—Yes, the number is getting ________.

We are now living in the 21^st century. Is your classroom living in the 21^st century, too? Tony is a student in Grade 8 at an American middle school. He was surprised when he saw his modern ____, on the first day of school.

In Tony’s classroom, there are many new electronics, like ipads. This semester, they will ____ the electronics to take notes, watch videos and do projects and homework. “It’s ____,” said Tony. “I prefer using an iPad to work on math or other projects ____ my team members.”

The school uses new technology in classrooms to help students see, hear, touch and sometimes experience their tasks. “ Technology is pretty common in most of our classrooms now,” the head teacher said. “We’re trying to use technology to _____ the world to kids, it can bring the outside world in.”

Science teacher Mr. Miller agrees. “It’s a ____ way for students to know the outside world,” he said. Mr. Miller now regards himself as a guide of learning ____ as a teacher. “If they have a question for me, I will try to teach them ____ to find the answer rather than tell them what the answers are,” he said.

Dale, another student, loves technology. He was not really interested in class before, ____ now he likes the classes very much. “It helps me use what I know about technology at school,” Dale said. “Most importantly, I ____ the classroom. This, of course, will help my study.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have just opened a small restaurant. In order to attract customers, they put a notice in front of the restaurant, which said: “Meals on the house for three days.”

A foreign student who didn’t know much English passed by the restaurant on the second day. It was lunch time and he felt hungry. “Well, here is a restaurant. I’m going to have something to eat.” he said.

He saw the notice when he walked toward the restaurant. “American people are really strange. They even eat dinner on the house! But how can I get onto the top of the house?” he asked himself.

He looked around and found a ladder (梯子) against a tree nearby. He was glad. But as he reached the top, he heard someone shouting at him, “Hey, what are you doing up there?” Mr. Smith was looking at him angrily. Beside him was a policeman.

“Doesn’t your notice say ‘Meals on the house for three days’? Is it just a joke?” the foreign student answered.

On hearing this, both Mr.Smith and the policeman burst into laughter (开怀大笑).

Do you know the meaning of “on the house”?

Would you take a trip if you could not use your cellphone during it? Not even as a camera?

A new travel company called Off the Grid is asking customers to do just that.

“When you’re somewhere new, there’s a lot to soak up, a lot to see, a lot of cool, interesting people to meet,” Beattie said. “Your phone can distract you. You may not be fully enjoying the trip.” The cellphone ban will not be forced (强迫) upon the travellers. “We want it to be volunteer,” Beattie said. “We’re not collecting phones…” The travellers are allowed to bring usual cameras to take photos. But the company also has a photographer to take pictures during the tour. Once the trip is over, travellers can post the photos on social media(社交媒体). “I think it’s interesting and challenging (挑战的) to say, ‘Can I enjoy this moment without a camera? Can I have this memory be part of me without sharing with someone else at once?’”

The company’s first trip is to Lisbon, Portugal, in July. The 7 to 10 day tours are for small groups, no more than 16 people. Trip prices begin at $ 1,500. The cost includes stays in hotels, some meals and ground transportation. It does not include air tickets. Off the Grid prefers special experiences rather than traditional sightseeing. The trips include at least three activities and two social events. The Lisbon trip, for example, includes surfing lessons, exercise by the sea, a day of boating and dinner with a local family. Beattie says he does not want the travellers to be too busy going from one place to another.

Students go to school for study. Study in a right way, or you will waste time. The following is some helpful advice.

The best time for reading is morning, because in the morning, the air is fresh and the mind is clear. For that reason, we can get good results.

In studying we must be patient. If we have not understood a text well, we must read it again. We should not read the next one until we have learned the first one.

When we are studying, we must put our hearts into the book, or we can get nothing from the book while we are reading.

We must always ask “ whys”. If it is not well understood, write it down and ask our teachers, our parents or friends. In any possible way, we must know it completely and what we’ve learned can be used well and made better.

There is much advice, but the advice talked about above is enough if we can learn it by heart and follow it.

56. 假设你叫苏华，你的英国朋友Nora想要在中国结交更多的朋友。她在邮件中提了一些问题，请你仔细阅读邮件，根据信中的内容及实际情况用英语回复，把你的同学Lily介绍给她。

How are you? Let me introduce my best friend Lily to you.

Yours,

Su Hua