Jay Kohl, an American student, posted an online advertisement two weeks ago searching for a Chinese family to stay with so that he can learn the language and culture.
“I’m a clean, non-smoking, and warm-hearted American man looking for a homestay in the Wudaokou area to improve my Chinese language skills,” he wrote. “I’m willing to offer help with English tutoring(家教) and even can help you with applying to foreign universities.”
He still hasn’t found a suitable home.
“Most of the families that contacted me seem to be interested in doing business instead of cultural exchange,” he said. “I think I might have to rent an apartment in the end.”
Kohl isn’t the only foreigner finding it difficult to find a homestay in Beijing. Michael Benson, who wants to come to Beijing in September, has also faced the same problems.
Why is finding a homestay family so difficult? Beijing Today consulted a Chinese teacher, Jessie Xi, who has been teaching foreign students at the University of International Business and Economics for more than six years.
Xi has accepted many homestays, and from her own experience and what she’s been told, she said there were four major problems visitors may meet when applying for homestays.
Problem 1: Having too high expectation for language improvement.
Problem 2: Considering oneself as a guest instead of a family member.
Problem 3: Not making clear what a family’s rules are beforehand.
Problem 4: Overly(过分) high demands for the living environment.
【小题1】Kohl wanted to look for a homestay in China because he ________.

Could you be a genius like Einstein? A genius needs to learn and think．Reading is a good idea，but it is not enough．Einstein’s advice is to use your brain more．Here are some tips：

    ●Ask．When you look at new things，ask why they are new or different．Ask questions．Ask yourself and ask others．Keep thinking until you find the answer．

    ●Draw．Einstein thought in pictures．Sometimes，it helps to draw problems and ideas．

    ●Read．Try to read new things．Read books from different parts of the library．After you read，think about the ideas you have learned．Are they different from what you thought?

    ●Relax．Many ideas come when you are relaxed．Take some time to relax yourself in the ways like taking a walk in a park，going to a concert or a museum．

    ●Write．Keep a diary．Write down your questions and ideas．Write down new ideas after you read．

    ●Share．Einstein used to talk to his friends and explain his ideas．Sometimes，a friend can help you find the answer to a problem．

    ●Be brave．Do not let other people say your ideas are silly．Explain yourself．Let other people explain why they think you are wrong．Then decide．

1．How many tips are there in this passage?

  A．Five．      B．six．            C．Seven．          D．Eight．

2．What can we do to relax ourselves from the passage?

  A．Keeping a diary．                   B．Asking questions．

  C．Taking a walk．                       D．Reading new things．

3．Einstein suggested we should _____if other people say our ideas are silly．

  A．discuss the ideas with others

  B．draw problems and ideas

  C．go to a museum with others

  D．write down your ideas

4．Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

  A．A genius needs to learn and think．

  B．We should find the answers all by ourselves．

  C．Einstein’s advice is to use our brain more．

  D．Einstein liked to talk to his friends and explain his ideas．