Have you ever wondered who is killing time in the cafes at three in the afternoon while you are busy at school? Linda and I found the answer when we got part-time jobs at Starbucks and KFC during the summer vacation?
86.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}、87.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}、88.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}、89.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}、90.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    Long ago, there lived a water carrier. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Unfortunately, one day, the pot hit a stone and cracked(裂开) a little. Half the water slowly spilled(溢出) outof the narrow opening as the carrier walked. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} 

    After two years, the pot said to the water carrier, "I'm so sorry."

    "Why?" asked the water carrier.

    "{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Lots of water spills through the crack. That means you have to make more trips to the river. I am a terrible pot!"

    The water carrier smiled. "Look at those beautiful flowers along the path. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They grow well there because of the water. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}"

    When you speak, write a letter, or make a telephone, your words carry a message. People communicate with words. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} A smile on your face shows you are happy or friendly. Tears (眼泪) in your eyes tell others that you are sad.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} the teacher knows you want to say something or ask questions, You shake your head and people know you are saying "No". You nod and people know you are saying "Yes".

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} For example, a sign at the bus stop helps you to know which bus to take. A sign on the door tells you where to go in or out. Have you ever thought that there are a lot of other signs around you and that you receive messages from them all the time? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} An artist can use his drawings to tell about the beautiful mountains, the blue seas and many other thing. A writer writes books to tell you about all the wonderful things in the world and also about people and their ideas.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} They can help us lo know what is going on in the world and what other people are thinking about.

    China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day (Longtaitou) is one of them. This special day is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It stands for the start of spring and farming.

    The dragon is important for Chinese people. We Chinese people call ourselves the" descendants(传人)of the dragon" . Therefore, people celebrate the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs.

    On the day in ancient times, people put ashes in the kitchen. This was to" lead the dragon into the house". People believed that with the help of the dragon, they could have a good harvest(收成)in autumn.

    Also, people cat special foods that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat" dragon whisker(细须)"noodles and dumplings called "dragon teeth " .

    Today, many customs have faded away(消退). But one that has remained is the cutting of hair. It is said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the uncles of the family-mainly mother's brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

Smoke alarms(报警器)

    House fires cause many deaths each year and a large number of these fires are unfortunately set by children.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Kids must understand that they, d better not play with fire. You should keep matches and lighters out of their reach.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The main job of such an alarm is to protect you while you're asleep. You should have a smoke alarm outside each bedroom and on each floor of your home. You ought to have two plans for getting out of your house if there is a fire and practise these plans in the dark with your family.

    A smoke alarm warns you of the danger. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Take action immediately. When you come to a closed door, check it with the back of your hand. If it feels hot, there may be smoke or fire behind the door, so take care. Once you are out of your house, call the fire department from a neighbor's house. If a family member or a pet is caught inside, you shouldn't go back in. Firemen know how to perform rescues safely {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Change the batteries at least once a year. You should use the test button each month to see if the alarm and batteries are still working. A smoke alarm lasts about ten years. You ought to change it even if it seems to be working.

    About two out of three fire deaths happen in homes with no working smoke alarms.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. Most of these deaths can be avoided.

B. But when you hear it, you don t have much time.

C. A smoke alarm is only good if it's working properly.

D. So, it's important to teach them that fire is a tool, not a toy.

E. A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of being hurt in a fire.

Nowadays in school life, a lot of students develop a fear of tests. It's not because tests are something to be afraid of. Most students are afraid of tests mainly because they don't always think they are well—prepared and they don't have enough self—confidence. If you follow the advice below, it's not difficult to overcome your fear of tests.

People who know that they are not well—prepared are usually those who fear tests most. However, most students don't know when they are truly prepared for a test. As long as you know that you have studied well and long enough, you have reason to believe that you are well—prepared.

Be confident about yourself. Confidence before a test can bring about two results: either you fail the test and feel as if your confidence was unfounded (毫无根据的) or you could actually do well in the test because of your confidence. Some students find that they experience the first result. However, this is only because those students might not have followed the first advice mentioned above. As long as you have studied well, you will be more confident of your chance to succeed in a test. If you feel as if you have not studied hard enough, then you will not be as confident as you should be.

Ask your teacher in advance (提前) about the material that is going to be covered in the test. In this way, you will know what you should prepare for and you can get confidence in the test. But you have to be brave enough to ask. Most students do not ask unless their teacher gives the information first, so make sure that you ask.

You should know that tests are only telling if you have got the knowledge, not how good or bad your IQ is. So, even if you do badly in one test, you should know that there are other tests to come. As long as you think that there is another tomorrow, you can overcome your fear of a test. However, make sure that you are going to prepare well for the other tests.

Fear can be a problem in the process of achieving success. However, with the right attitude (态度) and preparations, you can overcome your fear of tests by using these suggestions.