Alec plays the violin and Stella plays the flute in the band at their school. The school has two bands {#blank#}1{#/blank#}are known as the training band and the concert band. Everyone begins in the training band. “At the very beginning, I played it {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(terrible)!” says Stella. “My family asked me to practice in the back yard {#blank#}3{#/blank#}they didn't like the noise.”

    Alec and Stella have been playing their instruments for a year now so they sound much better. They are both in the concert band and they are learning    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(difficult) music than before. “We're learning the music from the film Pirates of the Caribbean. It sounds fantastic!” says Alec. “It is really great{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(play) in the band with other kids.”

    As well as being fun, many {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(scientist) say that learning a musical instrument is good for your brain. It helps children {#blank#}7{#/blank#}their reading and math skills. It helps them learn to concentrate. Alec thinks that learning the violin has helped {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(he) at school. “I have to concentrate and think about nothing when I'm practicing,” he says. “And now it's easier for me to concentrate on my schoolwork.”

    Learning music can {#blank#}9{#/blank#}help children become more sure of themselves. As Stella says, “The first time I {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(stand) in front of an audience I was scared. But now I really enjoy it.”

    The sea is the biggest unknown part of our world. It covers about seventy-one per cent of the Earth. There is still much to be discovered about the huge water. If the ocean water could be removed, the sea floor with {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (it) wide valleys and irregular (不规则的) mountains would be an unbelievable sight.

    Tourists can explore the world under the waves without {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (get) wet nowadays. From tourist submarines (潜艇) {#blank#}3{#/blank#} underwater meals, undersea travelling is more and more popular.

    Travelling by submarine {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (grow) fast in the past ten years. Now, tourists can visit many beautiful places which are famous for their water, including the water around Okinawa and Taiwan's Green Island. The submarines carry nearly two million {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (tourist) each year. Large windows offer passengers wonderful views when the submarines explore {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (colour) animals and plants under the water. Most one-hour tours cost about $80.

    If tourists want to have {#blank#}7{#/blank#} unforgettable experience, they can enjoy fine food under the sea. Several years ago, the Hilton Maldives Resort {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (open) the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. Tourists walk downstairs into the restaurant, which lies 35 feet under the waves of the Indian Ocean. The walls of the restaurant {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (make) of strong glass, and tourists can enjoy a panoramic (全景的) ocean view. This excellent view doesn't come cheap {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it costs about 1,300 yuan per person! Be sure to book a seat early too. There are only 14 seats for tourists in the restaurant.