Fire was discovered many thousands of years ago. The first time humans saw fire was probably when a tree was destroyed by lightning(闪电). Humans soon learned how to make fire. They probably made the first fire by rubbing (摩擦)two sticks together.

 Fire was very important to humans. They needed to keep warm at night. They used fire to cook food. They used fire to keep enemies and wild animals away. In some parts of the world fire was used to send messages. The Indians in America, for example, used fire to make smoke as a message. In some other countries people lit fires to warn their friends of danger.

Fire was also used to give light. Before the invention of the oil lamp(灯), humans burned sticks to get light. 

One man even used fire to tell the time. He invented a candle clock. He made a candle that took exactly twelve hours to burn. Then he marked this candle in twelve equal(相等的) parts. He lit the candle and could tell the time by counting the number of parts left of the burning candle. But the candle clock did not always work well. If there was a wind blowing on the candle, it burned too quickly.

The following is a QUIZ(自测) from a magazine.

阅读下列短文，根据短文中的信息完成文后表格。在答题卡标有题号的横线上，写出空缺处所填单词的正确形式。（每空一词）

    The Slender West Lake Scenic Spot lies in the northwestern part of Yangzhou, with its south gate facing Great Rainbow Bridge Road. It covers an area of about 123.6 hectares. The Slender West Lake was named a National Key Scenic Spot in 1988 and National Tourist Area in 2010.

    The Slender West Lake used to be a long river named the Baozhang Lake, which is 4 kilometers in length and less than 100 meters in width. A famous poet Wang Hang in the Qing Dynasty once composed a poem, from which the Slender West Lake gets its present name and for which it is well known all over the world.

    During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, many gardens were built along the Slender West Lake. Following the lines of the natural landscape, a lot of houses along the moats(护城河) were built in different locations during different periods. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty both visited the Slender West Lake.

    The Slender West Lake Scenic Spot is a symbol of the lake gardens in China. In a word, the Slender West Lake not only represents the beauty of natural landscape but also has a long history and rich culture.

    Some countries are better than others at looking after the environment. In Europe, Germany(德国) and northern European countries work very hard to improve the environment. The people in Germany put their rubbish into different bags--paper in one bag, plastic in another. Laws do not allow people to burn too much coal.  

    In the l970s, as people learned more about environmental problems. The "Green" movement(运动) began and soon spread all over Europe. The "Green" movement tries to get governments to protect the environment. It collects information about how industry is damaging(毁坏) the environment and tells newspapers.

Complain(抱怨) Politely

    Not everything goes the way you want it to. You may go to a restaurant and order a nice meal. But your order is wrong or not cooked properly. You may buy a product that breaks the next day.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}However, if you speak angrily to people, they will become defensive(自卫的). Then they are less likely to help you. A more effective (有效的)way to get what you want is to stay calm.

Use polite language and a friendly tone of voice. Start with phrases such as, " I'm sorry to bother you, but. "or" Excuse me, but could you.?" For example, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I ordered potato soup, not vegetable, "Phrasing your complaint as a question also helps. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Could you help me? I just bought this phone case yesterday, but it's cracked."

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}There is no faster way to make someone defensive than by blaming them. Use the phrase." I know this isn't your fault, but…"or"There has been a misunderstanding." {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Blaming people isn't as important as getting a problem fixed!

    There are honest mistakes, but at times someone may try to take advantage of you. In that case, don't say "Hey! You're trying to cheat me! "Instead, use the phrase, "I understood that…" For example. "I understood that the service charge was included in the price. Then give the person a chance to answer.

    If you don't get what you want with polite conversation, ask to speak to a manager or supervisor. {#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#}"