There is a good new for astrophiles. The last full moon of 2017 is going to appear a little bigger and brighter than most.

    Dec. 3 will bring a supermoon,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (mean) a full moon that happens at perigee—the same time that the moon is closest to the earth.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} this particular occasion, the moon will appear 7 percent larger and 16 percent brighter than usual. Not only will this be the only full supermoon of 2017,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} it's also going to kick off a series of three full supermoons in a row. The full moons on Jan. 2 and Jan. 31 will be super {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (one) and even they'll be blue super moons,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} means the second full moon in a single month.

    While some moonwatchers might be getting excited, some people think the hype（炒作）around supermoons isn't all it{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (regard) as being. A scientist slammed（抨击）the term last year as something made up {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (complete) and a waste of everyone's time. He acknowledged that supermoons would appear bigger and brighter, but that actually an amateur {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (observe) wouldn't notice the difference. Another scientist {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (make) a similar{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (argue) back in 2012.

    If the supermoon makes you want to go out and appreciate the sky's beauty, we say “Go for it.”

    Chengdu, capital city of southwestern China's Sichuan Province{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (name) one of the top ancient capitals in China at a conference{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (hold) on Oct. 25^th, 2016. Along with Chengdu, nine other cities, including Beijing, Xi'an, Nanjing and Luoyang,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (be) also on the list.

    As one of the cradles (摇篮) of Chinese civilization, Chengdu has a history of more than 4,500 years. It is one of the {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (old) cities in China, even in the world, having been the capital of five major states.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} addition, Chengdu has done a good job preserving{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (it) history. The location, name, and center of the city have never been changed, which reflects{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(clear) the city's vitality (活力) and cultural identity.

    “Chengdu has a unique spirit, related to inclusiveness and independence,” said the president of a(n){#blank#}8{#/blank#} (associate) of ancient Chinese capital studies. “Chengdu is{#blank#}9{#/blank#} open and influential city in Chinese history. So, there is no doubt {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it is an important and famous capital.”

    Tea is one of the most popular {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(drink) in the world. You make it by pouring hot water over the {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(dry) leaves of a tea plant. For centuries people believed that tea could cure illnesses, and they used it as medicine. Today scientists know that tea contains chemicals that prevent cells from {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(die). Most teas have caffeine in them, a substance that makes you feel more active. Some people have problems drinking tea because it can cause {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(sleep).

    The tea plant grows best in tropical and temperate places {#blank#}5{#/blank#} rain falls throughout the year. Tea plants can be grown from sea level {#blank#}6{#/blank#} about 2,000 meters above sea level, but the best quality grows in higher regions.

    Tea{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(come) from the leaves and buds of tea plants. Wild plants can be up to 9 meters high but on tea plantations they {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(cut) back to a bush of about a meter in height so that workers can pull the leaves {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(easy). It takes a plant tree to five years before it is ready for picking.

    A picker can harvest about 20 kg of tea a day. On large tea plantations the leaves are harvested by machines,{#blank#}10{#/blank#} the quality of tea is higher when the leaves are picked by hand.

    Have you ever asked yourself why children go to school? You will {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (probable) say that they go to school to learn languages, mathematics, history, science and some other knowledge. That is quite true,{#blank#}2{#/blank#}why do they learn these things?

    We send our children to school in order {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (prepare) them for the time when they really grow up and will have to work for {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (they)．Nearly everything they study at school has some practical use in their life. But is that {#blank#}5{#/blank#} only reason why they go to school? There is more in education {#blank#}6{#/blank#} just learning facts. We go to school to learn how to learn, so that when we have left school we can continue to learn.

    A man {#blank#}7{#/blank#} really knows how to learn will always be {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (succeed), because when he has to do something new, he will not only be able to do it well himself, but he will also be able to teach others how to do it in the {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (good) way. The person with poor education, on the other hand, either finds himself unable to do something new, or just {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (do) it badly. The main purpose of schools is not to teach those subjects, but to teach pupils the way to learn.

    Many people wonder if there is any {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (connect) between our senses and our health. Scientists observe that making the most of our senses when we are young can keep us healthy later on in life.

    Why do we feel {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (anxiety) or tired? One study shows that {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (approximate) 90% of our time is spent watching television or using computers. It is added that while our sense of sight is used too much, our {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (sense) of touch and smell have been ignored.

    People often ask {#blank#}5{#/blank#} or not we should develop all our senses. The answer is yes. Experts suggest that we do the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (follow) things more often. While having dinner, listen to some {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (enjoy) music rather than watch television. While relaxing at home, have some flowers next to you {#blank#}8{#/blank#} smell nice. Before going to bed, turn the lights {#blank#}9{#/blank#}. While sleeping, wear a nightshirt that is pleasant to touch—it {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (make) us sleep well.