The lion is a special animal to Chinese people. A pair of stone lions, a male and a female, are {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (common) seen in front of the gates of traditional buildings.

    The lion {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (regard) as the king in the animal world so it represents power. The stone lions are also used to indicate the ranks of {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(official).

    It is interesting to note that China had no lions originally. The earliest stone lions were sculpted{#blank#}4{#/blank#} the beginning of Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD) with{#blank#}5{#/blank#}introduction of Buddhism into ancient China. In the Buddhist faith, the lion{#blank#}6{#/blank#}can protect the Truth and keep off evils, is considered a holy animal of nobleness and dignity. In Chinese folk tales, the lion has become a symbol of {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(brave), power and good luck.

    It was also popular{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(decorate) bridges with sculpted stone lions for the same reason. The {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(well)known of this is the Lugouqiao (also as Marco Polo Bridge){#blank#}10{#/blank#} (build) from 1189 to 1192. A famous proverb says, “The lions on the Lugouqiao are uncountable.”

    About six years ago I was having lunch in New York City{#blank#}1{#/blank#}a woman and a young boy sat down at the next table.I couldn't help{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(overhear) parts of their conversation.At one point the woman asked,"So,how have you been?"And the boy who could not have been more than seven or eight years old replied."{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (frank),I've been feeling a little depressed lately."

    This incident{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(impress) me most because it confirmed my growing{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(believe) that children are changing. As far as I can remember,my friends and I didn't find out we were "depressed"{#blank#}6{#/blank#}we were in high school.

    Undoubtedly,{#blank#}7{#/blank#}change in children has increased steadily in recent years.Children don't seem childlike any more.Children speak,dress and behave more like adults{#blank#}8{#/blank#}they used to.

    {#blank#}9{#/blank#}this is good or bad is difficult to say,but it certainly is different.Childhood as it once was no longer{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (exist).

    Chuck Wall teaches management and human relations at Bakersfield College. He walked into class one day and told his students that their homework was to perform a simple and random act of kindness. Not {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (understand) the homework, the students didn't know what to do. Chuck didn't answer their questions{#blank#}2{#/blank#} he encouraged his students to work it out by themselves.

    One week later, the students entered the classroom and began sharing their stories{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (excited). One reported on helping a poor dog {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(abandon) by its owner. Another student told others about giving blankets away to the homeless. Gradually, more and more students developed the habit of doing such kind acts, from{#blank#}5{#/blank#} they benefited a lot.

    Since then, similar kind acts{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(perform) in schools around the world. Many schools organize a. Random Acts of Kindness Week, around November 13^th{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(celebrate) World Kindness Day. Some schools use each day of Random Acts of Kindness Week to perform a {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(differ) kind act, such {#blank#}9{#/blank#}making a new friend, helping someone, doing community service or raising money for a charity. In this way, students learn to consider other people and think about how small actions can make the world a{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (good) place.

    Graffiti (涂鸦) and street art are forms of art created on walls or public surfaces. This art is often considered illegal because it is done without the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (permit) of the building owners. These art forms {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (exist) since the times of ancient Greece. But the more modem style began forming in the 1960s in the cities of New York and Philadelphia. “Graffiti” often appears as words- {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (usual) the names of the artist or their art crew. Graffiti artists write the words in {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (create) ways and with colorful spray-paint.

    “Street art” is more based {#blank#}5{#/blank#}images. Artists try to communicate a message through these images. Graffiti and street art can be controversial. They sometimes damage someone's property. Washington has tried to increase its fines for illegal graffiti, {#blank#}6{#/blank#}, however, is encouraging the creation of public art. America's capital city is trying hard {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (control) its illegal graffiti problem. At the same time, city officials recognize the value and importune or street art. There is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} high demand for more artists to make street art legally. But the city offers few {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (chance) for young D.C. street artists to develop their skills without {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (break) the law.

    At my first class in the Forks High School, Mr. Banner, my English teacher sent me to an empty desk at the back without {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (introduce) me to the class. It was harder for my new classmates {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(stare) at me in the back, but somehow, they managed. I kept my eyes down on the reading list the teacher had given me. It was {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(fair) basic: Bronte, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner. I'd already read everything. That was comforting… and boring.