【推荐1】The advertising industry started with the fundamental purpose of promoting and selling goods to people who might need them. Advertising agencies would create a basic type of advertisement known as a commercial advertisement. Such advertisements have gone through a process of change over the years along with social, economic and technological developments.

Classic advertisements used to give information about finding certain products. It was likely to be the name of a company, part of which might include the name of the place from which the product originated. For example, it could be “Shanghai Sewing Machines”, or “Tsing Tao Beer Corporation”. From the name you would know what the company sells, where they are located, and the name of the product.

Advertising agencies used to create this kind of advertising and it could be very effective. But then they realized that it might not be suitable for a marketplace where products and services are in direct competition with each other. Particularly now, in modern times, advertisements need to attract and hold the attention of the public. For this reason, it’s now normal to see advertisements that consist of pictures or words from experts to show people how good the product is. Others try to create advertisements that people simply enjoy looking at. As present-day advertisers often have large budgets, huge amounts of money are spent on applying modern design techniques to make these advertisements as visually attractive as possible. However, even this is often not enough to be noticed in a modern city. 

Because of the boost in advertising, people are used to seeing a high standard of visual design. Modern advertisements need something else to separate them from their competitors. To stand out in a world of competitive advertising, they must combine the highest standard of design with creative ways to make people believe that they “must have the product”. For example, some advertisements may suggest that buying a car can make you free. That is, they use the concept of freedom to sell the car. Other common ideas include happiness, wealth and success. In fact, in the world of advertisements, such content is as old as advertising itself.

For many of today’s advertisers, repeating old ideas is not a successful approach. Ideas that would work in the past genuinely are not as effective now. They realize that it does not matter how attractive the idea linked with the product is—most people know and anticipate that the main purpose of the advertisement is to make customers buy the product. Instead, these advertisers look for other ways to make people notice their products. The top advertisers of today believe that using humour as well as new and unusual ideas to surprise people is important. Their aim is to create something that has never been seen before and that people find interesting. By doing this, they hope to make people forget that someone is trying to sell them something!

However, not all advertising is about selling products and services for a profit. Some advertisements nowadays aim to make a contribution to society and welfare. For example, there are public advertisements, which encourage citizens to participate in improving their neighbourhood, protecting the environment, and helping other people. Over the last decade, the government has sponsored advertisements to educate the public on fighting AIDS, saving water, helping the poor, giving up smoking, etc. These advertisements have helped to increase public knowledge about topics that used to be ignored by most people, and this has made our society a better place for everyone.

【推荐3】Whoppie Whizzer

This thrilling ride that has you holding onto your seats in fear attracted more visitors than any other single attraction last year. The ride starts with a few gentle spins that gradually increase in speed, so that after thirty seconds you’ re moving round at 15 miles per hour! Suitable for anyone over 14 years of age, this ride is open throughout the season. It’s one you certainly don’t want to miss, so make sure you have a go early on in the day to avoid disappointment.

Spooksville

This is a haunted house（鬼屋) with a difference — come and visit if you dare! A hired team of professional actors perform stunts（特技表演）and try to frighten you senseless, and be warned — they will! Still, you have to judge for yourselves, so bring all the family along to this attraction. Enter alone at your own risk!

Aladdin's Magic Maze

Our Magic Maze is Europe’s biggest, as you will realize as soon as you try to find your way out! The walls of our corridors（走廊）are covered with mirrors so that when you start walking through, it can be pretty confusing — we' re still waiting for someone to beat the record exit（离开） time of twenty-two minutes. If you think you can do it, come along and try!

Pirate Ship

This huge pirate ship has been specially designed just for kids — it' s made of inflatable（可充气的）plastic so they can't hurt themselves! During our thirty-minute sessions they can climb up and down in the ship and enjoy themselves. Around the ship is the Slippery Scales swimming pool which they can swim around in — its new wave-machine will make them believe they’re really at sea! Teams of trained staff always keep an eye on their activities so parents can relax and enjoy themselves too!

【推荐3】STA Travel, the world’s largest students and youth travel agency, beats any price! Every day we’re working with our partners around the world to get you (students, teachers and anyone under 26) the cheapest and most comfortable fights and accommodations. This part of www.statravel.com provides great tips for green travel—how to pack, how to leave your house or apartment, and how to plan for your trips. You’ll also find a great number of green travel adventure (探险) trips to all comers of the world.

Green travel means responsible travel! Leave as little influence as possible on the places you visit and protect the environment both at home and during your trip. Think “Green” when you pack and when you travel. You’ll help prevent long-term effects on the communities you leave and visit!

Before you leave

◆Turn your water heater to its lowest setting.

◆Turn off your water from the outside.

◆Pack suitable clothes in your luggage, none of which is to harm the environment.

While you travel

◆Try products made from recycled materials.

◆Don’t buy souvenirs produced from endangered species (物种).

◆Carry a reusable bottle for water and refill it as you go.

◆Use the bathroom in the airport, NOT on the plane. The fuel used for a single flush (冲洗) could run a car for six miles.

【推荐1】

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【推荐3】Here’s a list of 4 books that I think are not only helpful but important for today’s teenagers. These books contain powerful stories and practical concepts for critical thinking.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Eventually, every teen will have to come to terms with suffering and loneliness. This book shows how to approach even the most challenging trials of life. Angelou’s memoir of her childhood is heartbreaking, but the strength of her spirit and her optimism and hope help readers make sense of life. Maya shows us that it’s possible to develop something inside that can shine brightly, even in the darkest night.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

This book highlights a very uncomfortable truth about life: if you want to create something, you will face many roadblocks. Whether it’s naysayers (唱反调者), self-doubt, or laziness, there are lots of things that will keep us from doing what we long to do. Pressfield helps us easily and clearly identify the enemy of creativity, and outlines a battle plan to defeat this enemy within.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This is very nearly the perfect book for teenagers and a classic American novel. The story is told with such goodness (and warmth and humor) that it’s nearly universally loved. It is so powerfully written that it can actually achieve something unbelievable in its readers: it can build empathy (共情) for the “other”. And if there’s one thing teens need in today’s world, it’s more empathy.

Essentialism by Greg Mckeown

Do you ever feel busy but not productive? Essentialism shows you how to achieve the pursuit of less. The pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy, and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter.