Tom's father has a big farm. On New Year's Day, his father asked him, "Could you work on the farm when you're free this year, Tom?"
"Farming is not my work, Dad. I have much schoolwork to do," Tom wasn't glad at it.
"If you help me work on the farm, I will give you anything you want."
"OK," Tom agreed happily.
So Tom gets up early and works hard on the farm in his free time this year, just like other farmers. His wheat grows very well.
Time flies. Today is the last day of the year, December 31st. The father is talking with his son.
"I'm happy to see you work hard on the farm. Tom, now tell me what you want as the gift."
Tom shows his father a big piece of bread. He makes it with the wheat on his farm. "I have already gotten（已经得到）your gift, Dad. You're trying to give me a lesson—no pain, no gain. Right?"
Do you like to listen to music when you feel sad? Do you like to sing songs in the shower? Music is everywhere. But in many countries, music classes in schools are left in the basket.
These days, because of the bad economy（经济）in the US, some schools fired（解雇）art teachers including（包括）music teachers. Some students don't have the chance to learn music. In China, there are no exams for music. So many students choose to make use of their time and study subjects like Science, Maths and History.
But do you know that learning music helps children grow?
"Playing music is like doing different things all together, "said Gottfried Schlaug at Harvard Medical School. For example, when playing the piano, people see the music notes. And they decode（解码）them. At the same time, they use their fingers to make sounds. You do all these things at the same time.
Scientists say that music helps with science too. Einstein played the violin. And German physicist（物理学家）Max Planck did well in playing the piano.
Music is also a very valuable thing. It makes you interested in things, and it makes you happy, according to US National Science Foundation.
Jack's family live in America. He takes some Chinese lessons at his school and he is very interested in China. He thinks that China is so far from America and is so different. He always thinks how the Chinese people live every day.
Then he comes to Beijing with some of his friends. He sees many Chinese people in the streets. They are very kind and good to him. So he often tries to ask them some questions in Chinese.
"Excuse me, what's this in Chinese? "or" Excuse me, can you show me the way to the bus stop? "Most people answer him kindly.
But sometimes some people don't understand（懂）what he says and can only shake（摇）their heads. And sometimes Jack doesn't understand what the Chinese say and this time he can only shake his head.
In Beijing, Jack visits many beautiful places and he is very happy. He is in Beijing for two weeks and then he goes to Xi'an and Shanghai for three weeks.
When he comes back to America, he tells his parents and friends about his wonderful visit in China. And he says he loves China and he wants to go to China again.
Hello, everyone! I'm Jim. Next week, a group of exchange students from the USA will come to visit Taixing. I make a plan for them. We will eat breakfast at our school first. Then we can take them to Huangqiao Memorial Hall（黄桥纪念馆）by bus. It takes two hours. They can enjoy Huangqiao Sesame Cakes（黄桥烧饼）there.
In the afternoon, we will go to Xuanbao Forest Park and take some photos there. In the park we can have a picnic as our lunch.
Then we will go to Yinhe Cinema to watch a new film. After that the girls can go to the Gulou Shopping Mall to buy things and we will take boys to our school playground to play football for one and a half hours.
In the evening we shall invite them for dinner in a restaurant.
They can try Chinese food. I'm sure they will have a good time in our city.
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A plan for exchange students |
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Jim a visit plan for the exchange students from . |
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In the morning |
They will eat breakfast at school. And then they can the bus to Haangqiao Memorial Hall. It takes about hours. |
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In the afternoon |
They will have lunch at Xuanbao Forest Park and they can take there. They will watch a new after lunch. After that the boys will football at school. The will do some shopping. |
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In the |
Try some nice food in a restaurant. |
Dear Tom, Long time no see! Is there a new with you? I got sick last week, but I feel much better now. So don't w about me. I'm going to move（搬家）tomorrow. The new flat is about two mfrom my company. Not very far, right? My mother may be glad to hear the news, b I will not be late for work. But I need to buy a new bike first. The old one is b .
Your birthday is coming. I bought（买）you a gift. It's a picture of your favourite a, Xu Beihong. The p will send（送）it to you tomorrow.
Will you be free this Saturday? I'd like you to come to my new flat. My w machine doesn't work, and I can't wash my clothes these days. Could you please help me f it? And then I can show you around my new flat. Does it s good? Please write to me soon.
Yours,
Monica
