Alice: Mr. Black, this is Alice {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (speak). I'm calling to ask you if I can take the afternoon off today.

Black: Well, of course. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} can you tell me what the problem is, Alice?

Alice: OK, Mr. Black. My son is going to take part in a singing competition {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (hold)  in Washington tomorrow. He's got so many things to take {#blank#}4{#/blank#} he can't go there alone.

Black: So you want to take {#blank#}5{#/blank#} there in your minibus?

Alice: Yes. And as soon as I put him up in the hotel, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (drive) back.

Black: Well, that would be a {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (tire) journey. It's nearly 300 kilometers away and it will take you at least six hours {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (travel) to and from Washington. Why don't you stay there until you  {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (see) your son perform?

Alice: But I have two {#blank#}10{#/blank#} tomorrow morning.

Black: Don't worry. I'll tell Mary to take your classes instead. She's always willing to help.

Alice: That'll be nice. Thank you and give my thanks to Mary.

Black: You,re welcome.

    After four years of living here, I have a better {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(understand) of northern China's food.  

    Northern China's hearty food is {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(general) more acceptable to Westerners. They can enjoy Beijing roast duck, beef and dairy from Inner Mongolia, and Korean dishes in the northeast. Northern China experiences cold and dry winters, and hot summers, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(make) calories and salt replacement more important. As a result, northern dishes have strong flavors, compared with the south {#blank#}4{#/blank#} dishes are lighter in flavor.  

    Wheat is the main crop of northern China, and you will find a variety of wheat-flour {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(product). Rice is also eaten in the north, but it is certainly secondary to wheat. Dumplings are very popular in the north, {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(serve) with vinegar for dipping.  

    Northerners tend to eat more meat and dairy for the purpose {#blank#}7{#/blank#} fighting against the cold weather. Most meat dishes {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(base) on mutton, pork, beef,  chicken,  and fish.  

    {#blank#}9{#/blank#} are less fresh vegetables available because of the cold weather. Fruit is traditionally limited to a few hard seasonal varieties like apples, so it doesn't feature much in the cuisine, although the northwest is famous for {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(it) dried fruit and wine.  

Dear Dad,

    On this date of your 50th birthday, Mom gave me the letter you wrote me when I was born 18 years ago. In your letter, you {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(wish) me to be strong-minded and successful. You were looking forward to {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(see) me fight for my future bravely and do well for {#blank#}3{#/blank#} and others.

    After reading this letter, I feel quite {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(shock) at your{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(expect) on me. I also feel shamed {#blank#}6{#/blank#}not having performed well to meet your demand. I still remember when I was in primary school, I failed to apply myself to studying. I was addicted to computer games. As a consequence, I soon became the last one in my class. You didn't abuse me at all. {#blank#}7{#/blank#}the contrary, you taught me that studying was the most important object at the moment and encouraged me to study hard. Only {#blank#}8{#/blank#}I read your letter did I realize that I behaved so badly at that time and you were so sad to see I didn't do well for myself.

    I can't help expressing my gratitude and sending my best wishes to you. Wish you{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(health) and happy. I promise that I will spare no effort to satisfy your demand of being {#blank#}10{#/blank#}brave and successful person.

    John Allen, an American scientist once said, "The Internet is the world's {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(large) library, but all the books in it are on the floor!" What he meant {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(be) that the Internet is full of information but it can be difficult to find {#blank#}3{#/blank#}you really need. The Internet has another {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(advantage). Anyone can create a website, so you can find websites about whatever you can imagine. Unfortunately, a lot of what {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(write) on them isn't always true! At the same time, the Internet provides many other things. On some websites, you can download music and films. They are usually very cheap and some are even free. On some other websites, you can connect with people {#blank#}6{#/blank#} all over the world. And there are some great online shops, too.

    It is true that the Internet {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(change) the way we work and communicate so far. But we shouldn't depend on {#blank#}8{#/blank#}too much. Some people are also afraid that {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(surf) the Internet has taken the place of other healthier activities，{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(especial) for young people. Whether you love it or hate it, though, you'd better get used to it because it's right here to stay.