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.”

    We may be very {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (please ) with the rapid progress we have made in every field of study , but we have almost done nothing {#blank#}2{#/blank#} ( improve ) our present examination systems which focus  {#blank#}3{#/blank#} testing the students' memory instead of their ability . As soon as a child begins school , he enters a world of examination  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} will decide his future of job . In fact , a good examination system should encourage students to think for {#blank#}5{#/blank#} ( they ) . But the examination system now forces the students to remember {#blank#}6{#/blank#} is taught to get high marks . Thus the students who come out first in the examination are often the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} ( good ) in memorizing . What's worse , such an examination system often  {#blank#}8{#/blank#} ( drive ) teachers to cram all the time and forces them to train students what to do with the ( {#blank#}9{#/blank#} ( come ) examination .

    There must be {#blank#}10{#/blank#} better way to test a student's true ability as well as their knowledge .

    I was at the Indian grocery store with my cart totally full to check out. There was an African American man in his{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(sixty) behind me. I told him he could go before me{#blank#}2{#/blank#}he had just two items in his hand, and he was all smiles and added, as if{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(make) fun of me. “Thanks! Why don't you pay for my stuff too,” and laughed. I felt a little{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(embarrass)  and thought that the man had a wonderful sense of humor.

    I told the lady at the check out not{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(change) him. I said I would pay for him. He said, “No, no, no, I was just kidding.” And I{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(reply) with a smile, “Yes, yes your wish is heard. Please let me do it!”

    As we talked outside, he told me that the Indian herbs(草药){#blank#}7{#/blank#}he had bought{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(be) for his friend so I should take the money. I said to him, “It is good that it is not for you. Now you can pay it forward to somebody else.” He thanked me and promised he would.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (eventual), I went home{#blank#}10{#/blank#}my car full of groceries and my heart full of warmth and kindness.

    We think that life in Chinese high school is an adventure in which we have to survive mountains of homework and exams. Yet would it be {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (surprise) if I tell you that high school life in the US is almost as stressful and demanding as it is in China?

    In US high school, everything {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (record) and graded, including your grades on quizzes, tests and final examinations. Failing {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (turn) in your homework on time will directly affect your grade for a certain course. Perhaps contrary to {#blank#}4{#/blank#} we used to think of the US high school students, they pay great attention to their {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (academy) performance to try to get into distinguished universities.{#blank#}6{#/blank#},they'll be disappointed after graduation from high school.

    Like university students, US high school students have the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (free) to choose the courses that most interest {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (they).Even a 9th-grader can sit {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the same classroom as 12th-graders.But this also means he or she has to work very hard, because the teacher will not treat him or her differently just because he or she is a few years {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (young).

    I went to visit an old friend of mine one {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (sun)afternoon last week. I sat in the car,{#blank#}2{#/blank#} followed long lines of cars. Finally, all cars started moving {#blank#}3{#/blank#} one stayed still.

    When I also drove forward, a man was standing outside the car and talking to each driver as they {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (drive)past. With his request refused by these drivers, he kept {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (ask). As I moved on, he also stopped me and asked whether I would do him {#blank#}6{#/blank#} favor to start his car as his battery had died, and he didn't want to call his wife.

    I told the man that I didn't have any {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (tool), but he said he did, and that all I needed {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (do) was open the hood(发动机盖子). After a few moments he was on {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (he) way again. He thanked me for helping him as he had asked four persons before and they told him no.

    It {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(simple)took a few minutes to help and I am glad that I stopped.