Pigs Teach Us about Life

    China and Western countries may have different cultural beliefs about certain animals, but when it comes to pigs, we have reached a(an) {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (同意) —that pigs are ugly, lazy and stupid. Just look at the idioms and phrases "Boiling a dead pig", "A pig looking in the mirror is still a pig" and "Eating like a pig", {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (没有一个) of them are words of praise.

    But the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (真相) is that pigs do have some finer qualities. And there's probably no better time to clear their names than now, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (尤其) with the arrival of the Year of the Pig on Chinese Spring Festival.

    Science long ago found that pigs aren't stupid at all. Pigs are {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (相似的) to dogs. They have good long-term memories. And they know the difference {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (在……之间) those who treat them well and those who don't.

    There are cute pig characters in cartoons too. Peppa Pig, for example, has been one of the most popular cartoons in 180 countries since it {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (出现) in 2004. The story of Peppa Pig which {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (翻译) into many languages, teaches children from all over the world about love, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (友谊), and the value of family.

    Perhaps these are the qualities of pigs to keep in mind when we {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (庆祝) this Chinese New Year—their intelligence, bravery and cuteness.

    Smashed cucumber(拍黄瓜) salad is one of the most popular cold dishes in China. You can find the green dish anywhere from restaurants to homes. This summer, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (甚至) Americans are trying it.

    According to The New York Times, smashed cucumber salad is "everywhere" in New York. Some people even add the dish to their menus. In China, people use garlic(蒜) and two {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (勺) of vinegar(醋) to make the cucumber tastier. This maybe is a {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (传统的) way. But American cooks are trying {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (酸奶), honey and lemon, Why is this dish becoming so popular? Most people like the special {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (味道) it produces. Smashed cucumbers can hold onto tastes more than cucumbers which are cut into the fixed {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (形状) and size." Just change the way you break down an ingredient. It's cool," said a {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (厨师) at a New York restaurant.

    The way the dish is prepared also draws people's attention, The cook smashes {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (新鲜的) cucumbers with the flat side of a knife. The strong smash makes the cucumbers {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (不同的) shapes and sizes. Then other ingredients can be added. Also, it {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (花费) only five minutes to make the salad. Cook Julia Goldberg said it's really "satisfying"".

— You are right. People {#blank#}1{#/blank#} a mask can't go into the shopping malls or take a bus.