In much of Asia, especially the so-called “rice bowl” cultures of China, Japan, Korea, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Vietnam, food is usually eaten with chopsticks.

    Chopsticks are usually two long, thin pieces of wood or bamboo. They can also be made of plastic, animal bone or metal. Sometimes chopsticks are quite artistic. Truly elegant chopsticks might {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(make) of gold and silver with Chinese characters. Skilled workers also combine (组合) various hardwoods and metal {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(create) special designs.

    The Chinese have used chopsticks for 5000 years. People probably cooked {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(they) food in large pots, using twigs (树枝) to remove it. Over time, as {#blank#}5{#/blank#}population grew, people began cutting food into small pieces so it would cook more quickly. Food in small pieces could be eaten easily with twigs which {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(gradual) turned into chopsticks.

    Some people think that the great Chinese scholar Confucius, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}lived from roughly 551-479 B.C., influenced the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(develop) of chopsticks. Confucius believed knives would remind people of killings and {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(be) too violent for use at the table.

    Chopsticks are not used everywhere in Asia. In India, for example, most people traditionally eat {#blank#}10{#/blank#}their hands.

    In Chinese culture, each year is related to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (believe) to take after some of the animal's characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

    Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}associates the 12 animals with one of five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached {#blank#}5{#/blank#}them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element.{#blank#}6{#/blank#} the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (general) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (caution) in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, {#blank#}9{#/blank#}is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (impress) that they have a stubborn personality, but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.

    A boy was born three months after the death of his father. When he was three years old, his mother married again and {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(leave) him in the care of his grandmother. He began his schooling {#blank#}2{#/blank#}the village school. When he was 15 years old, his stepfather died and his mother came back with the purpose {#blank#}3{#/blank#} she wanted him to drop out of school and to be a farmer. But he didn't enjoy{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (do) farm work. One of his high school teachers found this and helped him go back to school to complete {#blank#}5{#/blank#}education.

    At the age of 19 he fell in love with a lovely girl and decided to marry her,{#blank#}6{#/blank#} he became so interested in his studies that he didn't have time to be with his girlfriend. Finally, his girlfriend left him and married {#blank#}7{#/blank#} else. He never married all his life. He faced challenges everywhere, from{#blank#}8{#/blank#} he learnt to think deeply all by himself!

    He made a{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (success) description of why apples fall down from trees to the ground. Later he became {#blank#}10{#/blank#}famous scientist worldwide. Yes, we are talking about Sir Isaac Newton.

    As {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (teenager), you have many dreams. These dreams can be very big, such as winning the Nobel Prize, or they can be very small, for example, you may just want to become the best student in your class. Once you find a dream, what do you do with it? Do you ever try {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (make) your dream come true?

    Andrew Matthews, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Australian writer, tells us that making our dreams come true is the biggest challenge (挑战) in our life. You may think you are not very good {#blank#}4{#/blank#} some school subjects or it is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (possible) for you to become a writer. These kinds of thoughts stop you {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (realize) your dreams. In fact, everyone can realize his dream. Keep telling yourself {#blank#}7{#/blank#} you want. Do this step by step and your dream will come true earlier because a big dream {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (make) up of many small dreams.

    You must also never give up your dream. There will be many {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (difficult) on the road to your dreams. But the biggest one comes from {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (you).You need to decide what is the most important.