Alapfoku Hallott Szovegertes PDF

Alapfok hallott szvegrts
Hallott szvegrtst fejleszt feladatok alapfok szinten angol nyelvbl.
Az angol nyelvtanuls egyik legnehezebbnek tartott rsze a beszlt nyelv megrtse s maga a beszd. Sok-sok angol nyelvet tanulval tallkoztam mr, aki arrl szmolt be, hogy vek ta tanul angolul, nagyon sok mindent tud az "angolrl" csak ppen kt dolgot nem: 1. Nem rti meg, ha hozz beszlnek angolul 2. s sem tud angolul megszlalni. Te rezted mr gy? Ha a vlaszod inkbb igen, mint nem, olvass tovbb.
Nagyon knnyen belthat, hogy ezt a kszsget csakis rengeteg hallott szvegrtsi feladattal lehet fejleszteni. A tlzott nyelvtan gyakorls elkpzelhet, hogy rengeteg szablyt tlt be a fejedbe, de ettl mg a kt legfontosabb kszsg, a beszd s a beszd megrtse csak kzvetetten s csak kicsit fejldik. Ha neked is szksged van arra, hogy ez a kszsged fejldjn, akkor ajnlom neked ezt a feladatot.
Ezen az oldalon 75 db rvid angol szveget hallgathatsz meg, mindegyiknl a feladat az, hogy a hallgats utn a szvegbl hinyz 10 szt meghalld s megrtsd. A szvegek egy rsze vicces angol trtnet, de van kzttk rvid trtnet, angol prbeszd vagy egy vers rszlet is. A szvegek kivlan alkalmasak arra, hogy fejleszd a hallott szvegrtsi kszsgedet, sszekapcsold az angol hangalakot az rott kppel s fejleszd a kiejtsed. A szvegbl hinyz szavakat a jobb oldalon a szveg szmnak megfelel "megolds" menpontra kattintva red el.
Prbld meg azonban elszr nem a megoldst nzve meghallgatni a szvegeket, a megoldst mr csak akkor nzd meg, ha mr biztos vagy benne, hogy tbb szt nem rtenl meg. rtelmezd a szveget s ha a jelents mr vilgos, akkor is rdemes mg sokszor meghallgatni az adott rszt, prbld meg felvenni azt a beszdtempt s utnozd az beszl hanglejtst s kiejtst.
Vgl, ha mr tiszta a szveg jelentse, sikerlt a szavakat s kifejezseket kisztrozni s megtanulni, rdemes addig tanulni, amg a szveget (nem bemagolva) el nem tudod mondani a sajt szavaiddal, felhasznlva az adott megtanult szkincset.
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1 Learning English in a new environment
I was a little (1) ............... about talking to people when I first (2) ............... in America, but I had a strong desire to broaden my horizons and (3) ............... new people. Once I gathered the courage to (4) ............... conversations with people, I found how (5) ............... it was to make new friends. Every day, I heard enough new English expressions to make my (6) ............... spin. I found that when I was honest and asked about the meanings of (7) ............... expressions, Americans were very (8) ............... and took pains to explain them to me. Native speakers of English tend to speak very (9) ..............., and at first I was just stunned and looked at them with a dazed expression on my (10) ............... . I solved that problem by asking people to speak more slowly.
1 Learning English in a New Environment I was a little shy about talking to people when I first arrived in America, but I had a strong desire to broaden my horizons and meet new people. Once I gathered the courage to start conversations with people, I found how easy it was to make new friends.
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Every day, I heard enough new English expressions to make my head spin. I found that when I was honest and asked about the meanings of unfamiliar expressions, Americans were very helpful and took pains to explain them to me. Native speakers of English tend to speak very fast, and at first I was just stunned and looked at them with a dazed expression on my face. I solved that problem by asking people to speak more slowly.
2 Too Difficult To Spell
A policeman returned to his police station one (1) ............... and reported to the sergeant that he had (2) ............... an old car with no license plates. Where was it? asked the sergeant. In Ecclesiastes Street, beyond the (3) ..............., answered the policeman. The sergeant opened the (4) ............... book and began to write. He asked the policeman how to spell the name of the street, but he was not sure whether the spelling was (5) ............... . At last he (6) ............... the name was too difficult for him to spell. So he (7) ............... the policeman to write the report. The policeman also tried to spell the name of the street, but he couldn't, either. Then the policeman put his (8) ............... on and began to walk out slowly. Where are you going? the sergeant asked. Back to Ecclesiastes Street, answered the policeman.
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I'm going to (9) ............... the car round the corner into (10) ............... Street.
2 Too Difficult To Spell A policeman returned to his police station one evening and reported to the sergeant that he had found an old car with no license plates. Where was it? asked the sergeant. In Ecclesiastes Street, beyond the bridge, answered the policeman. The sergeant opened the report book and began to write. He asked the policeman how to spell the name of the street, but he was not sure whether the spelling was correct. At last he decided the name was too difficult for him to spell. So he ordered the policeman to write the report. The policeman also tried to spell the name of the street, but he couldn't, either. Then the policeman put his helmet on and began to walk out slowly. Where are you going? the sergeant asked. Back to Ecclesiastes Street, answered the policeman. I'm going to push the car round the corner into Green Street.
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Where Does the Word Robot Come From?
The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, meaning (1) ............... labour. A robot is a machine that works automatically. Robots can do a wide variety of (2) ............... . They are especially suitable for doing jobs too (3) ..............., difficult, or dangerous for human beings. Robots efficiently carry out such (4) ............... tasks as welding, drilling and (5) ............... automobile body parts. They also produce plastic (6) ............... containers and wrap ice cream (7) ............... . Some industrial robots can even make electronic equipment and (8) ............... . The science and technology that deals with robots is called robotics. A typical robot (9) ............... a task by following a set of instructions that tells it exactly what must be done to complete the job. These instructions are entered and stored in the robot's (10) ............... of a computer or part of a computer.
3 Where Does the Word Robot Come From? The word robot comes from the Czech word robota, meaning heavy labour. A robot is a machine that works automatically. Robots can do a wide variety of tasks. They are especially suitable for doing jobs too boring, difficult, or dangerous for human beings. Robots efficiently carry out such routine tasks as welding, drilling and painting automobile body parts. They also produce plastic food containers and wrap ice cream bars. Some industrial robots can even make electronic equipment and watches. The science and technology that deals
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with robots is called robotics. A typical robot performs a task by following a set of instructions that tells it exactly what must be done to complete the job. These instructions are entered and stored in the robot's brain of a computer or part of a computer.
Reading
I think that people should spend more time reading. Reading has a lot of (1) ............ . One of them is that it helps you (2) ............ reading skills. You have to read if you want to become a good reader. In other words, the more you read, the better you get at reading. Second, it helps develop a good (3) ............ . Reading exposes you to new words, and you see how those words are (4) ............ . Third, reading helps you develop good (5) ............ skills. If you read a lot, it will help you become a good writer. Finally, you can (6) ............ a lot from reading. You learn about (7) ............ events from reading newspapers. A (8) ... ......... that is set in another country will help you learn about that country and how people live there. There is no (9) ............ to what you can learn. All this makes reading a (10) ............ activity.
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4. Reading I think that people should spend more time reading. Reading has a lot of advantages. One of them is that it helps you develop reading skills. You have to read if you want to become a good reader. In other words, the more you read, the better you get at reading. Second, it helps develop a good vocabulary. Reading exposes you to new words, and you see how those words are used. Third, reading helps you develop good writing skills. If you read a lot, it will help you become a good writer. Finally, you can learn a lot from reading. You learn about current events from reading newspapers. A novel that is set in another country will help you learn about that country and how people live there. There is no limit to what you can learn. All this makes reading a beneficial activity.
5 Three Jokes
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Joke 1 Co-workers sympathized with my mother when she (1) ............ that her back was really painful from moving (2) ............ . Why don't you wait till your (3) ............ gets home? someone asked. I could, my mother told the group, but the couch is easier to move if he's not on it. Joke 2 A fourth grader asked the teacher's (4) ............, How old are you, Mrs. Glass? You should never ask an (5) ............ age, I broke in. That's okay. Harriett (6) ............ . I'm fifty. Wow, you don't look that old, the boy said. I was about to (7) ............ a sigh of relief when another child chimed in, Parts of her do. Joke 3 My elderly (8) ............ and his wife were told there could be a 45-minute wait for a table at a (9) ............ restaurant as they had no reservations. Young man, we're both 90 years old, he told the waiter, we may not have 45 minutes. They were seated (10) ............ .
5. Three Jokes Joke 1 Co-workers sympathized with my mother when she complained that her back was really painful from moving furniture. Why don't you wait till your husband gets home? someone asked.
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I could, my mother told the group, but the couch is easier to move if he's not on it. Joke 2 A fourth grader asked the teacher's assistant, How old are you, Mrs. Glass? You should never ask an adult's age, I broke in. That's okay. Harriett smiled. I'm fifty. Wow, you don't look that old, the boy said. I was about to breathe a sigh of relief when another child chimed in, Parts of her do. Joke 3 My elderly neighbour and his wife were told there could be a 45-minute wait for a table at a popular restaurant as they had no reservations. Young man, we're both 90 years old, he told the waiter, we may not have 45 minutes. They were seated immediately.
6 The 21st birthday
All of his life George from Cape Breton had heard stories of an amazing (1) ............ tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 21st birthday. On that day, they'd walk (2) ............ the lake to the boat club for their first legal (3) ............ . So when George's 21st birthday came (4) ............ , he and his pal Corky took a boat out to the (5) ............ of the lake. George stepped out of the boat and nearly (6) ............ ! Corky just managed to pull him to (7) ............ . Furious and (8) ............ , George went to see his grandmother. Grandma, it's my 21st birthday, so why can't I walk across the lake like my father, his father, and his father (9) ............ him?
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Granny looked into George's eyes and said, Because, you dumb ass, your father, grandfather and great grandfather were born in January. You were born in (10) ............ .
6 The 21st birthday All of his life George from Cape Breton had heard stories of an amazing family tradition. It seems that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all been able to walk on water on their 21st birthday. On that day, they'd walk across the lake to the boat club for their first legal drink. So when George's 21st birthday came around, he and his pal Corky took a boat out to the middle of the lake. George stepped out of the boat and nearly drowned! Corky just managed to pull him to safety. Furious and confused, George went to see his grandmother. Grandma, it's my 21st birthday, so why can't I walk across the lake like my father, his father, and his father before him? Granny looked into George's eyes and said, Because, you dumb ass, your father, grandfather and great grandfather were born in January. You were born in July.
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7 No work in the dark
I (1) ............ needed a few days off work, but I knew my boss would not (2) ............ me to take a leave. I (3) ............ that maybe if I acted crazy he would tell me to take a few days off. So I hung (4) ............ down on the ceiling and made (5) ............ noises. My co-worker asked me what I was doing. I told her I was (6) ............ to be a light bulb so the boss would think I was crazy and give me a few days off. A few minutes later the boss came in and said, What are you doing? I told him I was a light bulb. He said: You are (7) ............ stressed out. Go home and have a (8) ............ for a couple of days. I jumped down and walked out of the (9) ............ . When my co-worker followed me, the boss said to her, And where do you think you're going? She said, I can't work in the (10) ............ !
{audio}listen_and_fill_07.mp3{/audio} 7 No work in the dark I urgently needed a few days off work, but I knew my boss would not allow me to take a leave. I thought that maybe if I acted crazy he would tell me to take a few days off. So I hung upside down on the ceiling and made funny noises. My co-worker asked me what I was doing. I told her I was pretending to be a light bulb so the boss would think I was crazy and give me a few days off. A few minutes later the boss came in and said, What are you doing? I told him I was a light bulb. He said: You are clearly stressed out. Go home and have a rest for a couple of days. I jumped down and walked out of the office. When my co-worker followed me, the boss said to her, And where do you think you're going? She said, I can't work in the dark!
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8. Volcanic Erruption
In north-west Cameroon in (1) ............... 1986, there was a volcanic (2) ............... which devastated the area. At least 1, 200 people were killed and many were left (3) ............... ill with burns and respiratory infections. Nobody could (4) ............... because there was no warning, just a loud explosion followed by a terrible (5) ............... like that of rotten eggs, and within a short time the entire area around Lake Nios, which was the site of the eruption, was covered in (6) ............... . When help came to the villages on the shores of the lake, men, women, children and animals were found (7) ............... : some were outside their huts, some still in (8) ............... ; others were in the fields or on the village road. It was as if a neutron (9) ............... had exploded destroying nothing but killing all life. The disaster was the worst (10) ............... of its kind and the second time such a disaster had stuck this West African nation.
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8 Volcanic Eruption In north-west Cameroon in August 1986, there was a volcanic eruption which devastated the area. At least 1, 200 people were killed and many were left seriously ill with burns and respiratory infections. Nobody could escape because there was no warning, just a loud explosion followed by a terrible smell like that of rotten eggs, and within a short time the entire area around Lake Nios, which was the site of the eruption, was covered in smokes. When help came to the villages on the shores of the lake, men, women, children and animals were found dead: some were outside their huts, some still in bed; others were in the fields or on the village road. It was as if a neutron bomb had exploded destroying nothing but killing all life. The disaster was the worst incident of its kind and the second time such a disaster had stuck this West African nation.
9. Healthy Diet
In order to stay healthy it is important to have a (1) ............... diet in other words, food that (2) ............... something from each of the three main groups of food. These groups are protein, carbohydrate and fat. Proteins are very (3) ............... for building our bodies; they help us build new (4) ............... as old ones die. Meat and dairy products are (5) ............... sources of protein, but not the only ones we can also get protein from fish, eggs and (6) ............... . Carbohydrate and fat are important to enable us to store (7) ............... they provide fuel for
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the body. Carbohydrates are found in sugar and in (8) ............... such as rice, maize and wheat. Fats are found in meats, vegetable oil, (9) ..............., and nuts. Our body also needs minerals such as (10) ..............., calcium, and vitamins. Fish, vegetables and milk contain most of the minerals we need. Vitamins are found in fresh vegetables and fruit.
9 Healthy Diet In order to stay healthy it is important to have a balanced diet in other words, food that contains something from each of the three main groups of food. These groups are protein, carbohydrate and fat. Proteins are very important for building our bodies; they help us build new cells as old ones die. Meat and dairy products are major sources of protein, but not the only ones we can also get protein from fish, eggs and beans. Carbohydrate and fat are important to enable us to store energy they provide fuel for the body. Carbohydrates are found in sugar and in cereals such as rice, maize and wheat. Fats are found in meats, vegetable oil, butter, and nuts. Our body also needs minerals such as iron, calcium, and vitamins. Fish, vegetables and milk contain most of the minerals we need. Vitamins are found in fresh vegetables and fruit.
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10 The Marathon
Twenty-six miles, 385 yards is rather odd (1) ............... for a foot race. Most other running races are measured in lengths of even numbers. The marathon, however, has an (2) ............... history, going back to the (3) ............... Greek Olympics. The Greeks started the Olympics in 776 B. C. to honour the god Zeus. Every four years, they brought together (4) ............... from all the Greek cities. A nationwide truce was called for the five days of (5) ............... held in Olympia. The first day was (6) ............... to ceremonies, banquets, and sacrifices. Early events (7) ............... running, boxing, wrestling, pentathlon, and various horse and chariot races. After 490 B. C., a special long-distance race, the marathon, was added to commemorate the legendary feat of a Greek (8) ............... . It was said that he ran from the Plain of Marathon to Athens, a distance of 22 miles, 1470 yards, to bring the news of the Greek (9) ............... over the Persian army. Upon exclaiming, Rejoice! We have won! he (10) ............... and died.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_10.mp3{/audio} 10 The Marathon Twenty-six miles, 385 yards is rather odd distance for a foot race. Most other running races are measured in lengths of even numbers. The marathon, however, has an ancient history, going back to the early Greek Olympics. The Greeks started the Olympics in 776 B. C. to honour the god Zeus. Every four years, they brought together athletes from all the Greek cities. A nationwide truce was called for the five days of competition held in Olympia. The first day was devoted to ceremonies, banquets, and sacrifices. Early events included running, boxing, wrestling, pentathlon, and various horse and chariot races. After 490 B. C., a special long-distance race, the marathon, was added to commemorate the legendary feat of a Greek soldier. It was said that he ran from the Plain of Marathon to Athens, a distance of 22 miles, 1470 yards, to bring the news of the Greek victory over the Persian army. Upon exclaiming, Rejoice! We have won! he collapsed and died.
11. No Hurry To Work
Fred Farmer has a lot of friends in the city and is very (1) ............... with the neighbourhood kids. Everyone (2) ............... him as a professional baseball player. Fred used to be with a (3) ............... in Los Angeles several years ago. He had to give up baseball when he injured his arm in an automobile (4) ............... . At the time, everyone (5) ............... him to take a job at his father's ice cream (6) ............... . But
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Fred would rather eat ice cream than sell it. Once he tried working for an (7) ............... company downtown. He had to be on the job at 8:30 in the morning. but that was too early for Fred and he quit after the first month. Besides, he didn't like being in an (8) ............... all day. Nowadays, Fred spends most of his time in the park. He enjoys (9) ............... boys in the neighbourhood how to play baseball. Whenever Fred needs a little money he sells hot dogs at the sports (10) ............... .
{audio}listen_and_fill_11.mp3{/audio} 11. No Hurry To Work Fred Farmer has a lot of friends in the city and is very popular with the neighbourhood kids. Everyone remembers him as a professional baseball player. Fred used to be with a team in Los Angeles several years ago. He had to give up baseball when he injured his arm in an automobile accident. At the time, everyone expected him to take a job at his father's ice cream factory. But Fred would rather eat ice cream than sell it. Once he tried working for an insurance company downtown. He had to be on the job at 8:30 in the morning. but that was too early for Fred and he quit after the first month. Besides, he didn't like being in an office all day. Nowadays, Fred spends most of his time in the park. He enjoys teaching boys in the neighbourhood how to play baseball. Whenever Fred needs a little money he sells hot dogs at the sports stadium.
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12. The Wright Brothers
When they were young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright received an (1) ............... toy from their father. It was a flying toy made of cork and (2) ............... . The body was made of paper and the power was supplied by a (3) band. The toy was able to fly across the living room using its own (4) ............... . The boys were (5) ............... . Older brother Wilbur began reading every book and newspaper (6) ............... he could find about wings and flying machines. Orville later wrote, We were lucky enough to grow up in an (7) ............... where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interests; to investigate whatever aroused (8) ............... . From what he read, he became convinced that it was possible to build an aircraft that would carry a man through the air. The two brothers worked hard on their (9) ............... for several years. Finally they flew the first manageable aircraft into the air on December 17, 1903. They (10) ............... to the world the secrets of human flight.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_12.mp3{/audio} 12. The Wright Brothers
When they were young boys, Orville and Wilbur Wright received an inexpensive toy from their father. It was a flying toy made of cork and bamboo. The body was made of paper and the power was supplied by a rubber band. The toy was able to fly across the living room using its own power. The boys were fascinated. Older brother Wilbur began reading every book and newspaper article he could find about wings and flying machines. Orville later wrote, We were lucky enough to grow up in an environment where there was always much encouragement to children to pursue intellectual interests; to investigate whatever aroused curiosity. From what he read, he became convinced that it was possible to build an aircraft that would carry a man through the air. The two brothers worked hard on their dreams for several years. Finally they flew the first manageable aircraft into the air on December 17, 1903. They proved to the world the secrets of human flight.
13. The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke
Most people know that cigarette smoking is (1) ............... to their health. Scientific research shows that it causes many kinds of diseases. In fact, many people who smoke get lung (2)
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............... . However, Edward Gilson has lung cancer, and he has never smoked cigarettes. He lives with his wife, Evelyn, who has smoked about a pack of cigarettes a day throughout their (3) ............... . The Gilsons have been married for (4) ............... years. No one knows for (5) ............... why Mr. Gilson has lung cancer. Nevertheless, doctors (6) ............... that second hand smoke may cause lung cancer in people who do not smoke because non-smokers often (7) ............... in the smoke from other people's cigarettes. This smoke is called second hand smoke. Edward Gilson has been breathing this type of smoke for 35 years. Now he is (8) ............... of lung cancer. However, he is not (9) ............... . The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that about 53, 000 people die in the United States each year as a result of exposure to second hand smoke. We call this (10) ............... smoking.
13. The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke Most people know that cigarette smoking is harmful to their health. Scientific research shows that it causes many kinds of diseases. In fact, many people who smoke get lung cancer. However, Edward Gilson has lung cancer, and he has never smoked cigarettes. He lives with his wife, Evelyn, who has smoked about a pack of cigarettes a day throughout their marriage. The Gilsons have been married for 35 years. No one knows for sure why Mr. Gilson has lung cancer. Nevertheless, doctors believe that secondhand smoke may cause lung cancer in people who do
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not smoke because nonsmokers often breathe in the smoke from other people's cigarettes. This smoke is called secondhand smoke. Edward Gilson has been breathing this type of smoke for 35 years. Now he is dying of lung cancer. However, he is not alone. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that about 53, 000 people die in the United States each year as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke. We call this passive smoking.
14. Dolphins
Many people have (1) ............... the joy of standing on a moving ship and watching a group of dolphins swim alongside. Dolphins are not only (2) animals but they are also highly (3) ............... . They are mammals that can be found in most of the world's oceans as well as in (4) ............... water. Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to 56 KPH and they can dive to depths of 200 meters and stay (5) ............... for 5-8 minutes without resurfacing for air. They are well-known for the (6) ............... clicking sound they use like sonar to (7) ............... food as well as obstacles. Every
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dolphin has its distinctive individual whistling sound used for (8) ............... . When dolphins sleep, they sleep in a semi-alert state by resting one side of their (9) ............... at a time. They will help sick or injured dolphins as much as they can, and they act as a team if there is (10) ............... . It is because of these and other human-like qualities that people have a special feeling for dolphins.
14. Dolphins Many people have experienced the joy of standing on a moving ship and watching a group of dolphins swim alongside. Dolphins are not only playful animals but they are also highly intelligent. They are mammals that can be found in most of the world's oceans as well as in fresh water. Dolphins can swim at speeds of up to 56 KPH and they can dive to depths of 200 meters and stay underwater for 5-8 minutes without resurfacing for air. They are well-known for the unique clicking sound they use like sonar to locate food as well as obstacles. Every dolphin has its distinctive individual whistling sound used for communication. When dolphins sleep, they sleep in a semi-alert state by resting one side of their brain at a time. They will help sick or injured dolphins as much as they can, and they act as a team if there is danger. It is because of these and other human-like qualities that people have a special feeling for dolphins.
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15. A Man of Words And Not Deeds
A man of words and not of deeds Is like a (1) ............... full of weeds. And when the weeds begin to (2) ..............., It's like a garden full of snow. And when the snow begins to (3) ............... , It's like a bird upon the (4) ............... . And when the bird away does fly, It's like an (5) ............... in the sky. And when the sky begins to roar, It's like a (6) ............... at the door. And when the door begins to crack, It's like a (7) ............... across your back, And when your back begins to smart, It's like a (8) ............... in your heart. And when your heart begins to (9) ..............., You're dead, and dead, and dead (10) ............... .
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15. A Man of Word and Not Deeds A man of words and not of deeds Is like a garden full of weeds. And when the weeds begin to grow, It's like a garden full of snow. And when the snow begins to fall, It's like a bird upon the wall. And when the bird away does fly, It's like an eagle in the sky. And when the sky begins to roar, It's like a lion at the door. And when the door begins to crack, It's like a stick across your back, And when your back begins to smart, It's like a penknife in your heart. And when your heart begins to bleed, You're dead, and dead, and dead indeed.
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16. Believe That You Will Succeed
Carnegie was born in (1) ............... to a poor farming family in the central United States. The boy didn't see a (2) ............... until he was 12 years old. In his teens, he had to get up at 3 am every day to (3) ............... the family cows. When Carnegie first (4) ............... college, he felt hopeless because of his clothes and ordinary looks. His mother (5) ............... him: Why not try to be better in other things instead of just (6) ............... and good looks? Carnegie tried to be more (7) ............... in college. He joined the debate team. But one after another, he lost 12 meets. The young man was very (8) ............... in himself. He said later that he thought of killing himself after so many (9) ............... . But soon Carnegie was seen practicing public speaking on the (10) ............... . His hard work paid off at last. In 1906, Carnegie won a famous speech contest and became widely known. The young man made his own words come true: Believe that you will succeed, and you will.
{audio}listen_and_fill_16.mp3{/audio} 16. Believe That You Will Succeed
Carnegie was born in 1888 to a poor farming family in the central United States. The boy didn't see a train until he was 12 years old. In his teens, he had to get up at 3 am every day to milk the family cows.
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When Carnegie first entered college, he felt hopeless because of his clothes and ordinary looks. His mother encouraged him: Why not try to be better in other things instead of just dress and good looks? Carnegie tried to be more active in college. He joined the debate team. But one after another, he lost 12 meets. The young man was very disappointed in himself. He said later that he thought of killing himself after so many failures. But soon Carnegie was seen practicing public speaking on the riverside. His hard work paid off at last. In 1906, Carnegie won a famous speech contest and became widely known. The young man made his own words come true: Believe that you will succeed, and you will.
17. Umbrellas
The umbrella is a very ordinary object. It keeps the rain in bad weather and the sun off in good. Most umbrellas fold up, so it's easy to (1) ............... them. However, the umbrella did not begin its life as an ordinary object. It was a (2) ............... of royalty or importance. Some African (3) ............... still use umbrellas in this way today. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the (4) or important person. Umbrellas are very (5) ............... . The Chinese had them in the (6) ............... century B. C. From there, umbrellas travelled to India, Persia, and (7) ............... . When the Spanish explorers went to Mexico, they saw the Aztec kings using umbrellas. English
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explorers saw Native American princes carrying umbrellas on the (8) ............... coast of North America. It seems that people in different parts of the world (9) ............... umbrellas at different times. England was probably the first country in Europe where ordinary people used umbrellas. Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you carry one, (10) ............... that for centuries only great men and women used them.
17. Umbrellas
The umbrella is a very ordinary object. It keeps the rain in bad weather and the sun off in good. Most umbrellas fold up, so it's easy to carry them. However, the umbrella did not begin its life as an ordinary object. It was a sign of royalty or importance. Some African tribes still use umbrellas in this way today. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or important person. Umbrellas are very old. The Chinese had them in the eleventh century B. C. From there, umbrellas traveled to India, Persia, and Egypt. When the Spanish explorers went to Mexico, they saw the Aztec kings using umbrellas. English explorers saw Native American princes carrying umbrellas on the eastern coast of North America. It seems that people in different parts of the world invented umbrellas at different times. England was probably the first country in Europe where ordinary people used umbrellas. Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you carry one, remember that for centuries only
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great men and women used them.
18. The international space station
Scientists have built an (1) ............... project 270 miles into space. (2) ............... countries from all around the world worked together to plan and construct a permanent space station. The 16 nations included the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, (3) ..............., Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, (4) ..............., Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In fact, the International Space Station (ISS) is the (5) ............... international scientific project in human history. Construction on the ISS began in 1998 and was completed in 2002. (6) ............... people from different countries live on the Space Station. It has a permanent (7) ............... where the scientists conduct research that they cannot do on Earth. These studies will be possible because the space station is almost completely outside Earth's (8) ............... . Some of this important research will help scientists understand more about human learning and (9) ............... . The scientists will also be able to study Earth systems such as the (10) ..............., weather, climate, and plant growth. These systems affect the quality of life for all people today, as well as for our future generation.
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18. The International Space Station: A World Project
Scientists have built an exciting project 270 miles into space. Sixteen countries from all around the world worked together to plan and construct a permanent space station. The 16 nations included the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In fact, the International Space Station (ISS) is the largest international scientific project in human history. Construction on the ISS began in 1998 and was completed in 2002. Six people from different countries live on the Space Station. It has a permanent laboratory where the scientists conduct research that they cannot do on Earth. These studies will be possible because the space station is almost completely outside Earth's gravity. Some of this important research will help scientists understand more about human learning and memory. The scientists will also be able to study Earth systems such as the oceans, weather, climate, and plant growth. These systems affect the quality of life for all people today, as well as for our future generation.
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19. What is life?
What is life? Life is a (1) ............... accept it. Life is a (2) ............... face it. Life is a song sing it. Life is an (3) ............... dare it. Life is (4) ............... praise it. Life is a (5) ............... unfold it. Life is a (6) ............... play it. Life is a (7) ............... solve it. Life is an (8) ............... take it. Life is a goal (9) ............... it. Life is a mission (10) ............... it. Life is it live it.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_19.mp3{/audio} 19. What Is Life?
What is life? Life is a gift accept it. Life is a struggle face it. Life is a song sing it. Life is an adventure dare it. Life is beauty praise it. Life is a mystery unfold it. Life is a game play it. Life is a puzzle solve it. Life is an opportunity take it. Life is a goal achieve it. Life is a mission fulfill it. Life is it live it.
20. The Lost Ring
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One day a (1) ............... went home to his wife and said, I have bought something for you! Oh, thank you! said his wife. What have you bought? I have bought a (2) ............... ring. Here it is! He held it out for his wife to (3) ............... . Then he dropped it. Oh (4) ...............! he said. I have dropped it. He (5) ............... to look for it on the floor but it was dark inside the house and he could not see anything. He went outside the house and began to look for the ring in the (6) ............... . Just then a friend came along. What's the (7) ...............? he asked. I have lost a ring, said the man. Where did you lose it? I lost it inside my house. You lost your ring inside your house but you are looking for it outside in the street! That seems very (8) ...............! Ah, said the man, but it is dark inside my house. I shall (9) ............... find it there. But here in the street there is more light and I can see more (10) ............... .
{audio}listen_and_fill_20.mp3{/audio} 20. The Lost Ring
One day a man went home to his wife and said, I have bought something for you! Oh, thank you! said his wife. What have you bought? I have bought a gold ring. Here it is! He held it out for his wife to see. Then he dropped it. Oh dear! he said. I have dropped it. He began to look for it on the floor but it was dark inside the house and he could not see anything. He went outside the house and began to look for the ring in the street. Just then a friend came along. What's the matter? he asked. I have lost a ring, said the man. Where did you lose it? I lost it inside my house.
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You lost your ring inside your house but you are looking for it outside in the street! That seems very foolish! Ah, said the man, but it is dark inside my house. I shall never find it there. But here in the street there is more light and I can see more clearly.
21. Body Language
Americans feel that physical contact can be important in breaking down barriers between people. Such physical acts as hugging, shaking hands and (1) ............... in public are seen as displays of (2) ............... . In China, on the other hand, this is not common because physical contact is not the (3) ............... . Interestingly enough, most Chinese who spend some time in America come to like hugging; they learn that Americans use body language to express (4) ............... . It is a way of saying I like you and I (5) ............... about you. Shaking hands is another (6) ............... way of greeting someone in America. Shaking hands is a more (7) ............... way of greeting than hugging. Whereas hugging shows closeness, shaking hands means that there is a little more formality in the (8) ................ Western people usually shake hands when meeting someone for the first time, or when they see someone again after a certain (9) ............... of time has passed. In Japan, people traditionally bow as a form of greeting. Other countries have different customs, like (10) ............... someone on the back or kissing.
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21. Body Language
Americans feel that physical contact can be important in breaking down barriers between people. Such physical acts as hugging, shaking hands and kissing in public are seen as displays of affection. In China, on the other hand, this is not common because physical contact is not the custom. Interestingly enough, most Chinese who spend some time in America come to like hugging; they learn that Americans use body language to express feelings. It is a way of saying I like you and I care about you. Shaking hands is another traditional way of greeting someone in America. Shaking hands is a more formal way of greeting than hugging. Whereas hugging shows closeness, shaking hands means that there is a little more formality in the relationship. Western people usually shake hands when meeting someone for the first time, or when they see someone again after a certain amount of time has passed. In Japan, people traditionally bow as a form of greeting. Other countries have different customs, like patting someone on the back or kissing.
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22. Attitudes to Work
Anne Jones has been working at the City Bank for two years. Her boss is Mr.. Bascomb. She thinks he is a (1) ............... man, and doesn't like working for him. Anne hates typing because it's so (2) ............... . And she can't stand taking orders. She (3) ............... talking to Mr.. Bascomb as much as possible. I can't go on doing this work, says Anne. It's driving me (4) ................ Anne is happiest when she is away from the job. She loves singing and playing the (5) ............... . Music is the most important thing in her life. Barbara Martinoli also works at the City Bank. She has been working there a little (6) ............... than Anne. Barbara and Anne are good friends, but they have different (7) ............... to their jobs. Barbara really (8) ............... working at the bank. She respects Mr. Bascomb and doesn't (9) ............... taking orders from him. Now that she is married, Barbara doesn't really need a job. Her husband, Tino, makes enough money to support both of them. But Barbara (10) ............... working to staying at home. It's better than doing nothing, says Barbara.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_22.mp3{/audio} 22. Attitudes to Work
Anne Jones has been working at the City Bank for two years. Her boss is Mr.. Bascomb. She thinks he is a difficult man, and doesn't like working for him. Anne hates typing because it's so boring. And she can't stand taking orders. She avoids talking to Mr.. Bascomb as much as possible. I can't go on doing this work, says Anne. It's driving me crazy. Anne is happiest when she is away from the job. She loves singing and playing the guitar. Music is the most important thing in her life. Barbara Martinoli also works at the City Bank. She has been working there a little longer than Anne. Barbara and Anne are good friends, but they have different attitudes to their jobs. Barbara really enjoys working at the bank. She respects Mr. Bascomb and doesn't mind taking orders from him. Now that she is married, Barbara doesn't really need a job. Her husband, Tino, makes enough money to support both of them. But Barbara prefers working to staying at home. It's better than doing nothing, says Barbara.
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23. The Indian Who Could Foretell The Weather
Two men were (1) ............... in a wild and lonely part of America. For days they had not even seen a (2) ..............., only a few huts made of wood, or tents made of (3) ................ Then one day they met an old Indian who earned his living by trapping animals for their (4) ............... . They found that he knew their language and they had a little conversation with him. One of them asked him if he could tell them what the weather would be like (5) ............... the next few days. Oh yes, he said. Rain is coming, and (6) ............... . Then there will be snow for (7) ............... days, but after that there will be bright sunshine. Isn't that wonderful? said one man to his friend. These old Indians know more of the (8) ............... of nature than we do with all our science. They have not been spoiled by (9) ............... . Then he turned to the old Indian. Tell me, he said, how you know all that. The Indian replied, I heard it on the (10) ............... .
{audio}listen_and_fill_23.mp3{/audio} 23. The Indian Who Could Foretell the Weather
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Two men were traveling in a wild and lonely part of America. For days they had not even seen a house, only a few huts made of wood, or tents made of skins. Then one day they met an old Indian who earned his living by trapping animals for their fur. They found that he knew their language and they had a little conversation with him. One of them asked him if he could tell them what the weather would be like within the next few days. Oh yes, he said. Rain is coming, and wind. Then there will be snow for two days, but after that there will be bright sunshine. Isn't that wonderful? said one man to his friend. These old Indians know more of the secrets of nature than we do with all our science. They have not been spoiled by civilization. Then he turned to the old Indian. Tell me, he said, how you know all that. The Indian replied, I heard it on the radio.
24. Halloween
Halloween is a (1) ............... holiday. It started several centuries ago in (2) ................ It began as Hallow Evening meaning holy night. At that time November 1st was called All Saints' Day and people honoured all the saints who did not have their own (3) ............... day. People believed that October 31st was the time when all the evil spirits were supposed to be (4)
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............... . So people would play all sorts of pranks on each other. Now Halloween has (5) ............... to a children's holiday. Small children go Trick-or-Treating. They wear (6) ..............., knock on doors, and yell, Trick or Treat. People almost always (7) ............... to give them candy as a treat, instead of opting to receive a trick from the children. The trick might be something like, I'll spill all the trash out of your trash (8) ............... if you don't give me a treat. Halloween is great (9) ............... for children today. They dress up as ghosts, witches, or frightening (10) ............... . Adults sometimes trick or treat their friends too. Usually that means the treat will be a glass of wine or cosmetics.
24 Halloween
Halloween is a strange holiday. It started several centuries ago in Europe. It began as Hallow Evening meaning holy night. At that time November 1st was called All Saints' Day and people honoured all the saints who did not have their own special day. People believed that October 31st was the time when all the evil spirits were supposed to be active. So people would play all sorts of pranks on each other. Now Halloween has evolved to a children's holiday. Small children go Trick-or-Treating. They wear costumes, knock on doors, and yell, Trick or Treat. People almost always choose to give them candy as a treat, instead of opting to receive a trick from the children.
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The trick might be something like, I'll spill all the trash out of your trash can if you don't give me a treat. Halloween is great fun for children today. They dress up as ghosts, witches, or frightening Dracula. Adults sometimes trick or treat their friends too. Usually that means the treat will be a glass of wine or cosmetics.
25. Help Out
Yesterday morning John was working at the (1) ............... when he heard a loud noise. He looked out the window and saw something (2) ............... . A large bus had just crashed into a truck. The driver of the bus had tried to avoid (3) ............... a boy riding his bicycle in the street. He had turned sharply and crashed into a truck (4) ............... on the side of the road. John saw at least (5) ............... people getting out of the bus and heard them calling for help. He ran across the street to help. Suddenly he felt someone (6) ............... his arm. It was an old lady who had been in the bus. She had lost her wallet and was terribly (7) ............... . John looked for the wallet and found it lying near the bus. He was about to return it to the lady when a policeman came up (8) ............... him. The policeman asked John if there was a telephone in the bookshop. John told him there was a telephone by the cash (9) . The policeman ran over to the bookshop and called an (10) ............... .
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{audio}listen_and_fill_25.mp3{/audio} 25. Help Out
Yesterday morning John was working at the bookshop when he heard a loud noise. He looked out the window and saw something frightening. A large bus had just crashed into a truck. The driver of the bus had tried to avoid hitting a boy riding his bicycle in the street. He had turned sharply and crashed into a truck parked on the side of the road. John saw at least ten people getting out of the bus and heard them calling for help. He ran across the street to help. Suddenly he felt someone grab his arm. It was an old lady who had been in the bus. She had lost her wallet and was terribly upset. John looked for the wallet and found it lying near the bus. He was about to return it to the lady when a policeman came up behind him. The policeman asked John if there was a telephone in the bookshop. John told him there was a telephone by the cash register. The policeman ran over to the bookshop and called an ambulance.
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26. The First Stamp
Have you ever (1) ............... letters to your friends? If so, you must have put stamps on the letters before you sent them. So how did people (2) ............... letters before stamps were invented, and who came up with the (3) ............... of using stamps? In the past, stamps and (4) ............... were not used. When people wanted to send a letter, they would close the paper with a (5) ............... . The person who got the letter had to pay for it and the (6) ............... was very high. Because of this, some senders would often place secret marks on the outside of the letter. The person who was sent the letter would read the secret (7) ............... . Then, he would refuse to accept the letter so as to avoid the payment. In Britain, Sir Rowland Hill introduced the Post Office Reforms in 1837. He decided that letters could go to any place in the country for a (8) ............... . The cost was to be paid by the sender by placing a small piece of (9) ............... paper on the letter. Thus was born the first stamp in the world and was known for its (10) ............... Penny Black.
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26. The First Stamp
Have you ever mailed letters to your friends? If so, you must have put stamps on the letters before you sent them. So how did people receive letters before stamps were invented, and who came up with the idea of using stamps? In the past, stamps and envelopes were not used. When people wanted to send a letter, they would close the paper with a seal. The person who got the letter had to pay for it and the cost was very high. Because of this, some senders would often place secret marks on the outside of the letter. The person who was sent the letter would read the secret message. Then, he would refuse to accept the letter so as to avoid the payment. In Britain, Sir Rowland Hill introduced the Post Office Reforms in 1837. He decided that letters could go to any place in the country for a penny. The cost was to be paid by the sender by placing a small piece of black paper on the letter. Thus was born the first stamp in the world and was known for its nickname Penny Black.
27. Learning To Understand Art
Last (1) ............... I went to an exhibition of paintings at the Tate Gallery in (2) ............... . I'm
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not really a great art lover but I'd read some good reviews of the exhibition so I was (3) ............... to see it. I must be honest and (4) ............... that many the paintings disappointed me. Although I spent a lot of time looking carefully at each one, I had some difficulty in (5) ............... what the artist was getting at. As I was looking with great (6) ............... at one of the paintings and trying to figure out if it was the right way up or not, an old (7) ............... came behind and started to explain the whole painting to me. He kindly answered all of my questions and we talked for over an hour. Then he said he had an (8) ............... and had to go, so we shook hands and said goodbye. I went round the gallery once more and now I found that all the paintings seemed really (9) ............... . As I was leaving the gallery I found out who the old man was his self-portrait was on the posters (10) ............... the exhibition!
27. Learning To Understand Art
Last week I went to an exhibition of paintings at the Tate Gallery in London. I'm not really a great art lover but I'd read some good reviews of the exhibition so I was keen to see it.
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I must be honest and admit that many the paintings disappointed me. Although I spent a lot of time looking carefully at each one, I had some difficulty in understanding what the artist was getting at. As I was looking with great effort at one of the paintings and trying to figure out if it was the right way up or not, an old gentleman came behind and started to explain the whole painting to me. He kindly answered all of my questions and we talked for over an hour. Then he said he had an appointment and had to go, so we shook hands and said goodbye. I went round the gallery once more and now I found that all the paintings seemed really beautiful. As I was leaving the gallery I found out who the old man was his self-portrait was on the posters advertising the exhibition!
28. Three Jokes
Joke 1 I sold an (1) ............... through eBay but it got lost in the mail, so I stopped by my local (2) ............... office and asked them to track it down. It's not that simple, the clerk replied. You have to fill out a mail-loss form before we can (3) ............... a search. Okay, I said. I'll take one. He searched his counter, and then went to ask some other clerks, who did the same only to return and (4) ..............., You'll have to come back later. We can't find the forms.
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Joke 2 A couple of hours into a visit with my mother she noticed I hadn't lit up a (5) ............... once. Are you trying to kick the habit? No, I replied, I've got a (6) ............... and I don't smoke when I'm not feeling well. You know, she (7) ..............., you'd probably live longer if you were sick more often. Joke 3 Kids have a greater (8) ............... for speed than classroom computers can deliver. Impatient to turn in his term paper, one restless student kept clicking the Print (9) ............... . The printer started to churn out copy after copy of the kid's ten-page report. The topic? Save Our (10) ............... .
{audio}listen_and_fill_28.mp3{/audio} 28. Three Jokes Joke 1 I sold an item through eBay but it got lost in the mail, so I stopped by my local post office and asked them to track it down. It's not that simple, the clerk replied. You have to fill out a mail-loss form before we can initiate a search. Okay, I said. I'll take one. He searched his counter, and then went to ask some other clerks, who did the same only to return and confess, You'll have to come back later. We can't find the forms. Joke 2 A couple of hours into a visit with my mother she noticed I hadn't lit up a cigarette once. Are you trying to kick the habit? No, I replied, I've got a cold and I don't smoke when I'm not feeling well. You know, she observed, you'd probably live longer if you were sick more often. Joke 3
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Kids have a greater need for speed than classroom computers can deliver. Impatient to turn in his term paper, one restless student kept clicking the Print command. The printer started to churn out copy after copy of the kid's ten-page report. The topic? Save Our Trees.
29. Popcorn
All corn does not pop. A seed of corn must have (1) ............... water in it to pop. Other kinds of corn have less water and do not pop. When you (2) ............... a seed of corn, the water inside makes the corn (3) ............... . This makes a pop noise. That is why we call it popcorn. The American Indians popped corn a long time ago. The Indians knew there were three kinds of corn. There was (4) ............... corn for eating, corn for animals, and corn for popping. The Indians introduced corn to the first (5) ..............., or Pilgrims, when they came to America in 1620. One year after they came, the Pilgrims had a Thanksgiving (6) ............... . They invited the Indians. The Indians brought food with them. One Indian brought popcorn! Since that time Americans (7) ............... to pop corn at home. In 1945 there was a new machine that changed the (8) ............... of popcorn. This electric machine popped corn outside the home. Soon movie (9) ............... started to sell popcorn to make more money. Popcorn at the movies became more and more (10) ............... . Today, Americans still continue the custom of eating popcorn at the movies.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_29.mp3{/audio} 29. Popcorn All corn does not pop. A seed of corn must have 14% water in it to pop. Other kinds of corn have less water and do not pop. When you heat a seed of corn, the water inside makes the corn explode. This makes a pop noise. That is why we call it popcorn. The American Indians popped corn a long time ago. The Indians knew there were three kinds of corn. There was sweet corn for eating, corn for animals, and corn for popping. The Indians introduced corn to the first settlers, or Pilgrims, when they came to America in 1620. One year after they came, the Pilgrims had a Thanksgiving dinner. They invited the Indians. The Indians brought food with them. One Indian brought popcorn! Since that time Americans continued to pop corn at home. In 1945 there was a new machine that changed the history of popcorn. This electric machine popped corn outside the home. Soon movie theatres started to sell popcorn to make more money. Popcorn at the movies became more and more popular. Today, Americans still continue the custom of eating popcorn at the movies.
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30. The Moon in the Well
A well is a (1) ............... in the ground. There is water at the bottom. To get the water we turn a handle. This lets a (2) ............... go down the well and into the water. Then we turn the handle to bring the bucket up. One night a (3) ............... man looked down a well. The water at the bottom was like a (4) ............... . The man saw the moon in the water. The moon has (5) ............... down the well, he said. I must get it out. He ran home to get a (6) ............... . He untied the bucket from the rope and tied the hook to the rope. Then he turned the handle and let the hook go down into the well. He wanted the hook to (7) ............... the moon and pull it up! The hook (8) ............... the water and the man turned the handle to pull up the hook. But the hook caught underneath a big (9) ............... . The man pulled and pulled but the handle would not move. Suddenly the stone moved. The hook (10) ............... up the well. The man fell on to his back. He could see the sky. The moon was in the sky. Good! he said. I have put the moon back into the sky!
{audio}listen_and_fill_30.mp3{/audio} 30. The Moon in the Well
A well is a hole in the ground. There is water at the bottom. To get the water we turn a handle. This lets a bucket go down the well and into the water. Then we turn the handle to bring the bucket up. One night a foolish man looked down a well. The water at the bottom was like a mirror. The man
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saw the moon in the water. The moon has fallen down the well, he said. I must get it out. He ran home to get a hook. He untied the bucket from the rope and tied the hook to the rope. Then he turned the handle and let the hook go down into the well. He wanted the hook to catch the moon and pull it up! The hook reached the water and the man turned the handle to pull up the hook. But the hook caught underneath a big stone. The man pulled and pulled but the handle would not move. Suddenly the stone moved. The hook flew up the well. The man fell on to his back. He could see the sky. The moon was in the sky. Good! he said. I have put the moon back into the sky!
31. Being Brave
It was five o'clock in the afternoon. Barney had just had his hair cut at the barber shop when Fred came (1) ............... up to him. Fred was out of breath and looked (2) ............... . He had spent the whole day looking for Marty and he thought Barney could help him find the (3) ............... . Marty's mother had tried to make him go to the dentist's to have his teeth (4) ............... . But Marty was scared and didn't want to go. Now he had disappeared and Fred thought Marty had run away from home. Barney told Fred that he was going to Nick's garage to have his car (5) ............... . Lots of kids from the neighbourhood went there because they liked to play (6) ............... in the old, useless cars. It was possible that one of them had seen Marty or knew where he was. Barney offered to give Fred a (7) ............... to the garage in his taxi. When the two men arrived at Nick's they found Marty playing with some other boys. Fred (8) ............... Marty that he had to be brave and go to the dentist's like a man. Marty finally agreed, but only if Fred would go there with him to give him (9) ............... . Fred smiled and put his (10) ............... around Marty. They got in Barney's taxi and went to the dentist's together.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_31.mp3{/audio} 31. Being Brave
It was five o'clock in the afternoon. Barney had just had his hair cut at the barber shop when Fred came running up to him. Fred was out of breath and looked worried. He had spent the whole day looking for Marty and he thought Barney could help him find the boy. Marty's mother had tried to make him go to the dentist's to have his teeth checked. But Marty was scared and didn't want to go. Now he had disappeared and Fred thought Marty had run away from home. Barney told Fred that he was going to Nick's garage to have his car fixed. Lots of kids from the neighbourhood went there because they liked to play games in the old, useless cars. It was possible that one of them had seen Marty or knew where he was. Barney offered to give Fred a ride to the garage in his taxi. When the two men arrived at Nick's they found Marty playing with some other boys. Fred convinced Marty that he had to be brave and go to the dentist's like a man. Marty finally agreed, but only if Fred would go there with him to give him courage. Fred smiled and put his arm around Marty. They got in Barney's taxi and went to the dentist's together.
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32. Life in the city and country
Sam and Mabel Brown wish they lived on a farm. If they had a farm, they could (1) ............... animals and produce their own food. It is hard work, but Mr. and Mrs. Brown would enjoy the (2) ............... and quiet of being in the country. And they could spend more time with their children. Linda could have her own (3) ..............., and Jimmy could go hunting and fishing with his father. On the other hand, if the Browns left the city, Jimmy and Linda would (4) ............... their friends. The Browns almost bought a farm several months ago, but it wasn't what they (5) ............... . Nowadays, it's hard to find a good piece of farmland at a (6) ............... price. Elmer and Sarah Coggins have lived on a farm all their lives, and it hasn't been easy. In 1998 their house (7) ............... down. This year they have lost most of their corn and (8) ............... crops because of bad weather. Sarah Coggins thinks it would be better if they moved to the city. Elmer could get a job working in his brother's (9) ..............., and she could open a bakery. She makes wonderful cakes and (10) ............... . If Elmer and Sarah moved to the city, they would make new friends and go out more often. But they would probably miss their farm. After all, it's the only life they have ever known.
{audio}listen_and_fill_32.mp3{/audio} 32. Life in the City and Country
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Sam and Mabel Brown wish they lived on a farm. If they had a farm, they could raise animals and produce their own food. It is hard work, but Mr. and Mrs. Brown would enjoy the peace and quiet of being in the country. And they could spend more time with their children. Linda could have her own horse, and Jimmy could go hunting and fishing with his father. On the other hand, if the Browns left the city, Jimmy and Linda would miss their friends. The Browns almost bought a farm several months ago, but it wasn't what they expected. Nowadays, it's hard to find a good piece of farmland at a reasonable price. Elmer and Sarah Coggins have lived on a farm all their lives, and it hasn't been easy. In 1998 their house burned down. This year they have lost most of their corn and wheat crops because of bad weather. Sarah Coggins thinks it would be better if they moved to the city. Elmer could get a job working in his brother's supermarket, and she could open a bakery. She makes wonderful cakes and pies. If Elmer and Sarah moved to the city, they would make new friends and go out more often. But they would probably miss their farm. After all, it's the only life they have ever known.
33. Time
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, Ask the student who has failed a class. To realize the value of ONE MONTH,
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Ask a mother who gave (1) ............... to a premature baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK, Ask the (2) ............... of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, Ask the (3) ............... who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, Ask a person who (4) ............... the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, Ask a person who just avoided an (5) ............... . To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, Ask a person who won a (6) ............... medal in the Olympics. Treasure every (7) ............... that you have! Yesterday is (8) ............... . Tomorrow is (9) ............... . Today is a gift. That's why it's called the (10) ............... !
{audio}listen_and_fill_33.mp3{/audio} 33. Time
To realize the value of ONE YEAR, Ask the student who has failed a class. To realize the value of ONE MONTH, Ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. To realize the value of ONE WEEK, Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
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To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, Ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, Ask a person who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, Ask a person who won a silver medal in the Olympics. Treasure every moment that you have! Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!
34. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the (1) ............... president of the United States. He was born in Kentucky in (2) ............... . His family was very poor. When Lincoln was a boy, he worked on his family's farm. He did not go to school. He taught himself to read and write. Later, Lincoln studied law and became a lawyer. After that, he became a (3) ............... . Everybody liked Abraham Lincoln because he was (4) ............... and hardworking. Lincoln was very (5) ............... . He wanted to be good at everything he did. He said that he wanted to win the race of life. He was also kind and (6) ............... . People called him Honest Abe. Lincoln became president in (7) ............... . In 1861, there was a war between the North and the South of the United States. The North wanted the United States to stay together as one country. Lincoln was the (8) ............... of the North. In the war, brother killed brother. The Civil War was four years long. The North won the Civil War. The war ended on April 9, 1865. Six days later, President Lincoln and his (9) ............... went to the theatre. Inside the theatre, a man went behind the president and shot him in the head. Lincoln died the next (10) ............... .
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{audio}listen_and_fill_34.mp3{/audio} 34. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States. He was born in Kentucky in 1809. His family was very poor. When Lincoln was a boy, he worked on his family's farm. He did not go to school. He taught himself to read and write. Later, Lincoln studied law and became a lawyer. After that, he became a politician. Everybody liked Abraham Lincoln because he was intelligent and hardworking. Lincoln was very ambitious. He wanted to be good at everything he did. He said that he wanted to win the race of life. He was also kind and honest. People called him Honest Abe. Lincoln became president in 1860. In 1861, there was a war between the North and the South of the United States. The North wanted the United States to stay together as one country. Lincoln was the leader of the North. In the war, brother killed brother. The Civil War was four years long. The North won the Civil War. The war ended on April 9, 1865. Six days later, President Lincoln and his wife went to the theater. Inside the theater, a man went behind the president and shot him in the head. Lincoln died the next morning.
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35. Peanut butter
Americans love to eat peanut butter, but what is it? It is a (1) ............... , creamy paste. You buy it in a jar at the grocery store. Manufacturers roast peanuts and take off the (2) ............... . Then they grind them into a thick paste that's peanut butter! The peanut is not really a nut, but a pea. It is a strange pea because it grows (3) ............... . But peanut plants also have green vines with yellow flowers. These vines or (4) ............... grow above the ground and are quite long. Peanuts are very (5) ............... for you. They have more protein than a steak and they have many (6) ..............., too. The peanut comes from (7) ............... America, but peanut butter is a food that is truly American. Peanut butter started in (8) ............... in St. Louis. A doctor made some peanut butter. He gave it to (9) ............... who could not eat regular food. Later, peanut butter was popular as a healthy food. Peanut butter is very popular with children in the United States. Perhaps their favourite way to eat it is in a sandwich. Many children add (10) ............... to their peanut butter sandwiches. This makes a favourite snack or lunchtime meal.
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35. Peanut Butter
Americans love to eat peanut butter, but what is it? It is a thick, creamy paste. You buy it in a jar at the grocery store. Manufacturers roast peanuts and take off the skin. Then they grind them into a thick paste that's peanut butter! The peanut is not really a nut, but a pea. It is a strange pea because it grows underground. But peanut plants also have green vines with yellow flowers. These vines or stems grow above the ground and are quite long. Peanuts are very healthy for you. They have more protein than a steak and they have many vitamins, too. The peanut comes from South America, but peanut butter is a food that is truly American. Peanut butter started in 1890 in St. Louis. A doctor made some peanut butter. He gave it to patients who could not eat regular food. Later, peanut butter was popular as a healthy food. Peanut butter is very popular with children in the United States. Perhaps their favourite way to eat it is in a sandwich. Many children add jelly to their peanut butter sandwiches. This makes a favourite snack or lunchtime meal.
36. Protecting Our Beach
The other day I was taking a walk along the beach and I became very angry. I felt bad about the (1) ............... bottles and wrappers that were tossed all over the (2) ............... . Rusty, empty
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beer cans lay about and some broken glass bottles made me (3) ............... . I was worried to see unhealthy leftover snacks being eaten by sea gulls. I had gone to the beach to enjoy (4) ............... but instead I ended up picking up garbage there. I wondered if I was the only one that felt so bad walking on the beach that day. I hoped that people would know that throwing their garbage all over the beach (5) ............... an ugly place that is also dangerous to both humans and the (6) ............... . Next time when we go to the beach we should be careful with our garbage. Remember to dispose of those plastic wrappers and aluminium cans and beer bottles (7) ............... . That way we can enjoy the (8) ............... of the beach without worrying about cutting ourselves with pieces of glass or harming the wildlife there with (9) ............... leftovers. It will be a much nicer place for all of us to spend our (10) ............... time.
{audio}listen_and_fill_36.mp3{/audio} 36. Protecting Our Beach
The other day I was taking a walk along the beach and I became very angry. I felt bad about the plastic bottles and wrappers that were tossed all over the sand. Rusty, empty beer cans lay about and some broken glass bottles made me mad. I was worried to see unhealthy leftover snacks being eaten by sea gulls. I had gone to the beach to enjoy nature but instead I ended up picking up garbage there. I wondered if I was the only one that felt so bad walking on the beach that day. I hoped that people would know that throwing their garbage all over the beach creates an ugly place that is also dangerous to both humans and the wildlife. Next time when we go to the beach we should be careful with our garbage. Remember to dispose of those plastic wrappers and aluminum cans and beer bottles properly. That way we can enjoy the beauty of the beach without worrying about cutting ourselves with pieces of glass or harming the wildlife there with unhealthy leftovers. It will be a much nicer place for all of us to
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spend our free time.
37. Three Jokes
Joke 1 At my job as a (1) ............... receptionist, I answered the phone and noticed on the caller-ID screen that the incoming call was from an auto-repair shop. The man on the line begged to see the (2) ............... because of a painful tooth. Which side of your mouth (3) ............... ? I asked the patient. He sighed and answered, The passenger side. Joke 2 When I was (4) ............... , I was teaching English to freshmen in a high school where occasionally the faculty and staff were (5) ............... to dress down. One of those days I wore a sweatshirt and slacks. A student came in and his eyes (6) ............... . Wow! he exclaimed. You should wear clothes like that every day. You look twenty, maybe even thirty years (7) ............... ! Joke 3
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Heavily laden with groceries, an old (8) ............... asked a young clerk at the grocery store to accompany her to her car. Arriving there, she unlocked and opened the doors and, without (9) ............... , sat down in the back seat to check off her list of errands. A moment later the perplexed clerk walked around the car to her. Lady, he said (10) ............... . I don't mind helping you load your groceries, but I really have to draw the line at driving you home.
37. Three Jokes
Joke 1 At my job as a dental receptionist, I answered the phone and noticed on the caller-ID screen that the incoming call was from an auto-repair shop. The man on the line begged to see the dentist because of a painful tooth. Which side of your mouth hurts? I asked the patient. He sighed and answered, The passenger side. Joke 2 When I was twenty-eight, I was teaching English to freshmen in a high school where occasionally the faculty and staff were allowed to dress down. One of those days I wore a sweatshirt and slacks. A student came in and his eyes widened. Wow! he exclaimed. You should wear clothes like that every day. You look twenty, maybe even thirty years younger! Joke 3 Heavily laden with groceries, an old lady asked a young clerk at the grocery store to accompany her to her car. Arriving there, she unlocked and opened the doors and, without thinking, sat
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down in the back seat to check off her list of errands. A moment later the perplexed clerk walked around the car to her. Lady, he said firmly. I don't mind helping you load your groceries, but I really have to draw the line at driving you home.
38. The Metric System
People in many countries use kilograms, centimetres, square meters, litres, and Celsius. These are all ways to measure things. They are all part of the metric system. During the French Revolution (17891799) against the king, the revolutionary government started the metric system. Before that France had different systems for measuring things in different (1) ............... of the country. Cloth makers measured cloth with one system. (2) ............... used another system. (3) ............... used another. Other countries used other systems. The revolutionary government wanted one international (4) ............... system of measurement. They asked a group of scientists and mathematicians to (5) ............... it. The mathematicians and scientists (6) ............... to use the numbers ten, hundred, and thousand for their system. Next they had to decide on a natural length. They chose one ten-millionth of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole. They called this one (7) ............... . Then they chose one gram for weighing water in a (8) ............... centimetre. Mathematicians and scientists worked on these problems for twenty years until they finally finished the complete system. The metric system was a wonderful (9) ............... to the world. There are only a few countries that don't use it. The United States is one. The metric system is (10) ............... an international system.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_38.mp3{/audio} 38 The Metric System
People in many countries use kilograms, centimetres, square meters, litres, and Celsius. These are all ways to measure things. They are all part of the metric system. During the French Revolution (17891799) against the king, the revolutionary government started the metric system. Before that France had different systems for measuring things in different parts of the country. Cloth makers measured cloth with one system. Jewellers used another system. Carpenters used another. Other countries used other systems. The revolutionary government wanted one international scientific system of measurement. They asked a group of scientists and mathematicians to invent it. The mathematicians and scientists decided to use the numbers ten, hundred, and thousand for their system. Next they had to decide on a natural length. They chose one ten-millionth of the distance from the Equator to the North Pole. They called this one meter. Then they chose one gram for weighing water in a cubic centimetre. Mathematicians and scientists worked on these problems for twenty years until they finally finished the complete system. The metric system was a wonderful gift to the world. There are only a few countries that don't use it. The United States is one. The metric system is truly an international system.
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39. Writing The Name Backwards
The other day a man (1) ............... William Smith went to a police station. He (2) ............... to get a license to drive a car. (3) ............... the desk in the police station sat a police captain. He was not a very (4) ............... man. I would like to get a license to drive a car, said Mr. Smith in a low voice. You have to fill out this (5) ............... first, said the police captain. He (6) ............... a small white card in Mr. Smith's direction. Put your name at the top. In ink? asked Mr. Smith very politely. Of course, in ink! said the police captain. Put your last name first and your first name last. How's that? said Smith. He did not (7) ............... the police captain. Write your names backwards. Your last name first and your first name last. BACKWARDS! Backwards? That's right. That's just what I said! (8) ............... , carefully Mr. Smith began to write. It seemed a little (9) ............... to him. But the police captain must know what was (10) ............... . Mr. Smith wrote his name: HTIMS MAILLIW.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_39.mp3{/audio} 39. Writing the Name Backwards
The other day a man named William Smith went to a police station. He wanted to get a license to drive a car. Behind the desk in the police station sat a police captain. He was not a very polite man. I would like to get a license to drive a car, said Mr. Smith in a low voice. You have to fill out this card first, said the police captain. He threw a small white card in Mr. Smith's direction. Put your name at the top. In ink? asked Mr. Smith very politely. Of course, in ink! said the police captain. Put your last name first and your first name last. How's that? said Smith. He did not understand the police captain. Write your name backwards. Your last name first and your first name last. BACKWARDS! Backwards? That's right. That's just what I said! Slowly, carefully Mr. Smith began to write. It seemed a little strange to him. But the police captain must know what was correct. Mr. Smith wrote his name: HTIMS MAILLIW.
40. Depression
Everyone wants to be happy, but many things happen in our lives to make us (1) ............... . Our favourite pets can die, we can do (2) ............... at school, close friends can move out of (3) ............... . When a loved one dies or when we deal with divorce or other (4) ...............
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difficulties in life, we all feel sad for a time, and grieving can help us work through the problem. Sadness is an important way to cope with loss or (5) ............... . There's a difference, though, between the depression that most of us talk about when we talk about feeling sad, and the kind of depression that's very serious and sometimes life-threatening. The depression that may threaten our life is also known as (6) ............... depression. It is about feeling so sad and (7) ............... that you sometimes can't imagine being happy. It's about being (8) ............... so much of the time that you don't feel like participating in life. People who are (9) ............... depressed usually have physical problems like stomach aches, headaches, and lack of energy. As you probably know, some people experience such deep depression that they believe (10) ............... is the only way out of their pain.
40. Depression
Everyone wants to be happy, but many things happen in our lives to make us sad. Our favourite pets can die, we can do poorly at school, close friends can move out of town. When a loved one dies or when we deal with divorce or other serious difficulties in life, we all feel sad for a time, and grieving can help us work through the problem. Sadness is an important way to cope with loss or tragedy. There's a difference, though, between the depression that most of us talk about when we talk about feeling sad, and the kind of depression that's very serious and sometimes life threatening. The depression that may threaten our life is also known as clinical depression. It
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is about feeling so sad and hopeless that you sometimes can't imagine being happy. It's about being miserable so much of the time that you don't feel like participating in life. People who are chronically depressed usually have physical problems like stomachaches, headaches, and lack of energy. As you probably know, some people experience such deep depression that they believe suicide is the only way out of their pain.
41. Spoken Languages
The human mouth has three (1) ............... functions. Two of them eating and breathing are shared by members of the animal kingdom. The third function speaking is one of the (2) ............... features which distinguish human beings from the rest of living (3) ............... . Although (4) ............... man must have had a spoken language, social scientists have no evidence of written language before the appearance of written records in (5) ............... Mesopotamia and Egypt 5-6 thousand years ago. Present-day linguists can (6) ............... over 1500 spoken languages. Chinese is the biggest language, spoken by more than a billion people. After Chinese, English is the most widely spoken first language, and has become the language of (7) ............... in international communication. English has not always been the international language. Two hundred years ago French was the (8) ............... language. In ancient times, Arabic, Greek and Latin were international languages at different points in time. Many people in history tried to create a common (9) ............... language for all peoples of the world. The most successful of such effort to date was Esperanto which was spoken by about 750,000 people at one time in the mid-20th century. However, such universal languages always
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fail in the end because of lack of a (10) ............... foundation.
41. Spoken Languages
The human mouth has three major functions. Two of them eating and breathing are shared by members of the animal kingdom. The third function speaking is one of the principal features which distinguish human beings from the rest of living creatures. Although primitive man must have had a spoken language, social scientists have no evidence of written language before the appearance of written records in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt 5-6 thousand years ago. Present-day linguists can identify over 1500 spoken languages. Chinese is the biggest language, spoken by more than a billion people. After Chinese, English is the most widely spoken first language, and has become the language of choice in international communication. English has not always been the international language. Two hundred years ago French was the dominant language. In ancient times, Arabic, Greek and Latin were international languages at different points in time. Many people in history tried to create a common universal language for all peoples of the world. The most successful of such effort to date was Esperanto which was spoken by about 750, 000 people at one time in the mid-20th century. However, such universal languages always fail in the end because of lack of a cultural foundation.
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42. Children Should Be Seen, Not Heard
King Edward loved his grandchildren, but he treated them very (1) ............... . They were not allowed to make too much (2) ..............., and they were not allowed to speak at table without their grandfather's (3) ............... . One day, they were having (4) ............... with King Edward. He was talking to an important (5) ..............., the King of Sweden. He was so interested in the conversation that he paid little attention to what he was (6) ............... . Suddenly, one of his little grandsons said: Grandpapa! The king took no (7) ............... of this interruption, and went on talking to the King of Sweden. Grandpapa! the little boy (8) ..............., in a louder voice. Be quiet, David. It's impolite to interrupt the conversation of grown-ups. But Grandpapa! Little boys should be seen but not heard, said the King. Wait until I've finished talking to the King of Sweden. So the little boy had to keep silent. When King Edward finished his conversation with the King of Sweden, he (9) ............... to his little grandson and said: Now, my little man, what did you want to tell me? Oh, it doesn't (10) ............... now, answered the little boy. I just wanted to tell you there was a slug on your lettuce, but you've eaten it now.
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42. Children Should Be Seen, Not Heard
King Edward loved his grandchildren, but he treated them very strictly. They were not allowed to make too much noise, and they were not allowed to speak at table without their grandfather's permission. One day, they were having lunch with King Edward. He was talking to an important guest, the King of Sweden. He was so interested in the conversation that he paid little attention to what he was eating. Suddenly, one of his little grandsons said: Grandpapa! The king took no notice of this interruption, and went on talking to the King of Sweden. Grandpapa! the little boy repeated, in a louder voice. Be quiet, David. It's impolite to interrupt the conversation of grown-ups. But Grandpapa! Little boys should be seen but not heard, said the King. Wait until I've finished talking to the King of Sweden. So the little boy had to keep silent. When King Edward finished his conversation with the King of Sweden, he turned to his little grandson and said: Now, my little man, what did you want to tell me? Oh, it doesn't matter now, answered the little boy. I just wanted to tell you there was a slug on your lettuce, but you've eaten it now.
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43. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was the ............... president of the United States. He was president from 1901 to ............... . He was also a boxer, a soldier, a rancher, and an ............... . This energetic man was not strong when he was a boy. He suffered from ..............., a problem with breathing. His father wanted him to be strong. Roosevelt learned to box and did many other sports. Soon Roosevelt became strong and ............... . After he became president, Roosevelt kept his body strong. He ............... boxed in the White House. One day, another boxer hit him in the eye. After that accident, Roosevelt became ............... in one eye. Theodore Roosevelt had a nickname called Teddy. When he was president, he often went hunting. One day he went hunting with some friends and saw a small bear. He did not shoot the bear. He said the bear was too small and must go ................ The next day the story of the little bear was in the newspapers. The newspapers named the little bear Teddy after the president. Soon people called toy bears for children teddy bears. When he left the White House, Teddy Roosevelt went to hunt in ............... . He then went to South ............... to explore places that nobody knew about. Americans loved his energy.
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43. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was the twenty-sixth president of the United States. He was president from 1901 to 1909. He was also a boxer, a soldier, a rancher, and an explorer. This energetic man was not strong when he was a boy. He suffered from asthma, a problem with breathing. His father wanted him to be strong. Roosevelt learned to box and did many other sports. Soon Roosevelt became strong and energetic. After he became president, Roosevelt kept his body strong. He even boxed in the White House. One day, another boxer hit him in the eye. After that accident, Roosevelt became blind in one eye. Theodore Roosevelt had a nickname called Teddy. When he was president, he often went hunting. One day he went hunting with some friends and saw a small bear. He did not shoot the bear. He said the bear was too small and must go free. The next day the story of the little bear was in the newspapers. The newspapers named the little bear Teddy after the president. Soon people called toy bears for children teddy bears. When he left the White House, Teddy Roosevelt went to hunt in Africa. He then went to South America to explore places that nobody knew about. Americans loved his energy.
44. Joyce's Story of Time Management
Time management is the (1) ............... challenge for me in high school. I have to (2) ............... my subjects, activities, social life, and rest. I often get into (3) ............... with my family members just because I didn't plan my time well. For instance, I may yell at them for disturbing me when I'm working and I may blame them when I miss (4) ..............., even though it's actually my fault
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for cramming everything in at the last minute. There is one thing that I always make time for: watching TV. It's a way for me to (5) ............... . I think the best trick to deal with time management is the classic break it into bits. It's really important for you to learn how to break a big project into small, (6) ............... tasks. Then you can work progressively and have a sense of (7) ............... whenever you're done with a small part. Another trick is to (8) ............... a timetable for yourself. It doesn't have to be one that you follow faithfully. It's just there to serve as a (9) ............... . You can compare your actual schedule with the (10) ............... one to see how well you actually use your time. A final tip is to always set deadlines for yourself.
44. Joyce's Story of Time Management
Time management is the greatest challenge for me in high school. I have to balance my subjects, activities, social life, and rest. I often get into arguments with my family members just because I didn't plan my time well. For instance, I may yell at them for disturbing me when I'm working and I may blame them when I miss deadlines, even though it's actually my fault for cramming everything in at the last minute. There is one thing that I always make time for watching TV. It's a way for me to relax. I think the best trick to deal with time management is the classic break it into bits. It's really important for you to learn how to break a big project into small, manageable tasks. Then you can work progressively and have a sense of achievement whenever you're done with a small part. Another trick is to devise a timetable for yourself. It doesn't have to be one that you follow
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faithfully. It's just there to serve as a guide. You can compare your actual schedule with the planned one to see how well you actually use your time. A final tip is to always set deadlines for yourself.
45. Chocolate
We now (1) ............... of chocolates as sweet, but once it was bitter. Today we think of it as a candy, but once it was a (2) ............... . Chocolate is a product of a cocoa tree. Its beans taste bitter. Workers must first dry and then roast them in order to (3) ............... the bitter taste. The word chocolate comes from a Mayan word. The Mayas were an ancient people who once lived in Mexico. They valued the cocoa tree. Some used the beans for (4) ..............., while others crushed them to make a drink. When the Spaniards came to Mexico in the sixteenth century, they started drinking cacao too. Because the drink was strong and bitter, they thought it was medicine. No one had the (5) ............... of adding sugar. The Spaniards took some beans back to Europe and opened (6) ............... . Wealthy people drank cocoa and said it was good for the (7) ............... . In the 1800s the owner of a chocolate factory in England discovered that sugar removed the bitter taste of cocoa. It quickly became a cheap and popular drink. Soon afterward, a factory made the first (8) ............... block of sweetened chocolate. Later on, another factory (9) ............... milk and chocolate together. People like the (10) ............... of milk chocolate even better
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45. Chocolate
We now think of chocolates as sweet, but once it was bitter. Today we think of it as a candy, but once it was a medicine. Chocolate is a product of a cocoa tree. Its beans taste bitter. Workers must first dry and then roast them in order to remove the bitter taste. The word chocolate comes from a Mayan word. The Mayas were an ancient people who once lived in Mexico. They valued the cocoa tree. Some used the beans for money, while others crushed them to make a drink. When the Spaniards came to Mexico in the sixteenth century, they started drinking cacao too. Because the drink was strong and bitter, they thought it was medicine. No one had the idea of adding sugar. The Spaniards took some beans back to Europe and opened cafes. Wealthy people drank cocoa and said it was good for the digestion. In the 1800s the owner of a chocolate factory in England discovered that sugar removed the bitter taste of cocoa. It quickly became a cheap and popular drink. Soon afterward, a factory made the first solid block of sweetened chocolate. Later on, another factory mixed milk and chocolate together. People like the taste of milk chocolate even better.
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46. A Family Sees America Together
The Graham family did something very (1) ............... last year. Mr. and Mrs. Graham did not go to work, and their children did not go to school. (2) ..............., the family travelled together in a (3) ............... and drove across America for a whole year. First, they sold their family businesses in real estate and a small (4) ............... . Then they sold their large house. Finally, the children said good-bye to (5) ............... . And their dream trip started on July 4th, Independence Day. They visited big cities and small towns in all 50 states. They also visited the (6) ............... of all the United States' Presidents. They visited many interesting places, parks, and (7) ............... , and also interviewed people on their way. Many people were very friendly. Some invited the family to stay in their home with them. Almost all the people they met signed their guest book. Each day, the mother and the daughter wrote stories of their trips for newspapers or their internet (8) ............... . Schoolchildren from all over the United States (9) ............... the Graham family's trip by using computers at home and in school. Some children wrote letters to the Graham family. After the trip the family wrote a book about their travels to (10) ............... everything they learned about their country and its people.
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46. A Family Sees America Together
The Graham family did something very unusual last year. Mr. and Mrs. Graham did not go to work, and their children did not go to school. Instead, the family travelled together in a van and drove across America for a whole year. First, they sold their family businesses in real estate and a small newspaper. Then they sold their large house. Finally, the children said good-bye to classmates. And their dream trip started on July 4th, Independence Day. They visited big cities and small towns in all 50 states. They also visited the birthplaces of all the United States' Presidents. They visited many interesting places, parks, and zoos, and also interviewed people on their way. Many people were very friendly. Some invited the family to stay in their home with them. Almost all the people they met signed their guest book. Each day, the mother and the daughter wrote stories of their trips for newspapers or their internet homepage. Schoolchildren from all over the United States followed the Graham family's trip by using computers at home and in school. Some children wrote letters to the Graham family. After the trip the family wrote a book about their travels to describe everything they learned about their country and its people.
47. Jaime Escalante
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Jaime Escalante was a teacher from Bolivia. He arrived in Los Angeles in (1) ............... . He was thirty-three years old and spoke almost no English. Life was difficult for Escalante in the United States. He could not be a teacher in California. He had to go to (2) ............... again. It took him many years, but he did it. He worked at a (3) ............... to support his family at the same time. Finally, when he was (4) ............... he started to work at Garfield High School in Los Angeles. This school had a bad name. There were many (5) ............... and the students were not doing well. Soon Escalante changed things. Escalante worked with his students. He taught them math. He used his own (6) ............... , and they worked. The students learned and (7) ............... their math. In 1982, fourteen of his students passed an (8) ............... math examination. Nobody believed this. People said the students were cheating. The students wanted to show they were not cheating. They took the exam again. And they passed again. This was a (9) ............... in a place like Garfield! This was the work of Jaime Escalante. Every year Escalante (10) ............... top class students. People know him as one of the best teachers in America. There is even a movie and a book about him.
47. Jaime Escalante
Jaime Escalante was a teacher from Bolivia. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1963. He was thirty-three years old and spoke almost no English. Life was difficult for Escalante in the United States. He could not be a teacher in California. He had to go to college again. It took him many years, but he did it. He worked at a restaurant to support his family at the same time. Finally, when he was forty-three he started to work at
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Garfield High School in Los Angeles. This school had a bad name. There were many gangs and the students were not doing well. Soon Escalante changed things. Escalante worked with his students. He taught them math. He used his own methods, and they worked. The students learned and enjoyed their math. In 1982, fourteen of his students passed an advanced math examination. Nobody believed this. People said the students were cheating. The students wanted to show they were not cheating. They took the exam again. And they passed again. This was a miracle in a place like Garfield! This was the work of Jaime Escalante. Every year Escalante produced top class students. People know him as one of the best teachers in America. There is even a movie and a book about him.
48. A Little Girl's Combat against Depression
When I was in 6th grade, a week before Thanksgiving, there was a fire at my house. I lost all my stuffed animals, including the one I was particularly attached to, my beloved (1) ............... rabbit. Losing most of my belongings, having to live in a hotel (for a year) and the other (2) ............... that go along with beginning a new school, I was crushed. I began to have (3) ............... going to school and became sick a lot. I became very depressed and at times wishing I could (4) ............... . The counsellor at school (5) ............... that I keep a journal about my feelings as a way to express my (6) ............... . I did, and I still have that journal to this day as a reminder of that (7) ............... time in my life. With the support of my counsellor, a psychologist, my parents and my journal, I was able to (8) ............... this depression.
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About a year later most of the feelings were gone, although I still felt a longing for my rabbit. Now, eight years later, life has gone on but it's still hard for me when I (9) ............... the fire and those past feelings. I'm glad that I'm still here today, (10) ............... and well, and as much as I thought I wouldn't be able, I am happy again.
48. A Little Girl's Combat against Depression
When I was in 6th grade, a week before Thanksgiving, there was a fire at my house. I lost all my stuffed animals, including the one I was particularly attached to, my beloved green rabbit. Losing most of my belongings, having to live in a hotel (for a year) and the other stresses that go along with beginning a new school, I was crushed. I began to have trouble going to school and became sick a lot. I became very depressed and at times wishing I could die. The counselor at school suggested that I keep a journal about my feelings as a way to express my emotions. I did, and I still have that journal to this day as a reminder of that terrible time in my life. With the support of my counselor, a psychologist, my parents and my journal, I was able to overcome this depression. About a year later most of the feelings were gone, although I still felt a longing for my rabbit. Now, eight years later, life has gone on but it's still hard for me when I remember the fire and those past feelings. I'm glad that I'm still here today, alive and well, and as much as I thought I wouldn't be able, I am happy again.
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49. Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was born in (1) ............... . He was sick a lot when he was young. Edison's mother taught him lessons at home and he only studied the things he wanted to know. At age (2) ............... , he read his first (3) ............... book. After he read the book, he built a laboratory in his house. Soon, Edison started to (4) ............... things. He was interested in the telegraph and (5) ............... . At age twenty-three, he made a special telegraphic machine and sold it for a lot of money. With this money, he was now free to invent all the time. Edison started his own laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey. He hired mechanics and (6) ............... to help him. He worked day and night. Once, He worked on forty-five inventions at the same time. Edison did not sleep very much, but he took naps. He often fell (7) ............... with his clothes on. One day, he even fell asleep in a closet! Did you know Edison invented wax paper, fire alarms, the (8) ..............., and motion pictures? By far his favourite invention was the (9) ............... player. His other famous invention was the light bulb. Edison died in 1931, at the age of eighty-four. He had over 1,300 inventions to his name! Many people say that Edison was a (10) ............... one of the smartest people in the world!
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49. Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was born in 1847. He was sick a lot when he was young. Edison's mother taught him lessons at home and he only studied the things he wanted to know. At age ten, he read his first science book. After he read the book, he built a laboratory in his house. Soon, Edison started to invent things. He was interested in the telegraph and electricity. At age twenty-three, he made a special telegraphic machine and sold it for a lot of money. With this money, he was now free to invent all the time. Edison started his own laboratory at Menlo Park, New Jersey. He hired mechanics and chemists to help him. He worked day and night. Once, He worked on forty-five inventions at the same time. Edison did not sleep very much, but he took naps. He often fell asleep with his clothes on. One day, he even fell asleep in a closet! Did you know Edison invented wax paper, fire alarms, the battery, and motion pictures? By far his favourite invention was the record player. His other famous invention was the light bulb. Edison died in 1931, at the age of eighty-four. He had over 1,300 inventions to his name! Many people say that Edison was a genius one of the smartest people in the world!
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50. Yellowstone National Park
A national park is a large piece of land where animals are (1) ............... to come and go. Trees and plants grow everywhere. People go to a national park to enjoy (2) ............... . Many people stay in campgrounds in national parks. They sleep in tents and cook their food over (3) ............... . They also walk on trails or paths in the parks. On a gate at the (4) ............... of Yellowstone, a sign says, For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People. Yellowstone is the world's oldest national park. It became a national park in (5) ............... . It is also the world's largest park. It (6) ............... parts of the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Yellowstone is two-and-a-half times the size of the smallest state, Rhode (7) ............... . Yellowstone is famous for its geysers. These holes in the ground shoot hot water into the air. There are about seventy geysers in the park. The most famous is Old Faithful. About every hour Old Faithful shoots hot water hundreds of feet into the air. Two-and-a-half million people visit this beautiful park each year. Park (8) ............... give information to visitors. They also take care of the park. They tell visitors not to (9) ............... the flowers. They also tell them not to feed or (10) ............... the animals.
50. Yellowstone National Park
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A national park is a large piece of land where animals are free to come and go. Trees and plants grow everywhere. People go to a national park to enjoy nature. Many people stay in campgrounds in national parks. They sleep in tents and cook their food over campfires. They also walk on trails or paths in the parks. On a gate at the entrance of Yellowstone, a sign says, For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People. Yellowstone is the world's oldest national park. It became a national park in 1872. It is also the world's largest park. It covers parts of the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Yellowstone is two-and-a-half times the size of the smallest state, Rhode Island. Yellowstone is famous for its geysers. These holes in the ground shoot hot water into the air. There are about seventy geysers in the park. The most famous is Old Faithful. About every hour Old Faithful shoots hot water hundreds of feet into the air. Two-and-a-half million people visit this beautiful park each year. Park rangers give information to visitors. They also take care of the park. They tell visitors not to pick the flowers. They also tell them not to feed or hunt the animals.
51. Swimming
Swimming is a (1) ............... sport played around the world and on many different (2) ............... , including the Olympics. It's also an easy sport to do on your own, both for fun and for (3) ............... .
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Many doctors and (4) ............... agree that swimming is one of the best workouts you can give your body, because it works almost on all of your major (5) ............... groups at the same time. Since you're floating in the water and not in contact with any hard surfaces, there's less (6) ............... on your joints and bones. You're less likely to suffer (7) ............... than with other sports. There are many ways to push yourself and get better as a swimmer. If you're into speed, you can race the clock and see how long it takes you to do a (8) ............... number of laps. If you're into endurance, you can slow down and see how many laps you can do before you have to take a rest. Many teenagers like swimming best. One of the students says, The best part about swimming is when you (9) ............... your time. It doesn't even matter if you lose the race as long as you tried your best; you can walk away with a smile on your face. When you're in the water you forget that people may be watching and all you care about is getting to the other side of the pool and touching the (10) ............... . You can just let go and fly.
51. Swimming
Swimming is a competitive sport played around the world and on many different levels, including the Olympics. It's also an easy sport to do on your own, both for fun and for exercise. Many doctors and athletes agree that swimming is one of the best workouts you can give your body, because it works almost on all of your major muscle groups at the same time. Since you're floating in the water and not in contact with any hard surfaces, there's less pressure on your joints and bones. You're less likely to suffer injuries than with other sports. There are many ways to push yourself and get better as a swimmer. If you're into speed, you can race the clock and see how long it takes you to do a certain number of laps. If you're into endurance, you can slow down and see
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how many laps you can do before you have to take a rest. Many teenagers like swimming best. One of the students says, The best part about swimming is when you beat your time. It doesn't even matter if you lose the race as long as you tried your best; you can walk away with a smile on your face. When you're in the water you forget that people may be watching and all you care about is getting to the other side of the pool and touching the wall. You can just let go and fly.
52. Cheerleaders
When you go to a college or high school sports (1) ............... , you see cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are male and female students dressed in the colours of their team. They jump and (2) ............... in front of the crowd and shout the name of their team. Their job is to (3) ............... the crowd. The first cheerleader was a man. In 1898, Johnny Campbell jumped in front of the crowd at the (4) ............... of Minnesota and shouted for his team. He shouted, Hoo-rah Minn-e-so-tah! This was the first organized shout, or yell. For the next thirty-two years cheerleaders were men only. Women were not cheerleaders until (5) ............... . Today cheerleaders work in teams. They (6) ............... special shouts, dances, and athletic shows. Often the women work (7) ............... from the men. But cheerleaders are most exciting when men and women work together. The men throw the women high in the air and catch them. The team members climb on each other's shoulders to make a human (8) ............... . They yell and dance too. It is like human (9) ............... . Cheerleaders now have their own contests. Every year there are (10) ............... , state, and national contests for cheerleaders. The teams make new, faster, and more exciting shows to be
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the best.
52. Cheerleaders
When you go to a college or high school sports event, you see cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are male and female students dressed in the colours of their team. They jump and dance in front of the crowd and shout the name of their team. Their job is to excite the crowd. The first cheerleader was a man. In 1898, Johnny Campbell jumped in front of the crowd at the University of Minnesota and shouted for his team. He shouted, Hoo-rah Minn-e-so-tah! This was the first organized shout, or yell. For the next thirty-two years cheerleaders were men only. Women were not cheerleaders until 1930. Today cheerleaders work in teams. They practice special shouts, dances, and athletic shows. Often the women work separately from the men. But cheerleaders are most exciting when men and women work together. The men throw the women high in the air and catch them. The team members climb on each other's shoulders to make a human pyramid. They yell and dance too. It is like human fireworks. Cheerleaders now have their own contests. Every year there are local, state, and national contests for cheerleaders. The teams make new, faster, and more exciting shows to be the best.
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53. A Seeing - eye Dog
A seeing-eye dog is a (1) ............... dog which helps blind people. We call these dogs seeing-eye dogs because the dogs are the eyes of the blind man and they help him to see. These dogs (2) ............... go to special schools for several years of (3) ............... . One day a seeing-eye dog and a blind man got on a bus (4) ............... . The bus was full of people and there were no seats. One man, however, soon got up and (5) ............... his seat. The dog took the blind man to the seat, but there was very little (6) ............... . The dog began to push the people on each side with his (7) ............... . He pushed and pushed until the people moved down and finally there was enough space for two people. The blind man then sat down and the dog got up on the seat next to him. He lay down and put his (8) ............... on the leg of the blind man. He was very (9) ............... and soon fell asleep. Everyone on the bus smiled at the (10) ............... of the dog in making space for the blind man and, at the same time making a place for himself.
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53. A Seeing - eye Dog
A seeing-eye dog is a special dog which helps blind people. We call these dogs seeing-eye dogs because the dogs are the eyes of the blind man and they help him to see. These dogs generally go to special schools for several years of training. One day a seeing-eye dog and a blind man got on a bus together. The bus was full of people and there were no seats. One man, however, soon got up and left his seat. The dog took the blind man to the seat, but there was very little space. The dog began to push the people on each side with his nose. He pushed and pushed until the people moved down and finally there was enough space for two people. The blind man then sat down and the dog got up on the seat next to him. He lay down and put his head on the leg of the blind man. He was very comfortable and soon fell asleep. Everyone on the bus smiled at the intelligence of the dog in making space for the blind man and, at the same time making a place for himself.
54. Hellen Keller
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Helen Keller was born in Alabama in (1) ............... . When she was twenty months old, she got an illness. After her illness Helen became deaf and blind. Her parents did not know what to do. When Helen was (2) ............... years old, her parents got her a special teacher. Her name was Miss Anne Sullivan. Miss Sullivan worked with Helen all day. She took Helen's hand and spelled a word in her hand. Helen soon (3) ............... to say what she wanted in this way. In (4) ............... Helen entered Radcliffe College. Miss Sullivan sat next to Helen in class. She spelled all the words into Helen's hand. Miss Sullivan also read to Helen all the time. At that time there were only a few books for the blind. These were Braille books. They had a special (5) ............... made with dots that blind people could read with their (6) ............... . Helen graduated from Radcliffe with honours. Helen wrote several books. The most (7) ............... ones are The Story of My Life and Midstream: My Later Life. She also wrote magazine (8) ............... and spoke all over the country. It was not easy to understand her. Miss Sullivan repeated what Helen said. Helen spoke about the deaf and blind. People everywhere became (9) ............... . Helen became a (10) ............... of new hope for the deaf and blind.
54. Helen Keller
Helen Keller was born in Alabama in 1880. When she was twenty months old, she got an illness. After her illness Helen became deaf and blind. Her parents did not know what to do. When Helen was seven years old, her parents got her a special teacher. Her name was Miss
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Anne Sullivan. Miss Sullivan worked with Helen all day. She took Helen's hand and spelled a word in her hand. Helen soon learned to say what she wanted in this way. In 1900 Helen entered Radcliffe College. Miss Sullivan sat next to Helen in class. She spelled all the words into Helen's hand. Miss Sullivan also read to Helen all the time. At that time there were only a few books for the blind. These were Braille books. They had a special alphabet made with dots that blind people could read with their fingers. Helen graduated from Radcliffe with honours. Helen wrote several books. The most famous ones are The Story of My Life and Midstream: My Later Life. She also wrote magazine articles and spoke all over the country. It was not easy to understand her. Miss Sullivan repeated what Helen said. Helen spoke about the deaf and blind. People everywhere became interested. Helen became a symbol of new hope for the deaf and blind.
55. At Dinner Table
As any homemaker knows, there is far more to a family meal than food. (1) ............... have been studying families to find out just how much more. Lewis and his (2) ............... carried out their study by videotaping the families while they ate (3) ............... meals in their own homes. They found that parents with small families talk (4) ............... with each other and their children. But as the number of children gets larger, conversation gives way to the parent's (5) ............... to control the loud noise they make. That can have an important (6) ............... on the children. In general the more question-asking the parents do the higher the children's IQ (7) ............... , Lewis says. And the more children there
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are, the less question-asking there is. The study also provides an (8) ............... for why middle children often seem to have a harder time in life than their siblings. Lewis found that in families with three or four children, dinner conversation is likely to centre on the oldest child, who has the most to talk about, and the youngest, who needs the most (9) ............... Middle children are invisible, says Lewis. When you see someone get up from the table and walk around during dinner, chances are it's the middle child. There is, however, one thing that stops all conversation and (10) ............... anyone from having attention: When the TV is on, Lewis says, dinner is non-existent.
55. At Dinner Table
As any homemaker knows, there is far more to a family meal than food. Sociologists have been studying families to find out just how much more. Lewis and his co-workers carried out their study by videotaping the families while they ate ordinary meals in their own homes. They found that parents with small families talk actively with each other and their children. But as the number of children gets larger, conversation gives way to the parent's efforts to control the loud noise they make. That can have an important effect on the children. In general the more question-asking the parents do the higher the children's IQ scores, Lewis says. And the more children there are, the less question-asking there is. The study also provides an explanation for why middle children often seem to have a harder time in life than their siblings. Lewis found that in families with three or four children, dinner conversation is likely to centre on the oldest child, who has the most to talk about, and the
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youngest, who needs the most attention Middle children are invisible, says Lewis. When you see someone get up from the table and walk around during dinner, chances are it's the middle child. There is, however, one thing that stops all conversation and prevents anyone from having attention: When the TV is on, Lewis says, dinner is non-existent.
56. It's the Television
Ted had not seen his old friend Sam since they were at school together. One day Ted saw Sam at a business meeting in a big (1) ............... . Hi, Sam! Ted said happily. How are you? I'm very well, thank you, Ted, Sam answered, and how are you? Not too bad, thank you, Ted said, they sat down side by side and began to talk. Gradually their topic turned to (2) ............... . Ted said, I think it's very bad for people. When I was a young man, we did things ourselves we didn't just watch other people. In the evenings, we sang songs or played music or (3) ............... with each other or we read the newspaper or found ourselves something (4) ............... to do. Sam nodded. Yes, that's true, and (5) ............... once a week or once a month we went into the town specially to see a film in the cinema, and maybe to buy ourselves an ice cream. And now, Ted went on, my children watch (6) ............... films on television almost every evening, and they don't do the work that their teachers give them. What will they do with themselves when they (7) ............... school? Yes, it's very bad, isn't it? Sam said. But what can we do (8) ............... it? Well, Ted answered, I've (9) ............... myself one thing: I'm going to sell our television set as soon as the football (10) ............... finishes at the end of this month.
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{audio}listen_and_fill_56.mp3{/audio} 56. It's the Television!
Ted had not seen his old friend Sam since they were at school together. One day Ted saw Sam at a business meeting in a big hotel. Hi, Sam! Ted said happily. How are you? I'm very well, thank you, Ted, Sam answered, and how are you? Not too bad, thank you, Ted said, they sat down side by side and began to talk. Gradually their topic turned to television. Ted said, I think it's very bad for people. When I was a young man, we did things ourselves we didn't just watch other people. In the evenings, we sang songs or played music or cards with each other or we read the newspaper or found ourselves something useful to do. Sam nodded. Yes, that's true, and perhaps once a week or once a month we went into the town specially to see a film in the cinema, and maybe to buy ourselves an ice cream. And now, Ted went on, my children watch silly films on television almost every evening, and they don't do the work that their teachers give them. What will they do with themselves when they leave school? Yes, it's very bad, isn't it? Sam said. But what can we do about it? Well, Ted answered, I've promised myself one thing: I'm going to sell our television set as soon as the football season finishes at the end of this month.
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57. A Little Kite
I never can do it, the little kite said, As he looked at the others high over his (1) ............... ; I know I should fall if I tried to fly. Try, said the big kite, Only try! Or I (2) ............... you never will learn at all. But the little kite said, I'm afraid I'll fall. The big kite nodded: Ah, well, good-bye; I'm off. And he rose toward the (3) ............... sky. Then the little kite's paper stirred at the sight, And trembling, he shook himself free for flight. First whirling and frightened, then braver grown, Up, up he rose through the air (4) ............... , Till the big kite, looking down, could see The little one (5) ............... steadily. Then how the little kite thrilled with (6) ............... , As he sailed with the big kite side by side! While far below he could see the (7) ............... , And the boys, like small spots moving round. They (8) ............... high in the quiet air, And only the joyful (9) ............... were there. Oh, how happy I am! the little kite cried, And all because I was (10) ............... , and tried.
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57. A Little Kite
I never can do it, the little kite said, As he looked at the others high over his head; I know I should fall if I tried to fly. Try, said the big kite, Only try! Or I fear you never will learn at all. But the little kite said, I'm afraid I'll fall. The big kite nodded: Ah, well, good-bye; I'm off. And he rose toward the cloudless sky. Then the little kite's paper stirred at the sight, And trembling, he shook himself free for flight. First whirling and frightened, then braver grown, Up, up he rose through the air alone, Till the big kite, looking down, could see The little one rising steadily. Then how the little kite thrilled with pride, As he sailed with the big kite side by side! While far below he could see the ground, And the boys, like small spots moving round. They rested high in the quiet air, And only the joyful birds were there. Oh, how happy I am! the little kite cried, And all because I was brave, and tried.
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58. It's Time To Breath Fresh Air
Golden (1) ............... and gentle breeze means the arrival of autumn, the most beautiful season of a year. This is a great time to go outside and have (2) ............... . Go to a valley to see red maple trees, go and pick fruit in an (3) ............... or find an open field to fly your kite in. However, for many high school students, these great activities may be just a (4) ............... . With plenty of work to do, they spend all their hours (5) ............... , struggling for a high mark in their exams. Of course, study is one of the most important things for (6) ............... . Life is definitely much more than that. Going out and enjoying the beautiful countryside often helps our (7) ............... in our work. Chinese craftsman Lu Ban invented a (8) ............... to help woodworkers. But if he hadn't walked outside, he would not have been inspired by a kind of toothed grass. We could also suppose if Newton hadn't rested under that apple tree, he wouldn't have been hit by an apple, and his (9) ............... theories would not have come out. Going out is not only a break from work, but a chance to (10) ............... life experience. So come on, give your brain a good rest. Step out of the books and get your bag ready for an autumn outing. You will get much more knowledge out of the exciting journey.
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58. It's Time to Breathe Fresh Air
Golden sunshine and gentle breeze means the arrival of autumn, the most beautiful season of a year. This is a great time to go outside and have fun. Go to a valley to see red maple trees, go and pick fruit in an orchard or find an open field to fly your kite in. However, for many high school students, these great activities may be just a dream. With plenty of work to do, they spend all their hours indoors, struggling for a high mark in their exams. Of course, study is one of the most important things for teenagers. Life is definitely much more than that. Going out and enjoying the beautiful countryside often helps our creativity in our work. Chinese craftsman Lu Ban invented a saw to help woodworkers. But if he hadn't walked outside, he would not have been inspired by a kind of toothed grass. We could also suppose if Newton hadn't rested under that apple tree, he wouldn't have been hit by an apple, and his classic theories would not have come out. Going out is not only a break from work, but a chance to enrich life experience. So come on, give your brain a good rest. Step out of the books and get your bag ready for an autumn outing. You will get much more knowledge out of the exciting journey.
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59. Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman was born around (1) ............... in the South of the United States. She was an African-American and a slave. In those days in the South, African-Americans were slaves. People bought slaves to work in their houses, farms, and (2) ............... . Their masters bought and sold them like (3) ............... . When Harriet became a young woman, she wanted to be free. She wanted to escape to the North of the United States. Everyone in the North was free. (4) ............... , Harriet Tubman escaped to the North on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was not a (5) ............... railroad. It was a secret organization of people. These people helped slaves to escape. At night, they took the slaves to a (6) ............... house. The slaves hid there. The next night, they took the slaves to the next house or station on the railroad. The word underground can mean secret. This is why people called the organization the Underground Railroad. When Harriet Tubman was free, she decided to help other slaves. She (7) ............... the Underground Railroad. Soon she became its (8) ............... . It was a very dangerous job. She went back to the South time after time. She brought back slaves to (9) ............... in the North. Before Harriet Tubman died in 1913, she helped 300 slaves to escape. She helped these people begin new lives as free men and women. Today, Americans (10) ............... the name of this brave woman.
59. Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad
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Harriet Tubman was born around 1820 in the South of the United States. She was an African-American and a slave. In those days in the South, African-Americans were slaves. People bought slaves to work in their houses, farms, and fields. Their masters bought and sold them like property. When Harriet became a young woman, she wanted to be free. She wanted to escape to the North of the United States. Everyone in the North was free. Finally, Harriet Tubman escaped to the North on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was not a real railroad. It was a secret organization of people. These people helped slaves to escape. At night, they took the slaves to a safe house. The slaves hid there. The next night, they took the slaves to the next house or station on the railroad. The word underground can mean secret. This is why people called the organization the Underground Railroad. When Harriet Tubman was free, she decided to help other slaves. She joined the Underground Railroad. Soon she became its leader. It was a very dangerous job. She went back to the South time after time. She brought back slaves to freedom in the North. Before Harriet Tubman died in 1913, she helped 300 slaves to escape. She helped these people begin new lives as free men and women. Today, Americans honour the name of this brave woman.
60. A Laconic Answer
In ancient times there was a race of people called the Spartans living in the (1) ............... part
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of Greece. They were noted for their simple habits and their (2) ............... . The name of their land was Laconia, and so they were sometimes called Lacons. One of the strange rules which the Spartans had was that they should speak (3) ............... , and never use more words than were needed. So a short answer is often spoken of as being Laconic, that is, as being such an answer as a Lacon would be (4) ............... to give. In the northern part of Greece there was a land called Macedon, and this land was at a time ruled over by a (5) ............... king named Philip. Philip of Macedon wanted to become the (6) ............... of all Greece. So he raised a great army, and made war upon the other (7) ............... , until nearly all of them were forced to call him their king. Then he sent a letter to the Spartans in Laconia, and said, If I go down into your country, I will (8) ............... your great city to the ground. In a few days, an answer was brought back to him. When he opened the letter, he found only one word written there. That word was IF. It was as much as to say, We are not (9) ............... of you so long as the little word if stands in your (10) ............... .
60. A Laconic Answer
In ancient times there was a race of people called the Spartans living in the southern part of Greece. They were noted for their simple habits and their bravery. The name of their land was Laconia, and so they were sometimes called Lacons. One of the strange rules which the Spartans had was that they should speak briefly, and never use more words than were needed. So a short answer is often spoken of as being Laconic, that is, as being such an answer as a Lacon would be likely to give.
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In the northern part of Greece there was a land called Macedon, and this land was at a time ruled over by a warlike king named Philip. Philip of Macedon wanted to become the master of all Greece. So he raised a great army, and made war upon the other states, until nearly all of them were forced to call him their king. Then he sent a letter to the Spartans in Laconia, and said, If I go down into your country, I will level your great city to the ground. In a few days, an answer was brought back to him. When he opened the letter, he found only one word written there. That word was IF. It was as much as to say, We are not afraid of you so long as the little word if stands in your way.
61. Life in the Army
Sam and Jack often talk about their days in the army. It was a hard life. The men had to get up early in the morning and do a lot of physical (1) ............... . They had to learn how to use a gun, and they had to (2) ............... at least ten miles a day. There wasn't much entertainment; they had to do without television or radio. The only form of recreation they had was (3) ............... . They only made about $40 a month, so they didn't have to (4) ............... about where to spend their money. (5) ............... , they didn't have to pay any bills since the army paid their expenses. And they didn't have to do their own cooking; the army took care of that, too. In fact, the army took care of everything. The men never had to (6) ............... what they were going to do each day since the army did it for them. They had very little (7) ............... in the beginning, but after the first six weeks the situation started to (8) ............... . The men didn't have to stay at the base all the time. They could go out on the weekends and see their girlfriends something Sam and Jack did as often as possible.
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Jack didn't like being in the army since he didn't like taking (9) ............... . But Sam never complained. He thought being in the army was a good (10) ............... , and that every man should serve his country
61. Life in the Army
Sam and Jack often talk about their days in the army. It was a hard life. The men had to get up early in the morning and do a lot of physical labour. They had to learn how to use a gun, and they had to march at least ten miles a day. There wasn't much entertainment; they had to do without television or radio. The only form of recreation they had was sports. They only made about $40 a month, so they didn't have to worry about where to spend their money. Fortunately, they didn't have to pay any bills since the army paid their expenses. And they didn't have to do their own cooking; the army took care of that, too. In fact, the army took care of everything. The men never had to plan what they were going to do each day since the army did it for them. They had very little freedom in the beginning, but after the first six weeks the situation started to improve. The men didn't have to stay at the base all the time. They could go out on the weekends and see their girlfriends something Sam and Jack did as often as possible. Jack didn't like being in the army since he didn't like taking orders. But Sam never complained. He thought being in the army was a good experience, and that every man should serve his country.
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62. The Echo in My Hometown
Twain and two friends once were sitting in a (1) ............... . One friend said that the air in the (2) ............... of his hometown was very clear. In many places the echo of a voice came back (3) ............... times stronger than the (4) ............... voice. The second friend said that was (5) ............... . In his hometown the echo of a voice spoken in the morning came back in the afternoon. Mark Twain (6) ............... . Then he said: Listen! The echoes which you have told about are very unusual. But in a small (7) ............... in my hometown there is an echo more unusual even than those. What is so strange about the echo there? asked one of the men. Well, I'll (8) ............... you, said Mark Twain. The echo in that church is so unusual that if one (9) ............... in a loud voice, Good morning! How are you? the echo (10) ............... after a moment very clearly, "very well, thank you. And how are you?
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62. The Echo in My Hometown
Twain and two friends once were sitting in a restaurant. One friend said that the air in the mountains of his hometown was very clear. In many places the echo of a voice came back five times stronger than the original voice. The second friend said that was nothing. In his hometown the echo of a voice spoken in the morning came back in the afternoon. Mark Twain laughed. Then he said: Listen! The echoes which you have told about are very unusual. But in a small church in my hometown there is an echo more unusual even than those. What is so strange about the echo there? asked one of the men. Well, I'll tell you, said Mark Twain. The echo in that church is so unusual that if one asks in a loud voice, Good morning! How are you? the echo replies after a moment very clearly, very well, thank you. And how are you?
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63. A Plane Crash
Nancy Paine has been a pilot for many years. She is an old friend of Otis Jackson's and is (1) ............... his election campaign. Yesterday, Nancy was flying her twin-engine plane over the city with a (2) ............... saying Otis For Mayor. Around two o'clock it started getting (3) ............... , and Nancy decided to go back to the airport. Suddenly, her right engine started having problems. It died in less than a minute. Nancy became (4) ............... when the plane started losing height. She flew into some (5) ............... clouds and was able to see only a short distance ahead of her. When the clouds disappeared, her plane was just a few hundred feet above the ground. Nancy saw a (6) ............... field in the distance and tried to land there. Unfortunately, her plane was going too fast and she wasn't able to land where she wanted to. She crashed into a (7) ............... on the other side of the field. The barn belonged to Alan Cooper, who was feeding his (8) ............... when he heard the noise. Alan ran over to the barn and found Nancy inside the plane. She had a broken leg and wasn't able to move. Although she was badly hurt, Nancy was able to (9) ............... what happened. Alan opened the door of the plane and gently pulled her out. He laid Nancy on a pile of hay and tried to make her (10) ............... . Then he ran to the farmhouse and called an ambulance.
63. A Plane Crash
Nancy Paine has been a pilot for many years. She is an old friend of Otis Jackson's and is
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supporting his election campaign. Yesterday, Nancy was flying her twin-engine plane over the city with a sign saying Otis For Mayor. Around two o'clock it started getting cloudy, and Nancy decided to go back to the airport. Suddenly, her right engine started having problems. It died in less than a minute. Nancy became frightened when the plane started losing height. She flew into some heavy clouds and was able to see only a short distance ahead of her. When the clouds disappeared, her plane was just a few hundred feet above the ground. Nancy saw a wheat field in the distance and tried to land there. Unfortunately, her plane was going too fast and she wasn't able to land where she wanted to. She crashed into a barn on the other side of the field. The barn belonged to Alan Cooper, who was feeding his chickens when he heard the noise. Alan ran over to the barn and found Nancy inside the plane. She had a broken leg and wasn't able to move. Although she was badly hurt, Nancy was able to explain what happened. Alan opened the door of the plane and gently pulled her out. He laid Nancy on a pile of hay and tried to make her comfortable. Then he ran to the farmhouse and called an ambulance.
64. The Brand Name Battle
A week before the start of the new school year, Megan went clothes shopping with her mom. There was one (1) ............... that Megan really wanted: a hooded sweatshirt from (2) ............... Jack Joy, who's the hottest brand name of the year. The hoodie looked awesome, with the name Joy written in huge letters on the back. Megan could picture herself wearing it in the school halls, turning heads and making all the other girls (3) ............... . Plus, the price tag said
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the hoodie used to be $200.00, and then it was marked down to $150.00. What a (4) ............... ! Megan's mom, on the other hand, thought that $150.00 was a ridiculous price for one sweatshirt, especially since Megan already owned a (5) ............... one. It didn't have the Joy logo, but it was the same colour and (6) ............... , and looked great with jeans or even a (7) ............... . The hoodie debate turned into a big (8) ............... . Megan's mom got so frustrated that she handed Megan the $200.00 to buy what she wanted. Megan quickly bought the Jack Joy hoodie, and with the remaining $50.00, got one pair of jeans. On the first day of school, Megan got some positive comments on her pink Joy hoodie, but nothing like the (9) ............... she had expected. Then she saw that two other girls were also wearing it, and she felt like a trend follower instead of a trendsetter. From then on, she was (10) ............... to have it on.
64. The Brand Name Battle
A week before the start of the new school year, Megan went clothes shopping with her mom. There was one item that Megan really wanted: a hooded sweatshirt from designer Jack Joy, who's the hottest brand name of the year. The hoodie looked awesome, with the name Joy written in huge letters on the back. Megan could picture herself wearing it in the school halls, turning heads and making all the other girls jealous. Plus, the price tag said the hoodie used to be $200. 00, and then it was marked down to $150.00. What a bargain! Megan's mom, on the other hand, thought that $150. 00 was a ridiculous price for one sweatshirt, especially since Megan already owned a similar one. It didn't have the Joy logo, but it was the same colour and quality, and looked great with jeans or even a skirt. The hoodie debate turned into a big argument. Megan's mom got so frustrated that she handed
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Megan the $200.00 to buy what she wanted. Megan quickly bought the Jack Joy hoodie, and with the remaining $50.00, got one pair of jeans. On the first day of school, Megan got some positive comments on her pink Joy hoodie, but nothing like the reaction she had expected. Then she saw that two other girls were also wearing it, and she felt like a trend follower instead of a trendsetter. From then on, she was embarrassed to have it on.
65. Money Talks
Ben Fix used to be a real estate agent. He got rich by selling (1) ............... farmland to people from the city who didn't know what they were buying. He was very good at fooling the public. Mr. Fix used the money he got from selling farmland to buy an old (2) ............... building in the city. Most of the people who lived in the building had low incomes and were used to paying low rents. Mr. Fix wanted to make a few (3) ............... improvements and then charge high rents, but first he had to get rid of the old tenants. He chose to do this by making life (4) ............... for everyone in the building. He drew up a long list of unnecessary (5) ............... and insisted that everyone obey them. Anyone who (6) ............... the rules had to move out of the building. Mr. Fix was capable of doing anything to get money. At times he even cut off the electricity and said he was saving energy. The tenants (7) ............... but it was no use. Mr. Fix always told the tenants to leave if they weren't happy. After a while they got tired of living under these (8) ............... and started moving out. Mr. Fix almost succeeded in driving everyone out of the building, but he didn't count on the (8) ............... he got from one of his tenants, an old lady named Olive Grove. She wouldn't give
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up without a fight and even went to tell the story to the (10) ............... .
65. Money Talks
Ben Fix used to be a real estate agent. He got rich by selling worthless farmland to people from the city who didn't know what they were buying. He was very good at fooling the public. Mr. Fix used the money he got from selling farmland to buy an old apartment building in the city. Most of the people who lived in the building had low incomes and were used to paying low rents. Mr. Fix wanted to make a few minor improvements and then charge high rents, but first he had to get rid of the old tenants. He chose to do this by making life miserable for everyone in the building. He drew up a long list of unnecessary rules and insisted that everyone obey them. Anyone who broke the rules had to move out of the building. Mr. Fix was capable of doing anything to get money. At times he even cut off the electricity and said he was saving energy. The tenants complained but it was no use. Mr. Fix always told the tenants to leave if they weren't happy. After a while they got tired of living under these conditions and started moving out. Mr. Fix almost succeeded in driving everyone out of the building, but he didn't count on the opposition he got from one of his tenants, an old lady named Olive Grove. She wouldn't give up without a fight and even went to tell the story to the newspaper.
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66. Running
Your heart is pumping as fast as your feet are moving. You take great strides, building up speed, until you reach a good steady pace. Your sneakers are hitting the pavement over and over and the breeze is blowing in your face. Running is an awesome way to enjoy the (1) ..............., build muscles, lose weight, and stay healthy. It's also a very important part of most other sports. So if you want to play football, (2) ..............., or anything that requires speed, endurance, or general (3) ..............., running will help you. Running is often associated with a track (4) ............... , but most people who run do it on their own. One of the coolest things about running is that there's always a style to match your interests, abilities, and (5) ............... . You can run at any speed, for any distance, or with as many or as few people as you like. Many teenagers find running an (6) ............... way of keeping fit and strong. Let's listen to what they say about running. Running helps me stay (7) ............... . I enjoy racing and giving it all I've got. I started running 2 years ago with my (8) ............... . I try to run at least 2 miles a day. My favourite thing to do is distance running mainly because it's a (9) ............... . I like to push myself to the limit and see how far I can go. I like to run because the kids at school make fun of me and running is my (10) ............... . It releases the stress from the school day.
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66. Running
Your heart is pumping as fast as your feet are moving. You take great strides, building up speed, until you reach a good steady pace. Your sneakers are hitting the pavement over and over and the breeze is blowing in your face. Running is an awesome way to enjoy the outdoors, build muscles, lose weight, and stay healthy. It's also a very important part of most other sports. So if you want to play football, basketball, or anything that requires speed, endurance, or general fitness, running will help you. Running is often associated with a track team, but most people who run do it on their own. One of the coolest things about running is that there's always a style to match your interests, abilities, and attitudes. You can run at any speed, for any distance, or with as many or as few people as you like. Many teenagers find running an excellent way of keeping fit and strong. Let's listen to what they say about running. Running helps me stay relaxed. I enjoy racing and giving it all I've got. I started running 2 years ago with my sisters. I try to run at least 2 miles a day. My favourite thing to do is distance running mainly because it's a challenge. I like to push myself to the limit and see how far I can go. I like to run because the kids at school make fun of me and running is my escape. It releases the stress from the school day.
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67. Bill Gates
Most high school students would be (1) ............... to be accepted by Harvard University, but Harvard had little to (2) ............... to young Bill Gates. After several semesters, he dropped out and went to work. Finally he made himself the richest man in the world. Actually, his (3) ............... started in high school where he discovered the (4) ............... world of computers. He quickly learned the programming language called BASIC. He spent hours finding out what a computer could do. Before long, he and Paul Allen, a (5) ............... , became local experts on computer programming. After they graduated from high school, the friends went separate ways. Allen stayed in Seattle and Gates went to (6) ............... to attend Harvard. At Harvard, however, Gates was not a serious student. He spent most of his time in the university computer centre. The two young men decided to (7) ............... a small company in 1975. They called it Microsoft. They let the computer company license their operating system for $30 per computer. In their first year, they (8) ............... $16,000. This was enough to (9) ............... Gates to quit Harvard and work full-time. Microsoft became a public company in 1981. The company grew quickly and Gates became very rich. Gates may have slowed down a little, but he still works hard to stay (10) ............... of computer hardware, creating operating systems for computers that are not yet in the stores.
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67. Bill Gates
Most high school students would be delighted to be accepted by Harvard University, but Harvard had little to offer to young Bill Gates. After several semesters, he dropped out and went to work. Finally he made himself the richest man in the world. Actually, his career started in high school where he discovered the amazing world of computers. He quickly learned the programming language called BASIC. He spent hours finding out what a computer could do. Before long, he and Paul Allen, a classmate, became local experts on computer programming. After they graduated from high school, the friends went separate ways. Allen stayed in Seattle and Gates went to Boston to attend Harvard. At Harvard, however, Gates was not a serious student. He spent most of his time in the university computer centre. The two young men decided to form a small company in 1975. They called it Microsoft. They let the computer company license their operating system for $30 per computer. In their first year, they earned $16, 000. This was enough to convince Gates to quit Harvard and work full-time. Microsoft became a public company in 1981. The company grew quickly and Gates became very rich. Gates may have slowed down a little, but he still works hard to stay ahead of computer hardware, creating operating systems for computers that are not yet in the stores.
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68. Who's the Offender
Three young men were playing with a gun in a street in a (1) ............... area of the town after dark when one of them fired it by mistake without aiming it at anything. The bullet broke a window in an old lady's house. The young men made off at once when they saw the (2) ............... they had done, but the old lady looked out of a window when she heard the (3) ............... and she recognized one of them as the son of a man and woman who lived not far from her. The old lady (4) ............... to the police, and a detective went to the young man's house and found the gun, so he took the young man and his friends to the police station. There his chief officer (5) ............... the young men to find out which of them owned the gun, but none of them was willing to (6) ............... because they did not have a license for owning a gun. At last the chief officer decided to put an end to the conversation. He turned to the detective and demanded to know whether he had got an officer's (7) ............... to take the gun away from the young man who owned it. No, sir, he answered nervously, I didn't get it. In that case, the officer (8) ............... angrily, you were quite wrong to take it away from him. You'd better return it immediately or there'll be (9) ............... ! This made the young men smile happily at each other, and as soon as the detective held the gun out and said Here you are, one of them put his hand out in order to get it back. That is how the officer finally (10) ............... whom the gun belonged to.
68. Who's the Offender?
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Three young men were playing with a gun in a street in a quiet area of the town after dark when one of them fired it by mistake without aiming it at anything. The bullet broke a window in an old lady's house. The young men made off at once when they saw the damage they had done, but the old lady looked out of a window when she heard the explosion and she recognized one of them as the son of a man and woman who lived not far from her. The old lady complained to the police, and a detective went to the young man's house and found the gun, so he took the young man and his friends to the police station. There his chief officer questioned the young men to find out which of them owned the gun, but none of them was willing to admit because they did not have a license for owning a gun. At last the chief officer decided to put an end to the conversation. He turned to the detective and demanded to know whether he had got an officer's permission to take the gun away from the young man who owned it. No, sir, he answered nervously, I didn't get it. In that case, the officer declared angrily, you were quite wrong to take it away from him. You'd better return it immediately or there'll be trouble! This made the young men smile happily at each other, and as soon as the detective held the gun out and said Here you are, one of them put his hand out in order to get it back. That is how the officer finally discovered whom the gun belonged to.
69. The Spending Safari
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Drake was (1) ............... because he and his family finally decided to go to Park Safari, a wild animal park a few hours from his house. Drake's parents agreed to pay the (2) ............... price as long as he would pay for the extras like rides, food, and souvenirs with money he had saved from his (3) ............... . While he enjoyed many games in the park, he couldn't help spending his (4) ............... on the things he liked. Drake bought lots of souvenirs because he wanted things that would help him remember that cool day. He bought a T-shirt, a (5) ............... , a stuffed Cheetah, and a water bottle. He even bought a huge stack of (6) ............... , even though his mother explained that they had taken lots of photos. After he paid for everything, he had less than $5.00 left, and he had had over $50.00 at the start of the day! A few (7) ............... later Drake had a lot of great memories of Park Safari. He liked his mom's photos a lot more than the postcards he bought because they were more (8) ............... . As for the souvenirs that he wanted so badly? Most were just taking up space in his room, and he wasn't able to remember why he wanted them so much. The worst part was, he was at the mall the other day and saw an awesome (9) ............... with a tiger painted on it. It cost $40. 00, but since he spent all his money on little things at Park Safari, he couldn't (10) ............... it.
69. The Spending Safari
Drake was excited because he and his family finally decided to go to Park Safari, a wild animal park a few hours from his house. Drake's parents agreed to pay the admission price as long as he would pay for the extras like rides, food, and souvenirs with money he had saved from his allowance. While he enjoyed many games in the park, he couldn't help spending his savings on the things he liked. Drake bought lots of souvenirs because he wanted things that would help him
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remember that cool day. He bought a t-shirt, a poster, a stuffed Cheetah, and a water bottle. He even bought a huge stack of postcards, even though his mother explained that they had taken lots of photos. After he paid for everything, he had less than $5.00 left, and he had had over $50.00 at the start of the day! A few weeks later Drake had a lot of great memories of Park Safari. He liked his mom's photos a lot more than the postcards he bought because they were more personal. As for the souvenirs that he wanted so badly? Most were just taking up space in his room, and he wasn't able to remember why he wanted them so much. The worst part was, he was at the mall the other day and saw an awesome skateboard with a tiger painted on it. It cost $40. 00, but since he spent all his money on little things at Park Safari, he couldn't afford it.
70. Rumour and Gossip
You hear a (1) ............... story from a friend, who heard it from another friend, who heard it from a person in the hall, who read it on a note passed in math class, which was written by somebody who probably just made it up. Chances are, rumours and gossip are always (2) ............... around your school or community. That's totally (3) ............... . After all, everyone gossips...even parents, celebrities, and (4) ............... . It's part of how we communicate and stay connected with other people's lives. But what is the difference between a rumour and gossip? A rumour is a piece of information or a story that has not been (5) ............... , meaning that the person telling it doesn't know if it's true or false. It might be true, it might be partially true and partially made up, or it might be totally made up.
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Gossip, on the other hand, is a little different. Gossip is talk that is somehow juicy, meaning it deals with subjects that are shocking or (6) ............... . Gossip is usually about things like love and relationships, or (7) ............... things that people don't talk openly about. When a piece of gossip is known to be false, it's a lie, plain and simple. If a piece of gossip about somebody is true, it can still be very (8) ............... because that information may be private and personal. Sometimes, rumours and gossip are (9) ............... , but at other times they can be very hurtful to individuals, friendships, and whole groups of people. Did you know that (10) ............... rumours and gossip about someone is a form of bullying? Yes.
70. Rumour and Gossip
You hear a juicy story from a friend, who heard it from another friend, who heard it from a person in the hall, who read it on a note passed in math class, which was written by somebody who probably just made it up. Chances are, rumours and gossip are always floating around your school or community. That's totally normal. After all, everyone gossips...even parents, celebrities, and politicians. It's part of how we communicate and stay connected with other people's lives. But what is the difference between a rumour and gossip? A rumour is a piece of information or a story that has not been verified, meaning that the person telling it doesn't know if it's true or false. It might be true, it might be partially true and partially made up, or it might be totally made up. Gossip, on the other hand, is a little different. Gossip is talk that is somehow juicy, meaning it deals with subjects that are shocking or personal. Gossip is usually about things like love and relationships, or private things that people don't talk openly about. When a piece of gossip is known to be false, it's a lie, plain and simple. If a piece of gossip about somebody is true, it can
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still be very hurtful because that information may be private and personal. Sometimes, rumours and gossip are harmless, but at other times they can be very hurtful to individuals, friendships, and whole groups of people. Did you know that spreading rumours and gossip about someone is a form of bullying? Yes.
71.
1. W: Whats that, a new (1) ............... game? M: No! Its the (2) ............... generation of PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant! You wont believe what it can do. W: For example? M: It can take digital colour pictures. It can also play (3) ............... files. W: Wow! Wonderful! Anything else? M: This one comes with its own folding (4) ............... . I can also use a special pen to write on the (5) ............... . 2. W: So what do you think you are going to do when you (6) ............... , John? M: Im not sure. My dad says I should work in information technology. You know, something with computers. W: Is that what your dad does? M: Not really. He is an (7) ............... .
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W: How about you? What are you interested in? M: Well, Im interested in (8) ............... . Id love to be a (9) ............... . W: Yeah, what subjects are you good at? M: Math is my best subject, and Im also pretty good at (10) ............... .
71.
1. W: Whats that, a new (1) video game? M: No! Its the (2) latest generation of PDA, or Personal Digital Assistant! You wont believe what it can do. W: For example? M: It can take digital color pictures. It can also play (3) mp3 files. W: Wow! Wonderful! Anything else? M: This one comes with its own folding (4) keyboard. I can also use a special pen to write on the (5) screen. 2 W: So what do you think you are going to do when you (6) graduate, John? M: Im not sure. My dad says I should work in information technology. You know, something with computers. W: Is that what your dad does? M: Not really. He is an (7) engineer. W: How about you? What are you interested in? M: Well, Im interested in (8) medicine. Id love to be a (9) doctor. W: Yeah, what subjects are you good at?
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M: Math is my best subject, and Im also pretty good at (10) science.
72.
M: Good morning! What can I do for you? W: I want to buy a new (1) ............... cell phone! M: Have a look at this new (2) ............... cell phone! W: What are its (3) ............... ? M: Besides the common (4) ............... , its got a built-in video camera so you can see the person youre talking to, and a 60-second digital (5) ............... you can use to record your voice and send it to others. W: Cool! What else can it do? M: It also takes digital pictures. You can then use the (6) ............... mode to send the digital pictures to your friends (7) ............... ! W: Wow! M: You will love this! You can draw a (8) ............... on the touch screen and then use the (9) ............... mode to send it to another phone. W: Thats (10) ............... . It must cost a bundle. M: Nah! It is cheap!
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72.
M: Good morning! What can I do for you? W: I want to buy a new (1) style cell phone! M: Have a look at this new (2) japanese cell phone! W: What are its (3) features? M: Besides the common (4) function, its got a built-in video camera so you can see the person youre talking to, and a 60-second digital (5) memory you can use to record your voice and send it to others. W: Cool! What else can it do? M: It also takes digital pictures. You can then use the (6) email mode to send the digital pictures to your friends (7) phone! W: Wow! M: You will love this! You can draw a (8) map on the touch screen and then use the (9) fax mode to send it to another phone. W: Thats (10) amazing. It must cost a bundle. M: Nah! It is cheap!
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73.
Well, a mixed picture over the next (1) ............... days. Today in Britain, very wet and (2) ............... . You can see from the (3) ............... picture that the highest temperatures, as they so often are, are in the (4) ............... parts of Europe, where its also quite (5) ............... . Its going to be quite cold over north-western parts of Europe, and it will be (6) ............... , but in the south there will be the best of the (7) ............... . And pretty good but cool in the (8) ............... parts of Europe, too. Now lets look at tomorrows weather. It will be very much the same in the south (9) ............... that the rain is starting to push up into the northern parts. It will stay (10) ............... in eastern Europe, but still wet and windy in many north-western parts, and a bit cool, too.
73.
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Well, a mixed picture over the next (1) few days. Today in Britain, very wet and (2) windy. You can see from the (3) satellite picture that the highest temperatures, as they so often are, are in the (4) southern parts of Europe, where its also quite (5) dry. Its going to be quite cold over northwestern parts of Europe, and it will be (6) rainy, but in the south there will be the best of the (7) sunshine. And pretty good but cool in the (8) eastern parts of Europe, too. Now lets look at tomorrows weather. It will be very much the same in the south (9) except that the rain is starting to push up into the northern parts. It will stay (10) fine in eastern Europe, but still wet and windy in many northwestern parts, and a bit cool, too.
74.
W: Please sit down. Lets see, youre Mr. Brown, is that right? M: Right. Ill (1) ............... from college next June. W: Have you ever done any work in this (2) ............... ? M: No, nothing. We only did some (3) ............... work in class. W: You seem to be doing well in college. What kind of pay are you hoping to get? M: From what Ive read, it seems that the pay at the (4) ............... should be around $12,000 a year. W: Here we would start at $10,500 for the first yeara kind of training period. Then you would go to $ (5) ............... . After that your raises depend on how you have worked. M: That sounds (6) ............... enough. What about other things, like (7) ............... ? W: Those are all explained in this paper. You can take it with you and look at it at home.
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M: Oh, thanks. Well, do you think I can get the (8) ............... ? W: Well, Im talking to three people today and (9) ............... tomorrow, and well only be hiring two people. M: I sure hope that I can work here. But I guess Ill just have to go home and wait. W: Youll hear something back from us next month. Good luck and thanks for (10) ............... today.
74.
W: Please sit down. Lets see, youre Mr. Brown, is that right? M: Right. Ill (1) graduate from college next June. W: Have you ever done any work in this (2) field? M: No, nothing. We only did some (3) practice work in class. W: You seem to be doing well in college. What kind of pay are you hoping to get? M: From what Ive read, it seems that the pay at the (4) beginning should be around $12,000 a year. W: Here we would start at $10,500 for the first yeara kind of training period. Then you would go to $ (5) 15,000. After that your raises depend on how you have worked. M: That sounds (6) fair enough. What about other things, like (7) vacation? W: Those are all explained in this paper. You can take it with you and look at it at home. M: Oh, thanks. Well, do you think I can get the (8) job? W: Well, Im talking to three people today and (9) four tomorrow, and well only be hiring two people. M: I sure hope that I can work here. But I guess Ill just have to go home and wait. W: Youll hear something back from us next month. Good luck and thanks for (10) coming
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today.
75.
Hello and welcome to the Science Museum. We all know that science plays an important (1) ............... in our lives. We use machines every day in our work and (2) ............... , but we get used to them so we dont give them a second (3) ............... . On this tour you will see some early (4) ............... of these machines. To begin the tour, turn left to the (5) ............... Room. Here you can see the development of the radio, television and telephone. On the right you can see some radio sets from the (6) ............... . They seem very big compared to todays (7) ............... radio. Televisions, on the other hand, have gotten bigger. In the 1950s television sets began to appear in (8) ............... homes. Telephones, too, have changed greatly. On your left you can see some early telephones, including some (9) ............... century ones. Now lets continue to the Picture Room, where you can learn about the history of (10) ............... and film.
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75. Hello and welcome to the Science Museum. We all know that science plays an important (1) part in our lives. We use machines every day in our work and (2) life, but we get used to them so we dont give them a second (3) thought. On this tour you will see some early (4) models of these machines. To begin the tour, turn left to the (5) telecommunication Room. Here you can see the development of the radio, television and telephone. On the right you can see some radio sets from the (6) 1930s. They seem very big compared to todays (7) pocket radio. Televisions, on the other hand, have gotten bigger. In the 1950s television sets began to appear in (8) ordinary homes. Telephones, too, have changed greatly. On your left you can see some early telephones, including some (9)nineteenth century ones. Now lets continue to the Picture Room, where you can learn about the history of (10) photography and film.
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1 Learning English in a new environment

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2 Too Difficult To Spell

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Where Does the Word Robot Come From?

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6 The 21st birthday

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7 No work in the dark

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11. No Hurry To Work

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12. The Wright Brothers

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13. The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

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15. A Man of Words And Not Deeds

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16. Believe That You Will Succeed

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great men and women used them.

18. The international space station

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18. The International Space Station: A World Project

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19. What is life?

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20. The Lost Ring

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21. Body Language

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21. Body Language

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22. Attitudes to Work

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23. The Indian Who Could Foretell The Weather

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