{#blank#}1{#/blank#}scold by the teacher, Tom invented a story to explain why he was late.(scare)

    One day, Nick invited his friends to supper. He was cooking some delicious food in the kitchen. Suddenly, he {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(find) that he had run out of salt. So Nick called to his son, “Go to the village and buy some salt, but pay a fair price for it: neither too much {#blank#}2{#/blank#}too little.

    His son looked surprised. “I can understand why I shouldn't pay too much, Father, but if I can pay less,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}not save a bit of money?

    “That would be a very{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(reason) thing to do in a big city, but it could destroy a small village like {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(us), Nick said.

    Nick's guests,{#blank#}6{#/blank#}had heard their conversation, asked why they should not buy salt more cheaply if they could. Nick replied, “The only reason a man would sell salt{#blank#}7{#/blank#}a lower price would be because he was desperate for money. And anyone who took advantage of that situation would be showing a lack of respect for the sweat and struggle of the man who worked very hard to produce it.”

    “But such a small thing couldn't {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(possible) destroy a village.

    “In the beginning, there was only {#blank#}9{#/blank#}very small amount of unfairness in the world, but everyone added a little, always {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (think) that it was only small and not very important, and look where we have ended up today.”

    I was staying in Destin for a few days with my family. One morning, I got up early{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(go) for a walk on the beach. As I was walking, I noticed at least a hundred or more empty beer cans which{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(leave) in one concentrated area in front of a hotel. I was{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(fascinate) by the beach, woods and nature so I wanted to keep{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(they) clean. Naturally, I picked up a few to take to a nearby rubbish can. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}my way back to the hotel. I saw {#blank#}6{#/blank#}man walking down the beach with a rubbish bag picking up the cans. I helped him get the rest and walked back to my place, but I couldn't help {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (think) about that man and how we need more people like that in the world. It really gave me some {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(inspire).

    In the following days when I stayed in Destin, I always went for a walk with a rubbish bag. The rubbish bag was {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(total) full by the time I got back to my hotel. I did not want to get any thanks but I hoped {#blank#}10{#/blank#}I did could inspire someone to do the same as well.

    Modern-day robots are programmed to handle tasks that are normally carried out by humans. They are faster and{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(accurate) than human workers and never ask for a pay rise or take breaks!

    Robots are also able to work{#blank#}2{#/blank#}dangerous situations.

    Researchers at the University of Arkansas in the United States say that the mobile robots which have been created already are ideal for the job of hospital attendants. These mobile robots store a{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(detail) map of the hospital in their memory. The robots' sensors can detect{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(object) and quickly get out of the way. Although these robots cannot go up and down know how{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(press) a button of an elevator.

    Researchers at a Massachusetts' university are creating the first robot {#blank#}6{#/blank#}can constantly change its shape according to the task it has to do. These are called polymorphic robots. "Polymorphic" means{#blank#}7{#/blank#}ability to take different forms. A 3D printer{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(place) inside the robot to create the desired shape. The entire process of changing forms in this manner is called the rapid printing technology which is{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(fair) common in the car industry to produce complex 3D structures quickly. Once the robot has performed{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(it) task, it can be melted down and recycled into another useful part by the 3D printer.

    NASA has a new job listing, and it's no joke. The US space agency is looking for a "joker" to join their {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (plan) mission to Mars.

A mission to Mars is no laughing matter. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} is known that Mars is 225 million kilometers away from Earth. A trip there would take around eight months in a small spacecraft. "When you're living with others in a confined (封闭的) space for a long period of time, such as on a mission to Mars, problems are likely {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (happen)" Jeffrey Johnson, a scientist at the University of Florida, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (say) to the Guardian. This is probably {#blank#}5{#/blank#} NASA wants an astronaut with a sense of humor. "These are people that have the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (able) to pull everyone together." Johnson said.

    In {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (stress) situations, perhaps humor is a way to know we aren't alone. We can share our stress by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (laugh) together. Then we can focus on our jobs instead of just worrying.

But if you're hoping that your favorite TV comedian will fly to Mars, that {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (possible) won't happen. "Being funny won't be enough to land somebody the job," Johnson said, "They also need to be an excellent scientist and engineer." Besides, it's required that they {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (be) in top physical condition.