Tony and Robert are neighbors, so their families sometimes 1 together. One day, Robert asked Tony for some 2, saying that he needed it for a business (生意).

    At first, Tony 3. But after Robert begged him several times, he lent the money to Robert. However, Tony 4 to ask for a receipt (收据) for the money.

Robert said he would 5 in six months, but he didn't do it on time. When Tony went to ask him about the money, he said that he had 6 borrowed any money from Tony.

    This made Tony very 7. He went to his lawyer (律师) and said, "My neighbor owes (欠) me much money and he won't pay back. What should I do?"

    "Do you have any proof (证据) that he owes you money?" the lawyer asked.

    "Nope." Tony said.

    "Okay, then write him a letter asking him for the 8 dollars he owes you," the lawyer said.

    " 9 I only lent him 5000 dollars," Tony said.

    "That's what he will say 10 he replies (答复) and then you'll have your proof!"

Why Live Near the River?

Imagine pioneers traveling west in the 1800s. In those days, it was hard to find running water and shops where to buy things. As time went by, most pioneers had to make their homes near a river so that they could get water easily.

How did rivers help people live in the past?

Back in the pioneer days, people grew their own food, caught their own fish, and collected their own water.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}People also used rivers as roads, traveling on boats. Traders shipped goods (货物) to people from other areas.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

When building many factories right next to rivers for the water's power to make machines work, some people choose to live near a river for working. They use the river to ship large goods, and some of them work at these factories where power factories provide electricity for homes and businesses.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

Who wouldn't want to live near a river?

Some people are nervous about living near rivers because rivers can cause floods (洪水). Every once in a while, floodwaters rise higher than a house, ruining (毁坏) many things in the house.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} Such waste causes water to smell bad and pollutes the crops (作物) we eat. Water and crops in polluted areas can make people very sick.

How do people decide where to live?

 {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Rivers can provide jobs and fun activities in a beautiful place. However, those living by rivers should be willing to accept possible problems as well.

Some people ski(滑雪) down mountains. Others climb huge rocks. Why do people enjoy risky(有危险的) activities like these?

Some people take risks simply because it makes them feel good. Psychologists(心理学家) say that this kind of explorers(探险者) are always looking for change and excitement. When people do something risky, a chemical(化学物质) in the brain creates a pleasant feeling. They love this feeling and want to experience it more.

Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal. Mike Fay went on a dangerous 2,000-mile special journey in central Africa. He worked to help save the wildlife there. Fay's journey helped create 13national parks.

For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job. Psychologists say extreme athletes see the world differently. Not like most people, extreme athletes feel in control in dangerous situations. The danger can even help them. For example, skier Daron Rahlves says that being afraid makes him try harder to succeed.

Most of us are not extreme athletes or explorers. However, we still take risks in our lives. Some of us take social risks, such as speaking in front of a large group of people. Sometimes, we take financial risks, such as buying a house. And sometimes we take career risks, such as leaving a job or starting a business. Most people take risks in some areas of life, but not in others. What kind of risk-taker are you?

As the most popular drink in the world (after water), tea is no stranger to us. But how much do you know about tea sets? Do you know that they have changed a lot over time? 

In general, tea sets become smaller and simpler after many changes throughout history. There are few records of tea sets before the Tang Dynasty. In Cha Jing (The Classic of Tea), a great book written by Lu Yu in the Tang Dynasty, 28 kinds of tools used for making and drinking tea are mentioned. 

The tea sets in the Tang Dynasty were simple while the ones in the Song Dynasty were more gorgeous (华丽的). In the Song Dynasty, the competitive game based on tea drinking enjoyed great popularity. The tea bottle used in the game often had a big belly, a long neck, and a curved (弧形的) mouth, which could control the water better when filling a cup. Cups made of black glaze (黑釉) were especially loved by people then. The color matches the tea better and the thickness of the cup can help keep the tea warm. 

In the Ming and Qing dynasties, tea sets became simple again, and those made of gold and silver gradually disappeared. To test the color of the tea, white tea sets were more popular. In the Qing Dynasty, purple clay tea sets made in Yixing, Jiangsu flourished and were loved widely. It is said that tea made by Yixing's purple clay tea sets still tastes good after being kept in the teapot for one night even in hot summer.