People have been celebrating Christmas for years. However, only a small number of people knew it at the (begin) of the 19th century. Thanks to Charles Dickens and his great work —Christmas Carol, Christmas became one of the most popular (festival) around the world.
At the age of 31, Charles was a well-known writer with 4 children. But life wasn't easy for him. His last novel didn't seem (sell) well. What was worse, his friends kept borrowing money him and his wife was going to give birth to their fifth baby…He wondered he could afford it or not. On an October evening, he walked along the Thames(泰晤士河), lonely and (happy), hoping to find inspirations for his next book. The moment he saw the terrible living conditions of homeless people, he came up with idea. Why not write a story to encourage people in need before Christmas?
(lucky), this book became a great success. Up to now it (spread) to non-English speaking countries. People all like his books the spirit of his stories is always truth, goodness and beauty in humans.
Are you popular? Do all the students and teachers in your school like you and know your name? For some of you, that may be true. Some students are much (popular). You may wonder makes them attractive and lovely to almost everyone.
We have a word for that in English: Charisma(个人魅力),an attractive, lovely and strong power. People are born it. But to be successful you need more than just charisma. You need more than just popularity. (be) successful in life, you have to be (friend) to others. You have to be honest and hard—working person. These are the things we all should try (have) and they are the things we are all able to do.
In school we may wish that we were the most popular students. We may wish that everyone liked us and everyone knew (we) names. But it's not something we should worry too much about Being popular is nice remember, life isn't a popularity contest. Honesty and hard work will be the keys to (succeed).
Last summer I stayed in Beijing for a week. That was my (one) trip there. One morning I started out (visit) a famous museum, but I didn't know way to go, so I stopped a (strange) and asked, "Excuse me, does this street lead to the Place Museum?"
"Yes," he answered. "Go along this street and turn left at the second crossing. You can't miss it."
So I walked two blocks and turned to my left, but the museum (be) not there. Then I asked a second stranger. He said, "Go along this street and turn left at the second crossing." again I couldn't find the museum. I asked a third stranger and he said the (same) thing. This time I found the Palace Museum. Just then somebody (walk) up and said, "Excuse me, where's the (near) bank?" I answered (quick)," Go along this street and turn left at the second crossing!"
People have been celebrating Christmas for years. However, only a small number of people knew it at the (begin) of the 19th century. Thanks to Charles Dickens and his great work – Christmas Carol, Christmas became one of the most popular (festival) around the world.
At the age of 31, Charles was a well-known writer with 4 children. But life wasn't easy for him. His last novel didn't seem (sell) well. What was worse, his friends kept borrowing money him and his wife was going to give birth to their fifth baby ... He wondered he could afford it or not. On an October evening, he walked along the Thames (泰晤士河), lonely and (happy), hoping to find inspirations for his next book. The moment he saw the terrible living conditions of homeless people, he came up with idea. Why not write a story to encourage people in need before Christmas?
(lucky), this book became a great success. Up to now it (spread) to non-English speaking countries. People all like his books the spirit of his stories is always truth, goodness and beauty in humans.
I was at a restaurant eating my dinner. And there was a father (sit) with his two young girls. The girls were asking about everything and anything. I was (interest) in their endless questions.
One of the (girl) looked at me and asked her father, "Daddy, is she wearing that?" As a foreigner in this country, I still (wear) my national dress every day, so I often heard people talk about me.
Her father said something that made my heart so warm. He said, "There are different countries, religions, cultures and languages the world. We all have to learn about them." He then shared a (person) experience with his daughters. He said, "You know what, girls? I lived abroad and learned (speak) Spanish many years ago. I really learned a lot. When you grow up, you must go to visit different.(country). That will be amazing."
This is how parents should teach their children love, acceptance, understanding and respect. It starts from early age. Children copy the way their parents talk and do things.
Strange School Rules
As students, we are all familiar with school rules. But some rules are strange. Here are two strange school rules. Do you think are reasonable?
No red ink(墨水)
Teachers usually mark our homework red ink. The bright color (use) to point out all our mistakes. However, red ink is banned (禁止) (strict) by many schools in Australia and the U.K. Some people think that red ink can influence kids' feelings the color makes them fear and puts pressure on them. They think green, pink, yellow, purple and blue are more relaxing.
hand-raising
While students are taking (course), it's common for them to raise their hands in class to answer questions. However, the raising of one's hand has been banned in a school in Nottinghamshire, England. The headmaster of the school (believe) that teachers always only see the same students raising their hands. This doesn't encourage the learning of the students who are (silent). Now, thanks to the rule, a teacher can choose any student (answer) the question. The students are becoming more active.
My Opinion about Garbage-sorting(垃圾分类)
On July 1, Shanghai introduced a new garbage-sorting regulation(法规). Everyone in the city must now sort(将……分类) his or her garbage. This sounds like great idea. I wonder — will people actually follow this regulation?
In fact, most Chinese (city) already have these recycling options(设置). Outside of my apartment building, there three bins — kitchen waste, recyclable waste and other waste. Guess how many people actually put (they) garbage into the right bin? Most people just put the garbage into whatever bin they want.
Look, I understand. Sorting garbage (correct) can be hard. For example, not everyone (know) the difference between "wet" and "harmful" garbage. And it takes time (sort) it right. How can we deal with this problem?
Actually, it can be done. In some US cities, every family must sort the garbage. they don't, they have to pay a fine.
Personally, I don't think it would be hard me to sort my garbage. I don't sort it now, but maybe I will later.
American football started in the United States back in 1869 and is one of (popular) sports in the US today. According to a survey in 2017, football (stay) at the number one sport since 1985.
In the game, there are two teams trying to get the ball, and they can either kick the ball through the goalposts(球门柱) run the ball into the goal. Players must wear football helmets(头盔) to protect (them). There are a lot of (rule), which can be very hard to follow you don't know them. The team that has more scores is the (win).
Football in the United States is not just a sport because it plays important part in American culture. On Thanksgiving, families will get together, eat and give thanks, but it's also known a day to watch football. At that time, professional football teams bring the whole nation together every year for the Super Bowl. Everyone can't wait (enjoy) the exciting moment!
A lot of people like keeping pets. The most common pets that are (keep) across the world are cats and dogs. The followings are the major advantages (优点) of keeping pets. Pets dogs need regular walking and exercise for proper development. As you take your dog out for walk, you are also going to exercise your whole body. In fact, dog owners spent a lot more time (walk) than other people.
sharing your problems and difficulties with good friends is good, study show that spending some time with your pets might be more useful. Also, when doing something difficult, people experience (little) stress if they have their pets with them. This could possibly be because pets do not question or judge their (own); they simply support them. People who walk with their pets, especially dogs, are more welcoming and it (provide) them something to talk about with other people. This way, they can make friends much (easy).
Keeping pets has many advantages, but also has some disadvantages. Pets come with extra work and this can cause stress to people.
What will the car be in the future? Maybe we can sit in a car can drive itself.
About 40 years ago, scientists from the United States started to develop self-driving cars（无人驾驶汽车）. The （famous） recent one was made Google in 2009.There are cameras and radars（雷达） on the top of the car. They allow the computer in the car （draw） a 3D map of the environment. Chinese scientists have also （success） developed a self-driving car. The car made a t trip from Changsha to Wuhan.
Is a self-driving car （safety）? Yes, a recent study shows that robots make less dangerous drivers than （human）. If only 10%of cars on the street are self-driving, 1, 000 people will be saved every year. If 90%of vehicles（交通工具） are self-driving, they will save 21, 700 people a year. , a self-driving car is expensive and each costs about $100, 000.So is impossible to be very popular in the near future.
