We often hear people say “You've a greater chance {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (hit) by lightning.” It is used to describe something {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(likely) to happen. However, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} truth is that lightning strikes are the second most common cause of deaths among natural disasters in the US. The first is floods. Around 400 Americans are struck by lightning each year, of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} about 70 people die. In fact, there are more deaths {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (cause) by lightning than by tornadoes and hurricanes. And in India, at least 2,000 people {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (kill) in lightning strikes since2005.

    Because lightning kills only one or two people at a time, its danger does not receive as much attention {#blank#}7{#/blank#} other disasters. The US has made June 22-28 National Lightning Safety Week, aiming to deepen the public's {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (understand) of the dangers of lightning and provide safety tips during thunderstorms.

    “If you hear thunder, you are in danger of lightning,” said Rocky Lopes, a disaster educator at the American Red Cross. “The most important thing is to seek a {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (hide) place. If you are near wide, open places, move indoors as {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (quick) as possible and stay there until after the storm has ended.”

    One day a fisherman called Peter went fishing in his small boat.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} reaching a good place he knew, he{#blank#}2{#/blank#} ( lay) down his long line into the water. After a while,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} became very heavy. It seemed too heavy to be a fish. He began to draw in{#blank#}4{#/blank#}line.

    When the hooks began to come out of the water, he was quite {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(surprise), for the hooks were holding the links of a heavy gold chain.  When he pulled them into the boat, more and more links appeared. Soon his boat was full of the {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(shine) links of the gold chain.

    “I shall be rich, ” he said. “{#blank#}7{#/blank#}money I shall buy a new fishing boat with an engine. I shall buy a big house.”

    He drew in more chain{#blank#}8{#/blank#}he couldn't see the end of it. There was more and more of the heavy gold chain in the boat. He was so greedy that he didn't notice {#blank#}9{#/blank#} was happening to his boat. It was sinking{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(low) into the water than before. In the end Peter was drowned. He lost the gold, his boat and his life.

我从未想到你可以成功说服他改变想法。

    There are a few different stories behind the origin of the modern-day Christmas tree, although not all{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(root) in fact. Evergreen trees were {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(actual) used by people in winter festivals for thousands of years. During the winter solstice (冬至), evergreens signified the coming of spring. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the trees began to be used as a symbol for Christmas. In mystery plays in Germany, they were often used as props (支柱){#blank#}3{#/blank#} (decorate) with apples to represent the Garden of Eden.

    One legend credits 16th century Protestant reformer Martin Luther for {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(bring) the Christmas tree into homes. Luther was supposedly walking through the forest on the night before Christmas when he looked up to see stars shine through the tree{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (branch). He was so dazzled by the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (beauty) sight that he told his children it reminded him of Jesus and then put up{#blank#}7{#/blank#} tree in his own home.

    But it wasn't until the mid-19th century{#blank#}8{#/blank#}the Christmas tree as we now know it became custom. England's Queen Victoria encouraged her husband to decorate a tree as he had back at home in{#blank#}9{#/blank#} is now Germany. When a drawing of the royal family with their beautiful Christmas tree {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (appear) in a London newspaper, the tradition also became popular throughout the UK and US.

    Family values are principles that help to define us as human beings. These values are learned, usually passed down{#blank#}1{#/blank#} one generation to another. However, they can also change over time{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(depend) upon the circumstances in which families find themselves. They shape the way we behave, they help families stick together, and they give us our identity.

    We always admire a person{#blank#}3{#/blank#} treats the elderly with respect, or helps people in need, or is always honest with others. Such{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (admire) behavior is usually a direct result of the values that person was taught by his family.

    These values or principles—respect, fairness and{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(honest) among many others—also help hold the family together in times of trouble. When problems arise, the family is able to withstand them because they share{#blank#}6{#/blank#} same idea about{#blank#}7{#/blank#} is important. When family members feel pressure from the outside world, they know they can come into their family for a comforting connection.

    Finally, family values make us who we are{#blank#}8{#/blank#}we talk about our personal character and what{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (influence) our decisions, we do so based on the values {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (give) to us by our family.