There was a time when a trip to the supermarket in the United States often ended with a seemingly simple question from the cashier, "Paper or plastic？"Well, which type of bag would you choose？

While both types of bags have some influence on the environment, it has long been supposed that paper bags are kinder. They are made from a renewable source, are broken down easily, burn without giving off thick smoke and can be recycled. However, the producing process behind paper bags uses more energy than that of plastic ones. How can this be true？

Studies show that paper bag production requires four times as much energy as plastic bag production.

And the amount of water used to make them is twenty times higher. Besides, the influence on forests is very serious. It takes about fourteen million trees to produce ten billion paper bags, which happen to be the number of bags used in the United States yearly. In terms of recycling, the idea that paper bags are more environment friendly than plastic ones can be quickly discarded. Research shows it requires about 98% less energy to recycle plastic than it does to recycle paper.

Even though paper bags might be more harmful than plastic ones, plastic still seems to be considered as the more harmful of the two by governments. In Ireland, for example, a tax has been introduced to discourage the use of plastic bags. People have to pay 22 cents for every plastic bag, and as a result, their use has dropped quickly.

There’s no doubt that it makes more sense to reuse these bags. However, we don’t seem to be doing that at present. That may be because they fall apart quickly. If so, cloth bags are a better choice, but still, their production also has a bad influence on the environment. So what to do? How should we answer the question of “Paper or plastic?” It seems that we first need to ask ourselves one more general question: “What can I do to help the environment?”

The "selfie" is used to describe the self-taken photo, often from a smartphone. Someone takes about 10 selfies each time he does, and he only ends up 【小题1】（post）one or two of them online. He picks the one that he feels makes him look the 【小题2】（good）. In that picture, he gains confidence. For that moment, everything bad or terrible that has happened to him 【小题3】（remove）, because that smile is what gives him the 【小题4】（determine） to love himself.

I read a poem 【小题5】（recent） and the young man said, "If I ask you 【小题6】 you love, the answers will most likely roll off your tongue. You love to read. You love to write. You love your mom, your daughter, or your friends. How long do you think you can go on and on before you say 'I love 【小题7】（I）'?"

That statement hits me like a ton of bricks. I've struggled 【小题8】 confidence all my life. I still do. And in no way am I saying that taking a selfie is a gateway to confidence. 【小题9】, the selfie does deserve some credit for allowing individuals 【小题10】（express）themselves.

My pen pal Jack from the USA comes to visit me last week. It was first time that he had been to China and he enjoyed his stay here. I took him to a teahouse near my home, which we had a good taste of Chinese tea and learned something about tea culture. Amazing at different shapes of teapots and teacups, he took some photo of them. Then a young lady came to serve for us. She showed us how to make tea but encouraged us to give it a try. Following his instruction, we found that making good tea was much more than pour hot water onto the tea. Jack as well as I were happy that we had a good time there.

   Even if you think that your parents are mean-spirited（小气的）at times, loving your parents is a normal and fulfilling part of life. You love them for the fact that they created you, raised you, and are in part, a source of who you are. 【小题1】

Tell them you love them every morning. A gentle "good morning" and "I love you" will warm the coldest heart. Remember that they brought you into this world.

Respect them more and cherish these moments. You can use these moments to learn from them, preparing yourself for the day when you're off on your own. It's OK to get angry but angry actions don't help you or your parents. Act calmly, cool off, write down your feelings, or talk to a friend. 【小题2】

Obey their requests. It will make you have a better attitude and earn you more respect from them. It may seem like you are going through hell when you don't get what you want or you are not recognized. However, you had better remember they keep a roof over your head when it's raining or snowing. Understand that parents are human beings and make mistakes. 【小题3】 Since you can forgive your friends, why not forgive your parents？

【小题4】 Do things with your parents like watching TV, or going somewhere with them. Anyway, spend as much time with them as you can. Listen to their old stories and learn from them. You will find they are your teachers in this way or another.

Some people simply may not be able to love their parents. 【小题5】 Seek help if you are being abused（虐待）in any way. Parents do not have a right to harm you.

How are you？I'm writing to _________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Hua

Yours,

Li Hua