If you go to another country, what kinds of things would you buy? Would you buy a camera in Japan, some beautiful clothes in {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (French), or a watch in Switzerland? No matter {#blank#}2{#/blank#} you may buy, you might think those products {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(make) in those countries．However, you could be wrong．Kang Jian is {#blank#}4{#/blank#} 18-year-old student from Shanghai．Last year he {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (go) to visit his aunt and uncle in San Francisco．He found it interesting that so many products in the local shops were made in China．“I wanted to buy a toy car {#blank#}6{#/blank#} my cousin, but even though most of the toys were American brands, they were made in China．” Toys are not the only things made in China．“I wanted to buy a pair of basketball shoes,” he explains．“But I had to visit five or six stores before{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (find) a pair made in America!” He realized that Americans can hardly avoid {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (buy) products made in China．“In fact,” he continues, “there {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) many other things there made in China — footballs, handbags, pet food, mobile phones．Even American flags are made in China!” Kang Jian thinks it's great that China is so good at making these everyday things．However, he wishes that in the future China will also get {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (good) at making high-technology products that people can buy in all parts of the world．

    Growing up in England, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (happy) thing for my classmates and I was reading stories. Among them, The Ugly Duckling (《丑小鸭》) was a popular one.

    The classic story of The Ugly Duckling describes a poor young bird. All the ducks laugh {#blank#}2{#/blank#} him for his ugly appearance—small and grey. Feeling sad, he {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (begin) a journey of self-discovery. Finally one day, he looks down into a pond. He is shocked by his reflection(倒影) in the water. He is no longer {#blank#}4{#/blank#} ugly duckling, but a {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (beauty) swan.

    This great children's fairy tale {#blank#}6{#/blank#}been a hit for years. It's even been made into a Disney movie.  In fact, this year is the story's{#blank#}7{#/blank#}  (174) birthday. Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(write) it in 1843. The story teaches us many valuable lessons. For example, we should not judge a person by his or her appearance. It is inner beauty that makes a person special.  What's more, one should think {#blank#}9{#/blank#} other people's feelings.

    The story's positive {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (message) are saved by the world. Today, we use the phrase "ugly duckling" as a metaphor to describe something poor or bad that grows into something successful or beautiful.

    At sixty, my husband retired (退休) from a high-stress and challenging job.

    We {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) happily married for thirty-five years. But I have to say that my husband's transition (过渡) to retirement was one of {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (big) challenges in our life. For the first time, he felt lost. How would he find purpose and make {#blank#}3{#/blank#} living that could allow for a healthier lifestyle?

    During the last Christmas, I bought him one yoga card. I found the magic of yoga a few years earlier and wanted to share {#blank#}4{#/blank#} him. He was thankful, but the gift card was still {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(hide) in his wallet. One evening over dinner, after completing all the housework, he said something surprising, "I think I may use that yoga card and take a yoga class for {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(begin)."

    Then, I realized yoga was really {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (help) to him. The transition taught him how {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (make) a great change in life. He would soon learn that yoga is not about competing, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} showing up without judgment (评价). I hoped the lessons would make him feel relaxed.

    Well, things have changed since then. My husband has always been a gentle man, but ever since he decided to take a yoga class, he has become much gentler. And all our grown children now throw a yoga mat (垫) in {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (they) back seat. If Dad and Mom do it, it must be worth a try.