In July，China introduced the "double reduction " policy.It hopes to reduce students' learning burden （負擔） by reducing homework and after-school classes.Two months has （1）p

assed

assed

since the new term began.How do students feel about this new policy？
   "Our homework is clearly less than before，" said 13-year-old Shen Yuzhe from Beijing. "We are not （2）e

ncouraged

ncouraged

to buy workbooks any more.The exercises are （3）m

ainly

ainly

from the textbook."
   According to Shen，teachers now teach at a much slower pace （節(jié)奏）.Students have enough time to process new knowledge. "Our teachers are also giving us more （4）c

hances

hances

to do experiments（實驗）and learn from real life，" said Shen. "For example，we went to research earthworms （蚯蚓） in a field during a biology class.This is a much （5）b

etter

etter

way to learn things than just hitting the books."
   For 13-year-old Zhang Hangming from Tianjin，the best thing about "double reduction" is the increased time in after-school activities. "We can now spend more time （6）t

aking

aking

part in clubs and activities，such as dancing，volleyball and drama.I have joined a group called 'leadership development ' where I can learn all kinds of skills beyond academic （學業(yè)的） study，" said Zhang.
   Both Shen and Zhang find there are fewer exams now.But they think it's probably not a good thing. "Exams push me to study harder.Each exam shows my （7）p

rogress

rogress

as well as my weak points，" Zhang said.
   She also pointed out that when burden is lightened，self-discipline （自律） （8）m

atters

atters

. "Some students now spend more time having fun when homework is （9）f

inished

inished

early.But if you use all the free time to （10）r

elax

elax

，you might fall behind your peers （同齡人），" he said.