There’s no question that Americans love both dogs and cats. About 48 percent of families in the U.S.own dogs and 38 percent own cats. But one thing many people can’t agree on is which animal makes a better pet.

Cat lovers say their pets are easier to care for than dogs. They point out that cats don’t jump on visitors. Also, it’s cheaper to own a cat. Cat owners spend $ 300 to $ 800 less a year than dog owners do. Besides, dogs mess up the house by chewing(咬) things like shoes.

Still, dog owners say the money they spend is worth it. They argue that dogs are more social than cats. Also, scientists say that dogs are smarter than cats. Dog lovers point out that dogs help people, too. For example, dogs can be trained as service pets for people who are disabled.

Here’s what two kids think.

I have both cats and dogs, but I’d rather own a cat at any time. Dogs are noisy and make a mess. Cats are much quieter, and they’re better companions(伴侣).Cats are the perfect size for sitting on my knees. Also, it’s easier to take care of cats.

Michelle, 12, New York

There are many reasons why dogs are called “man’s best friend”. They are playful and love their owners, and you can teach them cool tricks. Cats mostly just care about eating and sleeping. Also, dogs can be service pets and even lifesavers. A cat isn’t going to protect your home from burglars(窃贼).

Logan, 14, Washington D.C.

Most people who move to a foreign country may experience a period of time when they feel very homesick and have a lot of stress. This experience is often called “culture shock”. It is important to understand and learn how to deal with it if you want to adapt (适应) successfully to your new home’s culture.

Generally speaking, there are four stages you will experience if you move to a foreign country. The first stage is usually referred to as (被称为) the excitement stage. When arriving in a new environment, you’ll be interested in the new culture; everything will seem exciting and everyone will seem friendly.

But it isn’t long before the excitement stage moves into the second stage. The excitement you felt before changes to stress. It seems that everything is difficult; the language is hard to learn, friends are difficult to make, and even simple things like shopping are challenges. It is at this stage that you are likely to feel frustrated (沮丧) and homesick. This is the stage which is referred to as “culture shock”.

However, culture shock doesn’t last very long. If you are one of those who manage to overcome it, you’ll move into the “recovery” stage. At this stage, you start to understand and accept the way things are done and the way people behave in your new environment.

The last stage is the “home” stage. This is the stage when you start to feel at home in the new culture. You start to learn from your new home, and prefer certain aspects of the new culture to your own culture.

Culture shock is normal. Everyone in a new situation will go through some form of it. Be brave, and overcoming culture shock is a piece of cake.

When you have a cold, you must be unhappy because your body becomes hot, and there are pains (疼痛) all over. You don’t want to work, you stay in bed, feeling terrible.

What makes you ill? It’s germs. Germs are everywhere. They are very small and you can’t find them with your eyes but you can see them with a microscope (显微镜). They are very small and there could be hundreds of them in or on a very small thing.

Germs are always found in dirty water. When you look at dirty water under the microscope, you can see them in it.

Germs are found not only in water. They are also found in air and dust (灰尘). If you cut your finger (手指), and if some of the dust goes into the finger, It will become big and red, and you will have much pain in it. Sometimes germs will go into your body and you will have pain everywhere.