Some people find it strange that Japanese people celebrate Christmas. Japanese  people seem less likely than Americans to be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Indeed, the Christian population in Japan is said to be less than one percent. Then why is it that we see so many Christmas decorations and hear many Christmas songs during the holiday season? For one, many people in Japan spend their Christmas not with family but with a boyfriend or girlfriend. In a way, Christmas is just another “special occasion” in Japan, a reason to buy gifts or eat special food. In America, however, people spend their time with family on Christmas. To show respect and  understanding for other religions, many Americans simply say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.”

Money has been used by humans since ancient times. Many thousands of years ago, money was a special stone or animal or food. Nowadays, money is paper called a bill or metal called a coin.

Money is usually used to buy or exchange for something. For example, you may receive money from someone after you do some work for him or her. Or you may give money to people when they give you something you want, such as food, clothes, or other goods.

Money is also used as a present. If you feel happy when you receive money as a gift, that’s probably because you can buy anything you like with money.

England is famous for its plays and its writers. The most famous playwright is William Shakespeare. It is not easy to find an educated person who doesn’t know his name. Shakespeare was born more than 400 years ago. When he was alive, he was both an actor and a writer. Today, he is a symbol of British culture. He is also the greatest name in English literature, not only for the English people, but also for people from the whole world.

Shakespeare was like a magician of words. He used more than 20,000 different words in his works. This big vocabulary is quite challenging even for university professors today.

Shakespeare also contributed to the birth and spread of the modern version of English. As his plays and poems grew popular among people, the language used in his works spread throughout England and beyond to the rest of the world.

Today, quite a large number of people around the world use English every day. According to some statistics, over three hundred million people use English as their first language, and more than seven hundred million people use it as their second or foreign language. English is the most important international language.

English no longer belongs to native speakers alone. English also belongs to users of the language from across the world, including Asia and Africa.

Non-native speakers of English are having a big influence on the language. English has already taken a large number of words from other languages. And now, with so many English-speaking people around the world, new words and expressions are being added all the time. English is getting more and more international with a global flavor!

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A long time ago, health was a personal matter. Each person tried to stay healthy. At that time, people didn’t see doctors at a hospital or clinic; doctors visited their home. People believed that being healthy was their responsibility, not a problem that their government should take care of.

But today, we think that our government needs to protect our health. This is because no one can achieve health if people live in an unhealthy society. Healthy people will create a healthy society, and a healthy society will create a healthy country.

When people started to think that their government was responsible for their health, health insurance systems started. Today, medical costs are very high. So, people find it hard to stay healthy without health insurance.

The Miller Town Jets have promoted Steve Ross to head coach. Former head coach Jim Smith had to quit for health reasons. Ross was the team’s offensive coordinator. “Steve knows how to win games,” said the Jets general manager. Historically, Smith has led Jets to many victories, but was unable to bring them out of last place last year. The team is now 0 for 5, with no wins predicted in the near future. “We think Steve can turn things around,” Ross has already assumed his duties as head coach of the Miller Town Jets soccer team. His promotion will be announced at a press conference tomorrow.

As you all know, one-to-one conferences have been scheduled for you and your team leaders. However, a slight change of schedule has forced us to change your meeting times to the following:

If the new time is inconvenient for you, please call me immediately. I can find a different time slot for you. I plan to post the final schedule by 10 a.m. tomorrow, so please confirm these changes with me by 6 p.m. today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

Thank you.

Dan (extension 68)

On Sunday, a bridge collapsed along Highway 6. At the time, two cars were on the bridge. Both cars fell into the shallow river below. Several people at the scene rescued the two drivers. Amazingly, no one was injured seriously. “It was an old wooden bridge,” said one rescuer. An ambulance arrived and took the drivers to the hospital. City workers are now rebuilding the bridge. During these repairs, that section of Highway 6 will be closed for a month.

This well-located house has 3 large bedrooms, a kitchen with dining area and IH cooking stoves, air conditioning, a newly renovated main bathroom and separate laundry area, off-street parking for two cars, and much more. Just a 5-minute walk to a Wagaga shopping center, and easy access to train and bus stations. 10-minute walk to College and 5-minute drive to Mira Highway 3. In a safe and quiet community, perfect for room-sharing! Students welcome, but no smokers or pets, please. Utilities not included. Call today to set up a viewing!

Many people say: “Eat breakfast!” But it doesn’t mean having pastries, donuts, or pancakes in the morning. All of these foods have lots of sugar, fat, and may not have anything good for your health. A fifth-grader said, “I get hungry when I don’t eat a good breakfast. I can’t focus on anything in school.” Your brain will work better if your breakfast has enough protein.

The word “breakfast” is made up of two words: break and fast. When you don’t eat anything for a period of time, the period is called “fast”. So, the time between when you finish dinner and when you start eating in the morning is a type of “fast”. Breakfast means “breaking” your “fast.”

Anyway, if you want to have a wonderful day, you need to start your day with a good breakfast.