A dog entered a butcher's shop with a note in his mouth. The note read, " $10 of lamb chops(羊排), please. "

    The butcher was very {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (surprise). He took the money, put a bag of chops in the {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(dog) mouth, and then he closed the shop {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (quick). He followed the dog and watched him wait for a green light. Then the dog crossed the road to a bus stop. He checked the timetable and sat on the bench. When a bus arrived, the dog checked the number and got {#blank#}4{#/blank#} it.

    As the bus travelled out into the countryside, the dog enjoyed the scenery. After {#blank#}5{#/blank#} while, he stood on his back paws {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (push) the "stop" button. Then the butcher followed {#blank#}7{#/blank#}off.

    The dog ran up to a house and dropped his bag on the ground. He went back down the path, took a big run, and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (throw) himself against the door. No answer. He repeated the action a few times. Then a big man opened the door {#blank#}9{#/blank#} started complaining about the dog and beating him.

    Seeing this, the butcher ran up and shouted at the man, "What are you doing? This dog is a genius!" The man replied, "Genius? No way! He has forgotten his key for the {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(four) time this month!"

Dear Laura,

    Thanks for your message. Yes, I'm having a great time on my exchange program in France. I was a bit nervous before I arrived here, but there was no reason to be. My host family is really nice.

    They go out of their way{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(make) me feel at home. The grandmother has a teenage granddaughter about my age {#blank#}2{#/blank#} is really kind. She always talks to me in French to help me practice. And you wouldn't believe how quickly my French has{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(improve)! I'm very comfortable speaking French now. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}I still make lots of mistakes, it doesn't worry me as it used to.

    My biggest challenge is learning how to behave at the dinner table. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}you can imagine, things are really different from the way they are at home. For example, you shouldn't put your bread on your plate. You{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (suppose) to put it on the table! I thought that was pretty strange at first, but now I'm used to it. You shouldn't eat{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(something) with your hands except bread, not even fruit. You have to cut it up and eat it with a fork. Another thing is that it is very{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(polite) to say you're full. If you don't want any more food, you should just say, "It was delicious." Also, you shouldn't put your elbows on the table. I have to say that I find it difficult to remember everything, but I'm{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(gradual) getting used to it. I don't find French customs so strange any more.

    Dear Laura, I'll write again soon and tell you more about my life in France. Hope you are having{#blank#}10{#/blank#}good school year.

Yours,

Lin Yue

—______. We just had a party to celebrate his_____ birthday last weekend.