【推荐1】As you grow older, you’ll be faced with some challenging decisions like whether to cut class or try cigarettes (香烟). Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people take part in and try to pressure you one way or another it can be even harder. People who are your age, like your classmates, are called peers(同龄人). When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it’s called peer pressure.

Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system (太阳系). Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone’s reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other.

Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them. Your soccer friend might try to convince(使信服) you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball.

It is tough to be the only one who says “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.

You’ve probably had a parent or teacher advising you to “choose your friends wisely.” Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don’t cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won’t do these things either, even if other kids do.

If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to deal with, talk to someone you trust. Don’t feel guilty (内疚) if you’ve made a mistake or two.

【推荐3】Americans love cars. They go everywhere in them. 8 5％of people in the US go to and from work by car. And most adults have driving licenses. Why does this car culture exist?

How it started

America’s love of cars started after the war(战争)when soldiers returned home from World War II to rebuild their lives. They borrowed money from the government to buy houses and cars which became the symbols of status(地位). The more money they had, the bigger their cars were.

Making of roads

During the war, President Eisenhower noticed what good roads Germany had. He decided to build new four-lane(四车道)roads in America. He said if something happened suddenly, the two-lane roads wouldn’t be able to carry all the cars that would suddenly leave the cities. Car and oil companies liked his idea and building started.

Car lover

Not just teenagers are crazy about cars. Some Americans love their cars so much that they paint their cars beautifully. These are called Art Cars. Every April there is an activity in Houston, Texas, where they show their cars.

Pollution

Cars have polluted the environment. American President Bush refused a worldwide law that is against pollution. Many countries were angry about it. Bush said he had to think of the American economy(经济)and all the American people that make money from cars. Factories say they want to make cars that pollute less. But others say making cars that pollute less will never be as good as having fewer cars.

【推荐1】My grandfather Jackson is 96 years old, and he has had an interesting life. He has travelled a lot in his life. He has visited the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt. He has hunted lions in Africa, and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert. He says the most beautiful place he has travelled to is Kathmandu in Nepal.

Jackson has married twice. His first wife died when she was 32. He met his second wife Maria while he was cycling in France. They have been married for 50 years, and they have lived happily in a small village since they got married.

Jack says that he has never been ill in his life. The secret of good health, according to my grandfather, is exercise. He goes swimming every morning. He has done this since he was a boy. He also has a glass of wine every night! Perhaps that is his secret!