As a general rule, a band may start as a group of high-school students {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (share) the same interest in music. They may first practise their music in someone's house. And then the musicians may get the chance to give {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (perform) in pubs or clubs, for which they are paid {#blank#}3{#/blank#} cash. As time goes by, they gradually become known to the audience and some even make records!

    The Monkees,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}, started in a different way. Of {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(it) four members, only one was good enough and the other three just pretended {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (sing) during the broadcasts. To be honest, it couldn't {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (call) a real band in the beginning. Anyhow, they succeeded and became so popular {#blank#}8{#/blank#} their fans formed clubs in order to get more familiar with them.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (fortunate), the Monkees broke up about 1970. But they reunited in the mid-1980s and produced a new record in 1996,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} was to celebrate their former happy time.

    It happened at a weekend in the 1970's. Mum gave me two tickets for a film, telling me she was too busy to go together with me with the {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(end)housework. She told me to keep the money if I could sell the extra ticket. I was very happy. At that time, a ticket cost only 20 fen. But to me, a little girl of twelve, 20 fen seemed quite a lot.

    I reached the cinema {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(hurry). Holding the ticket in my hand, I began to look for a buyer. Just then a handsome young man, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} noticed me and the ticket, came towards me with a big smile, "You've got {#blank#}4{#/blank#} extra ticket？"

    "Yes, "I nodded.

    "That's great. Say how much？"

    "20 fen."

    "Oh, " he thought for a while and then took out a ten yuan note {#blank#}5{#/blank#} his wallet.

    "I'm terribly sorry, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I've only got this note." Seeing I was confused, he added, "Then how about waiting for a while {#blank#}7{#/blank#} I have changed it in the cinema's store？"

    Without much thinking, I agreed. Then we went to the cinema together. He walked very fast. I could hardly keep up with {#blank#}8{#/blank#}. Soon he disappeared. I stood there {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(puzzle). Suddenly I realized the handsome young fellow {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (cheat) me."

    Before long I found that he'd sold the ticket to a little boy. He earned 20 fen, but lost his honor!

    Every Thanksgiving my family and I, along with others, prepare and serve Thanksgiving meals for the people in our small mountain community. My husband and I also bring meals to the disabled.

    This Thanksgiving we did {#blank#}1{#/blank#} same. After delivering them to some individual apartments, we went to the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (centre) dining room. We put the boxes filled with Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and some other foods on the tables. People invited {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (we) to stay, and thanked us, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} we had other deliveries and had to leave. As we started to go out, I turned around and saw them all {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (watch) us. Then I asked, "Would anybody like a hug?" They lined up. There was so much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (warm) in each hug.

    My eyes {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (fill) with tears and my heart with love. Now I visit now and then {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (chat) and, of course, hug. This year at my Thanksgiving delivery, when they line up {#blank#}9{#/blank#} their hugs, I am going to have them turn around and hug each other. These people have no family at Thanksgiving-- what could be {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (good) for them than hugs!

    Mr. Black offered his advice on {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (choose) a good school for Paul. The one at Caen was generally considered to be the best. So Paul decided to go to Caen. He said his goodbyes {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (brave), for he was quite pleased that he was going to live in a place {#blank#}3{#/blank#} he would have some friends of his own. His mom was unhappy, however, she had to accept it because she knew that he must have a good education. Paul's sister quickly got used to being on her own, but she {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (find) the house very quiet without him.

    Bao Bao, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (bear)at the National Zoo in Washington, started settling into her new home Thursday in southwest China. Under a(n) {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (agree) between China and the US, such baby pandas must be returned to China before they are 4 years old, the earliest age when they might begin to produce young.

    The 3-year-old landed in Chengdu in Sichuan Province on Wednesday after a 16-hour flight, during which she {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (look) after by a professional panda keeper Marty Dearie from the National Zoo.

    Bao Bao, whose name {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (mean) "treasure", will first go through a month-long quarantine (隔离期) at the Dujiangyan base, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} keepers will monitor her diet, activities and health during that time.

    A 100-square meter area of land has been prepared {#blank#}6{#/blank#} her at the base, including both indoor {#blank#}7{#/blank#} outdoor play areas, equipped with rubber balls and a tire swing for entertainment and fresh bamboo and apples for eating. Keepers will work hard {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (help) BaoBao get used to local bamboo and other Chinese foods.

    Having been considered as one of the world's most endangered {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (animal), giant pandas live {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (main)in the mountains of Sichuan, with some also found in neighboring Gansu and Shaanxi Province.

    The Water Splashing Festival of the Dai ethnic minority (少数民族), {#blank#}1{#/blank#} falls in April, is the most important festival for the Dai people in the Dehong area of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. It is the New Year for the Dai, a festival to send off the old and greet the new.

    During the festival which lasts for three or four days, people {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (dress) in their best clothes and take part in a {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (various) of rich and colorful activities. Dragon boat racing, fireworks displays and other {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (performance) such as peacock dance are held on the first day. And the most popular event is water-splashing on the second day. People splash water on each other, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (hope) to take away sickness and disasters. The wetter you get, the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (lucky) you will be. The last day is usually for the young people to play games as a way {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (express) their love for each other.

    The Water Splashing Festival {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (vivid) exhibits the Dai's respect {#blank#}9{#/blank#} water and the culture of music and dance, food, and costumes. It is also a cultural bridge between Xishuangbanna and Southeast Asian countries that share {#blank#}10{#/blank#} same festival culture of water-splashing.