1 . Computers are useful machines. They can help people a lot in their everyday life. For example, they can help people save much time, and they can help people workout many problems they can’t do easily. Our country asks everyone to learn to use computers except the old people.

Today more and more families own computers. Parents buy computers for their children.

They hope computers can help them improve (提高) their studies in school. Yet many of the children use computers to play games, to watch video or to sing Karaoke, instead of studying. So many teachers and parents complain that computers can not help children to study but make them fall behind. So computers are locked by parents in the boxes.

In some other countries, even some scientists hate computers. They say computers let millions of people lost their jobs or bring them a lot of trouble.

Will computers really bring trouble (麻烦) to people or can they bring people happiness? It will be decided by people themselves.

2 . Here are the New Year’s resolutions of my four friends.

My name is Dave, and I am from the United Kingdom. I’m going to drink mere water and less cola. I’m also going to brush my teeth before breakfast and after dinner, and wash my hands before eating.

My name is Tina, and I am from the United States. I want to make more friends this year. I’m going to be nicer to the other children in my class. I’m going to be friendly to children who need friends—like someone who is shy or new to my school.

I’m Selina, and I am from the United States. I’m going to work harder this year. I’m going to do all the homework that our teachers ask us to do. If I have any problems with my subjects, I’m going to ask my teachers for help.

My name is Toby, and I am from Singapore. I’m never going to play computer games. When I feel angry or stressed, I’m going to find better ways to relax, like exercising, reading or discussing my problems with my friends.

3 . Do you know that the falcon (猎鹰) is one of the fastest animals in the world? It can fly at a speed of about 200 miles an hour. You might think a bird that could fly so fast would be safe from most types of danger. Unluckily, that is not true. By the 1970s, they had already been endangered (濒临灭绝). What was causing the number of falcons to drop (下降) so fast?

In America, a pesticide (杀虫剂) called DDT was harmful to the falcon eggs. Luckily, DDT is no longer used. The number of falcons is large now.

One unusual thing about falcons is that they like to make their nests (巢) in high places. In fact, they often nest on mountaintops and on the sides of cliffs (悬崖). Falcons have also got used to life in cities. They nest on tall buildings and bridges in cities. The height of these nests is from 50 to 200 feet in the air.

They also like to return to the same nesting place every year. Both the mother and father falcons help to keep the babies. The mother stays more time in the nest. The father looks for food and brings it back for her and the babies.

Many people all around the country work very hard to help falcons live to adulthood (成年). There are even video cameras (摄像头) fixed up (安装) in many places. This way, people can make sure the birds and their eggs stay protected (保护). Falcons are lucky to have so many people who keep an eye on them.

5 . Halloween is just around the corner! People in the West celebrate it on Oct 31 every year. Children usually go trick-or-treating （不给糖就捣蛋）; they knock on their neighbors’ doors and ask for candy. But because of COVID-19, many cities have advised people not to go trick-or-treating this year. As health experts said, the virus spreads more easily when people get close to each other.

But this will not stop Halloween fans from keeping the tradition going. For example, Elizabeth Lusty from London came up with an idea for her two children. She and her neighbors will put boxes of candy in their front yards. Then they’ll plan a safe way so that children can take the candy without coming into contact with others.

Andrew Beattie from the US also got creative. He and his 6-year-old daughter made a contact-free candy chute （滑道）. It goes from the family’s front door to the sidewalk. They can send candy down the chute to trick-or-treaters outside. The idea became popular online and many people are doing the same.

“This is something that the kids will enjoy and not think of it as I’m doing this to prevent （预防） illness, ” Beattie told CNN. “They’re doing it to have a good time, and we need that now.”

6 . Practicing yoga is a helpful, popular way keep fit. It has many followers around the world. There are many kinds of yoga. You may have heard of “hot yoga” before. Now, in India, a new kind of yoga, water yoga, is becoming more and more popular among the local people.

In the city of Agra, people practice yoga in water. It is more difficult to practice yoga in water than on land. But practicing yoga in water can be good for your flexibility.

Harish Chaturvedi, a lawyer, teaches people water yoga: water yoga for free-even the people can learn from him. “Water yoga can become more popular than other kind of yoga, because the body does not get tired so quickly,” he said. “Everybody can learn to swim, but if they learn yoga at the same time, they will never feel tired. “The level of oxygen is very high in water, and you will not have any breathing problem,” he added.

Harish believes that water yoga really helps people to keep away from illness. He mainly trains children. He has classes at the swimming pool of a local sports room regularly. Many children are interested in it and come to learn from him.

“Harish is very good at performing yoga in water,” said Sudhir Narayan, a water yoga student. “He is teaching children free of cost and that is a very good thing.

7 . Gregg Bleakney’s dream was to travel around America. He got the idea after he finished a long bike ride. His friend, Brooks Allen, also liked riding a bike.They talked and made a special plan traveling from the US to Argentina by bike. To pay for the trip, Gregg and Brooks worked to save money for a long time. When they were really on the road, they often camped and ate cheap food. In many places, local people let them have dinner in their homes.

On their way, there were deserts, rain-forests and mountains. They visited big cities and small villages. And they made many friends from all over the world. Two years later, Gregg got to Argentina in the end, but Brooks didn’t finish the trip with him because of something.

A good plan is important. You have to make a good plan before you start your trip. It can help to keep you safe and healthy on your trip.

Travel light. You can’t take many things with you on your trip. Some important things are OK.

Be friendly to others. Gregg said, “No one wants to fight or do something bad to a nice man. When you are friendly enough to others, they will do the same.”

Some animals sleep in winter because it is very cold and it is difficult for them to find food. They can sleep for a long time. This kind of winter sleep is called “hibernation (冬眠)”.

If an animal moves about a lot, it needs food. Hibernating animals do not need to eat much because they are not moving about. Their hearts beat very slowly and they also breathe slowly. They find a place out of danger. Their body fat keeps them alive and warm.

Some animals such as bears, may wake up from their hibernation on warm winter days and then quickly go back to sleep again when they see the snow is still thick on the ground. When the weather becomes warmer in spring, the animals start to wake up and look for food.

9 . Most children like watching TV because it’s very interesting. By watching TV they can see and learn a lot and know many things about their country and the world. Of course, they can also learn over the radio. But they can learn better and more easily on TV. Why?

Because they can hear and see at the same time. But they can’t see anything over the radio. TV helps to open children’s eyes. It also helps to open their minds (智力). They learn newer and better ways of doing things.

Many children watch TV only on Saturday or Sunday evening. They are always busy with their lessons on weekdays. But a few children watch TV every night. They go to bed very late. They can’t have a good rest, so their study is not good. How about you, my young friends?

10 . “Travelling by subway(地铁) is much faster. Not only does it take me a few minutes to get to my office, but also I don’t worry about the traffic jam,” a passenger said.

A lot of people like taking the subway. It is a kind of popular way and more convenient in our daily life. It has three advantages. First, it’s fast. The subway can run about 80 kilometres in an hour. It’s much faster than riding a bike or taking a bus. Second, it’s punctual. It can help you get somewhere on time. Don’t worry about the weather. It can arrive on time even if it is raining or snowing. During the rush hour(交通高峰期), there is a subway every five minutes. You don’t need to wait for hours. Finally, it is comfortable. It is very comfortable for passengers to take the subway. You can find a place to sit or stand here and there. You don’t feel cold in winter or hot in summer because of the air conditioners. It can carry many people. I think most of the people like it. You will have a good time to take the subway.