There are many expressions with the word “dog”.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}They take their dogs for walks, give them good food and medical care. However, dogs without owners to care for them lead a different kind of life. The expression, lead a dog's life, describes a person who has an unhappy existence.

    When we say we live in a dog-eat-dog world{#blank#}2{#/blank#} A person has to work hard like a dog to be successful. Such hard work can make people dog-tired. And, the situation would be even worse if they became sick as a dog.

    Still, people say every dog has its day. This means that every person enjoys a successful period during his or her life{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Yet, some people say that you can never teach an old dog new tricks. They believe that older people do not like to learn new skills and will not change the way they do things.

    Some people are compared to dogs in bad ways. People who are unkind or uncaring can be described as junkyard dogs living in places where people throw away things they do not want. Junkyard dogs are often used to guard this property. They bark or attack people who try to enter the property. However, sometimes a person who appears to be mean and threatening is really not so bad{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Dog expressions are also used to describe the weather. The dog days of summer are the hottest days of the year{#blank#}5{#/blank#}But we do not want it to rain cats and dogs.

A. We could say his bark is worse than his bite.

B. That means many people are competing for the same things, like good jobs.

C. But there are many difficulties on the road to success.

D. People love dogs and treat them well.

E. To be successful, people often have to learn new skills.

F. Dogs are loyal to people.

G. A rainstorm may cool the weather.

    Celebrate!

    Piñatas(彩罐)

    In Mexico, children often get piñatas on their birthday. Their parents put chocolates and other sweets inside the piñata and hang it on a tree. Then the children hit the piñata with a stick. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

Noodles

    In China, people often celebrate birthdays by eating with family or friends, and the last dish of the meal is always noodles. The noodles are long and thin. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} You can't cut them. In Chinese culture, long noodles mean you will have a long life.

Business birthdays

    A business birthday shows that a company is successful. Many businesses in the USA celebrate important birthdays, like 10, 50 or 150 years. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}sometimes they make TV advertisements. It is a good chance to advertise the business.

Name days

    As well as a birthday, many people in Southern Europe also celebrate their name day. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} people have big parties and open their houses to anybody who wants to come. People bring small gifts, often flowers or a box of sweets.

Islamic New Year

    In Muslim countries across the world, people celebrate Eid(开斋节). Eid means festival or celebration. During Eid, people visit family and friends, as well as people who are sick or in hospital. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Children receive toys, too. Children often wear special traditional clothes during the Eid celebrations.

A. You have to eat them in one piece.

B. They go out for a meal to celebrate.

C. Companies hold parties and send cards.

D. They give presents, such as sweets and food.

E. It breaks and the sweets fall out on to the ground.

F. This is one of the two important festivals in this country.

G. In Greece, name days are more important than birthdays.

    As a senior year student, you may have so many pressures coming from so many directions that you can't figure out what to do first.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    When you have many things to do and a lot of demands on your time, you can lose sight of what's important. One of the best ways to see the big picture — what you want out of life — is to lay out your goals.

    Pressure Points and How to Deal With Them

    Confused or overwhelmed — {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. Discuss your concerns with a friend, parent or teacher. They may help you find solutions to your problems and worries.

    Being too hard on yourself — ease up, take a break and do something you enjoy. Daydream, read a book, go out with friends — anything that helps you relax.

    Problems, problems, problems — recognize your limits. It's too stressful to try to deal with all your problems at once. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Goal-Setting Tips

    It's important to remember that goals belong to you — not to your parents, your teachers, or your friends. After you've set your goals, identify the skills you have to achieve those goals. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, do some research. Try the library, your guidance adviser and teachers, and other people who could help you.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. If your goal is something you no longer want, change it. Identify the barriers to getting your goals. Consider ways to overcome them. Don't get depressed by a big, long-term goal — see what steps you can take to achieve it and set those steps down as short-term, "do-able" goals.

A. Too much to do

B. Balancing goals in life

C. Goals exist to serve you

D. Talk to someone you trust

E. If you're not sure what skills you'll need

F. As long as you know what skill is important and what isn't

G. Choose what's most urgent and set aside the rest until later

    Since the 1980s eco-tourism has grown and grown. It is the fastest growing type of tourism.

    If done well, eco-tourism has several advantages. It is kinder to the environment. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}This means that more natural habitat is protected and that the resources for building come from sustainable (可持续的) sources. Another advantage is that people in the developed world through eco-tourism get to experience places of great natural importance as well as communicating with local people. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    However, there are some disadvantages of eco-tourism. It is felt by some environmentalists that any human activity will cause disorder in the routine of animals. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Another problem for local people is that they are expected to pose for cameras and dance etc. for money. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}The tourists are destroying the culture that they are paying to protect.

    Eco-tourism tries to go to the places far away from other communities. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}There is nothing stopping people taking money from tourists as well as doing environmentally unfriendly activities.

    It seems that the disadvantages often outweigh the advantages of eco-tourism. It might be better to take pictures of animals rather than kill animals, but given the choice the animals would sooner not have people around. It seems whether eco-tourism should be allowed should be judged case-by-case, and that the local people must be considered.

A. These places are often not well policed.

B. People walking through the forest may do much harm.

C. And these activities will also damage the eco-system.

D. It seldom ends people to untouched parts of the world.

E. This is good for both parties: they both can better understand each other.

F. And it encourages developers to consider the natural environment more.

G. It discourages the local people from pursuing their traditional life styles.

    Several days ago, a 28-year-old Californian wife and mother of three children died from drinking too much water. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}The contest was held by a local radio show and its organizers promised a free Wii video game machine to the contestant who drank the most water.

    It was estimated that the woman who died drank approximately two gallons of water during the contest. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}This information is particularly important for parents to pass on to their children. Foolish water-drinking contests are not uncommon among high school and university students, especially while playing cards.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}The answer to this question depends on your unique circumstances, including your diet, exercise habits, and environment. If you eat plenty of foods that are naturally rich in water, such as vegetables and fruits, you may not need to drink very much water at all. If you do not use much salt, your need for drinking water goes down even further.

    Regardless of what your diet looks like, if you sweat on a regular basis because of exercise or a warm climate, you will need to supply your body with more water (through foods and/or liquids) than someone who does not sweat regularly. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}However, some people don't believe that it is a reliable indicator of how much water you need, as many people suffer with symptoms related to dehydration (脱水) and don't seem to feel a need to drink water on a regular basis.

    The main idea that I wish to share through this article is that it is not wise to drink several glasses of water per day without considering your diet, exercise habits, climate, and sense of thirst. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Remember, don't drink too much water in a short period of time.

A. Then why do we need water in our daily life?

B. It shows us that drinking too much water can be very dangerous.

C. Then how much water should you think to best support your health?

D. Ultimately, the best guidance I can provide on this issue is to follow your sense of thirst.

E. Her body was found in her home shortly after she took part in a water-drinking contest.

F. And when you find yourself in need of water, you can get it from liquids and/or foods.

G. If you ask people if they would like a glass of water, they will almost always realize they are indeed thirsty.

Having the option to study abroad is exciting. It's what you call an once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should take full advantage of if you have the chance. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} So before you get excited and book that plane ticket to a new world, take these tips into consideration.

Make new friends.

No matter where you end up studying abroad, take this time to make new friends. That could mean someone from your school in your program or major. It could also mean a native of the city or country you're visiting. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Do your best not to isolate yourself. Instead, reach out to others actively.

Overcome homesickness.

No matter where you go, you'll probably get a little homesick. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Luckily for you, with social media, you can connect with your loved ones almost instantly at any time of the day. Besides, we're almost positive that everyone back home misses you just as much as you miss them. However, they probably want you to enjoy yourself as much as possible and not to feel sad because you miss them.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

One of the best parts of studying abroad is learning the local language. By doing this, you'll be able to communicate with people in your new home. After all, that is your home for a limited time. Also, speaking the local language is another useful skill. Local employers take interest in that when considering applicants.

The world is full of so many great places. We will support you if you'd like to study in one of them. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Learn the local language.

B. Master some useful languages.

C. But don't forget to follow these suggestions.

D. That is quite normal, especially the beginning.

E. Turn to your new friends for help if you feel homesick.

F. Remember, even your best friends started out as strangers.

G. However, studying abroad is not as simple as you just thought.