As we all know, Columbus was a great explorer. He left Spain in September 1492,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (look) for gold. Native Americans greeted him, offering gifts of corn. Columbus found little gold on that trip, but he collected many {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (plant), including corn, to bring back to Spain.

    Columbus didn't know it, but the corn was much {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (valuable) than gold. Farmers from Europe to Asia accepted it {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (immediate). They grew it on cold mountainsides and in rainforests. So it {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (feed) millions of people all over the world today.

    On his second trip, Columbus brought back a few chocolate beans to make chocolate. Europeans and Asians loved this new drink, and soon they were paying a great deal of money for the beans. Chocolate beans became so valuable in Central America {#blank#}6{#/blank#} they {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (use)as cash for 200 years.

    Tomatoes and potatoes took some time to become popular. Eventually, {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, they became the basis of a lot of popular foods. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is hard to imagine life without fried potatoes or chocolate. Thanks{#blank#}10{#/blank#} native American culture, many people are able to enjoy lots of tasty food.

    From the first day I arrived in Kunming, I had my understanding of China {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(change). Far from being narrow-minded and hostile to {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(foreign), people came up to talk to me the first time I went out on the street. It happened to be all in Chinese, so I didn't understand much, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}it did cause me to rethink my assumptions.

    As my Chinese improved, this continued throughout my stay, from my landlord introducing me to people who could help us learn Chinese to {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(get) to know the couple who ran a noodle restaurant nearby.

    If you're interested in other people, their culture, and their language, they'll be{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(friend) to you. China isn't {#blank#}6{#/blank#}exception.

    Don't judge a country by its media coverage, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(especial) some Western media, which have much prejudice.

    I saw a very different kind of China with my own eyes. Kunming, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} I lived for most of my stay, wasn't much polluted. I had frank conversations with Chinese people about almost everything.

    Still China {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(develop), but the economic growth means that most people {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(see) their living standards improve rapidly in the last 20 years. People I spoke with were generally optimistic about the future.

    As the rain starts to pound on the windows, you may find your dog hiding under a low piece of furniture or in the corner of a dark room. It's not unusual for a dog to attempt {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (become) grounded during storms by seeking {#blank#}2{#/blank#} lowest place in the house or some place near the house's pipes.

    But why? As you might suspect, noise is one of the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (reason). Thunder-storms can frighten dogs with noise phobia, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} is a severe fear of loud noises. Noise phobias can start at any age and worsen over time if {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (leave)untreated.

    Another reason is static electricity(静电). During a thunderstorm, static electricity in the clouds builds up, eventually {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (burst) into lightning. Dogs can sense this static electricity, and often even before the storm reaches our own neighbourhood. Static electricity {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (feel) by dogs through their fur. It could be {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (help)to gently lead your dog to the bathroom and into the bathtub as the porcelain(瓷器)may {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (actual) help block static electricity.

    At the same time, try not to take care {#blank#}10{#/blank#} your dog too much. Otherwise, your dog may think that its behavior is something you'd like to see again.

    People in Thailand are very {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(friend). After all, Thailand means "a land of smiles". But visitors still have to follow certain customs once in the land of smiles.

    First of all, show respect to the Buddha(佛). Thailand is a Buddhist country{#blank#}2{#/blank#}has a long and rich history. Therefore, it is very important for the{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (tourist) to treat the Buddha with respect.

    Don't touch the head,{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(especial) the head of the grown-ups. In Thailand, head is regarded{#blank#}5{#/blank#}the most important part of the body. It {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (consider) extremely rude to touch an adult's head. Certainly, it is acceptable for close friends or family members to touch each other's heads.

    Mind the feet and put them {#blank#}7{#/blank#} they should be. Visitors are not allowed{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(point) their feet directly at another person or the Buddha. It is not proper to step over a person or the Buddha {#blank#}9{#/blank#}. In other words, your feet should always be {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(low) than another person's head.