(A)

Bags of Love

       Last year, I was assigned to work at an office near my mother's house, so I stayed with her for a month. During that time, I helped out with the housework and contributed to the groceries.

      After less than a week, I started noticing that the groceries were running out pretty quickly — we were always suddenly out of something.  {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (wonder) how my mum could consume them so quickly, I began observing her daily routine for two weeks. To my surprise, I found that she would pack a paper bag full of canned goods and head out every morning at about nine. Eventually, I decided to follow her and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} happened truly amazed me. She was taking the food to the refugee camp, in {#blank#}3{#/blank#} she distributed it to children.

       I asked around and found out that my mum was very well known in the area. The kids were very friendly with her and even looked up to her as if she were their own mother. Then it hit me —why would she not want to tell me about what she {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (do)? Was she worried about how I would react or that I would stop {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (buy) the groceries if I found out?

     When she got home, I told her about my discovery. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} she could react, I gave her a big hug and told her she didn't need to keep it a secret {#blank#}7{#/blank#}me. She told me that some of the children lived with an older lady in a shelter while others slept on the streets. For years, my mum has been helping out by giving them whatever food she could spare. I was so impressed by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} selfless she was.

    My most {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (embarrass) moment occurred last month. I was invited to attend {#blank#}2{#/blank#} interview for a job as a hotel receptionist. I arrived on time and was shown into the manager's office by m an {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (assist). I was {#blank#}4{#/blank#} nervous that I didn't catch the manager's name.

    The interview began, “Do you have any previous experience in hotels?” asked the manager. “No sir,” I said. The manager frowned (皱眉). “Are you good {#blank#}5{#/blank#} using computers?” “Yes, Sir, I am {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (family) with most popular kinds of software. The manager frowned again. He didn't look a friendly person- The interview continued. Every answer I gave {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (receive) by a frown from the manager, even though I told him about my communication skills, my knowledge of French and so on.{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (obvious), I was doing very badly. At last, the interview came to a close. “One final question,” said the manager. “How good is your eyesight?” “Excellent, sir,'' I replied. “Very well,'' said the manager, “Thank you for coming.” I stood up {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (shake) hands with him. When the manager stood up as well, I realized {#blank#}10{#/blank#} I had been doing wrong. The gentleman I had been calling “sir” during the whole interview was wearing a skirt! The manager was a woman! I didn't get the job.

    Recently, an Internet slang word Foxi- or "Buddhist"- is becoming increasingly popular as it encourages people, especially {#blank#}1{#/blank#} young to remain calm and peaceful and avoid conflicts as much as possible- in other words, to live like a Buddha.

    The phrase {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (create) for the first time in 2014 in Japan to describe young men who no longer bother to start relationships with women or follow someone else's life path. They prefer to stay in their own peaceful world without {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (disturb) and care little about passion and success.

    In this fast-changing and {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (compete) world, many people are {#blank#}5{#/blank#} heavy pressure. It's only natural that people are seeking for a spiritual bay. However, some would compare "foxi" with "demotivational (无动力的) culture"- a phrase {#blank#}6{#/blank#}describes young people who feel aimless and powerless. They say that foxi actually reflects the reality {#blank#}7{#/blank#} young people are losing their will to fight. They are pretending {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (keep) a healthy and wise attitude towards failure simply because they are incapable(无能力的) of succeeding.

    All in all, there is one thing that "Buddhist Youngsters" should {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (basic) keep in mind: You may want to keep a calm mindset, {#blank#}10{#/blank#} you should never stop fighting for yourselves!

    Sudan is the only male northern white rhino (犀牛) left in the world. That {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (mean) Sudan, 42, is the last hope for avoiding extinction. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(protect) him, officials have placed him under 24-hour armed guard at the OI Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya. Sudan lives there {#blank#}3{#/blank#} two female northern white rhinos, Fatu and Najin.

    Northern white rhinos, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, were once plentiful across northern and central Africa. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (hunter) have killed thousands of rhinos because of {#blank#}6{#/blank#} high demand for the animals，horns (角). Rhino horns, believed to have medical effects, are used in {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (tradition) Asian medicines. More than 1,000 rhinos {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (kill) in 2014 in South Africa alone and fifty-four rhinos in Kenya, which has a much {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (small) population.

    Sudan, Fatu, and Najin have had their horns {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (remove) so that they will not be hunted. People hope Sudan and one of the females will be able to have a baby. Sudan is very old, but scientists will not give up hope.

    To me, the most beautiful thing is the ocean. It is beautiful because it has a calming effect. When {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (listen) to the sound of the waves, I feel peaceful. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} the age of 10, I went to the beach for the first time. With my feet in the water, I felt totally relaxed, and the sound of the ocean really {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (comfort) me. From then on, I often dream of floating in the ocean, feeling carefree.