【推荐1】This is the example of hope and unlimited possibilities, This is proof that big dreams do come true. So don’t let anybody tell you that you are ever past your prime.

—Preface

82-year-old Yang Benfen, known as a granny writer “by the stove”, published her third book in February, Yang started writing in her 60s and published her first book Qiuyuan at 80. She spent most of her time writing in the kitchen and became a bestselling author.

Being asked about what makes her keep writing, she explained, “I realized that if those stories were not written down, all traces (痕迹) of my mother would be completely wiped out from the world sooner or later like dust on a table blown away by wind,” she said. Thus, she started her writing journey while making meals for her family members.

She finished her first hand-written copy of book with more than 100,000 words in 2007. “It seems like a reunion (团聚) with many people who have left me in my memory.” Yang described her writing process.

Later, Yang’s daughter posted this copy of book online as a serial. Bad words and good words poured in. Those who disliked it said the story of a “nobody” is unworthy of being recorded, but some readers’ support encouraged the granny writer to hold out for her dream. Yet the online serialized (连载的) novel did not get the attention of any publishers until more than ten years later. “She writes in gentle and simple words but describes the characters struggles with their destiny (命运), I was shocked that it was written by a green hand,” said publisher Tu Zhigang. Her first work Qiuyuan was published in June 2020 and proved a big success. More than 90,000 copies have been sold so far. As for now, Granny Yang has no plans to stop. Her fourth book is on the way and she has learned how to use a computer, “I can write anytime, anywhere, and it is more convenient to improve my writing.” “In old age, I am like a train on a new journey. An unimaginable force drives me forward. I know that the story under my pen is just a drop of water, and it will finally flow into the long river of human history.” Yang said.

I don't need to say that reading is good for you. The more you read, the more you learn. But most people don't read. Sometimes, some people do want to read, but it is hard for them to find time to read. Here are some tips for reading.

Reading is fun

To get yourself active to read and read some interesting things.

Just start

Sometimes the thing stopping you from reading is your own mind. It will have all kinds of excuses not to do something. Don't think a lot. Just do it.

Always have your book in reach

When I go out, I always take a book with me. In that way, I don't have to think a lot. When I have time or I have to wait, I just take out the book and start reading.

Reading may be a little difficult at first. But to tell you the truth, it's a nice and rewarding（有回报的）activity.

【推荐3】Reading books is a good hobby for all kinds of reasons. First, reading books is fun. You can always keep yourself pleased if you like reading. This is especially useful when the weather is bad. It is a relaxing hobby, too. You can really become lost in a book.

Next, you can read a book almost anywhere: in a car, in a waiting-room, on a plane, in bed—even in the bath. All you need is a book! Reading is a convenient（方便的）hobby as it is easy to stop and then start again.

Anther good reason for reading books is that it is useful.   If you read as a hobby you will get better and better at it. This means that you will read faster and will become better at understanding what you read. As your rending improves, you will probably（很可能）find that your schoolwork becomes much easier.

Some people say that reading is out of date. This is not true. You have to be able to read on the Internet. And the better you read, the better your computer skills will be.

Good readers are most likely（可能）to be good writers, too. They are usually good at spelling as well, and have more things to write about.

If you don’t know what your friends are doing, will you get anxious(焦虑)? Fifty-one per cent of teenagers said yes when they were asked this question in a recent study. The fear that “I’m absent while others might be having fun” is called FOMO ——fear of missing out.

FOMO pushes you to check the social media(网络社交媒体) more often. This makes you affected by others more easily. You may feel sad, lonely and bored if you start to experience FOMO.

What can you do to deal with it?

Change your focus

You should stop worrying about what you may be missing out on. Try to focus on the good things that you have already been doing. Spend your spare time doing things you enjoy, such as painting or playing football.

Keep a diary

By keeping a personal diary, you will learn to be more thankful for the great things that you have in your life. You will realize that you are the only controller of your life, not the Internet...

Build up real connections

When you feel lonely, why not meet up with people in real life? Talking with your family or taking part in a group activity can help you feel better.

As long as you live in the moment, you will never miss out on anything in your life.

【推荐3】Can you imagine that most of the people have to stay at home for such a long time to prevent the spread of a virus?

At the beginning of 2020, the novel coronavirus (新型冠状病毒) went around China. Here are some questions about the virus.

Q1: Do pets catch or spread it?

Now there is no fact showing that pets such as cats and dogs can catch or spread the virus.

However, for your health, you should wash hands at once after touching pets. It’s good for you to wash hands with soap and the running water.

Q2: How does it go around?

Breathing and touching are two main ways. Chances are higher if people do not wash their hands after touching the infected (感染的) patients. It’s possible for them to catch the virus by touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Children and old people are not strong, so they can easily get inflected this way.

Q3: How long can it stay?

The activity of the virus will get weak after it stays in the air for two hours. It can live about 48 hours in a dry environment. Research has found the virus can live for five days if the temperature stands at 20 degrees with humidity (湿度) at 40% to 50%.

Q4: How is the person if he or she catches it?

Many may get a fever, feel tired easily and have a dry cough. Only a few have a runny nose. About half will have difficulty in breathing.

March 16 is National Panda Day in the United States. This year, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC, used the day to celebrate the 50th anniversary（周年）of the first two giant pandas coming into its care.

In 1972, the US president（总统）Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat, made a historic visit to China. On her second day in the country, Pat went to the Beijing Zoo to see pandas. At a dinner before they left China, Zhou Enlai told Pat that China would give away two pandas to the US.（A）This made her very happy. The pandas, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing arrived at the National Zoo on April 16, 1972. They lived there for more than 20 years, and died in the 1990s.

A new panda couple, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, arrived at the zoo in 2000. They still live at the zoo with their child, Xiao Qiji. The couple’s other three children, Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei were returned to China.

Usually, the workers of the zoo visit their Chinese partners several times a year to share information about pandas. Chinese experts also go to the US. During Covid-19,（B）they communicated with each other through messages and video calls. They have had a good relationship for many years. They hope the program will last at least 50 more years.

Pat and her _________, Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, and the first pandas LingLing and Hsing Hsing _________ the National Zoo on April 16, 1972. Then in 2000, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived at the zoo. The couple have _________ children. The workers of the zoo hope the program will last at least 50 more years.