I had always found {#blank#}1{#/blank#} interesting to talk to foreigners and learn about the cultural differences between countries. Last Saturday, I {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (meet) a man from France who explained to me {#blank#}3{#/blank#}the French greeted each other. Now I know the French usually shake hands when they meet {#blank#}4{#/blank#} they know each other well, they kiss each other on the cheek. When {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(say) goodbye, they shake hands again. So it is not {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(usual) for a Frenchman who you greeted several minutes ago {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(come) and shake hands with you again.

    Every culture in the world has its own taboos. It is necessary that we {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(be) aware of them because breaking a taboo may be an {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (annoy) experience. For example, in Japan, “4” and “9” are considered to be numbers that are unlucky. We should know this in order not to cause {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (offend).

    Two years ago, Jo acted as a teacher in Papua New Guinea. There was no electricity, water or textbooks in the school. When she knew that the students {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (die) to learn chemistry, she tried to show {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (they) chemistry experiments every week. Sometimes, she doubted whether chemistry was relevant{#blank#}3{#/blank#} these students, because most of them would go back to their villages. Actually, they had no{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (person) ambition. The local people had a hard life. Their hut was so dark that it took time for one's eyes {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (adjust). The only possessions {#blank#}6{#/blank#} could be seen were one broom, a few tin plates and cups and a couple of jars. They didn't speak much of the local English dialect. When {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (sit) around, she loved listening to them softly talking to each other in their language{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (occupy) with teaching, she had no time for social{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (activity). Instead, she often joined in their family party. She felt it was {#blank#}10{#/blank#} privilege to spend a day with them.

    Yesterday was a crazy day. I felt very tired {#blank#}1{#/blank#}I had a lot of work stuff going. Then I got {#blank#}2{#/blank#} message from one of my teammates. It said, “ We want to let you know that there are people who see and {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(true)appreciate all your hard work.” This meant more to {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(I)than anything else . And it made me think that maybe I need to set time aside{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(tell)the people in my life how much I appreciate what they did. Say “Thank you” {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the delivery guy, telling him that you appreciate how hard he {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(work); tell your daughter that you are proud of her {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (perform)at school; tell your mom that you notice how much she does for the family.

    Sometimes when a long time goes by without{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(recognize)for the good we do, we start to get upset, but a simple statement of appreciation could make us become{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(energy)again for a good long time.

    During World War II, I lived in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. My family was Jewish,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}we had been hidden away for a year and a half. During that time I hadn't been able to be outdoors for so long{#blank#}2{#/blank#} I had grown so crazy {#blank#}3{#/blank#}everything to do with nature. Once, I decided to look at the moon at midnight. But I didn't dare{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (open) the window to see the night face to face {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I was afraid of{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(discover) by the Nazis. I felt very lonely {#blank#}7{#/blank#}seeing my old friends. So I had to make a new true friend, my diary Kitty,{#blank#}8{#/blank#} I could tell everything to.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (fortune), at last my family were discovered and{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(catch) by the German Nazis half a year later.