【推荐2】“It’s Friday and you must go to school on time. This Sunday we can go to the zoo with your father,” Mom says.

“Great! I really want to see tigers and lions,” says Philip.

“Are they your favorite animals?” says Mom. “No, I like giraffes best,” says Philip.

“Yes, they are kind of funny. I also like them,” Mom   says.

“What time is it now, Mom?” asks Philip. “It’s a quarter to seven,”Mom answers, “You have to be quick. We must drive to school before half past seven.”

“All right, we have a P.E. class today. Where are my sports shoes?” says Philip.

“Look! They are under the chair. Your things are always everywhere,” says Mom.

“I’m sorry.” says Philip. “Er.. Can I keep a pet cat, Mom?”

“Oh, no, you can’t look after (照顾) it well,” Mom says.

“But I really love animals,” Philip says and he feels unhappy.

“Well, keep your things tidy and clean first, and then you can keep a cat,” says Mom.

Philip says yes and he decides (决定) to be a tidy boy from now on.

【推荐3】Holidays

【推荐1】Nguyen Tra My, a freshman at a college, wasn’t at her dorm (宿舍) again last weekend, but it was no surprise to her classmates. They all knew she had gone to Thailand to see a concert of her favorite band. Although she knew it was wrong, Nguyen said, “The concert was a one-off!”

Nguyen’s case is not rare. Idolizing a star (追星) has spread widely among Vietnamese youths. Psychological expert La Thi Buoi thought it was natural. “The Internet helps young people get information about their idols, so they spend more time on them,” she said. “But it also means less time on study, or with family and friends. In the long term, it would lead to bad results.”

However, some young people have their own ideas. “Nguyen is a true fan. When talking about her favorite band, she is always full of energy and confidence,” Nguyen’s classmate Trang said. “And her grades don’t go down because of following celebrities.”

Nguyen herself said, “I know how to organize my time. I only spend half an hour online, reading articles about my idols. The rest of my time is spent studying or going out with my friends.”

Nguyen also shared that she became more positive after becoming a fan of the band. “They have worked really hard to get today’s success. They’ve done a lot to help fight COVID-19. They are well worth learning,” Nguyen added. “Their music also cheers me up and helps me to overcome difficulties in life.”

Idolization as a whole is not a bad thing. But, problems usually come up when parents fail to accept their children’s behavior.

Buoi suggested that there is a need for communication between the generations. “Adults should be patient and give more guidance and understanding to young people. They need support from adults.” Buoi also suggested that more cultural and sports programs would encourage youngsters to leave their smart phones and take part in healthier activities.

【推荐2】Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle, a Greek thinker, said, “Happiness depends upon(依靠) ourselves.” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.

The first secret(秘密) of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future —for example, getting into college or getting a good job—that we fail to enjoy the present(现在). You should enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives.

Another secret to living a happy life is to be active, and have hobbies where you forget your problems and time. Many people experience this, dancing or having sports, such as swimming and playing basketball. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity.

Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help do some housework.

Today, we’ve got used to sharing information on social media (社交媒体)—Jennifer just had a good time on her trip. Jackie got a new watch from his dad because of his good performance on the math test. And now, Cathy is enjoying a great movie with her friends.     1    

But can that be true in real life? The answer is no.     2     For example, you wanted to get an A on an exam. It didn’t happen, and you felt sad. Sadness is not always had. It can push you to do better next time.

But it’s a different story if your sadness starts to influence your daily life.     3     Or you don’t feel like going out with your friends. If you feel like that, you may be falling into depression (抑郁).

    4     He was always by my side. Every morning, he followed me to school. Now, he was gone. And I didn’t want to do anything. My parents said I was having unrealistic hopes. Dogs don’t live forever. Rebel had a good life. He probably wanted me to live a good life, too.

Depression is mud a sign of being weak.     5     When you feel depressed, you must not shut yourself away from the world. Share your feelings with a good friend. Eat something delicious and take a walk in the park. Ask for any help you need. You’re not alone to fight against this terrible feeling!