Taking a taxi in a certain Eastern European country can be a shocking experience. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} is said that some taxi drivers have metal wires stuck into the passenger seats. And {#blank#}2{#/blank#} a button is pushed, the seat will give you {#blank#}3{#/blank#} electric shock. These taxi drivers don't do this {#blank#}4{#/blank#} fun. They do it to tourists {#blank#}5{#/blank#} argue about the ridiculous(可笑的，荒谬的) fares they charge. Some drivers charge as much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} ten times the legal fare.

    They have a secret switch which makes the meters run faster. If the tourists refuse to pay, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} are really in for a shock.

    In one case, a German woman had no {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (choose) but to pay $120 for a $ 20 ride from the airport. She said that she was "really taken for a ride," but what could she do? Besides the electric shock, she {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (threaten) with physical violence. She has only one piece of advice for tourists, “Take the bus {#blank#}10{#/blank#} stay at home.”

    Have you ever had the feeling that no one understands you? Well, here{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(come) “pepper”, which could be about to change all that. Pepper is the first robot{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(read) human feelings. Using its emotion functions, Pepper can make jokes, dance and{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(surprise) it can even sing to people when the robot is like a lovely girl. It is four feet tall with a tablet computer in its chest. It will be showed to attract people on Friday. Pepper can tell different facial{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(express), human voices and signs, then make an answer. Pepper is used at home or stores,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}we enjoy pleasure and entertainment. At home, not only{#blank#}6{#/blank#}it tell jokes, it can also help people in trouble. If a natural accident happens, it can encourage them, make them laugh and feel{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(relax).

    Pepper will be on sale{#blank#}8{#/blank#}the price of $2,000 in August. At present, several Peppers are on show at stores for people to visit. Before{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(sell) Peppers, the creators want them to store more knowledge in order to get much{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(well) along with human beings.

    There are a few different stories behind the origin of the modern-day Christmas tree, although not all{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(root) in fact. Evergreen trees were {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(actual) used by people in winter festivals for thousands of years. During the winter solstice (冬至), evergreens signified the coming of spring. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the trees began to be used as a symbol for Christmas. In mystery plays in Germany, they were often used as props (支柱){#blank#}3{#/blank#} (decorate) with apples to represent the Garden of Eden.

    One legend credits 16th century Protestant reformer Martin Luther for {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(bring) the Christmas tree into homes. Luther was supposedly walking through the forest on the night before Christmas when he looked up to see stars shine through the tree{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (branch). He was so dazzled by the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (beauty) sight that he told his children it reminded him of Jesus and then put up{#blank#}7{#/blank#} tree in his own home.

    But it wasn't until the mid-19th century{#blank#}8{#/blank#}the Christmas tree as we now know it became custom. England's Queen Victoria encouraged her husband to decorate a tree as he had back at home in{#blank#}9{#/blank#} is now Germany. When a drawing of the royal family with their beautiful Christmas tree {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (appear) in a London newspaper, the tradition also became popular throughout the UK and US.

    Ski touring is exactly that—touring on skis. It combines {#blank#}1{#/blank#} best bits of skiing and mountaineering and provides the perfect way {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (explore) the mountain in winter. The {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (advantage) of ski touring are that you can really escape the crowds, enjoy the peace of the mountains and {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (reward) with breathtaking views and exciting descents.

    Ski touring involves both going up and down the mountain; both of {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (they) present challenges and new skills are to be acquired. There is much to learn about getting up the mountain that improves efficiency and saves energy. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (similar) ，you want to be prepared to enjoy going down, which means learning to deal with the variety of snow conditions you will face. Because all ski touring is very demanding, you must be {#blank#}7{#/blank#} good physical condition. The fitter you are, the {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (much) fun you will have.

    Rapidly changing conditions and the human factors are the primary reasons for accidents. The human factors include stress, poor {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (communicate), over-confidence and tiredness. You should always ski within the limits of your ability, and make sure you know {#blank#}10{#/blank#} to navigate (导航) properly with map and compass.

    Museums keep history alive. Well; museums have great importance for people who{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(enjoy) history, or who are very{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(interest) in one particular subject. There are art museums, railroad museums, dollhouse museums, and museums of history, or the history of a certain area. There are many, many other types as well. For people who love paintings by very popular artists, but are too poor to buy a painting, art museums are probably {#blank#}3{#/blank#}only place for them{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(see)an original, Picasso, for example. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (visit) museums is a {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (wonder) and popular tourist activity.{#blank#}7{#/blank#} you go to a new country, seeing some of the history described at a museum is interesting and even fun. Sometimes the museums are {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (attract) than the most famous places of interest.

    I {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(visit) a couple of large dams (水坝) so far, and seeing the historical information about how the dams {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (build) is fascinating(吸引人的) to me. Obviously, not all the people like the same kind of museums. But I am sure that you can find one you enjoy.