No matter where you are, humans are constantly measuring and checking time. Some of us are good at it—planning and doing things ahead of time,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}others are always trying to beat the clock and do things at the eleventh hour.

    Tardiness (拖拉) can be serious. If you{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(be) one minute late for work, would you resign? It may sound extreme, but that is exactly {#blank#}3{#/blank#}occurred in the UK upper chamber of parliament, the House of Lords, in January 2018. International development minister Lord Bates arrived one minute late, and, as a result, was unable to answer a {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(schedule) question. Instead of trying {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (make) up for lost time, as many might do, he resigned on {#blank#}6{#/blank#}spot. He apologized for his discourtesy (无礼) and stated that he was ashamed. His resignation, though.{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (reject) by the UK prime minister.

    So, how late is too late? Many cultures take punctuality very seriously. In contrast, others seem to view tardiness{#blank#}8{#/blank#} just the normal way of things. What is considered acceptable is based on culture. That is, if you don't mind waiting, it might be best to attend your{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (appoint) in good time. And if the worst comes to the worst, remember the old English proverb.{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (well) late than never.”

    In my family, there {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(be) three people. My father is a {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (farm) and goes to work in the field every day. He isn't good at {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (talk) but he gets on well with other people. My mother is very kind and is {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (friend) to everybody. So when I have {#blank#}5{#/blank#} problem I will turn{#blank#}6{#/blank#} her for help. My friends say I am clever, because when the teacher asks {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (we) very difficult questions, I can come up with the answers {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (quick). But my father thinks I am not patient. He says once I have difficulty in {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (solve) problems, I will {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (easy) give up. This is what I need to improve in the future.

    This is a meaningful and impressive story. A man came to the USA. After settling down at {#blank#}1{#/blank#}island, he went into a cafeteria to get something {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (eat). He sat down at an empty table {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (silent) and waited for someone to take his order, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} nobody did. Finally, a woman with a plate full of food {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (sit) opposite him and informed him {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the cafeteria worked. “Start out at that end,” she said. “Just go along the line and pick out what you want. At the other end, they'll tell you how much you have to pay.”

    “I soon learned how everything worked in the USA,” the man told a {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (rely) friend. He said, “Life's a cafeteria here. You can get anything as long as you are {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (will) to pay the price.”

    You can even get success, but you'll never get it if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (you). You can't change the things that you can't avoid or prevent. The only thing you can do is control your attitude. Once you reach that point in life, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (achieve) won't be too far away.