China covers large areas and has a great population. Different living habits have always been an interesting topic in the country. Recently, another difference between southern Chinese and northern Chinese became a hot one: the way people shop at markets.

    People from southern China say that they always buy what they need for just one or two meals. It is normal for them to buy half of a Chinese cabbage, two potatoes and 0.25 kilogram of beef at a time.

    However, one may be laughed at if he does this in the north. Instead, buying vegetables and meat enough for a week is usual. Also, you can buy a small amount (数量) of fruit, such as a single apple or pear, each time in the south. Shop owners even help you peel and cut them. But shop owners in the north hardly offer such service. And many fruits are sold in baskets and boxes.

    The difference could be due to the different weather.

    Food can be kept for a long time in the north, as it is usually cold and dry there. Many northern Chinese have the habit of storing food, especially for the long winter. But the hot and wet weather in the south makes southern Chinese buy just enough food for one meal or one day, or else the food may go bad.

Dear Jenny,

    How are you? I am visiting my cousin Howard in Australia. It is hot in Hong Kong but it is cold in Australia in June. When it is summer in Hong Kong, it is winter in Australia. It is snowing heavily now. I like snow a lot and it is a white world outside. I will play with my cousin in the snow this afternoon. We want to make a snowman. I think it is very interesting!

    I like my cousin's house. It is big and there is a beautiful garden. We can play ball games there. My cousin's neighbors are friendly, but they cannot speak Chinese. I talk with them in English. See you next month.

Yours,

Tony

One Day of a Middle School Student

My name is Jill Green. I am a teacher of a middle school in England. 1 want to tell the school day of my school to you.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}The first lesson is at 9:20 a.m. It lasts(持续) an hour. The students can have a break(休息) from 10:20 a. m. to 10:45 a. m. Most girls like to talk, but most boys like to play ball games.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}After the break, students have the second lesson. During(在.....期间) the first quarter of the lesson, teachers usually have a test(测 试)for the students.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Lunch time is from 12:00 to 1:10 p. m. All students have their lunch at school. After lunch, students like to go to some clubs. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They can also watch TV, play games or tell stories in the clubs.

Students read some books and have the last lesson in the afternoon.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Then students go home.