Dear readers,

    Once, I had to call the firefighters to put out a fire. I still remember how fast it made my heart beat, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}it was a small fire. I was glad and thankful when the firefighters put it out{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(quick).

    Firefighters help in all kinds of sudden serious and{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(danger) events or situations. I saw firefighters carrying people from their flooded homes while{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(watch) the news today. Often, they are the first helpers when{#blank#}5{#/blank#}accident happens. Some firefighters train to help people and pets that fall into frozen lakes. To prepare for real-life rescue like this one, they must practice putting{#blank#}6{#/blank#}ice suits, working with ropes, and using hand signals to communicate. If you want to learn more about these{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(/breıv/) men and women, read the article

Danger! Rescue on Thin Ice.

    Where would we be without the first helpers? Maybe you'll {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(/dЗэıun/) me this month in finding a way to thank them. Giving a card, a drawing, or a plate of cookies to your local fire{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(/'steıƒn/) could be the start of a new tradition for your families and our{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(hero)will be thankful for it.

    Happy holidays!

Your friend,

Christine

    Nowadays we can see more and more electric bikes in the street. Electric bikes {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) easy to ride. They run fast and make no

{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (pollute). They become very popular, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} the electric .bikes also cause more traffic accidents. So China plans {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (make) a new rule for the electric bike riders. If an electric bike is heavier than 40 kilos and can go {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (fast) than 20 kilometres an hour, its rider must get a license. It means riders have to pass driving tests before they ride {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (they) electric bikes on the road.

    People have different ideas after {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (hear) the plan. Some welcome the plan. A bus driver said happily, "What {#blank#}8{#/blank#} good plan! I think it will make the street much safer."

    Some are not happy with the new rule at all. One rider said {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (sad), "I don't want to get a license. It's not convenient {#blank#}10{#/blank#} me to get one." Some don't care about it. A young rider said calmly, "I prefer to use shared bikes which are popular in many big cities of China now. I hope they can come to Loudi earlier!"