As is known to us, the year 2016 has one extra day in it — February 29th. This is because it's {#blank#}1{#/blank#} we call “a leap year”. Every four years, the year has 366 days in {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  instead of 365.

    It is called a leap year because hundreds of years ago in England, the extra day wasn't{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (legal) recognized. There is a well-known tradition in the UK{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (associate) with February 29th, introduced many centuries ago. Women are allowed to break with tradition and propose(求婚) to their boyfriends on this day. This all started back in the{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (five) century, when a famous Irish saint made a{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (complain) that women had to wait too long for men to propose. According to the legend, Saint Patrick said any female dreaming of a proposal could ask her boyfriend to marry her on this additional day in February. This so-called tradition{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (write) in law in the thirteenth century. Scotland passed a law allowing women to propose to men in a leap year. It was said that if the men refused, they had to pay a fine!

    Now in 2016, there are calls{#blank#}8{#/blank#} February 29th to become a public holiday. Some people believe that it should be an{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (office) day off, because no one gets{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (many) payments for working an extra day in a leap year. For the moment though, the British still have to go to work on this day.

    Sam was a greedy and selfish man.He never hesitated to cheat others to earn money.The selfish man{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(actual) wanted to own everything in the world.One day,he lost a small bag{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(contain) 50 gold coins.He searched{#blank#}3{#/blank#}the bag day and night.He also sent his workers in search but none could find it.

    After a couple of days{#blank#}4{#/blank#}ten year old girl told her father that she found a small bag with 50 gold coins.The family was rather poor but the honest man decided to give the bag to its owner.He gave it back to Sam and asked him to check{#blank#}5{#/blank#}the bag had 50 gold coins.Sam,who was only happy to get the coins,decided to play a trick.He shouted,“There were 75 gold coins in this bag and you gave me only 50!Where are the other coins?You{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(steal) them!"The poor man was{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(shock) to hear this and they finally took the issue to court to get the right judgment.

    The judge heard both the sides.He examined the daughter and the poor man about the number of coins they had found in the bag and they assured{#blank#}8{#/blank#}was only 50!He asked Sam,"Are you sure you had 75 coins?"Sam nodded his head.Then the judge made his decision,"Since Sam lost a bag of 75 gold coins,the bag found by the girl{#blank#}9{#/blank#}had only 50 coins doesn't belong to Sam.In addition,there were no claims against the{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(lose) of 50 coins and I order the girl and his father to take those 50 coins as appreciation for their honesty!"

    When I was an international student in China, I was lucky to experience Chinese New Year. The build-up was exciting as everywhere {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(decorate) with red.

Some fellow students and I decided to travel from Xi'an to Guilin for the festival. Travel during that time is quite{#blank#}2{#/blank#} adventure—many people journey home {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (see) their families and everywhere is very busy. On the eve of New Year, we watched the CCTV New Year's Gala. Although we didn't really understand everything, it was good to be lost {#blank#}4{#/blank#}the atmosphere(气氛) of the occasion! At New Year, families make{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(taste) dumplings together as part of the celebrations. On New Year's Day, and for several weeks afterwards, you can hear firecrackers and fireworks everywhere, and the air{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(smell) strongly of dynamite(火药) and smoke. This was adventurous for us!

    Being in China during New Year somewhat meant{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(lonely) though it was a great experience. I can{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(absolute) explain it with how international students in the UK might feel at Christmas if{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(have) no loved ones around them. Overall, my first Chinese New Year was an amazing experience{#blank#}10{#/blank#}I will never forget.

    Global warming is one of the most serious problems facing humans and greenhouse gases are the main cause of it. Greenhouse gases are produced not only by industry but also by individuals (个人). People use energy to drive cars, make homes {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(comfort) and grow and transport food. Finding{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(solve) to the problem of greenhouse gases is not only a political subject but an individual one as well.

    Look for ways {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(reduce) energy at home. Turn off electrical appliances (家用电器) that you are not using. Replace your light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs.

    Eat locally. A lot of energy{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(use) to transport food over long distances,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}burns much fuel. Much of the same food may be grown on local farms. Shop at your local farmers, market. Plant your own vegetable garden.

Make your house {#blank#}6{#/blank#}eco-friendly one. Put a sweater on to keep warm rather than turning the heating on. Plant a tree to provide shade in summer so you don't have to use an air conditioner.

    Reduce and recycle. Be careful {#blank#}7{#/blank#}the products you buy. Recycle all paper, plastic, glass and aluminum (铝) cans.{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (when) you go shopping, please choose items that come with small packaging and that {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(be) reusable. Use your own canvas bags for shopping instead of plastic or paper bags.

    Be energy-conscious of transportation. Walk, ride a bike {#blank#}10{#/blank#}take a bus instead of driving.

    There are more and more cases of drivers behaving violently towards other road{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(use).

    Research has shown that this new form of crime{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(call) road rage (路怒) is a growing worldwide problem. Road rage can happen to anyone at any time. A survey has shown that the morning rush hour appears to be{#blank#}3{#/blank#}most likely time for a road rage attack, and attackers ate most likely to be{#blank#}4{#/blank#}their 20s or 30s. Driving too close and sudden braking (刹车){#blank#}5{#/blank#} (be) the biggest causes of road rage. Irresponsible drivers{#blank#}6{#/blank#}drive too close often make the driver in front {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(respond) by sudden braking.

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (fortunate), most road rage incidents don't  lead to death or injury{#blank#}9{#/blank#}they can be extremely unpleasant for the victim. My advice Keep cool. If will only make things{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(bad). Mobile phones can be useful to you. You should telephone the police immediately if you feel an aggressive situation could get out of control.