China covers large areas and has a great population. Different living habits have always been an interesting topic in the country. Recently, another difference between southern Chinese and northern Chinese became a hot one: the way people shop at markets.

    People from southern China say that they always buy what they need for just one or two meals. It is normal for them to buy half of a Chinese cabbage, two potatoes and 0.25 kilogram of beef at a time.

    However, one may be laughed at if he does this in the north. Instead, buying vegetables and meat enough for a week is usual. Also, you can buy a small amount (数量) of fruit, such as a single apple or pear, each time in the south. Shop owners even help you peel and cut them. But shop owners in the north hardly offer such service. And many fruits are sold in baskets and boxes.

    The difference could be due to the different weather.

    Food can be kept for a long time in the north, as it is usually cold and dry there. Many northern Chinese have the habit of storing food, especially for the long winter. But the hot and wet weather in the south makes southern Chinese buy just enough food for one meal or one day, or else the food may go bad.

    Have youheard of e-waste (电子垃圾), which can be produced every day? How do you deal with yourcomputers, MP4 players or mobile phones when they're broken or you want a newone?

    Mostpeople just throw them away. With the development of electronic industry (电子产业), e-waste pollution has becomea serious problem. According to the United Nations, in 2014, people around theworld produced 41.8 million tons (吨) of e—waste and only recycled 6.5 million tons. The US was the biggestwaster, producing 7.1 million tons. China came second, with 6 million tons.

    It'simportant to pay attention to e-waste. It can be either valuable or harmful,depending on how we deal with it. E-waste is a valuable urban mine (城市矿藏). The value of the metals,like gold and silver in the waste around the world, is surprising. And themetals can be reused. But if people throw them away, the toxic chemicals (有毒化学物质) can get into the earth or air,affecting the environmentand people's health.

    Apple, forexample, now recycles people's used products in China when they are buying newones. The company will test and repair the used ones and sell them at lowerprices. To help reduce e-waste, we can buy longer-lasting electronic products.If you have unwanted electronics, find a new home for them. You can also takecomputers and phones to companies to see if they offer recycling programs.

When I was in school, I volunteered to work in a hospital for some time.

On one visit, I carefully entered a dark room to find an elderly man {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (lie) in bed. I firstly thought he was sleeping. When I moved {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (close), however, I realized he was very much awake. He wanted to communicate something; but I couldn't make sense of what he {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (say). 0He seemed quite weak, and I couldn't tell if he was in pain, or just frightened. I knew nothing about him, and I felt totally helpless. He clearly didn't want me {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (leave) him, but I felt so lost and uncomfortable that I had to leave the room after only a couple of {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (minute).

The next time I was at {#blank#}6{#/blank#} hospital and saw him again, I was certain he didn't remember me. But he {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (immediate) said, "I remember you. , You gave me hope in my darkest hour that evening!" I was so {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(amaze) that I didn't know how to answer.

In the short moment of my staying there, I did nothing at all. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} surprisingly he found in me something he needed, just because I was there.

I have thought about this thing often over the past years. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} makes me want to offer whatever kindness I can to others, and I try to make it out and appreciate (赞赏) it.

I see a photograph in a magazine. A male lion is sitting on the 1 . Beside him is a baby lion, 2 the baby lion is giving him a painful bite on the back. But papa lion doesn't get angry, and he doesn't even try to 3 the baby away. He just sits there and allows 4 to be "attacked (攻击). "This is what dads do-they endure (承受) all the 5 .

A few years ago, at a baseball game in America, a/an 6 lost control of his bat. The 32-ouncewooden bat flew into the stands (看台). 7 hid (躲藏) under their seats to protect themselves except for one young boy--he hadn't been paying 8 . At the last moment, a 9 reached out and knocked the bat away 10 the boy's head. It was the boy's father. This is what dads do--they protect their children. 

I don't have 11 kids, but my brother has two daughters. They both have jobs and live away from home. One day, his elder daughter had a flat tyre while 12 on a busy highway. It was a/an 13 place for something like that to happen, but she didn't have to think twice about whom to call for help. My brother dropped what he was doing and drove 20 miles to 14 the tyre. This is what dads do--they help their children throughout their lives. 

Thanks to all the dads who endure, protect and help. They are the everyday 15 that their children need. 

My dad didn't love me. My mom washed my clothes and cooked dishes. He just went to work every day and came home. He'd make a list of the 1 things I did and felt angry with me.

When I was 7, I stole a pen. He made me take it back to school and tell the boy "2 ". But my Mom understood that I was just a 3 .

I still remember 4 he taught me to ride a bicycle. I told him not to let go, 5 he said it was time. I fell and Mom ran to pick me up, but he waved(挥手) 6 off. I was so 7 that I got back on that bike and rode it myself. He didn't even feel sorry and just smiled.

When I went to college, Mom called me a lot. He 8 sent me money on WeChat without a word. But he posted(发布) a photo of his goldfish on WeChat moments(朋友圈) and said, "My goldfish look better now because my daughter can't play with them anymore."

When I called home, he acted like he didn't want to talk and he always said, "I'll get your 9 ."

When I got married(结婚), my mom cried. He just blew his nose loudly and left the room.

Did my dad love me? My mom said Dad didn't know how to 10 his love. Is it possible that he showed it but I didn't know?