Animals are people's friends. But many wild animals are facing the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (危险) of dying out, because the environment that they are living has {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (变化) greatly. Their living area has become {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (小) than before because of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (污染) and the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (发展) of cities. They have no room to live in {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (除了) the zoo. And many of the wild animals now can't find enough food to eat. At the same time, man is killing animals for their fur and meat. Now the situation is serious. So we should do something to {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (保护) the animals. For example, we should set up some nature reserves so that animals can live {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (自由) and stop people from {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (杀死) animals. Of course a {#blank#}10{#/blank#} （健康的） environment which has fresh air, clean water and green grass is also important for animals. Only in this way can we save them.

    Today, there are plenty of opportunities(机会) to get to know people from other c{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Don't just stare at your shoes, go and say “Hi”. These ice-breakers will help you get through the embarrassing（尴尬的）moments:

    British: “Beautiful day, isn't it?” The w{#blank#}2{#/blank#} in Britain is unpredictable (不可预测的), so, it's one of the topics the British talk a lot about. And there's a s{#blank#}3{#/blank#} rule about weather conversation: just say, “Yes” whether you agree with the person's idea on the weather or not. That's because the British s{#blank#}4{#/blank#} a conversation using the weather so that they can find common ground and move on to something else.

    French: “Where did you go o{#blank#}5{#/blank#} holiday?” To get close to a French student, the safest way is to ask about his or her l{#blank#}6{#/blank#} holiday. French students enjoy a 10-to-15-day holiday every two months. And the French are famous for their conversations over a cup of coffee. Then, all you need to do is keep your ears o{#blank#}7{#/blank#} when the conversation starts.

    American: “What do you like to do on the weekends?” Young American people like to use weekends to relax and have f{#blank#}8{#/blank#}. They go to see movies, visit friends' houses or go shopping. So s{#blank#}9{#/blank#} “What did/will you do on the weekend?” is a good way to turn the conversation on and get to know more about some of your new f{#blank#}10{#/blank#}.

    I was very happy that I had done well in the final exams last semester. But as mid-term exams were around the corner, I started to become w{#blank#}1{#/blank#}because I was not sure whether I could make progress or not.

    Since My mother is also my history teacher, I always think I am a little embarrassed(尴尬的). I have grown up watched by teachers of other subjects. This means I am always under a lot of pressure. I always feel that if I fall behind others, people will think badly of me. I started to force myself to stay up later and study harder than others, but soon I became tired.

    Luckily, my head teacher noticed I was behaving u{#blank#}2{#/blank#}. He decided to try and help me. One morning, I was reading outside the classroom. He came along and said with a smile: "Peter, i{#blank#}3{#/blank#}your scores by staying up late isn't a life-long solution. You have to think of other w{#blank#}4{#/blank#}to develop your efficiency(效率) in a short time."

I looked at him and nodded.

    "You are not a machine or a robot. You need rest," he continued. "When you are studying, focus on n{#blank#}5{#/blank#}but studying. But when it comes to rest, think of having a good rest only! Don't pay so much attention to your rank in the class, and you will find that studying is simple and f{#blank#}6{#/blank#}.

    I listened carefully and began to understand what he was saying. Study and rest are not like water and fire, two things that cannot be m{#blank#}7{#/blank#}. Instead, study is like a chemical reaction(反应)，and having a rest is like a catalyst( 催化剂) that makes reaction violently.