2 . Artificial intelligence (AI) (人工智能) is the ability of a computer program or a machine. The computer or the machine with AI can think and learn. It is also a study that tries to make computers “smart”. John McCarthy, a scientist, came up with the name “artificial intelligence” over 60 years ago. Many things such as learning and problem solving can be done by computers, though not in the same way as people do.

An unusual goal of AI research is to create computer programs. They can learn, solve problems, and think logically (逻辑地). Now AI can successfully understand human speech, recognize (识别) human faces, operate (操作) self-driving cars and compete in some game systems like playing chess. However, some people also think AI a danger to humans if it develops too quickly. A famous British scientist was also not for this kind of technology.

Math is the basic language of AI. If students are good at math, they will be more probable to become successful AI designers (设计者) in the future. We need not only bright students, but also average (普通的) students. As for average students, if they get enough math skills, they can also become successful AI designers. Besides, a good knowledge of computer science is also necessary for AI designing.

Scientists hope to create AI with creativity and feelings. The AI can possibly understand human feelings or create art. Many ways and tools have been tried to discover this wide and exciting field.

3 . Today, a large number of people are always looking at their mobile phones with their heads down. These people are called the “Heads-down Tribe (低头族)”. Are you a heads-down tribe member? Heads-down tribe members now can be seen everywhere.

More and more traffic accidents are happening because more drivers use mobile phones while they are driving. In order to make drivers pay more attention to driving, some new traffic rules have been made. For example, people who use mobile phones while driving in Taiwan are fined (罚款). Car drivers and motorcyclists who break the traffic rule will be fined NT $3,000 and NT $1,000 respectively (分别地).

As we can see above, using mobile phones may cause accidents and even cost a lot of money. Also, more and more interesting and strange stories happen to the “Heads-down Tribe”. Let’s have a look at an interesting TV report. A man in America kept using his mobile phone on his way home. As a result, he knocked into a big lost bear. When he lifted his eyes from the phone, he was so afraid that he turned around and ran away quickly. Another story is that we can often see people in the restaurant eating face to face but looking at their own mobile phones. It’s strange that they don’t talk to the ones who sit opposite to them during the meal. Some of them even have fun communicating with others on the phone.

Mobile phones are helpful and necessary tools for modem life. Are mobile phones good or bad? It depends on how people use them. Let’s be “healthy” users and try to be the “Heads-up Tribe”.

4 . Chang An is a popular cartoon movie. The movie which hit cinemas on July 8 last year has become a favorite for many children.

Using Gao Shi, a famous poet during the Tang Dynasty as a main character, the movie tells stories about some poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Wang Wei. Unlike any movie put on Chinese screens before, the 168-minute movie is famous for the excerpts (摘录) from 48 famous poems.

In the cinema, many children who went along with their parents recite the poems excitedly whenever they appear, as many people said in their reviews (评论). While some find it interesting, others consider it boring.

“More than half of the audience (观众) were elementary school students (小学生) in the cinema, and the girl behind me was reciting really loudly whenever it was something she knows,” one review said.

“There are even parents who record their children reciting in the cinema,” another review said.

All in all, it’s a wonderful movie for children to learn traditional Chinese culture.

Have you ever done something that you didn’t really want to do, just because you want to fit in with others. When we do this, we’re not being true to ourselves. It’s important to be honest about your feelings because it can make you happier.

Being true to yourself means listening to your own thoughts (想法) and feelings. If you want to be alone sometimes, then being true to yourself might mean saying no to your friends who want you to play together. Being true to yourself is when your actions match your real thoughts.

When we keep doing things we don’t like and ignore (忽略) our thoughts and feelings, it can make us feel uncomfortable, worried or sad. Naomi Richards told THE WEEK Junior, “Children need to know clearly who they are, their values and their beliefs. Then they are more likely to be true to themselves.”

One part of being true to yourself is by learning how to say no in a polite way and following your beliefs. What’s more, you can learn how to be true to yourself by being yourself-sticking to your views, thoughts and actions.

7 . We usually think fish can’t talk. But there are a lot of sounds under the ocean. In fact, scientists believe that all sea animals—at least 250,000 kinds—can “speak”! “If we stay focused when diving (潜水), we can hear animals all around us,” a UK scientist Steve Simpson said.

In the past years, scientists used sound recorders to hear fish’s “voices”. There are now thousands of recorders in the ocean. They help scientists match sounds with sea life.

A healthy coral reef (珊瑚礁) is one of the noisiest places in the ocean. Scientists can tell if it’s healthy by listening to it. A healthy coral reef should be full of clicks (咔嚓声) made by shrimps (小虾). When some coral reefs dicd in 2015 and 2016, they became quiet. After people set up the protected areas, scientists heard the animals come back.

With the help of listening to the ocean, scientists start to understand sea animals’ languages.

Strong clown fish make short “chirp (啁啾声)” sounds when going after small clown fish. They do this to show they are more powerful. A damsel fish can create a pop sound to scare other fish by quickly opening and closing its mouth. Mother dolphins can use a special voice to talk to their babies. They are saying “I’m here” to comfort the baby dolphins.

10 . Have you ever seen lions dancing in the streets? The lions dance to the beat of a drum. Of course, they are not real lions. They are dancers in lion costumes. Lion dancing first started in China centuries ago. It is meant to bring good luck in the coming year.

Usually, a lion is made up of two dancers. One dancer controls the head. The other controls the tail.

“I think of it as a sport,” says Anthony Huang, aged 16. He is a member of the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club. Anthony performs as the lion’s head. It can weigh 20 pounds. Lion dancing is important to Anthony .“This tradition really lifts me up,” he says.

In the past, lion dancing was performed mostly by men. But it is different today. Lion Dance Me is a lion dancing group in San Francisco, California. There are boys and girls in its team. They dance together.

“Anyone can take up lion dancing. You have to believe that you can do it,” says Ananda Tang-Lee, a 17-year-old girl.

Lion dancing will continue to evolve. But team’s sense of community will never change. “We call it a family,” Ananda says .“It’s real great, because we always have each other’s backs.”