Critical thinking(批判性思维) is trying to improve the way you think. People use critical thinking in every area of life to solve problems and evaluate claims(评估主张).

    Like every other skill, critical thinking takes practice. When a problem comes our way, we need to think critically to decide how to solve it. When we see an advertisement, for example, we should stop and think. Advertisements are made to make people feel certain that they are true, and then people can buy the products. But is what the advertisement says true? Is it making a claim? Or does it only interest us? Critical thinking is important and stops us from making poor choices. In fact, we are using it if we ask questions naturally about what we see.

    Practice makes perfect. While you are growing in critical thinking, you'll become a wiser and more thoughtful person. There are many ways of doing practice. Here are a few.

    Read about a topic people disagree on. Look at articles or books on all sides of the subject. For each side of the subject, think carefully and evaluate it.

    When you see or hear a claim, ask questions about it. Who is making the claim and why?

    Evaluate your own thinking. Where and why do you think uncritically? How can you improve?

    Critical thinking should be part of everything we do. It may help you to succeed at work or school. Make yourself into a habit of critical thinking. Change your thoughts and change your world.

    Look around when you're on a subway. What is the most popular time-killing (消磨时间的) activity? In China, most people play on their smart phone. While in other countries, people often enjoy reading.

    On average (平均), each Chinese person read less than eight books in 2018, according to a recent survey from the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication. But Chinese people ①/spend/________ an average of 26 minutes on WeChat Reading every day.

    ②在许多西方国家，人们在任何时间都会阅读。Even backpackers (背包客) enjoy reading books when they are having a break at the beach or relaxing from a hike. Reading books builds a bridge ③/ bɪˈtwiːn/________ our lives and the unknown world.

    Many hotels abroad also offer book-exchanges for visitors. Simply drop off your finished books and take those ones that other people left behind.

    In most US middle schools, teachers give students a reading list every few weeks. ④Most books are easy to read, so students won't lose their confidence of reading.

    Good reading habits lead you to a lifelong love of books. In order to encourage people to read more. China is planning to foster (培养) the habits of reading in its law, Although this has both good and bad sides, ⑤________.

A. Lost: An ID card. My name is Betty. My telephone number is 867—1234.

B. Found: A purple pencil box. You can call Bill at 256—9856.

C Lost: I lost a ruler. I's blue. If you find it, please call me at 870—2678.

D. Lost: An apple phone. It is a mobile phone. It can store(储存) 500 telephone numbers.

E. Found: An English dictionary. Please call Jim. Phone number: 136— 2796—2311.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}⑴Tony found a blue ruler in his desk, but it is not his ruler. Whose ruler is it?

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}⑵Mike has an English dictionary, but he can't find it. Can you help him?

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}⑶Linda lost a purple pencil box. There are two pencils and a ruler in it.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}⑷Peter found a mobile phone last week.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}⑸Lucy found an ID card in the school library.

    Some people from the country think that city life is the most interesting. They come to visit friends or go to a hotel in the city. They may stay for a few days or as long as a week.

    Some visitors think that foreign restaurants are the best part of city life. Others have the nicest time in museums. But many people think that movies or concerts are the most important attractions of the city. And most visitors like to go shopping for clothes or presents.

    In the city there are also many parks, different types of people, tall buildings, and other interesting things to see. Cities have the busiest streets and city life seems very busy, too.

    After a few days in the city, the visitors begin to think about the country. They remember the trees and flowers. Suddenly they do not want to be near the tallest buildings or the busiest streets. Now they want to return home in the country.

    There are many times we need to give gifts. Keep these tips in mind as you're thinking about what gift you'll give.

    Gift giving dos

    Leave the price label in the bag if it is an expensive gift so that others can see how much they need to give back. Remember to hold the gift in both hands to give gifts.

    Gift giving don'ts

    Don't worry about what card to take with the gift. Cards are seldom used in China, so a Chinese wouldn't expect a card along with a gift.

    Choosing the right gift

    Gifts for family

    When you're meeting your partner's family, a gift is expected, food or fruit baskets are good if you have no idea what to give. If your hometown is known for a special food, buy some to take as gifts.

    Gifts for friends

    You can spend less money on friends than you do on family. Books, wallets, key rings and special foods like chocolate or coffee are good enough.

    Gifts for business partners

    When you're starting a business relationship, a tasteful gift will be better. Pens from your company or with the receiver's name is a practical gift. Local snacks from your area is a great gift too.

    Gifts to avoid(避免)

    You should remember not choose anything because of the cultural symbolism(文化象征) or the word shares a similar pronunciation to some bad things. Clocks, in Chinese, to give a clock has the same pronunciation as the phrase "songzhong". Umbrellas and shoes are not good gifts in China.

    In all, a thoughtful gift is great when you want to thank a friend, say goodbye to someone or meet families.