Rivers are one of our most important natural resources. Many of the world's great cities are located on rivers and almost every country has at least one river {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (flow) through it, which plays an important part in the lives of {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (it) people.

    Since the beginning of history, people {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (use) rivers for transportation. The Yellow River and Changliang River play a large role in China. The Mississippi, the {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (long) one in the United States ever influenced the American people {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (great) in history. The lifeline of Egypt is the Nile. Rivers provide fresh water {#blank#}6{#/blank#} drink, grow crops, make electricity and chances to have fun for those {#blank#}7{#/blank#} live along their banks.

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#} the cities grow in size and industries increase in number, the river water is severely being polluted. It urges all countries to make {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (decide) and take immediate action to stop it from {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (pollute) any more.

Eat healthier without quitting sugar

    Not long ago, fat was regarded as the evil for a healthy diet. Before that it was salt. Now the sugar-free diet {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (explode) onto the health scene —and seems to have topped many people's list of New Year's resolutions.

    Sugar-free diets encourage people to avoid sweeteners such as honey, soft drinks and some fruits. Some also recommend {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (restrict) dairy products. The diet's advocates note that excessive sugar consumption may increase the risk of heart disease and some cancers. So many sugar-free followers avoid milk, yoghurt and cheese {#blank#}3{#/blank#} the assumption that these products contain sugars.

    It's true we are swallowing too much of the sweet stuff, with the average American consuming around 20 teaspoons of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (add) sugar a day. But you don't need {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (quit) sugar for healthy eating. Quitting sugar is unlikely to improve your health any more than cutting down on over-processed foods and eating more vegetables.

    Research shows dieting is not effective over the long term and can lead to greater weight gain over time. The brain interprets dieting and restriction as hunger,  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} causes the storage of fat. Besides, the sugar-free diet is confusing and imposes a set of rules that {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (make) up without scientific evidence. Such a restrictive diet can create food fear or an unhealthy relationship with food. People who worry about food are more likely to diet. This may be {#blank#}8{#/blank#}they are worried about their weight, or about the impact certain nutrients have on their health.

    Through series of experiments, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the researchers are certain about is that you can eat plenty of plants, enjoy whole grains and beans. Fruit is your friend, not your enemy. Most people could probably eat a little less sugar, a little {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (often), but you don't have to quit it for good to be healthy.

    The term "extreme sports", which we might have seen on a magazine or a website, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(be) becoming more and more common as the concept of extreme sports gains {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (popular). But what are extreme sports on earth?

    During the 1970s and 1980s, the term was used for sports with high risks {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (involve). Today, however, the sports also include activities that give a feeling of adventure without{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(necessary) putting a participant's life in danger. For every extreme sport, there is professional equipment that has been developed {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (protect) your body, improve your performance and give you{#blank#}6{#/blank#} advantage in the competition.

    Extreme sports cover a wide range. Some {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (develop) from familiar activities so far, like mountain biking, climbing and drag race. Some may not be well known. For instance, bouldering is a kind of rock climbing {#blank#}8{#/blank#} no rope is used. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} usually takes place in an area with large rocks or in climbing center.

    Nowadays, such sports have become more popular {#blank#}10{#/blank#} young people all over the world than ever before.

    Stress used to be an almost unknown word, but now that we are used to {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (talk) about it, I have found that people are beginning to get stressed about being stressed.

    In recent years, stress {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (regard) as a cause of a whole range of medical problems, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} high blood pressure to mental illness. But like so many other things, it is only too much stress {#blank#}4{#/blank#} does you harm. It is time you considered that if there were no stress in your life, you would achieve a little. If you are stuck at home with no stress, then your level of performance will be low. Up to a certain point, the more stress you are under, the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (good) your performance will be. Beyond a certain point, though, further stress will only lead to exhaustion, illness and finally a breakdown. You can tell when you are over the top and on the downward slope, by asking yourself {#blank#}6{#/blank#} number of questions. Do you, for instance, feel that too much is being expected of {#blank#}7{#/blank#}, and yet find it impossible to say no? Do you find yourself getting impatient or {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (annoy) with people over unimportant things?... If the answer to all those questions is yes, you had better {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (control) your stress, as you probably are under more stress than is good for you.

    To some extent you can control the amount of stress in your life. Doctors have worked out a chart showing how much stress is involved in various events. Getting married is 50, pregnancy 40, moving house 20, Christmas 12, etc. If the total stress in your life is over 150, you are twice as likely {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (get) ill.

Digital technology is being increasingly adopted {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (carry) out economic and social activities, and is deeply transforming production patterns and people's lifestyles. However, it is important that the adoption of digital technology in developing countries does not {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (wide) the rich-poor gap. In China, e-commerce and poverty alleviation (扶贫) programs {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (support) by big data have had positive effects on fighting poverty.

E-commerce (电子商务) promotes growth in incomes' for the poor. China has the world's fastest-growing e-commerce market, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} more than 40 percent of global e-commerce transactions (交易) take place. Many poor people have benefited {#blank#}5{#/blank#} the booming e-commerce industry. For example, in the past years, the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (help) nearly 3 million poor families realize income growth. Besides, E-commerce platforms have greatly increased the possibility {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the small and micro businesses enter the market. Rural residents can now display {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (they) farm produce and handicrafts online and find buyers, thus increasing sales. Also, e-commerce drives the development of whole industrial chains, creating job opportunities and providing diverse options for rural labor.

Digital technology has been playing a positive role in China's poverty {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (reduce). Governments at all levels keep an open and encouraging attitude toward the development of the digital economy and much {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (active) cooperate with digital companies to better identify and help the poor.