Many of us were raised with the saying "Waste not, want not.” None of us,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}, can completely avoid waste in our lives.

    Any kind of waste is thoughtless. Whether we waste our potential talents, our own time, our limited natural{#blank#}2{#/blank#}（资源）,our money, or other people's time, each of us can become more aware and careful. The smallest good habits can make a big {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.  It's a good feeling to know in our hearts we are doing our{#blank#}4{#/blank#}in a world that is in serious trouble.  By focusing on {#blank#}5{#/blank#}（节省）oil, water, paper, food, and clothing, we are playing a part{#blank#}6{#/blank#} cutting down on waste.

    We must keep reminding {#blank#}7{#/blank#}（自己）that it is easier to get into something {#blank#}8{#/blank#}it is to get out of it. Actually, severe damaged {#blank#}9{#/blank#}to our land is fairly recent in the history of our evolution.  It's time for us to{#blank#}10{#/blank#}no to waste so that our grandchildren's children will be able to develop well.  We can't solve all the problems of waste, but we can encourage mindfulness.

    Waste not！

    Hua Mulan was a brave girl in the Northern Wei dynasty. She disguised (假扮){#blank#}1{#/blank#} (her) as a man, and joined the army in place of her father. Mulan's father, once{#blank#}2{#/blank#} soldier, taught his daughter military (军事的) skills{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(include)horse riding and how to fight. Hua Mulan also read her father's books{#blank#}4{#/blank#} military science.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(drive) away the Rouran nomads (游牧民族), the {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(rule) of Northern Wei ordered that every family should send a man off to war against them. Mulan's old father, as well as her young brother, was not able to go and fight. So Mulan {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(decide) to join the army instead of her father. Mulan fought for 12 years{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (successful) without her true identity being discovered.  Mulan became a hero{#blank#}9{#/blank#} bravery moved people greatly, and she{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(offer) a high position, but she refused it.

    Even though her story might be no more than a legend, Hua Mulan has been respected as a filial (孝顺的) daughter by Chinese people for hundreds of years.

    Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. The practice of drinking tea has{#blank#}1{#/blank#}long history in China, having originated there. Nowadays, Chinese tea generally represents tea leaves which have been processed {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(use) methods inherited from ancient China.

    According to popular legend, tea{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(discover) by Chinese Emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BC{#blank#}4{#/blank#}a leaf from a nearby shrub fell into the water the emperor was boiling. The Emperor was interested in the new liquid,{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (drink) some carefully, and found it very refreshing. And so, tea was said to be created in 2737 BC.

    Tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China. The beverage(饮料) is considered one of the seven{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(necessity) of Chinese life, along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar. Around 771 BC—476 BC the Chinese tea was used {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(help) treat some diseases.

    Most Chinese teas are cultivated and consumed in China. Tea shops and tea houses in the street are easily found in China. Meanwhile, they are also exported internationally due{#blank#}8{#/blank#} a rise in the{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(popular) of Chinese cuisine worldwide. Tea has become one of Chinese specific drinks in the world. It is {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(common) available in Chinese restaurants and grocery shops world wide.

    Sun Yat-sen,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} was the leader of the 1911 Revolution, first suggested the idea of a dam across the Yangtze River in 1919. Three quarters of China's energy {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (produce) by burning coal. In 1993, China used 1.2 billion tons of coal for heating and generating{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(electric).{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (fortunate), burning coal causes serious air pollution and increases global warming. The dam will generate electricity equal{#blank#}5{#/blank#} about 40 million tons of coal without causing so much air pollution.

    Yesterday I went shopping in the town. I was using my crutches(拐杖)on {#blank#}1{#/blank#} were two bags. I really struggled through the shopping mall. I was {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(tire)! After a while, I found a space and had {#blank#}3{#/blank#} rest there.

    Then I noticed Michael. He was my former student and he was a man {#blank#}4{#/blank#} his 40s. It's been years since I {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(teach) Michael, but he stopped to chat with me. When he noticed my crutches, he said, "Let me carry the bags for you." I thanked him but {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(polite) declined his offer. Then Michael pointed to a coffee shop nearby, "I will be here Rose Marie, if you change your mind." It was lovely and kind of {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(he) to give me an opportunity to change my mind.

    In fact, Michael is tattooed(纹身) on his arms. People think that guys like this are frightening, but there {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(be) nothing threatening about Michael. Michael's {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(appear) with tattoos is just his idea of sell-expression.

    {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(chat) with him helps me recognize the tenderness in the youth regardless of how they look.