【推荐1】A cheap printed sensor(传感器) could transmit wildfire warnings. Wildfires have recently destroyed the forests across the world, and their gravity is increasing. Hoping to reduce harm, researchers led by Yapei Wang, a Chinese chemist of Renmin University, say they have developed an inexpensive sensor to detect(监测) such fires earlier with less effort.

Current detection methods rely heavily on human watchfulness, which can delay an effective response. Most wildfires are reported by the general public, and other alarms come from routine foot patrols and watchtower observers. Passing planes and satellites also occasionally spot something, but "the fire first appears on the ground," Wang says. "When you see the fire from the sky, it is too late."

The team says its new sensor can be placed near tree trunks' bases and send a wireless signal to a nearby receiver if there is a quick temperature increase. That heat also powers the sensor itself, without replacing batteries. The team printed the substances onto ordinary paper to create a sensor for just $ 0.40.

But improving coordination among the different companies involved in firefighting is even more important to deal with, says Graham Kent, an earthquake expert at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was not part of the study. Kent is director of ALERT Wildfire, a network that uses cameras and crowd sourcing to watch for fires in California, Nevada and Oregon. "The whole way that you respond to a fire until it's put out is like a ballet," he says. "You'd have to choreograph(设计)it just so, with resources accurately used at the right time and place and in the right order from detection to confirmation to assignment to extinguishment(熄灭). Fire detection is just step one."

Wang says his team's next steps are to extend the device's signal range beyond the current 100 meters, which can limit practical use, and to develop a protective shield（防护罩） for it. The transmitter's effectiveness, he notes, will also need to be examined in the field ahead.

【推荐2】Sun Rui, a mother in Beijing, changed some of her plans for her 8-year-old son’s summer vacation. She had looked for an out-of-school English course, but in the end, she changed it to a swimming training class. “It is because of the strict rules on subject-tutoring classes out of schools, many parents like me choose sports or other classes for developing interests instead,” Sun said.

Sun’s choice is part of the result of the government’s growing efforts to reduce the academic pressure on young students.

On July 24, Chinese government introduced the rules in order to reduce the burden of homework and after-class tutoring for primary and junior high school students. It lists requirements in areas such as reducing the amount and the difficulty of homework and after-class services provided by schools. For example, homework for primary children below the third grade is not allowed, while homework for junior high school students should take no longer than 90 minutes to finish. Out-of-school classes cannot teach students knowledge that is ahead of the school curriculum. No subject lessons can be given on weekends, national holidays or during winter and summer vacations.

According to Global Times, more than 75 percent of Chinese children in cities, from grade l to grade 12, take part in out-of-school subject classes. This has led to many social problems such as students’ falling levels of physical fitness, more mental health problems and huge family costs, said Chu Zhaohui, senior researcher with the National Institute of Education Sciences.

Many parents showed their support for the new moves. “Subject leaning is enough at school and we hope the children’s life can be more relaxing during holidays”, a parent in Guangzhou told Xinhua. However, there are also some parents who have new fears. A parent in Shanxi said that although she agreed with the new rules, she was worried that both she and her husband had no time to be with her son

【推荐2】Mr. Lee was in bed and was trying to go to sleep when he heard the bell ring. He turned on the light and looked at his clock. It was half past twelve o'clock. “Who can it be at this time of night?" He thought. He decided to go and find out. So he got of bed, put on his dressing gown (浴袍) and went to the door. When he opened the door, there was nobody there. "That is very strange." Then he went back to his bedroom, took off his dressing gown, got back into bed, turned off the light and tried to go to sleep. A few minutes later he heard the bell again. Mr.Lee jumped out of bed very quickly and rushed to the door. He opened it, but again he found no one there. He closed the door and tried not to feel angry. Then he saw a piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up. There were some words on it: "It is now after midnight (午夜), so it is April Fool's Day (愚人节). April fool to you!" "Oh, it was the English boy next door!" Mr. Lee exclaimed (惊 叫)and almost smiled. He went back to bed and fell asleep at once. The bell did not ring again.

【推荐3】A HALF - EMPTY BASKET

Once there was a poor farmer and his farm belonged to a rich man. To make a living, the poor farmer offered to work on the farm for the rich man. One day, he went to the farm and picked a basket of apples from the farm as the rich man asked him to, and brought them to the rich man’s house. On the doorsteps, he met two monkeys dressed like children. They jumped onto the basket to eat the apples and threw some on the ground. The farmer politely took off his hat and asked the monkeys to get off. They obeyed and the farmer went into the house. He asked to see the rich man. A servant took him to the room where the rich man was sitting.

“I have brought you the basket of apples that you asked for,” he said.

“But why have you brought me only a half-empty basket of apples?” the rich man asked unhappily, looking at the apples in the basket.

“I met your children outside, and they stole some of the apples,” the poor man answered.