(B)

Stress: Good or Bad?

    Stress used to be an almost unknown word, but now that we are used to talking about it, I have found that people are beginning to get stressed about being stressed.

    In recent years, stress {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (regard) as a cause of a whole range of medical problems, from high blood pressure to mental illness. But like so many other things, it is only too much stress {#blank#}2{#/blank#} does you harm. It is time you considered that if there were no stress in your life, you would achieve a little. If you are stuck at home with no stress, then your level of performance will be low. Up to a certain point, the more stress you are under, the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (good) your performance will be. Beyond a certain point, though, further stress will only lead to exhaustion, illness and finally a breakdown. You can tell when youare over the top and on the downward slope, by asking yourself {#blank#}4{#/blank#} numberof questions. Do you, for instance, feel that too much is being expected of{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, and yet find it impossible to say no? Do you find yourself getting impatient or {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (annoy) with people over unimportant things? If the answer to all those questions is yes, you had better {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (control) your stress, as you probably are under more stress than is good for you.

    To some extent you can control the amount of stress in your life. Doctors have worked out a chart showing how much stress is involved in various events. Getting married is 50, pregnancy 40, moving house 20, Christmas 12, etc. If the total stress in your life is over 150, you are twice as likely {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (get) ill.

    People can often see a talking parrot on a TV show, in a movie, or even in someone's home. The parrot has learned {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (copy) sounds that people make. Dolphins, bats, and some other animals also copy sounds. Now we can add elephants {#blank#}2{#/blank#}this list of copycats (盲目模仿者).

    Dr. Joyce Poole is an expert,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}studies the sounds of elephants. While she was in Kenya, she would hear strange noises {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (make) by Mlaika after sunset. Mlaika was{#blank#}5{#/blank#} 8-year-old African elephant and it lived near a highway.

    Dr. Poole says that she couldn't tell the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (different) between Mlaika's call and the {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (distance) truck noise. Why did it copy the sounds of the trucks driving by? Animals that are able to copy sounds may enjoy {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(practice) new sounds. When they {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (keep) outside of their natural environment, they may copy unusual sounds. 

    So far Dr. Poole {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(spend) 18 years with two female Asian elephants. Asian elephants make sounds like birds to talk with one another.

    Parrots, dolphins, humans, and elephants show that being a copycat is one way that animals and people make new friends and keep old ones.

    Overhead bridges are found in many parts of big cities, especially in place{#blank#}1{#/blank#} traffic is very heavy and crossing the road is dangerous. The purpose of these bridges{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(be) to enable pedestrians to cross roads{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(safe). Overhead bridges are used in very much the {#blank#}4{#/blank#}way as Zebra crossings. They are more efficient although{#blank#}5{#/blank#}little) convenient because people have to climb up a long flight of steps. This is{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(convenient) especially to older people. When pedestrians use an overhead bridge, they do not hold up traffic. However, when they cross a busy road using a zebra crossing, traffic is held up. This is why the government has built many overhead bridges{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(help) pedestrians and to keep traffic moving at the same time. For their own safety, pedestrians should be encouraged to use them instead of {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(risk) their lives by dashing across the road. Old people, however, may find it a little difficult climbing up and down the steps, but it is still much safer than walking across the road with all the danger of moving traffic. Overhead bridges serve a very useful purpose. Pedestrians, both old and young, should make{#blank#}9{#/blank#}a habit to use them. This will prevent unnecessary accidents and {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(lose) of life.

    China has splendid culture with a long history. Chinese opera is one of the{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(old) dramatic art forms in the world. During the Tang Dynasty, the Emperor Taizong established an opera school {#blank#}2{#/blank#}the poetic name Liyuan (Pear Garden).Since the Yuan Dynasty, encouraged by court officials and emperors, it{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(become)a traditional art form. During the Qing Dynasty, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}became fashionable among ordinary people. Performances{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(watch) in tearooms, restaurants, and even on temporary stages.

    It developed from folk songs, dance, talking, antimasque（滑稽戏）and especially distinctive dialectical music. Gradually it combined music, art and literature into one performance on the stage.{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(accompany) by traditional musical instruments, actors present unique melodies which may sound strange to{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(foreign)as well as beautifully written dialogues, which are of high literary{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(valuable).These dialogues also promoted the development of distinct literary styles, such as Zaju in the Yuan Dynasty. For Chinese, especially older folks,{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(listen) to this kind of opera occasionally is {#blank#}10{#/blank#}real pleasure.

    Over the past few years, square dance {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (become) a more and more popular exercise, especially among senior citizens. They often dance in the open areas in community. However, many {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (resident) who live around are annoyed by the loud music. For example, students {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (prepare) for important exams are {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (deep) affected.

    People may have different opinions on this issue. Some people think {#blank#}5{#/blank#} is necessary for senior citizens to give up the hobby for the good of most people, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} others argue that senior citizens have the right {#blank#}7{#/blank#}（do）something they like in public places. They are both right to some extent. {#blank#}8{#/blank#} my opinion, the authorities, instead of forcing senior citizens to stop dancing, should do something to meet everybody's requirements. For example, they can supply some buses which can transport senior citizens to a place {#blank#}9{#/blank#}there are few apartments around. Besides, local communities can also organize leisure activities that little noise {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (create).

    In short, there are always some good ideas that can meet the needs of people. After all, everybody has the right to live a happy and fulfilled life.

Dear Sir,

    In reply {#blank#}1{#/blank#}your advertisement in today's China Daily regarding a vacancy (空缺) in your office, I wish to apply for the position of senior clerk, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}you have specified.

    I feel sure that I can meet your special requirements that the candidate (应试者) must have {#blank#}3{#/blank#}high command of English, for I {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (graduate) from the English Language Department of Wuhan University three years ago.

    In addition to my study of English in the university, I have worked for three {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (year) as a secretary in the firm of ABC Trading Co. Ltd.

    The main reason for {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (change) my employment is to gain more experience with a superior trading company like {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (you).I believe that my education and experience will prove {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (use) for work in your office.

    I am enclosing my resume, certificate of graduation and a letter of recommendation from the president of the university. I shall be grateful {#blank#}9{#/blank#}you will give me a personal interview at your {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (convenient).

Very truly yours,

Li Mei