When I was a child, I often dreamed of the time when I could leave home and escape to the city. We lived on a farm, in the winter especially, we wear quite out off from the outside world. As soon as I left school, I packed my bags and moved to the capital.

    However, I soon discovered that one big disadvantage is money. It costs so much to go out, not to mention basics like food and housing. Another disadvantage is pollution. I suffer from asthma(哮喘), and the air is so bad that I am afraid to go outside. Then there is the problem of traveling round. Although I have a car, I seldom use it because of the traffic jams. One choice is to go by bicycle, but that can be quite dangerous.

    Of course there are advantages. First, there is so much to do in the city, whatever you tastes in culture or entertainment(娱乐活动). Besides, there are wonderful jobs and greater chances of moving to a more important job or position. Finally, if you like shopping, the variety of goods is very surprising — and, what is more, shops are often only a short walk away.

    Is life better then, in the city? Perhaps it is, when you are in your teens(十几岁) or twenties. However, as you get older, and especially if you have small children, the peace of the countryside may seem preferable. I certainly hope to move back there soon.

    Beliefs form a big part of our lives. Successful people have always believed that they can be and will be successful in their lives, such as Michael Phelps. Many of us have seen Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals in a single Olympic Games. That has created a history for himself. Many people have admired his success and the first reaction in their mind will be, “Wow, how I wish I could be like him!” Have you ever wondered what brought him success?

    In fact, anyone can achieve what they have wanted to achieve. It is about beliefs. Everyone is a born winner. It is this belief that drives an individual to be successful in his or her own field. All successful individuals have strong beliefs and it is one of the bases for their success. If we start to believe in ourselves, the things that we can achieve will definitely give us a pleasant surprise.

    Other than having a strong belief, it is the attitude that drives the individual to create their own history. The devotion towards themselves and the drive must also be present. Imagine having a strong belief in oneself and having a poor attitude towards life. Then how would that individual turn out to be? One's attitude comprises the drive, the devotion and the desire to achieve his goals. If one has strong beliefs about the goals that he can achieve and he displays good attitudes towards them, it would be no surprise to anyone that he will be able to achieve his goals.

    Start believing in yourself and you will achieve your goals and with the right positive attitude, you will definitely be able to create the miracle that you have always dreamt of.

The Future of Technology

    William, a businessman, arrives in a foreign airport. He doesn't show his passport. Instead, a machine in the wall reads the computer chip（芯片）in his arm. This contains information about him: his name, age, and I.D number. He exits the airport, and a car door opens when it “sees” him. The car takes him to his hotel. His room “knows” he has entered the building and it “reads” his body. He is cold, so the room becomes warmer. William then watches a business presentation on a video wall. When he takes a bath, the presentation “follows him and continues ”on the bathroom wall. Finally, the room plays music to help him sleep. It turns off the music when it “sees” him sleeping.

    William doesn't exist, and none of this is real. But it might be soon. “In five to ten years, computing and communications are going to be free and everywhere, in your walls, in your car, on your body,” says Victor Zue, leader of Project Oxygen.

    Project Oxygen has one big idea: to create better relationships between machines and people. The dream is that computer will learn to understand what people want.

    So, what changes will there be at work? Firstly, the building will know where everyone is, all the time. You want to talk to someone? Type the person's name on the nearest computer. It will show you a map of the building and exactly where this person is. You then call this person, who picks up the nearest telephone, also shown on the computer. If he or she is busy with a client（客户）or in a meeting, the computer will tell you.

    Is all this really possible? Visit the Siebel Center, Illinois and see for yourself: computers in the doors and walls, cameras everywhere, the technology of the future, but here today.

Opening week specials（大特惠） at Munchies Food Hall.

At the corner of Green and Brown Streets in the city

Monday 7th of January until Sunday.13rd of January 2008

Feast until you're full! Come down to Monetizes time week to enjoy the special dishes on offer it all of our food outlets. Order from the following:

●Succulent chicken rice             ●spicy stays beef

●Delicious noodle dishes          ●plump porky chips

●seafood specialties                 ●crunchy vegetables

●sweet tropical fruit

Halal food（清真食品） is available at the stall. Malay Mood Heaven

Win Prizes and Gifts!

Spend ＄20.00 or more and win instant prizes from our lucky draw box.

Collect a free party balloon and whistle for each young diner.

Enjoy a free meal if you are the first customer of the day at any of our stalls.

Win a holiday to Western Australia.

A free raffle ticket（彩券） is given with every receipt（收据）. Just fill in your information and place your entry in the box provided.

Winner to be announced in The Strait Times on the 15th of January.

Join in the Fun!

Between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm each evening until the 15th of January, your favorite Channel 3 television actors and singers will entertain you:

●May Lee                     ●Jackie Chen

●Kim Yap                     ● Kamala

Autograph sessions will follow each performance! And who will be our extra special mystery star? Come down on Saturday at noon to find out.

    Once upon a time there lived an old man in a nice cottage with a large garden. The old man was seen 1 his flowers all the time. They were so well-tended that every passer-by could not but 2 for a glance.

    One day a young man went by the garden. He gazed at the splendid garden, 3 in admiration at the beauty of these sceneries. Then, suddenly he 4 the old gardener was blind. 5, the young man asked, “Why are you busy tending these flowers every day which you can't 6 in fact?” The old man smiled and answered that “I can tell you 7 reasons. First I was a 8 when I was young, and I really like this job. Second, although I can't see these flowers, yet I can 9 them. Third, I can smell sweetness of them. As to the last one, that's 10.

    “Me? But you don't know me,” responded the young man 11.

    “Yeah, it's12 that I don't know you. But I know everyone knows flowers and would never 13 them down. I know the beauty of my garden will get many people into a good 14. In the meantime, it also 15 a chance to me to have a word with you here and to enjoy the happiness these flowers have brought us.”

    The old man's 16 astonished me. The blind man grows flowers and 17them as a link of minds so as to make 18 enjoy the sunshine in spring. Isn't it one kind of happiness？

    I believe every flower has 19 with which they can see the kindness of the man's heart. The blind man grows flowers in his heart. Though 20 to see the beauty of blossoming(开花), he surely can hear the voice of it, I suppose.

    What should you think about in trying to find your career（职业）? You are probably better at some school subjects than others. A boy who is good at mathematics can use that in an engineering career. So it is important to do well at school. On the other hand, you may not have any specially strong or weak subjects but your records show a general satisfactory standard. Knowledge of history is not required for most jobs but if history is one of your good subjects you will have learned to remember facts and details. This is an ability that can be useful in many jobs.

    If nothing else, you may have learned how to get to work on time, to follow instructions and to get on with older workers. Just as important, you may become interested in a particular industry or career you see from the inside in a part-time job.

    Facing your weak points is also part of knowing yourself. Your school record, for instance, may not be too good, yet it is an important part of your background. You should not be apologetic about it but instead recognize that you will have a chance of a fresh start at work.

A. It is better to face any weaknesses than to pretend they do not exist.

B. A girl who spells well and likes English may be good at office work.

C. He may do well in his future work.

D. Although not all subjects can be used directly in a job, they may have indirect value.

E. Your school must have taught you the skills.

F. These may show strengths (优势) that you can use in your work.

G. If you have had a part-time job on Saturday or in the summer, think what you gained from it.

    Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general. Why are uniforms so popular there?

    Among the arguments for uniforms is that most uniforms look more (profession) than civilian (百姓的) clothes. People expect superior quality from a man wears a uniform. The television repairman wearing a uniform tends (inspire) more trust. Faith the skill of a garage worker is increased by a uniform. Uniforms also have many practical (benefit). They save on other clothes and laundry bills. They are  often (comfortable) than civilian clothes. Among the arguments against uniforms (be) their lack of variety and the loss of individuality. there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular typeis generally stuck with it, without change. When people look alike, they will think, speak, and act (similar).

增加： 在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧）, 并在其下写出该加的词。

删除： 把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改： 在错的词下划一横线, 并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意： 1.每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；2.只允许修改10处, 多者（从第11处起）不计分。

    Patience is of great importance in our daily life. Once I waited a bus to come at a stop. 30 minutes past, but no bus came. Both upset and annoyed, I decided to walk on feet. But no sooner had I left when the bus arrived. I thought if I had waited for one more minute, I would have caught it. If I chose to take a next bus, I would have to wait for other 30 minutes. Only then do I realize my problem. Being impatient will possible waste all the effort that we have put it in. Now whenever I am close to lose my patience, I'll think of this experience.

    Nowadays, cheating in exams is popular among some students.