Since the day of its birth, the United Nations has been the subject of much debate.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Others think that it is too weak. We can better understand this debate if we learn more about the U.N. and its history.

    The U.N. was started for two reasons. First, when the idea was born, people all over the world were tired of war. They felt that there must be peaceful answers to the world's problems.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The second reason was that modern science had developed new bombs and airplanes.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}National borders were beginning to lose their meaning. Science would develop even more dangerous weapons in the future. Only an international organization would be able to control modern science.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. President at the time, believed that the Allies (联盟) should plan for peace before the war ended. On December 1, 1943, Roosevelt, Britain's Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin from Soviet Union agreed to start an organization for world peace.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    During the next year and a half, the idea of such an organization was debated around the world. Then came the big day. On April 11, 1945, the first international meeting of the United Nations took place in San Francisco. The goal of the meeting was to write the U.N. Charter (宪章). All of the fifty-one nations at the meeting had their own ideas to offer for the Charter.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Every nation present voted for the Charter. No one voted against it.

A. After a long debate, a final Charter was agreed upon.

B. The U.N. Charter is a beautiful piece of writing.

C. They asked all countries, large and small, to join the organization.

D. Even the smallest country on earth can have its voice heard.

E. They also felt that only an international organization could keep world peace.

F. These weapons made it almost impossible for a country to defend itself.

G. Some people attack the organization because they think it is too powerful.

    You may have grown up living with sisters and brothers, or this may be your first time sharing your living space with someone else. Having a roommate surely has its challenges.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Follow these tips to make sure you and your roommate keep things pleasant and supportive throughout the year.

    Be clear from the beginning.

    Maybe you hate it when someone interrupts you when you are sleeping every morning.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, Let your roommate know about your preferences. It's not fair to expect him or her to pick up on them right away, and communicating what you need is one of the best ways to get rid of problems before they become problems.

    Respect your roommate's things.

    This may seem simple，but it's probably one of the biggest reasons why roommates experience conflicts. Don't you think he'll mind if you borrow his shoes for a quick soccer game for all you know, you just stepped over an uncrossable line.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Be open to change.

    You should expect to learn and grow and change during your time at school. And the same should happen to your roommate, if all goes well.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Be comfortable addressing things that unexpectedly come up, setting new rules, and being flexible to your changing environment.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Treat your roommate like you'd like to be treated. No matter what your relationship is at the end of the year, you can take comfort knowing you acted like an adult and treated your roommate with respect.

A. Don't borrow, use, or lake anything without getting permission first.

B. As the term progresses, realize things will change for both of you.

C. Getting along well with a roommate is really a difficult job.

D. Maybe you need moments to be silent after you wake up.

E. You should correct your bad habits first.

F. Follow the Golden Rule.

G. However, it can also be a great part of your college experience.

    I feel happy when I come home at the end of the day and see those big, graphic prints on my wall. They make my tiny New York apartment feel more home and more purposeful; more like me. Why? {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    You're probably not trying to spend crazy dollars on art for your home—who is? Maybe you just graduated and know you need to upgrade from that poster of Einstein with his tongue out taped to your dorm wall that was supposed to make you look "smart yet playful" Perhaps you just bought a home! That's expensive! {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Pieces that attract your personality, express your taste, or just make you laugh aren't restricted to gallery purchases.

    Don't panic if you don't know where to start

    Art. com

    When you want affordable but classy art prints, go to Art. com website. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Cast a glance their website and you'll be greeted with a window offering 50％off your first order if you fork over your email address. Do it. You could create art entire gallery wall of Chagall, Monet, Adams and Kahlo for under $30.

    Society6

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It features art that touches all types. It sells prints in a variety of sizes so you can customize a whole gallery wall with picks from their artists. Currently, I become interested in Beth Hoeckel's collage art and the vintage-looking prints from aapshop.

    eBay

    Nothing angers me more than "stealing" a piece from one of my favorite shops, only to have it sell out before I can get my hands on it. eBay is my go-to next step. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} From wall hangings to tabletop sculptures eBay is a treasure of art finds.

    Moving abroad can be a challenging experience. You leave your family, friends and everything you know behind. You enter a new culture where the customs and sometimes the languages are different. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. It's a time to discover new things, make new friends and begin a new adventure.

    So what are the best ways to involve yourself in the new culture while living abroad?

    Live with a native speaker

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. First, you have a friend! Living alone can be a lonely experience, especially if you're far from home. I've also had the opportunity to meet my housemate's friends and socialize (交往) with them. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. In addition, you have someone to tell you about the cultural customs and interesting places in the area.

    Socialize with the local people

    The thought of making friends and mixing with the local people may seem scary at first but it's worth it. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, attending an evening class or participating in a language exchange with people that are interested in learning your native language.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    The food in France is amazing and discovering new food is a fun experience. I've tried things that I've never tried before. My knowledge of different bread and cheese types has grown greatly.

    I Curling(冰壶)is a winter sport played on ice. Therefore, it's most popular in northern countries like Canada. Curling is played in the USA by about 15.000 people.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Scottish winters were long and there were forms of entertainment. So people began making a sport out of sliding heavy stones on the frozen lakes. The game spread, and in the 1700s curling clubs formed Then Scottish soldiers brought it to North America.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Men, women, and children often compete on the same team, if they can slide a forty-pound stone down the ice! Both teams slide their stones toward the same goal. After all 16 stones have been cast, the team whose stone has slid closest to the goal gets one point.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}The ice is so smooth and the stone is so heavy that even the smallest misjudgment in a throw can make the stone slide much too far or stop too suddenly. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Water helps the stone slide, but it can also change the stone's path.

    In curling, a broom is part of each player's equipment. A good curler must know how much force to use. The player must know the exact conditions of the ice on the court. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}That may explain why the international Olympic Committee decided to make curling an Olympic sport in 1998.

A. Players compete on the court.

B. Then the play begins in the other direction.

C. Curling is played by teams of four people.

D. In other words, a good curler must be a fine athlete.

E. The rules are easy to learn, but playing the game is hard.

F. The melting of die ice makes things tough for the curlers.

G. Curling probably began in Scotland in the 1500s or earlier.

    So how can you hear a lot of English when you're not in an English-speaking country or family? Fortunately, there are many ways of hearing English.

    Listen to English Radio

    You can receive English-language radio in most countries. Two international networks are the BBC and VOA. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    Watch English Television

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. The pictures help you understand what is being said, If you don't have access to English-language TV, you may be able to watch TV on the Internet.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    It is now a lot easier to hear English on the Internet. If you're reading this at your computer or mobile device you can probably listen to some English-language radio news right now, without even moving! And of course, you can find endless videos in English on You Tube and similar websites.

    Listen to Songs in English

    Songs in English are everywhere, even on foreign-language radio and TV stations. Listen to them often. But choose one that is not too difficult. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Some pop songs are very unclear and are difficult even for native English speakers to understand fully!

    Get English--speaking Friends

    Try to make friends with English-speaking people so that you can practice your English through conversation. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. And if you don't have a lot of time to go out and meet people, at least you can chat a little by telephone.

A. Don't worry

B. Listen to English on the Internet

C. This will improve your speaking as well as your listening

D. Many large cities have cinemas that show films in English

E. Both of them have special programs for learners of English

F. TV is an excellent resource for hearing and listening to English

G. That means it should be slow, and with real words sung clearly