The Water City of Venice

    In 1980s, I went to Italy for business. One day, I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town of Venice(威尼斯), Italy, the city of lights and 1.

    As we enjoyed our coffee, a young man2 glasses entered and sat at an empty table beside us. He called the waiter and placed his order saying, “Two cups of coffee, one of them there 3 the wall.”

    We heard this order with interest and found that he 4 with one cup of coffee but he paid for two.

    When he left, the waiter 5 a piece of paper on the wall saying “A Cup of Coffee”.

    While we were still there, 6 middle-aged men entered and ordered three cups of coffee, two on the table and one on the wall. They had two cups of coffee but 7 three and left. This time also, the waiter did the same. He put a piece of paper on the wall saying, “A Cup of Coffee”.

    It was 8 and perplexing(困惑)for us. We finished our coffee, paid the bill and left.

    After a few days, we had a chance  9 this coffee shop again. While we were enjoying our coffee, a man 10 dressed entered. As he seated himself, he 11 the wall and said, “One cup of coffee from the wall.”

    The waiter served coffee to this man with the customary(惯常的)respect. The man had his coffee and left  12 paying.

    We were amazed to watch all this, as the waiter 13 a piece of paper from the wall and threw it into the rubbish bin.

    Now it was no 14 for us-the matter was very clear. The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants(居民)of this town 15 our eyes well up in tears.

    Many years later, when I went to Venice for business again, I did the same thing as my appreciation to this beautiful world.

    My friend and I entered a little coffee house and ordered two cups of coffee. While we were waiting, two young men came in and began to order, “1cups of coffee, please. Two of them for us and three there on the wall.” The waiter served them with respect (尊敬). They paid for their order, took the two and left. As soon as they left, the waiter2put three pieces of paper on the wall. We saw this with great3.

Some more people came. Two girls asked for one coffee each, paid and went away. Then came three lawyers who paid for seven coffees —three for 4and four suspended(待用). I really 5 what the suspended coffees were. Suddenly a man came into the coffee house. The way this man was dressed didn't 6 the style(风格）of this coffee shop. He kindly ordered a coffee on the wall. The waiter served coffee to this man, showing him the same 7 as the other customers. The man had his coffee and left 8 paying. The waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dustbin.

At that moment, I knew the meaning of the suspended coffees. It's simple—people pay the coffee in advance(预先) for someone who can't 9it. The tradition with the suspended coffees 10 in Italy, but it has spread all over the world. A suspended coffee is not only a cup of coffee, but also the warmth and love to someone in need.

    The red star over China is shining brightly on its sixty- fifth birthday. And why is that? There are many reasons. First of all, there is peace and prosperity(繁荣) in China. The country isn't at war and 1 Chinese are living better and more comfortable lives than at 2 in history. And things will get even better in the future.

    The Chinese economy is a world wonder — grow so quickly, so many buildings and so many new businesses. China is now the 3 economic country in the world only next to America. Some believe that China will be Number One 4 the year 2030. What amazing 5! And what does that mean for you? It means that there will be lots of chances for you to do good jobs and to use all of your talents.

    The rest of the world has started to take a closer 6 at China and they like what they see. In recent world wide survey, almost seventy percent of the people said they had a "positive image" of China. They thought China is beautiful and they are 7 in what is happening in China.

    And it is not only because of economy, 8 Chinese culture. Zhang Ziyi and Gongli are famous all over the world, as well as the movie director Ang Lee. Writers like Gao Xingjian and Ba jin have won international awards. And painters, such as Wu Zuoren are selling their works for record high prices. This 9 China seem pretty cool and it really is!

    So happy birthday, China! We are 10 you!

    What must you 1when you receive a present for your birthday? You should sit down and write a thank-you letter. The sentence "Thank you." is very important. We use it often. We2when someone gives us a drink, helps us pick up things, hands us a letter, lends us a book, or gives us a present.

    3important word is "please". Many people always forget 4it. It is not polite to ask someone to do something5 saying "please". We use it when we 6 something too. It may be a book or a pencil, more rice or more tea. It may be used in the classroom, at home, at the bus stop or in a shop. We have to say "please" to make each other 7.

    We have to 8to say "sorry" too. When we hurt someone, we have to say we are9. When we tell a lie and feel sorry, we use10 word "sorry". When we forget something or break something, we use the word "sorry" too. "Sorry" is a word that can make people forgive mistakes.