What do you look for when you go shopping for clothes? Do you choose something fashionable, or comfortable? Do you like to look different? Or do you wear the same clothes as your friends? Is it the logo—the company symbol that draws your     16    ? Or maybe film stars are wearing these clothes? What helps you choose the clothes you like?

Everyone spends money on clothes and everyone has their     17     look. The bestselling clothing companies sell their “designer” clothes all over the world. But the number of these big name companies is in fact very small, and the clothes they make are more expensive than the clothes made by less well-known companies. Many people even     18     them to cheaper clothes. Why?

Many young people today     19     the way they look. They often buy “designer” clothes because they think they look cool. The less well-known companies make clothes which look the same, but they don’t sell well because they don’t have the logo.

People also think designer clothes are better made. For example, many people think the right running shoes will make you run faster or play better. Of course, this is not always true. It’s the training not the trainers that improves your     20     or your score. But that’s not the point. People believe that and then buy the shoes. The big companies only want to make money.

Most of all, designer clothes are more     21     because of clever advertising. All of the international companies, spend millions of dollars every year to make us buy their clothes. And they     22    .

Most people dress in a way that their personality can be     23    . But if some of us buy expensive clothes just to look cool, what does that say about us? Maybe it’s just clever advertising.

So next weekend, think about the clothes you put on. What’s the logo on your trainers? Who made your coat? And how many of your friends wear the same clothes as you do? Think that and maybe some of us could spend our money better.

I’ll never forget the feeling when I reached America. Time flies, and I am back now. Looking back on the trip. I believe I have learned a lot.

First, I have learnt h    47     to live without my parents. At home my parents do everything for me. All I need to do is study. I don’t need to worry a    48     what to wear the next day, because my mother would have it prepared. B    49     this time nobody helped me there. So I had to wash my socks by myself at night. I realize parents shouldn’t take on what should be done by their c    50     .

I also learnt some values of Americans. They love their work and they think work is a kind of fun, but a few people in China think that work is a way to m    51     money. In America, whatever one does, they all have the same smile on their faces. As a result, they can work more e    52     and get better effects. I think a few of us should c    53     our ideas about work.

If you have a lot of free time during the summer holiday, don’t waste(浪费) this time. Use the time to do many things you always want to do. Think about the best way to spend the time. Here are some ideas:

1. Learn a skill.

The summer holiday is a great time to learn how to do something. For example, you can learn to draw, paint, play a musical instrument(乐器) or cook.

2. Increase(增加) your knowledge.

Would you like to know more about a movie of a music star? Do you want to know more about China’s history? Do you want to know more about news around the world? Do you have many questions about the planets? This is a good time to get all your questions answered. Books, magazines and the Internet can all help you learn.

3. Travel to some new places.

If you have the chance, you should travel with your family or friends. You can enjoy seeing new places in China. You can try some new food. You can see some famous places. Ask your parents about this idea. Perhaps you live near the countryside. Go and visit this area. If the weather is nice, you can take a long bike ride.