—No ，he only wants to play a trick ____us，dear.
A：Lin Feng, where did you go on summer vacation？
B：I went to Beijing by train.
A：
B：Because taking the train is more convenient than taking the plane.
A：How long does it take from Changchun to Beijing？
B：But the station is much nearer than the airport.
A：That's true. Trains in our country are much faster than before and they are very comfortable.
B：Do you know most of the trains are developed by Changchun Railway Vehicles Corporation（长春客车厂）？They are called China standard EMC（动车组）. They are the fastest trains in the world today.
A：Really？Just in our hometown？
B：You are right. And EMC are also used in some other countries, like Russia, Mexico and US.
A：
B：So am I.
A. How proud I am feeling! B. More than five hours. C. Why didn't you take the plane？ D. They reach the speed of 350 km an hour. E. You can get there more quickly. F. We can not only make everyday things but also make high—technology products. |
In July, China introduced the"double reduction"policy（"双减"政策）. It hopes to reduce（减少）students' learning burden（负担）1 reducing homework and after— school classes. One month has passed2 the new term began. How do students feel about this new policy？
" Our homework is clearly3 than before, " said 13— year— old Shen Yuzhe from Beijing. "We are not encouraged to buy workbooks any more. The exercises are mainly from the4 . "
According to Shen, teachers now teach more5 . Students have enough time to process new knowledge. " Our teachers are also giving us more6 to do experiments （实验） and learn from real life, " said Shen. " For example, we went to7 plants in a field during a biology（生物学） class. This is a much better way to8 things than just reading the books. "
For 13-year-old Zhang Hangming from Tianjin, the best thing about"double reduction"is the increased time in after—school activities. "We can now spend more time taking part in clubs and activities, 9 dancing, volleyball and drama. I have joined a group10 'leadership development in business' where I can learn all kinds of skills, "said Zhang.
Both Shen and Zhang find there are fewer exams now. But they think it's not really a（an）11 thing. " Exams make me study harder. Each exam shows my12 as well as my weak points, "Zhang said.
Shen also pointed out that when burden is lightened（减轻）, self—discipline（自律）becomes the 13 . " Some students now spend more time having fun14 homework is finished early. But if you use all the free time to15 , you might fall behind others, " he said.
Paper cutting is one of the traditional folk arts in China. It has been popular for over 1, 500 years. Paper cutting sounds very easy but it can be difficult to do. The paper is folded before it is cut with scissors. Now let's learn more about paper cutting.
Wonderful meanings.
Paper cutting has some wonderful meanings. In our mind, paper cuttings can always bring us happiness and good luck. At the Spring Festival, people put up fu on doors or windows. At a wedding, people also put up xi.
The Largest paper cutting in the world.
The largest paper cutting was made by Gao Xiaodong. It has an area of about 456 square meters.
Why are most paper cutting red？
In old time, people praised the sun. Red is the color of the sun. We always regard red as the symbol of hope and good luck. Now we can still see red everywhere in China. The walls of old palaces are red. Most of lanterns are red. Weddings are always full of red things, too.
Black paper cutting to Shanzhou.
It's true that most paper cuttings are red. But paper cuttings in Shanzhou, Henan Province are black. Black is the best color there. Shanzhou is a dry place. The local people make black paper cutting to wish for rain.
Besides the subjects at school, do you have any idea of some activities for the coming term？We do a survey from students in Sunshine Middle School. Almost all students show great interest in doing sports. Their opinions are collected. Here is the graph （图表） of the results.
Family rules help keep the family in order. They show the behaviors that parents expect from their children. So how can we create family rules？
Step 1：Make the family rules.
Know what family rules need to be made. Give children a chance to learn how family rules work by starting with one rule before others are added. Family rules should fit children's ages and they can also change according to children's situations. Don't make vague （模糊的） rules, such as" be good". "Be good" includes many different things and may be hard to understand.
Step 2：Explain the rules.
Make sure children know and understand the rules. What's more, children need to be reminded of the rules from time to time. Parents can also make some simple pictures or notices to put everywhere at home.
Step 3：Follow the rules.
All family members should follow the family rules. Young children learn from their parents, just like people often say that parents are the first teachers of their children. For example, if parents are respectful （尊重人的） and listen to others patiently, their children will follow them.
Step 4：Know the consequences （后果） for not following the rules.
All members should know the results of breaking the rules. When someone breaks the rules, all members should give quick response （回应） and the punishment should also be done at once.
After—school programs were made available in all primary and middle schools, the Ministry of Education（教育部） said recently.
For students who have special needs, the programs can last even longer to solve the difficulties working parents have in picking up their children. The programs should help students finish their homework, tutor（指导）students who have difficulty in learning and organize activities including reading, sports, interest groups and clubs. The programs should mainly be run by schoolteachers, who should be compensated（补偿）for the extra work, and allow for participation（参与）by outside professionals（专业人员）and volunteers.
The ministry said Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, has been offering free after—school programs in all primary schools since 2017. All 84 primary and middle schools in Beijing's Dongcheng District also offer such programs, which are attended by almost 80 percent of students, the ministry said.
More than 92 percent of parents expect schools to organize safe and colorful after—school programs for their children, according to a survey by China Youth Daily.
The survey of l, 605 parents found that 73 percent wanted the programs to cover tutoring and on—site（现场的）question—and—answer activities, while about 70 percent hoped teachers could guide their children with homework.
Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute in Beijing, said more choices should be given to schools. The activities they want to choose should be based on the needs of students and parents, so the programs do not become day care centers.
On Lin's eleventh birthday, he was given a gift that shaped his life. On that day, his father took
him to the Children's Activity Center and said he could choose any course that interested him. There was just one requirement：Lin would have to promise to study it for at least one year.
Lin had learned many things before which were chosen by his parents, but none kept his interest for more than a week or two. This time Lin's parents would let him make his own decisions.
Lin's eyes moved down the notice board. He stopped at "Photography". But the notice said that each student needed their own camera, so he gave up.
Then he saw it. "Cooking" sounded like something he'd like to do. It was inexpensive and convenient. It could be done alone and it was also creative.
Based on （基于） Lin's hobby history, his dad had doubts, but he agreed. Much to his parents' surprise, Lin kept his promise. He studied cooking at the center every Saturday and practiced at home, making delicious meals for his family. Everyone looked forward to birthdays when they could eat his cakes. Lin got great satisfaction from the pleasure his food brought to others.
The months turned to years but his hobby never changed again. Now Lin runs （经营） a successful restaurant. When customers say they enjoy his meal, he still gets the same pleasure he got as a child, and remembers the special gift he received many years ago.
Lord Pingyuan was from the State of Zhao. At that time, Zhao was （weak） than Qin, so Qin wanted to control Zhao. Lord Pingyuan decided to ask the State of Chu help. He wanted to pick twenty talented people to go with him. But he could only find nineteen people. Soon, a man （call） Mao Sui recommended（推荐） himself. "Please believe me, " Mao Sui said with a confident smile his face. Finally Lord Pingyuan let Mao Sui join them.
Lord Pingyuan （lead） these twenty men to the State of Chu. However, the king didn't want to help Zhao. Mao Sui was so brave he walked to the king with a sword（剑） in his hand. The sword was（shine） bright and the king was shocked and had to listen to Mao Sui. Mao Sui explained the（important） of the friendship between Chu Zhao. Finally, the king agreed to help Zhao.
The good news excited all the people of Zhao and Mao Sui became a hero of the state. This story reminds us that we should always believe in （our）like Mao Sui. Don't hide your talents and show yourself to others.
