You may have heard of Niagara Falls(尼亚加拉大瀑布), but do you know about the Niagara Escarpment(断崖)? It's a long steep slope(陡坡 that runs through the US and Canada. Earlier this month, our school {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(go) on a hiking trip to this beautiful place.

    The weather was cold; cloudy and windy, so we wore more {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(stay) warm. We {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(separate) into two groups and went on different routes(路线). The whole escarpment is 725 km long. But we only covered 8kin for about four {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(hour).

    My favorite part of the trail(小道) was the cave(山洞). The cave was formed from many different shaped rocks. Some were huge while the {#blank#}5{#/blank#}were small. We climbed down into the rocks {#blank#}6{#/blank#}the help of our teachers. The rocks were steep and slippery(滑的){#blank#}7{#/blank#} they were covered with wet leaves. It was a fun and exciting experience for all of us.

    Another exciting moment was lunch. After {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(walk) 5km without any rest, we were hungry and tired. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} our teacher finally said we could stop to have lunch ,we were very excited. After all, this trail was a little different from the ones I'm used to. It was {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(natural) than before.

    Hiking is very interesting, but remember to stay warm, stay hydrated(保持体内水分)and have fun along the way! With these, you couldn't enjoy it any more.

How are American families different from Chinese ones?

    In some ways American families are very different from Chinese ones, and in other ways they are {#blank#}1{#/blank#} same. For example, American families enjoy family dinners. They support and love each other just {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Chinese families do. The {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(different) come from culture, however. Many Chinese students are surprised to learn that American teenagers are {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(allow) to make many decisions {#blank#}5{#/blank#} their own, and the parents want their children to leave home at eighteen.

    In most American families, children are encouraged to make their own {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(choose) at a young age. They start with small choices and gradually larger ones until they graduate from high school. That is when they face {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(big) decision of their lives: what to do next. Parents and family will help with the choice, but the children themselves make the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(finally) decision.

    Americans seldom move back into family homes {#blank#}9{#/blank#} they get older. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, they prefer to have their own lives for as long as possible. It is important to remember that these are cultural differences, and that Americans see this as part of the culture.

    In a small house outside London lives an old man. People often see him look {#blank#}1{#/blank#} his flowers in his garden all the time.

    One day, a young painter {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (go) by the old man's house. He looked at the nice garden and the special room, picturing how happy he would be if he lived in such a {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (beauty) place. Suddenly he found the old gardener {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (terrible) blind. Shocked, he walked to the old man and asked, "Why are you taking care of the flowers every day which you can't see in fact?" The old man smiled, "I can tell you four reasons. First, I was {#blank#}5{#/blank#} gardener when I was young and I really love this job. Second, although I can't see these flowers, I can touch them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. As to the last, it's you."

    "Me? But you don't know me," answered the painter, still puzzled.

"Yeah, it's true that I don't know you. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I know flowers are gifts which everyone loves. And the beauty of my garden will get many people into a good mood," answered the old man,

    The words of the gardener warm me with {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (please). He looked after the flowers {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (make) others enjoy the warm sunshine in spring. He can't see the beautiful flowers he planted, just like Beethoven, who can't hear his wonderful music {#blank#}9{#/blank#} The old man is alone but not lonely. All of his flowers are his friends and neighbours. They {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (grow) in his heart. I believe that he can hear the voice of them.