I got laid off at 53 from a senior management position in a restaurant. And I knew it was going to be hard to find another job in the {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(competition) working market. My age put me at{#blank#}2{#/blank#}disadvantage. But I also knew it was time for me {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (realize) my lifelong dream of owning a restaurant.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}was most difficult was that in order to make this happen, I needed to find an {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(exist) café that wasn't doing well. It couldn't be better if its owner was ready to quit his business. With great {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (lucky) I found just what I wanted eight blocks from home. Since I had never financially planned for this day, I had to borrow money from friends as well as {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(relative). I, together with my wife,{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (be) ready to start off. We changed the name to Black Dog Coffee, the menu, the recipes and the look of the caf6, and my wife did a great job of designing. Eighteen years later, we're still here and doing {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(well) than ever. I'm grateful {#blank#}10{#/blank#}the layoff and the opportunity to pursue my dream.

Why All Disney Princesses Wear Blue

    If they're not sleeping and waiting for Prince Charming to rescue them, they're busy getting poisoned by poisonous apples or being forced {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(do) heavy housework by evil relatives. But {#blank#}2{#/blank#}turns out that even the most laidback(悠闲的) beauty is supposed to send a message of strength to young {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(girl).

    That's because they all wear blue. From Jasmine to Belle, from Ariel to Snow White, they all wear blue. Far from stereotypical(老一套的) pinks, these princesses {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(dress) in bold aqua(水蓝色), cornflower(矢车菊蓝). Even Dorothy form the Wizard of Oz (绿野仙踪) {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(wear) a light blue pinafore and socks.

    Why? Well, blue is {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(apparent) the colour of trust, calmness as well{#blank#}7{#/blank#} confidence. According to experts, we all have {#blank#}8{#/blank#}natural preference for blue, partly because of the sky. It's something to look forward to, to see that blue sky. It's {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(rely). It might cloud up, but we know it's there.

    Perhaps, Disney puts princesses in the colour to show that they're those {#blank#}10{#/blank#}are loyal and dependable.

    Babies are great and lots of fun. We all love babies and we need babies, too. Many countries don't have enough of them. That's a big problem.

    Most babies grow up to become workers. As the number of workers {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (grow), a country can produce more things. That often means people's lives become easier and more {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (comfort). But without enough babies, a country {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (gradual) gets old. Many countries provide services {#blank#}4{#/blank#} their people like health care. These services {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (pay) for by young working people. But they are mostly used by old people {#blank#}6{#/blank#} aren't working any more. Without enough young people, countries can't afford these things.

    Countries are dealing with {#blank#}7{#/blank#} problems in different ways. Many countries are encouraging people {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (have) more babies. Since raising children is expensive, some countries give families extra money. Some other countries change rules {#blank#}9{#/blank#} it is easier for mothers to study and work. Others are welcoming immigrants (移民) from other{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (place). How do you think this problem should be solved?

    Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

    Keep Your Eyes Open for Weight Loss Ads

    “In only six days I lost seven pounds of weight.”

    “Two full inches in the first three days!”

    These are the kinds of statements {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (use) in magazine, newspaper, radio and television ads, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (promise) new shapes and new looks to those who buy the medicine or the device. The promoters of products say they {#blank#}3{#/blank#} shape the legs, slim the face and smooth wrinkles. Often such products are nothing more than money-making things for their promoters. The results they produce are questionable, and some are dangerous to health.

    To understand how these products can be legally promoted to the public, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} is necessary to understand something of the laws covering their regulation. If the product is a drug, FDA(Food and Drug Administration) can require proof that it is safe and effective before it {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(put) on the market. But if the product is a device, FDA has no authority {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (require) premarketing proof of safety or effectiveness. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} a product already on the market is a danger to health, FDA can request the producer or distributor to remove it from the market voluntarily, or it can take legal action, including seizure(查封) of the product.

    One notable case a few years ago {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(involve) an electrical device called the Relaxacisor, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} had been sold for reducing the waistline. The Relaxacisor produced electrical shocks to the body through contact pads. FDA took legal action against the distributor to stop the sale of the device on the grounds {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it was dangerous to health and life.

    Tony and I are good friends. We tried to walk across the United States of America. We're not exactly sure{#blank#}1{#/blank#} we were doing it. Part of it was to test ourselves; to see if we could face the challenges. When I was{#blank#}2{#/blank#} teenager I often daydreamed that I was going to walk across the United States{#blank#}3{#/blank#} I graduated from high school.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} , I didn't do that. Before I knew it I was in my thirties, married,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} （have） a job, yet still had this idea in my mind with each{#blank#}6{#/blank#} （pass） year. I figured I was too old and my opportunity had passed. Then, a few years ago, I met Tony,{#blank#}7{#/blank#} was in his thirties and quit his job as a civil engineer in New York City to walk across the United States. He wasn't doing it for a cause{#blank#}8{#/blank#} as part of an organization. He was doing it{#blank#}9{#/blank#}（simple） because he loved to walk and discover. The idea was back and I no longer had an excuse. We planned on averaging 20miles a day and taking some days off to rest, so we expected the walk to take about 6months realizing it could take{#blank#}10{#/blank#} （long）. We were in no hurry: The total distance would have been about 3,100miles.