This year the US will honour(纪念) one of the country's most famous writers—Mark Twain (1835-1910). Most readers know that his real name was Samuel Longhome Clemens, but how many know where the pen name “Mark Twain” came from?

    The answer shows Clemens' colorful early life before he became a writer. “Mark Twain” was the cry shouted on a ship when the ship entered a part of a river that was two fathoms (6 feet) deep. “Twain” is an old-fashioned way of saying “two”. Twain trained as a ship pilot on the Mississippi river for two years, a time that he wrote about in the humourousLife on the Mississippi (1883).

    The famous river would become an important theme in many of his works—who could forget the journey of the Huck and Jim along it in his most famous book. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884)?

    With little education, he had to teach himself how to write stories. Whenever possible, he would go to public libraries. There he spent much time reading and thinking, which greatly helped him with his writing.

    On the other hand, his life experiences gave him wonderful material to write about and attract readers. Twain wrote in a style that has been called “local colour” because it shows great knowledge of local people and their customs.

    Ten years ago, I lost my job in Hangzhou. I had to move to Shanghai to find another job. I left my wife and children behind. I missed them very much, so I went home on weekends to see them.

    A few days after New Year's Day, I drove my old car back to Hangzhou. On the way, my car broke down (发生故障). It was so cold and I didn't know what to do. Suddenly, a young man drove up. He tried his best to help me repair the car. He soon got it started.

    I was so thankful that I gave him all the money in my purse, but he refused. Then I got to know that he helped the drivers in trouble on the road every weekend. What a kind man! How lucky I was to meet him in my life!

    Many years later. I still often remember that great man.

    Bill is a farmer. He can't write or read. One day he goes to the city {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (buy) something. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} noon, he bas lunch in a restaurant. He {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (sit) down at a table and looks around. He {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (see) some old people put glasses on before reading their books. "Oh I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (know) why I can't read or write. I want to have a pair of glasses," {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (say) to himself. Then he doesn't {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (eat) anything and can't wait {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (go) to the shop. All the glasses {#blank#}9{#/blank#} very expensive. But he still buys a pair. When he puts on the glasses, he still can't read. He is angry and asks the salesman, "Why can't I read with the glasses? {#blank#}10{#/blank#} there anything wrong with your glasses?" "Excuse me, but can you read?" the salesman asks. "No, I can't." The salesman laughs and says nothing again.

    Growing up in the US, I always wanted to know about another culture. The chance came when I was 15. After a few months of planning and preparing, I was ready to spend the second term of my first year of high school as an exchange student in Australia.

    The city I stayed in was Perth, Australia, and it is the fourth largest city of Australia. When I arrived at the airport, the family I would live with were already waiting for me there, and the new school term would start in only five days. The school I attended was very different from my school in the US. In the school we had to wear the uniform, and we were not allowed to wear bracelets (手链) or necklaces(项链). I was quite uncomfortable at first, because I had never been to a new school— even in the US. Everything went smoothly, though. The teachers were welcoming and the students were friendly.

    The most memorable time of my term abroad was with other international exchange students. We traveled around Australia during the breaks. The few weeks we spent together were filled with amazing activities. At the end of our stay in Australia, we had three weeks to share our stories and help each other. Our last day together was filled with tears. We packed our things, exchanged e-mail addresses, and got together to say goodbye.

    I really have learned a lot from my exchange experience.

Why do we go to zoos?Millions of people around the world visit zoos each year,but the reason is hard to explain.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}But the animals they see in zoos are little like the toys,cartoons,and decorations that fill their homes. For such children,meting with real animals can be confusing even upsetting

The great interest that children have in animals today might lead one to suppose that this has always been the case.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}That was also when zoos became an important part of middle-class life. 

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}They lived together with our ancestors（祖先）in a shared natural environment. In the Industrial Era,the human domination（支配）of animals could be seen in the popularity of real-looking animal toys. 

Children rode rocking-horses that had realistic features,and they slept with bears,tigers,and rabbits that looked and felt almost real. The Twentieth Century marked a further development—the change of animals into people. 

This was the age of Babar the Elephant,Hello Kitty,and the Lion King. Parents and children had previously wanted animals that looked like animals. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

In a zoo they hope to see the living breathing versions of their character friends. They find instead unfamiliar creatures who cannot speak,smile or interact with them. For this reason,a visit to the zoo can be disappointing for children today. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Meeting real animals reminds us forcefully of the boundary( 界 限 )between imagination and reality. When we visit animals in a zoo,perhaps we will recall our true relationship not only to animals but to the entire world. 

A. Animals are the best friends of the human beings. 

B. Many of those visitors are children,whose lives are already surrounded by animals' images. 

C. Perhaps that disappointment is the best gift a zoo can offer

D. But now they want animals that look and act like humans

E. Yet,it was not until the Industrial Era that animals became part of childhood. 

F. In prehistoric times,there had been no zoos,as animals were a real part of the human world

Once upon a time, there was a huge crab(螃) living in the mountains

One day, the crab decided to return to the ocean. While he was moving to the sea, the whole earth shook.

An old man felt the land shake. He shouted loudly to his villagers,"We must build a raft(木筏)! Quickly! Quickly!

"Why should we do that?" asked one of them

"Because he is so massive that when he dives into the ocean, it will cause a flood!" The old man replied, "We must build a raft big enough to hold all of us and many animals!"

The villagers accepted his warming and began working together. Some of them cut down trees, while others were busy building the raft. After seeing what villagers did, the animals of the forest sensed that danger was coming so they joined in the work as well. The monkeys and the water buffalo wove(编) ropes, while the horses and the tiny mouse deer helped to pull trees from the forest. Finally, the old man tied one end of the rope to the raft and the other end to a big tree.

"What is that for?"asked a child.

The old man smiled, "This will help us find our way home."

Finally, the raft was ready. Not long after, this big crab completed his journey and jumped into the sea! Suddenly, the huge waves flooded the land. The villagers and animals climbed onto the life raft, which was swept away by the rushing water. People and animals were all in fear!

But the raft suddenly came to a stop because of the rope which was tied to the tree. People and animals hugged together for warmth. They sang to keep their spirits when they floated(漂浮) on the raft

The crab finally settled on the sea bottom. Soon after, the sea level returned to its original position, and the passengers found themselves back on land. Both humans and animals were happy to be alive! They turned to the old man, "Thanks for saving us by getting us to build a raft!"

But he smiled, "Oh, it was not me that saved you. We worked together-the men and women and children, and the animals too. When we work together, there's nothing we can't do."