The planet Mars is the closest and most similar planet to Earth. It is very{#blank#}1{#/blank#}to scientists. For example, Mars has seasons with{#blank#}2{#/blank#}weather, but other planets have the same temperatures all year round. Was there{#blank#}3{#/blank#}on Mars?

    To find out, scientists need{#blank#}4{#/blank#}if Mars ever had water. In 2004. two robot explores (探测器), or 'rovers', called Spirit and Opportunity were sent to look for{#blank#}5{#/blank#}of water. These rovers can drive over rocks{#blank#}6{#/blank#}all kind of rough ground. They can also use cameras and send photos{#blank#}7{#/blank#} to Earth. First, the two rovers found chemicals and patterns (图文) in the rocks that were probably made by water. Then, they moved to another area and{#blank#}8{#/blank#}other rocks which may have been created by water. Now scientists think there was probably water on the planet long ago. Today  {#blank#}9{#/blank#}are still not sure if there was life on the mars. They{#blank#}10{#/blank#}need more information to decide. The discoveries of the two rovers answered some old questions, but they also brought up many new ones.

    Next time you're in a public place, take a look-around you. And {#blank#}1{#/blank#}how many people are using their phones. I can tell you now that it is probably more than half, whether you're on a bus, in a care {#blank#}2{#/blank#}simply walking down the street.

    I'm not saying that I am not an example of this, but it {#blank#}3{#/blank#}mazes(使惊愕) me how people can spend so much time on their phones without {#blank#}4{#/blank#}to others. Has it gone too far?

    Recently, my smart phone broke and had to be {#blank#}5{#/blank#}off for repair for a week or so. I had to use a really old, basic phone just to keep me in touch with my family and {#blank#}6{#/blank#}. All I could do on this phone was to send text messages, make calls and play one game. And I loved it. I loved being  {#blank#}7{#/blank#}from the Internet, and I really didn't mind not having updates(更新) about what my friends were doing. It allowed {#blank#}8{#/blank#}to spend more time enjoying my time in London and watching the people {#blank#}9{#/blank#}me and really see what was going on.

    However, I knew that as soon as I got my smart phone back I would be one of those{#blank#}10{#/blank#}once again. Perhaps I should just go back to using the basic phone and forget I ever got my smart phone back.

    2019 is the Year of the Pig according to Chinese tradition. Do you know what pigs are really like? People sometimes say, "You are as stupid as a pig." But pigs are not stupid. They are {#blank#}1{#/blank#}one of the 10 smartest animals. They have a good memory and can tell different shapes apart. Many experts think pigs are{#blank#}2{#/blank#} to train than dogs or cats. In France, people teach pigs to find truffles(松露). With their good sense of smell, they can find truffles even faster than dogs. People in ancient China really liked pigs. People thought the pigs big head and ears were a symbol of {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. If someone had a round and chubby face, he or she was thought to be blessed(有福气的). People also believed the animal {#blank#}4{#/blank#}wealth. Piggy banks are a symbol of this. Most children have piggy banks that they can use to save money.

    People born in the Year of the Pig are said to be fun, patient and understanding. But some say they care for others too much and are willing to sacrifice their own {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. They also forget things quickly. Many famous people were born in the Year of the Pig, such as US writer Earnest Hemingway and Chinese athlete Liu Xiang. Pigs often {#blank#}6{#/blank#}in fairy tales, cartoons and movies. In the story the Three Little Pigs, a mother pig sends her three children to live on their own. Each of them builds a house with different {#blank#}7{#/blank#}. When the big bad wolf comes, each pig hides in his own house. Whose house will survive? Another popular pig is Mc Dull. He is a little pink pig who lives in Hong Kong. He is not bright, but he works hard. One of his simple wishes is to make his mother {#blank#}8{#/blank#}him. He also wants to go to the Maldives and have a turkey dinner for Christmas.