George Bernard Shaw was interested in the way people spoke. He argued that he was never{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (mistake) about a person's status. However, Professor Higgins thought a superior social position was more dependent on grammar and pronunciation. Actually, his view was only accepted by a {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (hand) of his followers. Eliza, a flower girl, was ambitious to improve herself. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (force)to earn money herself because her family was poor, she dreamed of working in a proper flower shop. George Bernard Shaw teamed {#blank#}4{#/blank#} with Professor Higgins to help her. An English teacher {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  (hire) to give her lessons. But after her first lesson, she was {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (apparent) disappointed because the teacher was so impatient with her. Actually, Eliza didn't give it up easily. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (look) ahead, she decided to work hard. Knowing it was impossible {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (accept) in that profession if she did not speak correct English, she asked Professor Higgins to give her lessons. Trained for several months, she set out to speak in {#blank#}9{#/blank#} more attractive accent. Shortly, she became known as “the London songbird” {#blank#}10{#/blank#} her spoken English became so pleasant.

    People may wonder{#blank#}1{#/blank#} different words are used to describe these four countries England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can clarify this question{#blank#}2{#/blank#}you study British history.

    First there was England. Wales was linked to it in the thirteenth century. Now when people refer to England you find Wales included as well. Next England and Wales were joined to Scotland in the seventeenth century and the name was changed to "Great Britain". Happily this{#blank#}3{#/blank#} without conflict when King James of Scotland became King of England and Wales as well. Finally the English government tried in the early twentieth century to form the United Kingdom by getting Ireland connected in the same peaceful way. However, the southern part of Ireland was {#blank#}4{#/blank#}and broke away to form its own government. So only Northern Ireland joined with England, Wales and Scotland to become the United Kingdom and this was shown to the world in a new flag{#blank#}5{#/blank#} the Union Jack.

    I got a new job in Catholic University in Washington. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} a good chance, I was offered a new flat to live in. One summer vacation, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} going to the park, I had not been outside my flat, doing an experiment about a disease. The results of the experiment were {#blank#}3{#/blank#} to me and they would {#blank#}4{#/blank#} the success of my research. It is really difficult {#blank#}5{#/blank#} without enough evidence. I felt quite {#blank#}6{#/blank#}. I even doubted that the experiment would {#blank#}7{#/blank#}. Gradually, I was not {#blank#}8{#/blank#} about it. After all, too much hard work and too little rest {#blank#}9{#/blank#} illness. One night, I went out to {#blank#}10{#/blank#} a lecture by a famous philosopher. Inspired by him, I went back to continue the experiment and eventually got the {#blank#}11{#/blank#} result. How happy I was! The next day, I proudly {#blank#}12{#/blank#} that the disease was {#blank#}13{#/blank#}.

    As you may know, coral(珊瑚)is not a plant, but an animal. However, coral reefs(珊瑚礁)around the world are in{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here is a piece of bad news. Thailand will close one of its beaches to protect its coral  {#blank#}2{#/blank#} business activities for tourists. The beach is so famous that {#blank#}3{#/blank#}of tourists put it on their wish lists. More than 5,000 visitors visit it a day. They arrive by boat. This does{#blank#}4{#/blank#} harm to the coral reefs. Most of the coral has died. The beach will be closed between June and September to let the coral come{#blank#}5{#/blank#}to life.

    Experts(专家)say that 80％of Thailand's coral reefs have been{#blank#}6{#/blank#}. Too many tourists {#blank#}7{#/blank#} a lot of pollution to these beaches. An expert said the biggest problems were hotels by the beaches, boats, and plastic waste in the sea. He believed the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}choice was to close the beaches forever. He said, "I hope the  {#blank#}9{#/blank#}  can take steps to protect the coral reefs. At the same time, I also hope all of us should{#blank#}10{#/blank#}our best to protect the environment around us."