the beautiful trees and flowers. You can see the beautiful natural sights (风景). Later, you will feel relaxed.

Sometimes, we may go to the deep (深的) forest. And it's easy for us to get lost. People often get lost in the forest. It's a good way to take a map with you. Now, we have GPS in our phones. Maps and GPS can help you when you get lost.

In China, the 12th month of the lunar calendar (阴历) is called Layue. The month is full of interesting festivals and customs.

Laba Festival, which is on the 8th day of Layue, is the first festival in this month. From this day on, people begin to get ready for the Chinese New Year.

On Laba Festival, people eat hot Laba porridge (腊八粥). There are usually eight things in the porridge: rice, red beans, peas, dried lotus seeds, dates, and three different kinds of fruits and nuts. The porridge is not just good for your health, but a blessing for the coming of the Chinese New Year.

Laba porridge is not the only tasty food in Layue. Laba garlic (腊八蒜) is popular in the north. People begin to soak (浸泡) the garlic in vinegar from that day on, and eat it with dumplings during the Chinese New Year. While in the south, people like making sausages (腊肠).

Another major celebration before the Spring Festival is Xiaonian. It is usually on the 23rd or 24th day of the last lunar month. Traditionally, it is an important day when people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God who looks after the family.

Don't forget to clean your home. This is also an important thing to do to prepare for the Chinese New Year. It means sweeping away the dust of the old year and welcoming a fresh start. Now, the last thing for you to do is to wait for the coming Spring Festival.