In 1863 the first underground passenger railway in the world opened in London. It ran for just under seven kilometers and allowed people to avoid terrible {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (crowd) on the roads above as they travelled to and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} work. It took three years to complete and was built using an interesting method. This included digging up the road, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(lay) the track and then building a strong roof over{#blank#}4{#/blank#} top. When all those had been done, the road surface was replaced.

    Steam engines {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(use) to pull the carriages and it must have been{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(fair) unpleasant for the passsengers, with all the smoke and noise. However, the railway quickly proved to be a great success and within six months, more than 25,000 people were using{#blank#}7{#/blank#}every day.

    Later, engineers {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(manage) to construct railways in a system of deep tunnels (隧道）, which became known as the Tube. This development was only possible with the {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(introduce) of electric-powered engines and lifts. The central London Railway was one of the most {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(success) of these new lines, and was opened in 1900. It had white-painted tunnels and bright red carriages, and proved extremely popular with the public.

China's Tea Villages

    In most Chinese tea villages, March is the time of year in {#blank#}1{#/blank#} locals start to pick and process tea. The usually quiet villages suddenly become busy centers of activity, as people take out special tools and prepare {#blank#}2{#/blank#} tea processing. In some villages, local residents hold traditional ceremonies,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (thank) heaven for its blessing. The price of tea {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(pick) in March is extremely high because {#blank#}5{#/blank#}is fresh, tender and contains multiple trace elements.

    China {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(be) famous for tea production since ancient times. Of the goods transported and traded along {#blank#}7{#/blank#}Old Silk Road linking China to the Middle East and Europe, the importance of tea was matched only by silk. China produces Oolong, black, green, white, yellow {#blank#}8{#/blank#}dark (aka post-fermented) tea. The Oolong, green and black {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(vary)are most notable for their high quality.

    Most of China's tea villages are found in remote mountainous areas in the country's south and southwest,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} the beautiful scenery is often hidden under clouds.

—No, it still remains {#blank#}1{#/blank#}.

    At the start of every new year, it is very typical {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (make) new year's resolutions. However, do they really work?

    Personally, I don't think so. Firstly, it's always great to start the new year with a good {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (intend) and a positive attitude, as it can bring more hope and happiness. However, when life {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (return) to normal, the enthusiasm of writing a diary, for example, can wear off.

    We often choose the goals {#blank#}4{#/blank#} are unrealistic as resolutions under the false belief that we can just be a {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (complete) different person in the new year. In fact, changes happen in small steps over time, so why not take a step back and think of something we can benefit {#blank#}6{#/blank#}?

    For instance, let's simply set some achievable goals: smile more at {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(strange), laugh at least {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (two) a day or write a positive thing that makes you happy, no matter {#blank#}9{#/blank#} simple they are. These small gestures are thought {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) effective to make you better on the inside and outside. So, let's take the pressure away and make a great effort to be a better me!

    A neighborhood watch is an {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (organize) group of people who have volunteered to help prevent crime in their neighbourhood. They do this by {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (keep) an eye on their neighbors' households, patrolling the streets and contacting the police when they see wrong {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (activity). Neighbourhood watches have {#blank#}4{#/blank#} of history, but they{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (introduce) to modem American cities after the public was shocked {#blank#}6{#/blank#}( hear) how a woman was murdered in New York city while a number of witnesses stood by and did nothing. {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(recent), however, some people have strongly objected to the organization after n neighborhood watchman shot to death a black teenager, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} was on his way home in the evening. The shooting has led to a new suggestion {#blank#}9{#/blank#} neighborhood watchmen shouldn't carry guns while on patrol. Many neighborhood watch committees disagree {#blank#}10{#/blank#} this idea, saying that it will discourage volunteers from patrolling more dangerous districts. Besides, since Florida state law allows the carrying of guns, such advice is useless.