American popular music is played all over the world．Peopleof all ages in all countries enjoy{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (listen) to it．The reasons for{#blank#}2{#/blank#} popularity are its fast pace and rhythmic beat．The music has many origins in the United States．Country music,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}  (come) from the rural areasin the southern United States, is one source．Many people appreciate this music because of the emotions{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (express) by country music songs．

        A second origin of American popularmusic si the blues．It described mostly sad feelings{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (reflect) the difficult lives of American blacks．Itis usually played and sung by black musicians, but it is popular with all Americans．

Rock music is a newer form of music．This music style was known{#blank#}6{#/blank#} rock and roll in the 1950's．Sincethen there{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (be) many forms of rock music, hard rock, softrock, punk rock, disco music and others．Many {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (perform) of popular rock music are youngmusicians．

People hear these songs{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (sing) in their original English or sometimestranslated to other languages．The words may differ{#blank#}10{#/blank#}the enjoyment of the music is universal．

    The ancient Chinese divided the sun's annual circular movement into 24 parts. Each part was called{#blank#}1{#/blank#} specific “Solar Term（节气）”. The criteria for the formation of Twenty -four Solar Terms were developed through the observation of changes of seasons, astronomy and other natural {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (phenomenon) in this region and have been progressively applied nationwide

    It {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (start) from the Beginning of Spring and ends with the Greater Cold,{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (move) in cycles. The theory spreads from generation to generation and is {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(traditional) used to direct production and daily routines. It, in particular, remains{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (importance) to farmers for guiding their practices{#blank#}7{#/blank#} is used widely by communities and shared by many racial groups in China. Some festivals in China are closely associated{#blank#}8{#/blank#}the solar term. It may also be referenced in children's songs, folk songs and old sayings, These various functions of the solar term have strengthened{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (it) position as a form of intangible cultural heritage(非物质文化遗产) and have made a great {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (contribute) to the community's cultural identity.

    It seems that Chinese people have always loved to discuss {#blank#}1{#/blank#}differences between northerners and southerners. Now, another difference has drawn wide attention: the way northerners and southerners shop {#blank#}2{#/blank#} food at markets.

    People from southern China normally buy {#blank#}3{#/blank#}they need for just one or two meals at a time. It's normal for them to buy just half a Chinese cabbage, two {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(potato) and 25 grams of beef at a time. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, a person may be laughed at if they do this in the north. Instead, buying enough vegetables and meat for a week {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (be) normal.

    The different could be because of the different climates. Food can {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (keep) for a long time in the north, as it's {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (usual) cold and dry there. Many northerners have the habit of {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (store) food for a long time. But due to the hot and wet weather in the south, southern Chinese people prefer {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(buy) just enough food for one meal or one day. Otherwise, the food may go bad.

    Maybe these debates about different customs help us to understand each other better.

    I can still remember the day we brought her home from the animal shelter (收容所). Lexie moved in my arms when I held her, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} the second I handed this lovely dog to my daughter, she settled down. My daughter cried tears of joy while {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(hold) her on the way home and Lexie happily licked (舔) them away.

    Since then, they {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(be) good friends. They lie under blankets on the sofa and watch TV together. When my daughter climbs into bed, Lexie will carry her toys on top of the covers {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (join) her. Lexie's favorite spot is right in my daughter's arms. If she could spend every second of the day there, she {#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

    The other day I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(watch) Lexie while my daughter, who lives right up the road from me, did some housework. When it was time {#blank#}7{#/blank#} Lexie to go home, I could see Lexie's {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(excite) as I leashed (用皮带牵) her up. I opened the back door and let her out. She was running as fast as she could. I called her name, but {#blank#}9{#/blank#} was no use. She had found my daughter on the road. My daughter bent down to pick her up. Lexie jumped into her arms and happily licked her face.

    I smiled, seeing she was back {#blank#}10{#/blank#} she belonged.