Compared to the history of China, the history of the United States is quite short.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} In 1776, 13 colonies（殖民地）located on the eastern coast of North America declared independence and fought a revolution against the British. In 1783 the colonists won the revolution and gained their independence.

    After the revolution, the United States bought a large section of country from Napoleon of France. This purchase doubled（加倍）the size of the United States. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If he hadn't needed that money, the United States might have stayed a small country. Texas and most of what is now the southwestern part of the United States belonged to Mexico. The people of Texas fought a revolution against Mexico. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Later, the United States and Mexico went to war. If Mexico had defeated the United States in that war, California and New Mexico would have been part of Mexico today.

    The British and the Americans both claimed the northwestern part of the country. They settled their differences with a compromise. South of the 49th parallel was the United States. North of the 49th parallel was Canada. In 1861 one half of the United States did go to war with the other half. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} President Lincoln wanted to free slaves. He was supported by the North but opposed by the South. The South wanted to separate from the rest of the country and become independent. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Following the Civil War, the United States bought Alaska from Russia. Today it is the largest state in the country and a very important one, too.

A. This was the Civil War.

B. It was controlled by England then.

C. It began little more than 200 years ago.

D. After 4 years of war, the South was defeated.

E. Napoleon needed money for his European wars.

F. They became independent and joined the United States.

G. At that time many people didn't think Alaska was important.

What If We Don't Get Along?

    Teachers want to get along with you and enjoy seeing you learn. But teachers and students sometimes have personality clashes（人格冲突）. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you show your teacher that you want to make the situation better, he or she will probably do everything possible to make that happen. Take these steps if the problem seems difficult to solve:

    ⒈Talk to an adult you trust, such as a parent, guidance counselor, or both.

    ⒉{#blank#}2{#/blank#} You may not feel immediately comfortable with your teachers, but that may change as you get to know one another.

    ⒊If you've given it time, talk with your parents about what to do next. Lots of times, a meeting can be set up to discuss the problem. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Everyone's goal should be to create trust and kindness.

    Your relationship with your teachers is often your first chance to develop a “business relationship”. They are different from your family relationships and friendships, which are built on affection and love. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} But they don't necessarily need to be good friends or like each other a lot. They simply need to respect one another, be polite, and stay focused on the jobs at hand.

    When you act this way, and remember that you're not the only kid in the class, you are helping your teacher. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Teachers also like it when students follow directions and when they learn and obey the rules of the classroom. For instance, there may be rules about listening when another student is talking, about taking turns, or about raising your hand when you want to say something or ask a question.

A. Give it time.

B. This can happen between any two people.

C. This may clear the air and make things better.

D. Your teacher is likely to notice this and appreciate it.

E. Therefore, those teachers rarely show respect towards their students.

F. A teacher cannot necessarily answer all the questions his students ask.

G. In a business relationship, both parties get something out of the relationship.

    Stress occurs when you feel that demands placed on you — such as work, school or relationships — are beyond your ability. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} However, untreated long-term stress can result in serious health conditions including anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Everyone is different, and so are the ways they choose to manage their stress. Some people prefer pursuing hobbies such as gardening, playing music and creating art, while others find relief in more solitary (独自的) activities: meditation, yoga and walking. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Do some exercise. The research keeps growing — exercise benefits your mind just as well as your body. We keep hearing about the long-term benefits of a regular exercise routine. But even a 20-minute walk, run, swim or dance session in the midst of a stressful time can give an immediate effect that can last for several hours.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} It may seem difficult to get away from a big work project, a crying baby or a growing credit card bill. But when you give yourself permission to step away from it, you let yourself have time to do something else, which can help you have a new perspective or practice techniques to feel less overwhelmed. It's important not to avoid your stress (those bills have to be paid sometime), but even just 20 minutes to take care of yourself is helpful.

    Smile and laugh. Our brains are interconnected with our emotions and facial expressions. When people are stressed, they often hold a lot of the stress in their face. So laughs or smiles can help relieve some of that tension and improve the situation.

    Try meditation. Meditation and mindful prayer help the mind and body to relax and focus. Mindfulness can help people see new perspectives, develop self-compassion and forgiveness. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Much like exercise, research has shown that even meditating briefly can bring immediate benefits.

A. Take a break from the stressor.

B. Get some social support from whatever sources you can access.

C. Too much stress can affect body systems and cause mental problems.

D. Here are four healthy techniques that may help reduce stress in the short- and long-term.

E. But by finding positive, healthy ways, many of these negative health consequences can be reduced.

F. When practicing mindfulness, people can release emotions contributing to the body physical stress.

G. Some stress can be beneficial at times, producing a boost that helps people get through tough situations.

    "Fire! Fire!" What terrible words to hear when I 1 in a strange house in the middle of the night! It was a large, 2 house —the kind that burns easily — and my room was on the top floor. I jumped out of bed, 3 the door and stepped out into the passage. It was full of 4.

    I began to run, but as I was still only half awake, 5going towards the stairs I went in the opposite direction. The smoke grew thicker and I found it hard to 6. The floor became 7 under my feet. I ran into another room and tried to reach the 8 for fresh air. Suddenly, one of my feet got caught in something 9 and I fell down. The thing I had fallen over felt like a package of 10, and I picked it up to 11 my face from the smoke and heat. Just then the floor 12 under me and I fell through to the floor below with pieces of burning wood all around me.

    13, there was a doorway in front, so I put the package over my face and 14. My feet were terribly burned, 15 I got through. As I reached the cold air outside my package of clothes gave a 16. I nearly dropped it in surprise. Then I saw there were many people in the street. A woman screamed as she saw me and came running 17.

    "My baby! My baby!" she cried. Those people 18 loudly as she took the smoke-blackened package out of my arms. I almost 19 to see who she was—my boss's wife. I had saved her baby, and become a(n) 20!

    Here are some top tips for world travelers.

    Travel light.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It's no fun carrying a huge bag around a foreign city. Don't take too many clothes and avoid heavy books and electrical equipment.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Always keep your passport on you in an inside pocket or special travel belt. There may be thieves about. It's a good idea to make a photocopy(复印件)of your passport and travel documents.

    Transport sense. Don't let go of your bags on the train.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} There are always thieves on public transport. If you want to sleep, tie your bag to your arm. When you take a taxi, it's a good idea to ask for the driver's permit. Many foreigners pay too much money because they take unofficial taxis.

    Keep clean. It's a good idea to wear dark clothes because they hide the dirt while white clothes attract it! Make sure you have plenty of clean underclothes and deodorant(除臭剂).{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You should always be polite and respectful towards the locals. Even if you find their habits and behaviour a bit strange, you shouldn't show your feelings. Remember, you're their guest.

A. Be polite.

B. Keep your documents safe.

C. You should carry a spare bag.

D. You don't want to smell bad!

E. Keep them with you at all times.

F. Make sure your bag isn't too heavy.

G. It's a good idea to wear similar clothes to the local people.

    After entering high school, you must wonder how to study well. Here are some good skills for you.

    Go to class. If you want to do well at school, going to class is the first step in studying well. If you miss classes, you will miss what the teacher thinks is important. As a result, you'll miss what is the most likely to end up on the test. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Take good notes. Try not to write down everything. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Write down unfamiliar terms. After class, review your notes as soon as possible. You can fill in details that you missed and review the material while it is still fresh on your mind.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If you are struggling in class, talk to your teacher. He or she may be able to give you more help before or after class. Most teachers have little sympathy(同情)for students who just become worried about failing during the last few weeks of the grading period.

    Take part in class discussions. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Asking questions and having eye contact with your teachers and classmates can increase your participation(参与)and your focus during the class discussion. If the material is difficult, you'd better read it before class. This helps you make your point clear in class.

    Form study group. Get students together who want to do well in class. Make sure that everyone is familiar with the material because you do not want to spend time re-teaching material to people who do not understand it. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Sometimes group sessions(上课时间)can become chatting sessions.

A. But be careful!

B. Don't be late for your class.

C. Talk to your teacher if you need help.

D. You should write down all the new terms.

E. So if you want to study well, go to every class.

F. All you need is to put down the main points in your own words.

G. In order to learn more in class, it is helpful to take part in class discussions.