In China, the history of people planting and using bamboo can date back to as far as 7000 years. As early as the Shang Dynasty, bamboo was being used in ancient people's daily lives. It was used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (music) instruments and even weapons.

    The {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(apply) of bamboo in science and technology is thrilling. In 251 BC, Li Bing, in Sichuan, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (lead) the local people in building the Dujiang Weirs, the first irrigation network in the world, in {#blank#}4{#/blank#} bamboo played an important role. The world's oldest water pipe was also 65{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (make) of bamboo. During the Han Dynasty, the people in Sichuan {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (success) sank a 1600-metre-deep well with thick bamboo ropes. This technology did not spread to Europe {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the 19th century, and it was by using the technology that the Americans drilled the first oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859.

    In Chinese culture, bamboo is well-known {#blank#}8{#/blank#} one of the "four gentlemen" in plants. To many distinguished men, bamboo is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} symbol of goodness and honesty. It is always closely related to people of positive spirits. Bamboo culture contributes to encouraging people to hold on when {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(face) tough situations.

    Graffiti (涂鸦) and street art are forms of art created on walls or public surfaces. This art is often considered illegal because it is done without the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (permit) of the building owners. These art forms {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (exist) since the times of ancient Greece. But the more modem style began forming in the 1960s in the cities of New York and Philadelphia. “Graffiti” often appears as words- {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (usual) the names of the artist or their art crew. Graffiti artists write the words in {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (create) ways and with colorful spray-paint.

    “Street art” is more based {#blank#}5{#/blank#}images. Artists try to communicate a message through these images. Graffiti and street art can be controversial. They sometimes damage someone's property. Washington has tried to increase its fines for illegal graffiti, {#blank#}6{#/blank#}, however, is encouraging the creation of public art. America's capital city is trying hard {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (control) its illegal graffiti problem. At the same time, city officials recognize the value and importune or street art. There is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} high demand for more artists to make street art legally. But the city offers few {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (chance) for young D.C. street artists to develop their skills without {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (break) the law.

    Once upon a time, there was a poor fisherman {#blank#}1{#/blank#} always dreamed of becoming rich. He wished to become {#blank#}2{#/blank#} millionaire, and so did his wife. He heard {#blank#}3{#/blank#} some old men before, that several ships {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (load) with diamonds and gold had sunk in the nearby seashore. Because of this, for a long time he kept searching that whole area for this treasure.

    One day, while he was sitting on the boat daydreaming, he suddenly felt that the fishing rod {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (weigh) down by a heavy object. He {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (excite) pulled hard at it, and {#blank#}7{#/blank#} he saw made him shout, "Wow! A big, shiny gold chain!" He pulled hard at the gold chain to get it into the boat, but {#blank#}8{#/blank#} seemed to be no end to it. His boat started to get overload and the sea water filled his boat. {#blank#}9{#/blank#}, he had begun dreaming of a big house, a big piece of land and {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (buy) horses and cows... He kept pulling at the chain while the boat kept sinking. The boat was finally submerged and he struggled to stay afloat. Unfortunately, his feet were caught in the gold chain and he drowned.

    Marty is a disabled boy {#blank#}1{#/blank#} suffers from a muscle disease. Sometimes he is too weak {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(run) or climb stairs as quickly as other people. The doctors don't know {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (exact) what is wrong with him. Luckily, Marty has learned to adapt {#blank#}4{#/blank#} his disability. In order to make his life happy and {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (satisfy), Marty keeps busy doing things that do not require physical strength. He has friends with {#blank#}6{#/blank#} he can go to movies and football matches and he has lots of pets. He used to dream of one day being a famous football player and {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(represent) his country in the World Cup. Even when he is made fun of, he doesn't get {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (annoy). Disabled {#blank#}9{#/blank#}he is, Marty has become stronger and more independent. He never feels sorry for himself and he enjoys as rich and full a life as everyone else.

    He suggests that we normal people should give the disabled {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (encourage) rather than laugh at them.

    John Snow was a famous doctor in London, who was so expert that he attended Queen Victoria as her {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(person) physician. But he was famous for {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(defeat) "King Cholera".

    Cholera was a deadly disease and neither its cause {#blank#}3{#/blank#}its cure was understood. John wanted to face the challenge and solve the problem. He suspected that people absorbed this disease into their bodies with their meals so when another severe outbreak {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(hit) London, he began his enquiry. By gathering information and making {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(far) investigations, he found that many victims linked to the outbreak were near the water pump, so he got the handle {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(remove). Soon afterwards the disease slowed down. He drew the conclusion {#blank#}7{#/blank#}the polluted water was {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(blame).

    The water {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(company) were instructed not to expose people {#blank#}10{#/blank#}polluted water any more. Finally "King Cholera" was defeated.