【推荐1】If you have three tests in the same day, don’t worry. Remember the following advice, and you’ll be able to do better in the tests.

Start studying at school.     1     Write down what a teacher mentions or writes on the blackboard during class. If you miss something, ask your teacher after class.

Manage your time. If it’s Monday and you’ve got those three tests on Friday, work out how much time you need for studying between now and then.     2    

    3     Review your notes and any special information from your textbook. Remember anything the teacher stresses in class.

Study in a group. Sometimes it may be useful to go over lessons with students.     4    

Have confidence.     5     Maybe you can’t get 100% of the answers right, but you have a good understanding of the information.

Many people are trying to learn a new language. Some of them consider (认为) it as a hobby.     1    . As a foreigner, who is really interested in Chinese culture, I like learning Chinese.

A person needs to know at least 3,000 Chinese characters (汉字) to understand most Chinese newspapers. For most foreigners, it sounds impossible. That’s why some people give up halfway.     2    . But I manage to learn how to write each character.

    3    . I downloaded (下载) a lot of listening materials onto my phone and listened to them. I also watched a lot of Chinese TV shows and films, where the words are not so difficult and there are always subtitles (字幕). In this way, I’ve also learned how to express myself like a Chinese.

As for speaking, I practice talking about different topics in Chinese when I am walking around, talking to myself, thinking through different conversations and scenes (场景).     4    , which is really important.

    5    . Basically, I just use every tool on hand and take my learning step by step.

When you are in a new place or trying to find your way around, it’s important and necessary to know how to ask for directions. It can help you get to your destination (目的地) faster and avoid getting lost.     1     Don’t worry. This passage will help.

The first and most important step is to start the conversation politely. Using polite expressions shows respect for the person you’re asking.     2     If possible, put on a smile.

Once you’ve started the conversation, you’d better ask for directions by using simple sentences.     3    .

➢Could you please tell me the way to the book shop?

➢Excuse me. Can you give me directions to this house?

➢What’s the best way to reach Donald Street?

When receiving directions, it’s important to make sure that you’ve understood them correctly to avoid getting lost or taking a longer path.     4     This not only shows that you’ve been listening carefully but also provides a chance to correct any misunderstandings. Here are some expressions to help you, too.

➢Let me make sure I understood correctly; I should turn left, is that right?

    5    

➢Would it be possible for you to write down the directions for me?

Finally, when you have the information you need, don’t forget to thank the person for his/her help.

【推荐2】Hip-hop dancing (街舞) is popular with many young people today. They like it because they can invent their own moves. They use this dance to show their love for life. It also shows that they feel good about life, that they just want to be themselves and enjoy life, and that they are not afraid of problems.

Hip-hop dancing has a history of more than 20 years. It first began in the 1980s in the USA. In early times, in New York and Los Angles, many young black people often danced to the music in the streets. They used their legs, arms, heads and even shoulders to dance. Many young people still use most of these moves today.

Hip-hop dancing became popular all over the world because of the 1983 film Flashdance. Some people performed (表演) Hip-hop dancing in the movie. People enjoyed their performance. They began to dance like them. Then it became popular. There are two kinds of Hip-hop dancing: new school and old school. More and more young people are learning Hip-hop dancing. People believe that it is a good way to exercise their bodies, and that it is good for their health.