With more and more cars on the road, traffic jams (堵车) are inevitable. Traffic jams can lead to more accidents as there are more cars, with more people trying to get to their destination, all the while getting worse. Although it's impossible to avoid traffic jams altogether, there are some tips you can follow to reduce the amount of time on the road.

    Check for traffic jams before you leave. You can listen to the radio for traffic news, or check on the Internet to get up-to-minute information on traffic. If the route you want to take is heavy with traffic, you can choose another.

    Look for a different route all the time. Most traffic jams happen on busy roads. Using country roads could avoid a lot of traffic. Although the distance you may have to travel is further, it can work out quicker.

    Set your car radio to receive traffic bulletins. Many new car stereo systems (汽车音响系统) are equipped with a radio system by which you can hear the traffic channel. This way you can get the latest traffic information and change your journey if necessary.

    __________. Most traffic jams usually occur(发生) during rush hour, so try to avoid this time period if possible. Some jobs offer flexible working hours so that you can travel to work outside of rush hour. Some jobs even allow you to work at home so as to avoid moving altogether. Ask your manager to see what you can do if traffic is a problem for you.

    Use public transport instead. The easiest way to avoid traffic jams is to take buses or the underground instead of driving your own car. Not only will you avoid traffic jams but you will most likely be saving money.

    Attention, please. We have exciting news for you today. Our yearly Short Story Competition for teenagers is now open.

    The regular（常规）subjects "friendship" and "hobbies" are still choices, but this year we have a new subject "travel". Your stories should be fewer than 2,000 words. You can send your stories to the organizer, Mr. Smith in Room 209. There is an amazing prize for you. The best story will be printed in the magazine, New Writers. Don't forget to hand in your stories before September 30^th.

    And you will know the results on October 15^th.

    So get your thinking hats on. For more information, visit our school website.

    Having a pen pal is fun and can be a great way to improve your writing skills. But most people have trouble knowing what to write to their pen pals. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Break the ice by telling your pen pal a little about yourself. Start with your name, age and job. Write about what you like to do or what's on your mind that day. What you pass on will encourage your pen pal to tell you something about this. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Ask questions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} This will help you get to know him and probably get you a faster answer. Make your questions into the e-mail by telling him something you like to do and then asking if he's ever tried it.

    Ask for advice. You may have some difficulties in your life and want to ask for advice. Your pen pal may tell you what to do.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Also, discussing real-world questions will promote(促进) your friendship.

    English people are well known for plenty of tea that they drink. Per person in the UK consumes (消费) around 1.9 kg of tea every year. Tea is drunk by all sections (阶层) of society.

    But tea is not native to Britain. Most of the tea is grown in India and China. Tea first arrived in London in the 1600s. At this time, British ships were exploring the world and came across the drink in China. It was not long before green tea was available to buy. However, this was only available to the rich.

    At the beginning of the 1700s, the amount of tea arriving in Britain increased slowly. Black tea arrived at this time. At first people drank this tea exactly as it was in China. They soon discovered that it mixed really well with a little milk and sugar, giving the drink a special British characteristic.

    In the 1800s tea was still a product enjoyed only by people with money. At this time they began to have "afternoon tea". This includes drinking tea with a snack around 4 p. m. to avoid feeling hungry. It is a tradition that is still going today but has become less popular in recent times.

    In the late 1800s, the price of tea dropped a lot as more tea began to arrive on ships from India and China. It was no longer a drink just for rich people. Tearooms-shops where you could buy and drink tea-started to appear across the country. People enjoyed drinking tea and social activities in these places. At the start of the 20th century, Englishmen began to make tea in their homes whenever they felt like it. Kettles (烧水壶) became necessary in every kitchen.

    We've heard about several "poor students" in the past year. Cui Qingtao, a student from Yunnan, working with his parents on a building site when he got an admission letter(录取通知书) from Peking University. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} She is a student form Hebei. She was doing her part-time job in a different city when her family got her admission letter from Peking University.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, they are all strong and optimistic (乐观的). Li Enhui said in an interview, "As long as we are alive, there are no problems that cannot be solved, and many people don't have my experiences. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}" Such an idea makes many adults feel embarrassed. He refused to accept donation money and decided to make money by himself. This is also the common thing that "poor students" have. Whatever kind of values you hold, such personalities(品格) are necessary for growth. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not everything goes well all the time. Only being strong and optimistic, can one go through difficulties. In fact, living in poor families doesn't promise such good personalities, and living in happiness doesn't promise optimistic attitudes(态度). We like such "poor students" because they are strong and optimistic.

    For them, few can choose their lifestyles. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That's why they are highly praised. Every one of us should learn from them.

    Spring Festival is the most important festival in China. On Chinese New Year's Eve, family members get together and have a big meal. In many places people like to set off fireworks. Dumplings are the most traditional food. Children like the festival very much, because they can have delicious food and wear new clothes. They can also get some lucky money from their parents. The money is given to children for good luck. People put New Year scrolls(卷轴) on the wall for good luck. Spring Festival lasts 15 days. People usually visit their relatives and friends. People enjoy Spring Festival very much, because during this time they can have a good rest.