There exist cruel wars, fighting and sadness in the world today, so it's not only necessary, but also essential to have a good sense of humor just to help us go through difficult times in our lives. Putting a smile on someone's face when you know they are feeling depressed, as the saying goes, makes me feel good and warms my heart.

    How would you feel if you could not joke around with wife, husband, child, co-worker, neighbor, close friend, or even just someone that you are standing in line with at your corner store? I am always saying things that make others smile or laugh, even if I don't know the person I'm joking around with. My Grandma always found humor in everything she did, even if it was the hardest job anyone could imagine. This not only relieves stress in any situation, but also is a common manner to speak to others that are around you.

    I know of a few people that don't have a funny bone in their bodies, as they say. Everyone around them could be rolling on the floor after hearing a great joke and they would sit there without the slightest smile on their faces. They don't get the joke that makes others laugh. I am, laughing hard while they just sit there, looking at me as if I were from outer space. How can people not get a really funny joke?

    Laughing is essential to keep your stress levels under control. Without humor, we would find ourselves with a lot of psychological problems, or on a lot of medications to keep us from going crazy. There is too much sadness and bring a little light into our lives. Therefore, I believe our best medicine is to get together and tell some jokes and have some fun laughing together.

    At times we all get angry when we are driving. It might be because we are stuck in a traffic jam or stuck behind a very slow driver. It might be because we think another driver has done something very stupid and dangerous. Whatever the reason, it seems that getting angry in a car is something which happens more and more often and there is now a special term for it: "road rage". Some experts even think that road rage is a kind of mental illness! How can we recognize this "illness" of road rage?

There are two kinds of road rage: aggressive driving and aggressive reactions to the way other people are driving. Aggressive driving can take different forms:

    Driving much faster than the speed limit.

    Increasing your speed very quickly.

    Driving very close behind the car in front and sounding the horn or flashing the headlights.

    Changing lanes very suddenly and blocking another car.

    Moving into a parking space where another ear is trying to park.

There are also different reactions to the way other people are driving. These include:

    Making rude signs at people.

    Shouting at people and threatening them.

    Deliberately driving into another person's car.

    Hitting somebody.

    Using a weapon such as a baseball bat, or even a gun or a knife.

    Road rage is certainly not a joke. There have been incidents of road rage which have led to serious injuries and even murder. Experts think that one reason for road rage is that films show a lot of examples of fast and aggressive driving such as car chases where this kind of driving seems to be positive.

    Experts also think that the punishments for dangerous driving are not serious enough. Experience shows that driving problems can be controlled，but it takes a long time. In the UK in the last 30 years, he police have been quite successful in reducing the number of people who drink and drive. They are now working to stop people using mobile phones when they are driving. Let's hope they can have the same success with road rage.

    When you visit America, you will see the word Motel on signs and notice boards. It is made up of "motor" and "hotel" and it is really a hotel for people who arrive by car (however, you don't need a car to stay at one). You have to pay when you arrive for your room, which usually has a bath. Meals are not provided, but there will certainly be a cafeteria (自助餐馆). Americans eat a lot of salads and sandwiches. Along the main roads there are a lot of motels. Each tries to offer more than next. Some provide television in every bedroom; others have swimming pools; and so on. Motels are especially useful when you are in the country, far from a town or city. You will also find them in the big National Parks.

    In these great National Parks, you may meet guests you don't expect to see. An American friend told me a little story. In the middle of a moonless night she heard strange noises outside her motel window in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Thinking it might be a thief, she jumped out of bed, opened the door and crept towards a dark shadow. As she got close, she saw the thief. She was dreadfully frightened: it wasn't a human thief ­ it was a big black bear. The bear was turning over some empty tins with its paw, looking for tasty bits of food. My friend decided to leave that particular thief alone!

    There are also, of course, places called "rooming houses", where they receive lodgers (房客). You will see such signs as Tourists or Rooms Rent, and you could try one of these. A word of warning ­ looking for a room in New York during the tourist season is like looking for gold on the moon!

A farmer grew some vegetables in his garden. One day his wife was ill and he had no money. He had to sell some cabbages and carrots in the market. The next morning he took two baskets of vegetables to town. But it was raining hard that afternoon and there were few people in the street. When his vegetables were sold out, it was dark. He bought some medicine and hurried to his village. 

On his way home he saw a person lying on the snow. He placed his baskets on the ground and was going to help the person to get up. At that time he found it was a dead man and there was much blood on his body. He was so afraid that he ran away quickly, without taking the baskets with him. 

The next afternoon the farmer was sent to the police station. Having shown the baskets, an officer asked: "Are these yours?" "Yes, sir." the farmer answered timidly (胆怯)."Have you killed the man?" "No, no, sir." the farmer said in a hurry. "When did you see the dead man?" "About seven last evening." "Did you see who killed the man?" "No, Sir." The officer brought out a knife and asked, "Have you seen it yet?" "No, Sir." The officer became angry and told the policemen to beat him up and send him into prison. 

That evening the officer went on trying. Pointing to the knife, he asked again, "Have you seen it yet?" "Yes, Sir." The officer was happy and asked, "When and where?" "I saw it here this afternoon, sir."

High on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(lie) China's "water tower" Sanjiangyuan. It is home to the headwaters of China's three rivers: the Yellow River, Yangtze River, and Lancang (Mekong) River. It is the three rivers {#blank#}2{#/blank#} provide water for about half the population of China. However, human activities are putting this ecosystem {#blank#}3{#/blank#}risk. Hopefully, though, we can change this damage. In 2016, the Chinese government built Sanjiangyuan National Park in Qinghai province. The park, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(schedule) to open in 2020, has increased the area's green coverage and attracted more wildlife. The local government has also made great effort to improve biological diversity. The success of Sanjiangyuan will mark the start of a {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(green) future. With Sanjiangyuan {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(take) the lead, nine other regions in China {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(choose) by a field conservation station to carry out projects over the past three years, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} will form a national park system together. The idea of a national park system is still new in China, but{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(it) realization is urgent. After all, building an ecological civilization bears great{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(important) in the development and progress of human civilization.

The Importance of Learning a Second Language

In today's globalized world, learning a second language has become an essential skill. It offers numerous benefits that can enhance both personal and professional aspects of life. 

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Through the process of learning a new language, one can gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and traditions. This can lead to greater empathy and appreciation for diversity. 

Additionally, bilingual(双语的) individuals often have better cognitive abilities. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Studies have shown that they are better at multitasking, problem- solving, and decision- making compared to monolinguals(单语的). This is because the brain is constantly engaged in managing two languages, which strengthens its overall function. 

{#blank#}3{#/blank#} In many professional fields, being proficient in more than one language can open up job opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. Many companies prefer to hire candidates who can communicate with international clients or partners. 

Moreover, learning a second language can significantly enhance travel experiences. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Communicating in the local language can lead to more meaningful interactions and a deeper connection with the place and its people. 

Finally, the process of learning a new language itself can be incredibly (不可置信地) rewarding. 

{#blank#}5{#/blank#} This sense of achievement can boost confidence and motivate individuals to tackle other challenges in life. 

Overall, the advantages of learning a second language are clear. It not only broadens one's horizons but also equips them with skills that are valuable in an increasingly interconnected world. 

A. It allows travelers to guide new environments with ease and enjoy genuine cultural experiences. 

B. The effort and devotion required to master a new language can get a strong sense of accomplishment. 

C. Bilingualism can delay the onset of dementia(痴呆症) and other age- related cognitive declines. 

D. One of the most significant advantages is the ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. 

E. Fluency in multiple languages is often associated with higher salaries and better career prospects. 

F. They tend to have improved memory, attention span, and analytical skills. 

G. Another major benefit is the improvement in job prospects and career advancement.