{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (exact) when the first people arrived in what we now know as California，no one really knows. However, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} is likely that Native Americans were living in California at least fifteen thousand years ago.

Scientists believe that these first settler {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (cross) the Bering Strait in the Arctic to America {#blank#}4{#/blank#} means of a land bridge which existed in prehistoric times. In the 16th century, after the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (arrive) of Europeans, the native people suffered greatly. Thousands were killed or forced into slavery. In addition, many died {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the diseases brought by Europeans. However, some survived these terrible times, and today there are more Native Americans {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (live) in California than in any other state.

    In the 18th century, California was ruled by Spain. Spanish soldiers first arrived in South America in the early 16th century. Two centuries later, the Spanish had settled in most parts of South America and along the northwest coast of {#blank#}8{#/blank#} we now call the United States. Of {#blank#}9{#/blank#} first Spanish to go to California, the majority were religious men, whose ministry was {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (teach) the Catholic religion to the natives.

    On a{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(freeze) cold day,Mrs Smith's dog was hungry,but there was not any meat{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(leave) in the house.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (consider) there was no better way,Mrs Smith took a piece of paper,and wrote the{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(follow) words: “Give my dog half a pound of meat.”Then she asked her dog to take it to the butcher's.When the butcher recognized that it was really the lady's handwriting,he did as he{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(ask) to.The dog was very happy,and ate the meat up immediately.

    The next day,the dog came again exactly at midday.And as{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(usually),it brought a piece of paper in the mouth.This time the butcher did not take a look at the paper,and just gave the dog its meat,for he had regarded the dog{#blank#}7{#/blank#}one of his customers.

    One day later,to the butcher's more surprise,it came at six o'clock and brought{#blank#}8{#/blank#}third piece of paper.Though {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(surprise),the butcher gave him{#blank#}10{#/blank#}he wanted.But what he didn't know was,that there were not any words on the paper!

    I gain a lot of rewarding experiences from some social activities. Our local Community Youth Club is a very popular organization with young people in my town. I have been a member for four years now and I've taken part in a lot of interesting projects,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}include fun activities such as holiday camps and discos. We have organized sports competitions and we have even made a video.

    But it isn't all just enjoyment, we have also started doing social work to help people in our neighborhood. We{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(organize) activities for small children during the holidays. We have also formed a special support group to help young people stop{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(smoke).

    We are particularly proud of the most recent group we have created. It organizes regular visits{#blank#}4{#/blank#}the local old people's home. My class spent an afternoon at a home and everyone found the visit very rewarding. The old people there were{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(talk) and they told us their personal stories{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(cheer) .

    During our visit, the home was filled with {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(laugh). But we realized that life wasn't always easy .Some of them were in poor health and were very

{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (happy).

    Many young people like me do not live with our grandparents and we have little contact with elderly people. As a result, many young people don't know{#blank#}9{#/blank#}

    they are like. After this visit, my friends and I decided that we should do{#blank#}10{#/blank#}to help improve the quality of their lives.

    China is a big old country and it has a history of more than five thousand years. We are proud of{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(it) culture and part of the culture even influences the world{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(great), for example, the thought of Confucius. As Chinese economy develops very fast and plays {#blank#}3{#/blank#} important role in the world, more and more{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(foreign) learn Mandarin (普通话) in Confucius institutions. The Chinese traditional culture can be tested by the time. It unites the whole nation and no matter{#blank#}5{#/blank#} kind of disaster comes, we will fight together for the country's future. Today, many young people lose {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(faith) in traditional culture and they are crazy{#blank#}7{#/blank#}the western culture. They follow the western fashion{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(think) we are the old style. But someday, they {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (realize) they are wrong {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (abandon) traditional culture.