I seldom thought I had a passion. I would sit before the TV all day, thinking about nothing but the next show. It was not long ago that I first learned how important {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (have) a passion is to life.

    One day I went with Mum {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (drop) my sister off at the gym. Then, as Mum stopped at a red light, someone on the roadside caught my eyes. It was a man {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (dress) in rags, homeless. That didn't interest me, for I {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (see) many like him before.

    But the man wasn't sitting down with a sad {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (express). He had a radio in his hand and was dancing {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (merry) to the music. The radio seemed to be the most precious thing {#blank#}7{#/blank#} he had.

    “Mum, why does that man have a radio even though he is homeless?” I asked.

    “He bought {#blank#}8{#/blank#} ,”she replied.

    “But if he is homeless, why doesn't he use the money to buy food or clothes? He wasted it on something he doesn't need.”

    “Well, Sarah, sometimes food and clothes aren't the only important things. We need happiness, too.”

    “I see.” The man {#blank#}9{#/blank#} care too much about music, so he bought a radio instead of food and clothes. I realized that happiness is the key to life. Without it, there {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) nothing to look forward to. A passion a person the happiness he needs to keep going!

    The art of paper-cutting in China may date back to the second century, since paper{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(invent)by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China. As paper became more affordable, paper0cutting became one of the most important{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(type) of Chinese folk art. Later,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} different regions adopting their own cultural styles, this art form spread to other parts of the world.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (usual), the artworks are made of red paper, as red is associated with{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(happy) in Chinese culture, but other colors are also used.

    With{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(it) long history, paper-cutting,{#blank#}7{#/blank#}originated in China, has been very popular among the ordinary Chinese people. People put up papercuts on walls, windows and doors at wedding ceremonies or festivals {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(strengthen) the cheerful atmosphere.

    Chinese papercuts are rich in content. The auspicious（吉祥的）designs symbolize good luck and the avoidance of evil. The child, lotus and bat designs suggest a family with{#blank#}9{#/blank#}large number of children and grandchildren. Birds, livestock, fruit, fish and worms are also familiar objects{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(accept) by Chinese farmers. In a word, papercuts used in different occasions have different meanings.

    When I was a little girl, every time my dad was repairing something, he {#blank#}1{#/blank#}ask me to hold the hammer, and meanwhile, have a conversation with me. I never saw my dad drinking or taking a night out. All he did after work was taking care of his family.

    I grew up and left home for college and since then, my dad had been calling me every Sunday morning, no matter what. Several years later I bought a house, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} my dad painted by himself for three days in the 80-degree summer heat. All he asked was for me to talk to him. But I was always busy, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(able) to find any time for conversation with him.

    One Sunday morning we had a telephone talk as usual. I noticed that my dad had {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(forget) some things we discussed {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(late). I was in a hurry, so our conversation was short. Later that day came a call {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (say) my father was in hospital. Immediately I bought a ticket for a flight and on my way I was thinking about all the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (miss) occasions to have{#blank#}8{#/blank#}talk with my dad.

    {#blank#}9{#/blank#}the time I got to hospital, my father had passed away. Now it was {#blank#}10{#/blank#}who did not have time for a conversation with me. I realized how little I know about my dad, his deepest thoughts and dreams. After his death I learned more about him, and even more about myself.

    Dogs are {#blank#}1{#/blank#} very popular pet. Most of them just live with their families. But some dogs have very special jobs {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (do). A group of dogs {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (know) as "Therapy Dogs". These dogs are family pets with special training, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} allows them to go into public buildings and comfort people {#blank#}5{#/blank#} need. The dogs are trained to be calm and quiet. Loud noises and unfamiliar places don't frighten them. They enjoy spending time with people.

    Some therapy dogs go into places, such as hospitals and nursing homes. When the dogs visit the patients, the patients are cheered up. They have fun {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (pet) the dogs and look forward to their visits. The dogs help to brighten their day. Therapy dogs can improve people's health as well. Studies show that when people pet animals, their blood {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (press) and heart rates go down. They are calmer and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (they) mood improves.

    Other therapy dogs work in schools and libraries. They serve as warm and caring {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (friend) to children, but they also do {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (much). In one town in California, therapy dogs have become children's reading buddies. The dogs make a great audience. The children look forward to reading to the dogs, and the dogs love the attention.