We think that life in Chinese high school is an adventure in which we have to survive mountains of homework and all kinds of exams. Yet would it be {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(surprise) if I tell you that high school life in the US is almost as stressful and demanding

 {#blank#}2{#/blank#}it is in China?

       In US high school, everything must {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(record) into your studying document, including your grades on quizzes, tests and final examinations. Failing

 {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(turn) in your homework on time will directly affect your grade for a certain course. Perhaps completely different from {#blank#}5{#/blank#}we used to think of theUS high school students, they pay great attention to {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(they) academic performance in order that they can get into a distinguished university.

       Like university students, US high school students have the {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(free) to choose the courses that most interest them. Even a ninth-grader can sit {#blank#}8{#/blank#}the same classroom as 12th-graders. But this also {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(mean) he orshe has to work very hard, because the teacher will not treat him or her {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (different).

—No, he {#blank#}1{#/blank#}（try）to, but failed.

    Home of the copper drum

    Hechi's copper drum culture goes back as far as the Han Dynasty (206 BC—AD 220){#blank#}1{#/blank#} the people living in the area considered copper drums sacred and Hechi is still one of China's {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(large) copper drum sites. A 2003 survey by cultural heritage departments{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (find) more than 1, 400 copper drums in the area, with at least 1,300 copper drums {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (be) used by local folk artists. In this way, ethnic groups in Hechi have produced a{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (unique) rich and diverse cultural form and customs for festivals, weddings, celebrations, funerals, and religious {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (activity) of local people, with ballads and for rice-planting and frogs. That same year, a copper drum conservation project along the Hongshui River basin joined the Culture Ministry's Top 10 conservation project list for ethnic and folk cultures.

    In 2006, the Zhuang People's Copper Drum Practices{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(add) to the national cultural heritage list by the State Council. In 2008, the Culture Ministry declared Donglan county and{#blank#}8{#/blank#}city of Hechi the “Home of Chinese Copper Drum Art”{#blank#}9{#/blank#} in 2009, its “Copper Drum Practice” became a candidate for the Human Cultural Heritage. There are now more than 2,400 copper drums in the world, at least 1,400 of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (they) in Hechi, making it a Copper Drum Cultural and Ecological Reserve with recognition across Guangxi.

    Nowadays, in my spare time, I prefer to go outdoors and spend my time in some different places and with some different people.

    The first reason {#blank#}1{#/blank#} I do outdoor activities is that I have spent too much time indoors. Most of the time I just sit in the classroom, listening {#blank#}2{#/blank#} the teachers and doing my homework. The indoor activities are too {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(limit). The second reason is that fresh air, sunlight and enough physical exercise {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(need) for a healthy body. So when I am free, I should go out. And the {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(three) one is that I want to have more {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(experience) in my life. When you go out, far away from your daily life, you will meet a lot of people who are quite different from you. It will give you a lot of {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(beauty) moments.

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(do) outdoor activities, however, will take a lot of money and energy. So if you have not prepared enough, having some amusement indoors is also {#blank#}9{#/blank#} good choice. It may be much cheaper and easier {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(carry) out. Reading some books and enjoying music are also very good.

    Strange things appeared before the Tangshan earthquake happened. For three days the water in the village wells {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(rise) and fell. The well walls had deep cracks in them. A smelly gas came out of the cracks. Some animals including fish, {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(mouse) behaved strangely. Other strange things also happened in the city, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} people thought little of these events and they slept as usual.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (final) a terrible earthquake hit the city of Tangshan on July 28, 1976, in which more than 240,000 people died and many {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(injure). Many houses fell down and sand filled the wells instead of water. People were greatly shocked. All the electricity in the city was cut off and people began {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (wonder) how long the disaster would last. The whole city was completely destroyed and the world seemed to be {#blank#}7{#/blank#}an end. It was one of the most destructive earthquakes ever, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} shocked the whole nation.

    However, the people of Tangshan didn't lose hope because 150,000 soldiers were sent to help the rescue workers. The soldiers tried their best to dig out those {#blank#}9{#/blank#} were trapped. They also built shelters for the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (survive). Fresh water was taken to the city by every means. Slowly, the city began to come back to life.

    According to a recent survey, violence does exist in schools. Students show their fear and parents and teachers also {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (express) their great concern about it. Experts hope {#blank#}2{#/blank#} whole society will pay more attention to the mental health of adolescents.

    Nowadays, school violence is a big issue. I think this is a phenomenon (现象), which {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (call) for our great concern. We should try every effort {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (prevent) school violence happening, for more and more students would drop out of school if their personal {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (safe) could not be guaranteed (保证). In fact, violence can be learned. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (actual), children learn violent behavior from adults or from {#blank#}7{#/blank#} they see on television or the Internet.

    If I meet with school violence, I will not answer violence with violence, for it will result in {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (much) fights. I will tell my teachers or parents about it. I think they will help me deal with it well and protect me {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the bad guys.

    All in all, we students should behave {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (we) and keep away from violence.