Big Ben is one of London's best-known landmarks, which is {#blank#}1{#/blank#} nickname of a bell hanging in the clock tower at the {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (north) end of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. Some believe it got {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (it) name from Sir Benjamin Hall. Officially, the tower itself is called Elizabeth Tower. It was {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (previous) known as just the Clock Tower, but was renamed in September 2012 in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. However, most people, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (include) those that live in London, call the tower "Big Ben", because it is very large.

    Designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, the clock took 13 years to build and it {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (complete) in 1859. It has worked continuously since then except for a few months in 1976 when it {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (break) down and had to be fixed. Since August 2017, repair work is being done on the clock, which will take four years. For the {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (safe) of those doing this work, Big Ben no longer rings out every hour. It will still be heard {#blank#}9{#/blank#} special occasions, such as the New Year and Remembrance Day.

    The Elizabeth Tower has become one of the most important {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (symbol) of the United Kingdom and is often in the establishing shot of films set in London.

    The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy turned 70 on April 23, 2019. It is a time for reflecting on its beginning and how over the past seven decades it has overcome so many difficulties to grow {#blank#}1{#/blank#} a modem naval force.

    As a major Pacific country {#blank#}2{#/blank#} has more than 18, 000 kilometers of coastline, China needs a powerful naval force that can timely respond to challenges and risks. The PLA Navy is increasingly being looked upon as an essential force {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (defend) the country's interests and protect its nationals' personal safety and {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (possession) overseas.

    Thus, the calls for China to build a blue-sea navy have become stronger, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} the PLA Navy has apparently accelerated its modernization steps trying to increase its battle abilities and readiness. Not to mention that the navy also has the duty to more {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (effective) respond to challenges to the country maritime (海上的) interests and territorial integrity (领土完整).

    However, as part of China's defense forces, the PLA Navy is a force for {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (peace) purposes, The PLA Navy has also actively participated in international humanitarian missions (使命) and {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (conduct) various exchanges with naval forces from other countries to build understanding and {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (strength) trust.

    So we have reason to believe that the PLA Navy {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (contribute) better to world peace and development.

    When I was a kid, Mom used to cook food for us. One night after {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (spend) a long hard day at work, Mom placed a plate of bread jam and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (extreme) burnt toast（烤面包） in front of my dad, I was waiting {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (see) if he noticed it. However, while eating his toast. Dad just asked me {#blank#}4{#/blank#} my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} I do remember I heard Mom apologizing to Dad for burning the toast. I'll never forget what Dad said, "Honey, I love burnt toast."

    Later that night, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (go) to kiss Daddy good night and asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He gave me {#blank#}7{#/blank#} big hug and said, "Your mamma put in a long hard day at work today, really {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (tire). Besides, a burnt toast never hurts but cold words do!"

    What I've learned over the years {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) that learning to accept each other's faults is one of the most important {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (key) to creating a healthy, growing and lasting relationship.

    Across the world people prepare and drink tea in many {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(difference) ways. The handmade purple clay teapot (紫砂壶) is one of the most popular{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(item)among tea lovers in Asia. But the skill of making that particular teapot faces a lot of challenges in modern times.

    Chinese people {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(drink)tea for thousands of years. And {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(recent), these handmade teapots have become popular. As an old saying goes, "A thing is valued if it is rare."

    Tea sets (茶具) have been a key part of Chinese culture. Gao Dezhi, 99, has been making purple clay teapots since he was 13 years old. Usually, this kind of skill {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(pass) down from generation to generation or taught to those {#blank#}6{#/blank#} are crazy about the craft. Gao says that his son and daughter are not {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(interest) in learning such skills. They already earn a lot of money by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (work) in other jobs. People cannot make such things {#blank#}9{#/blank#} they have no interest in learning the skill, he says.

    In order to protect skills {#blank#}10{#/blank#} disappearing, local people have built a special museum where masters can show their craft.