【推荐2】Many parents make their children do chores around the house. For some families, teaching children what to do and how to do chores is easy. But in other families, getting children to do some housework can be a very big problem.

It is a good idea for parents to teach their children at an early age. All family members must work together to make the house clean, and each person must do his or her share of the work. We can do this by making a plan of chores and taking responsibilities (责任) when children are young, which is good for them to get into the habit (习惯) of doing chores.

▲ . Doing chores can teach children many important skills like working together. Chores also teach children what is fair. The skills and value (价值) from doing chores will be good to children all their life.

【推荐2】In Britain you may often hear “Drop in any time” or “Come to see me soon”, but you can’t really do that. People just say those things to make you feel welcome. It is better to telephone before visiting someone at home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you should reply to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to go.

You should never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying, “Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are unable to go, be sure to tell those who are expecting you as soon as possible that you will not be there.

Though it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, and a small gift are all appropriate (合适的). A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also considered polite and is an appropriate way to express your appreciation for the invitation.

【推荐2】Who are the homeless people?

Homeless people are young and old men and women. They come from many different places. Some have gone to school, others have not. Some are ill, some are not. In other words, they’re all different, but they do have one thing in common: they don’t have a good place to live. They need our love most.

Where are the homeless people?

Many homeless people stay in homeless shelters (收容所) for a while. Some live in the city parks or streets. Often, homeless shelters help them get food and clothing. They also provide activities for homeless children.

What can I do to help them?

There are lots of things you can do!

● Collect food or fruit and take everything to a shelter.

● Ask your parents if you can give some of your old clothes to homeless children.

● Collect toys from your friends for homeless kids.

● Have a bake sale and give away the money you make to a shelter.

● If you’re old enough, volunteer to help at a homeless shelter. You can read, help with homework or just play games with children.

【推荐3】The Internet, mobile phones and Ipads are part of our lives now. Technology is greatly affecting all ways of our lives, from the ways we work to the ways we play. And it even causes a number of social problems such as cloning humans.

We have had lots of technology and it has changed our lives a lot. There is no doubt that humans will continue to use more and more technology. Here are some examples of modern technology that will change our ideas and will affect our lives greatly.

Global Positioning System (GPS) (全球定位系统)

It’s a system that uses radio signals from satellites to show exact (精确地) information. It tells you where the user is on the earth in all weather conditions. It’s made up of three parts: satellites, control equipment (设备) on land and receivers.

Space Technology

Russian and American scientists have worked together for the International Space Station (ISS) for a long time. They hope the ISS will provide a long-lasting lab. Such a lab will bring humans limitless (无限的) advantages. It’s even hoped that one day space technology will take humans to their new houses in space.

Underwater Robot

Hercules is a kind of Underwater Robot with some high technology equipment. It will be used to search for ancient ships which were destroyed into the deep sea during their journey long ago.

The world is changing so quickly that it’s hard for us to catch up with all the new inventions because they seem to come out every month. It’s important for us to learn about new technology and the role that it plays in our lives. So we should be willing to accept modern technology, or we will fall behind the time.

【推荐1】For Miller, an 80-year-old man, it’s a chance of a lifetime. Miller is a part of a group of around 60 Germans who are on a bus journey along the ancient Silk Road.

About this journey, he says: “I have been deeply interested in the Silk Road since I was a child. But now I finally have a chance to experience it.”

The two-month bus journey will take the group through Germany, Russia and other 4 European countries. They will then enter China from the country’s western part. It will be an unforgettable memory for them.

Nearly half of the 13,000-kilometre trip will be inside China. From Xinjiang in the west to Shanghai in the east, the German visitors will see more than 20 Chinese cities. “We have managed the trip of the Silk Road for around 10 years. An increasing number of people, not only from German-speaking countries, have been joining us,” says Liu Guoqiang from China Tours.

Almost 26 million foreigners travelled to China in 2015, and about 5 million of them were from Europe. Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and the Yangtze River are traditional Chinese travel destinations for European tourists. Speaking of where he wants to go, Miller says: “Compared with modern cities, the culture in western China attracts me more.”

As Shi Xiang, head of China Tours says “Being a new brand to attract foreign visitors, the Silk Road is good for people to know more about China, especially the north-western part of the country.”

【推荐2】Little river run down from a high mountain through many villages and forests. Then it reached a desert (沙漠). “I went through so many difficulties. I should have no problem crossing the desert,” she thought. As she started, she found herself slowly disappearing (消失) into the sand. After many tries, she still failed. “Maybe I can’t reach the ocean,” she said sadly to herself.

At this time, a deep voice said. “If wind can cross the desert, so can a river.” It was the voice of the desert. But the little river answered, “That’s because the wind can fly. but I cannot.” The desert said, “That’s because you stick to what you are. Let yourself evaporate (蒸发) into the wind, and it can take you across.” “Give up what I am now? No! No!” The little river could not accept this idea. “The wind can carry the vapor (蒸汽) across the desert and let it leave as rain. The rain will form a river again,” said the desert. “And whether you’re a river or vapor, your nature never changes.” Hearing this, the little river went into the open arms of wind. It carried her to the next part of her life.

The way of our lives is like the little river. If you want to go through difficulties in your life and head for success, you should also change the way you are sometimes.

【推荐3】We use our smart phones(手机) to carry out many tasks(事情) every day. Many of us have become so reliant on them. However, it is bad for our eyes and health to use too much phone.

A study shows that smart phone owners usually start to use their phones early in the morning. They check personal emails and We-chat. And before they get out of bed, many people often check the weather, read the news, and send a message or two to friends. After getting up, they often take photos of food, themselves, and even whatever they can see with their phones. They share their photos with their friends. The research finds that users pick up their phones more than 1,500 times to do different tasks in a week. And the smart phone users are on the phone for three hours and sixteen minutes a day. That is to say, people use their phones for almost one full day each week.

Using phones will take much time and it’s also bad for our health. Many people stay up(熬夜) late to play phones. And mobile phones will influence(影响) our sleep. Without using the phones, many people will feel sad. Many users also find they use their phones without realizing(意识到) they’re doing so.