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Make a smart start

Get plenty of rest, it sounds simple, but the average teenager gets far less sleep than she needs Studies show that a teen needs over nine hours of sleep a night. When tired we all become more easily stressed And stress makes everything seem worse than it really is.
Here's another tip to help you prepare for the first day of school.start going to be and getting up at your normal school time two weeks before school begins.Then your body and mind will become rested and prepared for the first day.
Get involved
The best way to make new friends is to join school clubs. Choose something you enjoy and you'llmeet people who share your interests.
A+FOR ATTITUDE
During those first scary days, having appositive attitude will help you survive. Concentrate on the exciting things you'll learn and the fun you'll have with your classmates. With rest, preparationand the right attitude. you’ll be off to a great school year!

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URBAN EXPLORATION --
The most interesting discoveries in your city may be under your feet

Human environments can be a lot like mazes. Both above and below ground, cities, especially very old ones, are home to interesting structures. Tunnels, sewers and old buildings wait just begging to be explored! While some of these are still in use, many others now lay neglected and forgotten.
Urban explorers find, visit and sometimes document the unseen places around us. As urban exploration (UE) has grown in popularity, it has captured the popular imagination. Often misunderstood, UE has developed into a whole subculture, complete with web pages, newsletters, books and movies. Many major cities even have informal groups that meet or use the Internet to share their adventures.
Since UE has varying levels of intensity, it is open to a diverse group of people. The Cave Clan, an Australian group, is open to anyone older than 18 and has a membership that ranges from tradespeople to government employees. The group provides a meeting place for like-minded people and encourage them to participate as much, or as little, as they are comfortable with. This might entail crawling through storm drains or may simply involve poking around old houses.

Word Bank
1. sewer [n]
It has been raining so much that the sewers are full of water.
2. subculture [n]
The city has a growing body-piercing subculture.
3. diverse [adj]
His diverse interests include stamp collecting and mountain climbing.
4. entail [v]
The restaurant job entails washing dishes and keeping the kitchen area clean.

More information
1. maze [n] 曲径, 迷宫
2. drain [n] 排水沟
3. tradespeople [pl. n] 商人

URBAN EXPLORATION -- 2/3
The most interesting discoveries in your city may be under your feet


The term urban exploration covers a wide range of activities. Since it is usually a hobby, practitioners often visit sites that are near their homes. As a result, urban explorers in different cities focus on examining different types of places based on their availability.

The most popular and readily accessible destinations are often abandoned buildings. Disused factories, hospitals, and even housing developments can offer interesting glimpses into the past and make great subjects for photography. Other popular destinations include obsolete military fortifications and even buildings destined for demolition.

Ancient European cities often lie atop networks of catacombs. These underground tunnels have served many purposes through the years. Some have acted as cemeteries and bunkers while others have sheltered revolutionaries, smugglers and religious groups. Some of the most famous catacombs, such as those in Rome, Paris and Odessa, have sections that are open for tours.

Over time, cities go though stages of growth and decline. In newer cities, which haven’t experienced such a decline, it can be difficult to find abandoned buildings. In these places, urban explorers may decide to go underground and explore the city’s storm drains or sewers.

Word Bank
practitioner [n]
Many practitioners of karate spend their lives perfecting their skills.
destined [p.p.]
Susan is such a wonderful student that I am sure she is destined for great things.
cemetery [n]
The peaceful cemetery sat on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake.
smuggler [n]
In the past, smugglers used the cave to hide their goods from the police.
decline [n]
The town has been in decline since the factory closed last year.

More information
obsolete [adj] 废弃的,过时的
bunker [n] 地下碉堡
catacomb [n] 地下墓穴, 茔窟(常用复数)

URBAN EXPLORATION -- 3/3
The most interesting discoveries in your city may be under your feet


Since UE often occurs in places that are abandoned or neglected, safety is a very important concern. Disused sites may be unstable, while tunnels and sewers may flood if it rains -- trapping explorers inside. Abandoned sites are often scattered with debris and broken glass, while hospitals and factories may contain dangerous chemicals.

The legality of exploration must also be considered. While many sites are on public land with unrestricted access, others are on private property, condemned or fenced off and should be avoided. And since September 11, 2001, security has become especially important. Walking down a dark tunnel is probably not worth jail time or a steep fine.

In addition, there are ethical considerations. Every effort should be made to avoid damaging sites so they remain open and safe for future visitors. Explorers often refuse to reveal the locations of places they visit to protect them from vandalism.

While these risks are real, urban exploration can offer people an exciting glimpse of unseen places all around. From catacombs to abandoned buildings, you never know what adventures may be waiting around the corner—or under your feet.


Word Bank
10. debris [n] 残垣断壁
The typhoon's strong winds filled the streets with debris.
11. legality [n] 合法性
Mr. Johnson questioned the legality of creating a private garbage dump.
12. ethical [adj] 道德上的
There are many ethical questions to consider when deciding on a business plan.
13. vandalism [n] 蓄意破坏的行为
Unfortunately, the old factory has often been the target of vandalism.

ASIA'S AMAZING MALLS

These huge Asian malls have food, entertainment and more

More than just a place to shop, these Asian malls ─ among the largest in the world ─ are entertainment destinations. Shoppers can find not only spacious indoor shopping areas but also ice-skating rinks, indoor atriums, amusement parks and more.
Big debut in Dubai
Located in the shadow of the world's tallest building, one of the world's largest shopping centers ─ the Dubai Mall ─ just opened this year. Under one roof, shoppers will find several distinct shopping areas, including a gold souk with 220 stores. It has retail space for 1,200 stores in its 500,000-square-meter area. The mall's centerpiece ─ a large aquarium with walk-through glass tunnels ─ will bring shoppers eye to eye with sharks, stingrays and other marine species.


Firsts for the Philippines
The Philippines claims three of the world's largest malls thanks to one man: Henry Sy, a Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur. His company, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., has 30 malls in the Philippines, including the SM Mall of Asia. This mall, which opened in 2006, introduced many "firsts" to the Philippines, including an Olympicsize ice-skating rink and an IMAX theater. The mall has golf carts to accommodate those who need help moving around.

Word Bank
spacious (adj) 宽敞的
There is enough room for a swimming pool in their spacious backyard.
retail (adj) 零售的
Nancy never pays retail prices for footwear because she shops at her brother's shoe store.
centerpiece (n) 最主要的特色；置於中央之物
This beautiful, tall classroom building is the centerpiece of our college campus.
accommodate (v) 容纳；搭载
This large room can accommodate 100 people for a meal or 200 for a speech.

More Information
atrium (n) 天井；中庭
souk (n) （阿拉伯国家的）露天市场