I had always found {#blank#}1{#/blank#} interesting to talk to foreigners and learn about the cultural differences between countries. Last Saturday, I {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (meet) a man from France who explained to me {#blank#}3{#/blank#}the French greeted each other. Now I know the French usually shake hands when they meet {#blank#}4{#/blank#} they know each other well, they kiss each other on the cheek. When {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(say) goodbye, they shake hands again. So it is not {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(usual) for a Frenchman who you greeted several minutes ago {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(come) and shake hands with you again.

    Every culture in the world has its own taboos. It is necessary that we {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(be) aware of them because breaking a taboo may be an {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (annoy) experience. For example, in Japan, “4” and “9” are considered to be numbers that are unlucky. We should know this in order not to cause {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (offend).

    “USA? Britain? Which country is{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(good) to study in?” We often hear such discussion. As China opens its door, it is a dream for many Chinese students to study abroad. They want to learn about the outside world.

    It's true that studying abroad can help students develop{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(they). Their foreign language skills will{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (improve) and it may be easier to find jobs.

    But there are problems{#blank#}4{#/blank#} should be considered. Language is the first. Students must spend a lot of time{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (learn) another language.

    Students must also learn{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (live) without parents' care and deal with all kinds of things they didn't have to do before, like looking after themselves. There are {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (report) about Chinese students abroad running into an ocean of difficulties{#blank#}8{#/blank#} giving up in the end. When they have to take care {#blank#}9{#/blank#} themselves, it is hard for students to study well.

    Finally, studying abroad brings a heavy burden to the family. For most Chinese parents, the cost of studying abroad{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) very high. But is it worth it?

    There's no such thing as living alone. Never mind if you're {#blank#}1{#/blank#} only person in your house and have no dog, no cat, not even fish. You still have got several billion {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (roommate) — and so do we all. Some of them are harmless, some are {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (actual) helpful and some could even kill you. They are, of course, bacteria, fungi(菌类) and viruses, and like it or not, they're on you, around you, and deeply within you. The fact that bacteria life is everywhere is not{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (surprise). It's something you {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (learn) from your childhood when your mother told you not to drink water from someone else's glass. There are lots of bacteria {#blank#}6{#/blank#} are living in your tea kettle. There are bacteria {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (sleep) with you on your bed. Scientists are beginning {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (realize) the richness of the microbiome (微生物群系) — which is as complex as the ones {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (find) in oceans, rainforests, deserts and woodlands. Your house has a microbiome and {#blank#}10{#/blank#} do you.

    These days, modern buildings are everywhere. But if you want to see{#blank#}1{#/blank#}life was back in the old days, China still has many beautiful water{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(town) to visit. CNN has chosen four of the country's most beautiful ones.

    The village of Zhouzhuang in Jiangsu calls{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(it) "the oldest water town in China". The village, which{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(build) in 1086, is crossed with canals. Taking a boat ride through town, the red lanterns might make you think of China's romantic past.

    Hongcun,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (fill) with lakes and beautiful Anhui-style buildings, is 900 years old. It was built to look like a big ox. Huangshan Mountain is the head; the town is the body and the bridges are legs.

    Fenghuang in Human doesn't look like a bird,{#blank#}6{#/blank#}its name means "phoenix" (凤凰) in Chinese. The town is as beautiful as the{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(magic) bird. The stilted (吊脚的) buildings on each side of the Tuojiang River make the area look like a scene from{#blank#}8{#/blank#}postcard.

    While most water towns are in the south, Shangdong's Tai'erzhuang stands out in the north. The town{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(be) on the bank of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. In the town, there are ancient bridges, a canal and temples,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (make) you think of its past glory.

    In 1982, July 1^st was officially established as Canada Day. Various events are organized on this day, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(include) parades, concerts, festivals and firework displays, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} gather Canadians of all ages across the country.

    Canada Day is the year's biggest national party. Canada's national flag can be seen everywhere and many people have their faces {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (paint) red and white, which are Canada's national colors. The {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (celebrate) in Ottawa, Canada's capital city, are especially grand and exciting.

    In Quebec, many people spend Canada Day {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (move) from one house to another. So in Quebec, Canada Day is also known {#blank#}6{#/blank#} Moving Day.

    Many organizations, businesses and stores are closed on this day. Only some bookstores, hospitals and gas stations may be open. Post offices are closed, too. As Canada Day {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (fall) during the Canadian summer holidays, all schools are closed as well. In some areas, special services {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (provide) for large events.

    The Canadians enjoy {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (they) to the full on this day. The only problem is {#blank#}10{#/blank#} the concerts, parades and festivals may cause traffic jams in some major cities.

    When I first began my teaching career 20 years ago, a friend of my father said to me, "We were expecting great things from you. You could {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(be) a political leader or {#blank#}2{#/blank#} police chief, but instead you just became a teacher." I told him if I {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (inspire) one of the children that year to be a leader, and one every year for the rest of my career, I would be very proud of my contribution to our community.

    Education is the key to a {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(safe), healthier and wealthier world. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} you are a teacher, you just have chosen the most {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (reward) profession in the world. I sometimes hear from the students who I taught many years ago. They are now adults leading their communities. I got great{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (satisfy).

    Imagine you plant a small and weak tree in your yard. Then you move away. One day you are back. But it looks different now, strong tall, with many{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(branch) and beautiful leaves. You stand in its broad shade, remembering the little tree {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(plant) years ago. That is teaching.

    {#blank#}10{#/blank#} is Koltotrorl that educators are nation-builders. Our world needs them.