Linda Evans was my best friend. When I was 13, my family moved away. We kept in touch through {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (letter) and saw each other on special time — like my wedding and Linda's. Soon we were busy with children and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (move) to new homes, and we wrote less often. One day a card that I sent {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (come) back, stamped—Address Unknown. We lost touch with each other.

    Over the years, I missed Linda very much. I was eager {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (share) happiness and sadness. There was {#blank#}5{#/blank#} empty place in my heart that only a friend like Linda could fill.

    One day, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (read) a newspaper when I noticed a photo of a young woman who looked very much like Linda and whose last name was Wagman—Linda's {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (marry) name. There must be thousands of Wagmans, I thought, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} I still wrote to her.

    She called as soon as she got my letter. Mrs, Tobin, she said {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (excite), —Linda Evans Wagman is my mother.

    Minutes later, I heard a voice that I knew very much, even {#blank#}10{#/blank#} 40 years. Now the empty place in my heart is filled. And there's one thing that Linda and I know for sure: we won't lose each other again!

    After four years of living here, I have a better {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(understand) of northern China's food.  

    Northern China's hearty food is {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(general) more acceptable to Westerners. They can enjoy Beijing roast duck, beef and dairy from Inner Mongolia, and Korean dishes in the northeast. Northern China experiences cold and dry winters, and hot summers, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(make) calories and salt replacement more important. As a result, northern dishes have strong flavors, compared with the south {#blank#}4{#/blank#} dishes are lighter in flavor.  

    Wheat is the main crop of northern China, and you will find a variety of wheat-flour {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(product). Rice is also eaten in the north, but it is certainly secondary to wheat. Dumplings are very popular in the north, {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(serve) with vinegar for dipping.  

    Northerners tend to eat more meat and dairy for the purpose {#blank#}7{#/blank#} fighting against the cold weather. Most meat dishes {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(base) on mutton, pork, beef,  chicken,  and fish.  

    {#blank#}9{#/blank#} are less fresh vegetables available because of the cold weather. Fruit is traditionally limited to a few hard seasonal varieties like apples, so it doesn't feature much in the cuisine, although the northwest is famous for {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(it) dried fruit and wine.  

    Beijing's Forbidden City is a place full of wonders. From its thousands of rooms to its many beautiful artifacts, it's no wonder it is one of China's most popular scenic {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(spot).But even more than 600 years after it {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (build), it's still managing to serve up surprises.

    The Forbidden City draws visitors because of its rich history and {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(culture) significance, but perhaps it should add one more thing to its list of attractions: earthquake shelter. While most structures aren't made {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (survive) natural disasters, the Forbidden City seems to withstand anything.

    To show how strong the ancient Chinese architecture really is, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} model of one of the Forbidden City's palaces was put to the test. It survived a simulated(模拟的) earthquake of 9.5 on the Richter scale—equal to the  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (1arge)ever recorded quake. Instead of falling apart, the model was just moved gently during the test.

    According to experts, the key {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the Forbidden City's strength, as well as other ancient Chinese structures, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (lie)in dougong (斗栱)—a centuries-old building method invented in China. Ancient Chinese craftsmen created structures {#blank#}9{#/blank#} were both enduring(耐用)and elegant, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (show)their advanced understanding of mathematics, architecture, materials, and structural science.

    As you know, science plays {#blank#}1{#/blank#} very important role in our education. Do you want to keep up {#blank#}2{#/blank#} the latest research and discoveries in science? There are many good websites {#blank#}3{#/blank#} you can check out the latest in the science world.

    One great site is Science News for Kids. This site reports science news {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (cover) a wide range of subjects. The articles are intended for younger readers, but adults will find this site {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (suit) for them as well. Another wonderful site, one that I check out every day, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (call) Science Daily. The site is {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (constant) updated with news, often about exciting {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (finding) that change how we view the world.

    These sites post the latest stories and also keep all the past articles they {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (post) earlier. That way you can find articles just about anything that {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) related to the science fields you are interested in.