【推荐1】School backpacks are always a hot topic in China. Some Chinese parents buy hardcover school backpacks from Japan, although they can be as expensive as 5,000 yuan, according to Chinese newspaper Urban Express. These backpacks are popular because the hard cover helps hold books in place. This can help kids keep their balance and preserve their spines (脊柱). But it turns out that the bags can be hardly fit in the students' desks.

A good backpack is important for children's health. "It can make pressure less on the shoulders," says Dr. Rob Danoff from the US. He also says students need a backpack that's made for the child's size. Cushioned (加垫的) backs and shoulder straps (带子) will help them avoid pain.

However, the biggest problem for school backpacks is that they are too heavy, noted Hou Weiguang, a doctor in Chengdu. "In China, students have many textbooks and exercise books. The weight makes many kids suffer from side-bending (侧弯的) spines," Hou said. He suggests that a backpack should be no more than 15 percent of a child's body weight to avoid pain or injury. That means if a student weighs 50 kg, the backpack should be less than 7.5 kg.

Parents need to make sure their kids only carry what they need. Schools and governments need to help too, added Zheng Yongshun, an education official from Hong Kong. He said schools should offer locker (储物柜) space and shared books so kids can carry fewer books.

【推荐1】Do you always feel tired?     1     Then you will feel better than before.

Play sports. Playing sports can help you keep strong and make you feel happy.     2     You can listen to your favorite music when you play sports.

Eat healthy food. You need enough energy because you have lots of things to do every day. Eat what you like if you want to eat something.     3    

    4     Don’t always study inside. Studying too long a time is not a good idea. It’s bad for your eyes. You should find sometime for outside activities.

Wake your body up. When you have a shower, change the temperature of water—from hot to cold and back to hot again. You’ll feel great.

Laugh!     5     You will have good mood all day.

Communication between people of different cultures is more important than ever. Most people now understand how important it is to know something about different cultures and languages. Here is some advice to improve communication between people of different cultures.

    1    

It is very important to communicate your ideas and purpose clearly. Make sure there are no mistakes by speaking clearly and not too fast.

    2    

After each of your questions, wait for the other side to speak. In an everyday conversation, this can seem strange. But in cross-cultural situations, this style makes the conversation much easier.

    3    

It can be very difficult to speak English very well. If the people you are speaking with are having trouble finding the right words, you can support them. Tell them not to be shy in communication.

    4    

It is usually best not to use the language that only native people know. It will often not be understood by people from other countries. It is better to speak using well-known words and expressions.

    5    

In many countries, people from other cultures may not be comfortable with some native jokes. Even worse, jokes might be misunderstood or seen as impolite.