Let's talk about HOBBIES! | |
Emma: I enjoy painting and creating art. It helps me relax and express my feelings! Jack: I love playing basketball. Being active and working with a team is so much fun! Alice: Dancing makes me happy because it allows me to express myself through movement and creativity! | Mind Tool ★Remember, everyone has unique talents and interests. Accept what makes you different! ★The world is more interesting because we all have different passions. Respect and appreciate the hobbies of others. ★Even though we have different interests, we can still find common ground and learn from each other!
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Our Tips FOLLOW YOUR PASSION! Share your hobbies! Let others know what you enjoy doing. It's a great way to build connections with people. Be creative! Your hobbies are a reflection of who you are. No one else can do things exactly like you. Dress for your hobbies! Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident while doing what you love. Keep a journal! Write about your experiences, draw pictures, or add photos to record your hobbies and progress! Sarah Green is a coach who helps people find and grow their interests. Visit her website at www.sarahgreencoach.com for more tips and inspiration. | |
Maria is a 30-year-old teacher from Spain who has fallen in love with Chinese calligraphy (书法). She is one of the many young people in Europe who are interested in traditional Chinese art. She has been teaching Chinese calligraphy in her hometown and uses creative methods to make her classes fun.
In recent years, more Europeans have become interested in Chinese culture through social media, movies, and art exhibitions. Chinese calligraphy, in particular, has gained popularity among Maria's students. This inspired her to intergrate cultural background into her teaching. She not only teaches the methods of writing Chinese characters but also explains the history and meaning behind each stroke(笔画)."Calligraphy is like a bridge that connects me to Chinese culture," Maria said.
Maria's interest in Chinese calligraphy began when she was 15. She was amazed by the beauty of Chinese characters in a museum exhibition. Later, she decided to study Chinese language and culture at university. Now, Maria has been teaching calligraphy for over 8 years.
Maria visited China for the first time during her university years. She was deeply impressed by the rich history and culture she experienced. Before her trip, she had only seen Chinese calligraphy in books, but experiencing it in person was entirely different. "Chinese artists use brushes to create beautiful art in amazing ways," she said. During her visit, Maria also tried traditional Chinese tea and learned about its cultural value.
So far, Maria has traveled to several Chinese cities, including Beijing, Xi' an, and Hangzhou. "China offers so much, from its ancient history to modern developments." she said. ""I hope to continue exploring China and sharing its culture with people in my country."
If you are searching for a special cultural experience in Paris, the Louvre Museum(卢浮宫) is a must-visit place. As one of the world's most famous museums, the Louvre is home to thousands of artworks and historical treasures. Firstly built as a royal(皇室的) palace in the 12th century, it was later turned into a museum in 1793. Today, the Louvre attracts millions of visitors every year, and it's easy to see why.
The museum is divided into several sections, each showing different types of art and history. You can start your visit on the first floor where you can see European paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Here, you can admire masterpieces like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix. These paintings are not only beautiful but also tell important stories about history and culture. Next, head to the ground floor, where you'll find ancient Egyptian artifacts(文物或手工艺品).These objects show what life was like in ancient Egypt. Finally, don't forget to visit the underground level to see the remains of the old medieval fortress(中世纪堡垒). This part of the museum shows how the Louvre has changed over time.
The Louvre is located in the heart of Paris, just a short walk from the Seine River. The museum is so large that it's impossible to see everything in one day, so it's a good idea to plan your visit ahead of time.
Whether you're interested in art or history, the Louvre offers an unforgettable experience. It's not just a museum; it's a journey through time and culture. From ancient artifacts to famous paintings, the Louvre has something for everyone. Don't forget to take your time and enjoy every moment of your visit!
Like many other grandmothers, Daisy likes to cook, and she isn't very good with technology. Or, at least, that's what she might tell people on the phone. Daisy even describes herself as "your worst nightmare". But don't worry-she's not talking to you; she's talking to phone scammers (骗子). That's because Daisy is actually an Al chatbot.
She was created by a UK phone company to speak to scammers on the phone and make them believe they're talking to a real person. Older people are easily cheated by scammers. In July 2024, a UK study found that around 67% of people over 75 were scammed at least once in the six months before the study. Nearly 75% of these scams happened over the phone.
Meet Daisy, who has been trained to have conversations with phone scammers, and waste their time. The company teamed up with Jim Browning, who has spent years acting like a clueless victim(一无所知的受害者) to waste scammers' time. And that's the whole point— Daisy can't stop scammers, but she can slow them down. "Whenever she's on the phone with a scammer, your parents, your grandparents, your relatives, are not being cheated," Browning said.
The company says, "Daisy is already wasting hundreds and hundreds of hours of scammers' time, and has shared real-life conversations the chatbot has had with them."" Some conversations last nearly an hour. She talks about her cat, Fluffy, and people in her family. In some conversations, she even gives the scammers what they want bank details. But of course, they're not real. "Daisy is also there to remind you of something important. The person you're speaking to on the phone might not always be who he says he is," the company adds.
Using Science to Solve Everyday Problems
Science is not just about experiments in a lab; it can also be used to solve real-world problems and make life better. Here's an interview with two young scientists, Mia and Jack, who recently joined in a science fair.
◆Can you introduce your project?
Mia: I created a smart watering system for plants. It uses sensors(感测器) to see if the soil is dry and waters the plants by itself when needed. ___
Jack: I designed a tool that turns plastic waste into small building blocks. These blocks can be used to make furniture or even small houses, reducing plastic pollution.
◆___
Mia: Many people often forget to water their plants, especially during busy days. I wanted to find a way to help plants live without needing care all the time.
Jack: I saw how much plastic waste is harming the environment, and I wanted to find a way to reuse it instead of throwing it away.
◆What was your favorite part of the project?
Mia: Programming the sensors was my favorite part. It was challenging but fun to see how technology can solve real-life problems.
Jack: ___I wanted to find out which ones were best for making the blocks.
◆Any advice for science project beginners?
Mia: Start with a problem you care about. If you love something, it's easier to keep going.
Jack: ___Every mistake teaches you something new and helps you improve.
A. Don't be afraid to fail. B. What inspired your project? C. Always follow the rules strictly. D. I enjoyed trying different kinds of plastic. E. This helps save water and keeps plants healthy. |
Which invention do you think is more useful, Mia's or Jack's? Why?(不超过15词) ___
It was the third week of school when I realized I couldn't stand Mr. Green's teaching style. His1 rules and high expectations (期望)made me feel like I would never do well in his English class. Every red mark on my 2 felt like a personal attack. I started to dislike his classes and even thought about 3 . It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I could 4 meet his standards.
One day, after receiving another paper full of corrections (修改) ,I closed my book 5 . The big noise made Mr. Green look up from his desk. ""Is there something 6 Mike?" he asked quietly. My face turned 7 as the whole class stared at me. "Yes!" I shouted. "No matter how hard I try, you always find 8 ! It's like nothing I do is ever good enough!" The room fell silent. Instead of getting 9 ,Mr. Green simply nodded and asked me to stay after class.
That afternoon changed everything. Mr. Green shared his own struggles with English and showed me his old notebooks, filled with 10 from his teacher. ""I push you because I 11 in you," he said. "I know you can do better than you think." His words made me realize that he wasn't trying to criticize me but to help me 12 .
From that day on, I began to 13 his corrections better. They weren't meant to hurt me but to help me improve. Mr. Green started staying after school twice a week to help me, and my grades gradually got 14 . By the end of the term, I had not only improved my grades but also made a good friend with Mr. Green. He taught me that strictness often comes from 15 and hard work leads to success. This lesson has stayed with me ever since.
walk away; probably; they; from; run |
One sunny afternoon, a hungry fox was walking through the forest. Suddenly, he saw a bunch of ripe grapes hanging ___ a tall tree. The grapes looked delicious, and the fox's mouth began to water at the sight of them.
"I must have those grapes!" the fox said to himself. He ___ quickly toward the tree, and jumped as high as he could. But the grapes were too high, and he missed. He tried again and again, but each time he failed to reach ___ .
Finally, the fox gave up. As he___, he said, "Those grapes are ___ sour anyway. I don't really want them."
Many parents want their children to be healthy and active.___ (然而), getting kids to spend more time outdoors can be a challenge. Research shows that parents can play a big___(作用) in encouraging their children to enjoy outdoor activities.
Nowadays, many children spend too much time indoors. Indoors activities don't provide the ___（相同) benefits as being outside. Outdoor activities, such as playing soccer, riding bikes,___（或者)even walking in the park, help children stay fit and improve their mood.
One simple way to get kids interested is for parents to join them. For example, parents can take their children to the park on weekends and play games___(一起). Spending time outdoors as a family can also create happy memories.
In one study, a school asked families to spend at least 30 ___（分钟)outside every day. After a month, the children reported feeling___(快乐)and more energetic. Many parents also___(注意) that their kids slept better and were more focused in school.
The___(关键)is to make outdoor activities a regular part of life. So, put on your shoes, step outside, and enjoy the___（新鲜) air with your kids. It's a simple way to stay healthy and have fun with each other!
Emma is a creative girl who loves solving problems. One day, her little brother complained that his toys always fell off the table. Emma decided___(help) him. She thought for a while and came up with an idea: she would build a small shelf.
Emma gathered some materials,___ (include) wood, nails, and a hammer. She worked carefully and___(slow) to make sure everything was perfect. Her brother watched her and asked,"___ did you learn to build this?" Emma smiled and said, "I learned it from Dad."
After a few hours, the shelf was ready. It___(paint) bright colors by Emma. Her brother was so happy that he hugged her and said, "You're the___(good) sister in the world!" Emma felt proud and realized she loved creating things.
Then Emma joined the school's invention club and started working on more projects. Her teacher said, "Emma, you might become___great inventor one day!" Emma felt___(excite) and couldn't wait to share her ideas.
That night, Emma lay in bed and thought about___(she) future. She dreamed of creating inventions that could help people and make the world better. She knew it would take hard work,___ she was ready to keep trying. After all, inventing is all about creativity and solving problems.
We love nature. We're interested in Chinese history and culture. We also want to try some local food. |
Longmen Town
| ●Sun Quan, a famous emperor ●many kinds of local food ●ticket: 80 yuan each ●… |
Huang Gongwang's Retreat（隐居地）
| ●Huang Gongwang, a famous artist ●lots of local restaurants ●enter for free ●… |
注意：
1.邮件需包含所选地方至少3点信息。可适当发挥。
2.文中不得出现真实姓名、学校等信息。
3.词数80左右，邮件的首尾和第一句已给出，不计入总词数。
Dear Alan,
Glad to know that you are coming to my city soon.
……
Yours,
Zhang Hua
