Almost everyone knows about Olympic Games. But not 1 people know how they started, why they once stopped and when the People's Republic of China took part in the Olympics.

    People 2 the first Olympic Games in Greece (希 腊）in 776 B. C. They had the Olympics 3 four years in summer. The first Olympics 4 for only one day and there was only one contest (比赛).It was a short race. Only Greek men could 5 in the race. Women couldn't 6 the race.

    When Rome (罗马）ruled Greece, the Olympics 7.

    The People's Republic of China took part in the Olympics 8 the first time in 1952. 9 China got no gold medals until (直到）1984 in the Los Angeles Olympics. China won the first 10 in the 29th Beijing Olympics in 2008. We hope China will get more gold medals in the 30th Olympics in London. Come on, the Chinese players!

SAN FRANCISCO CELEBRATIONS

    Some of San Francisco's many celebrations, like the Fourth of July (U.S. Independence Day), are very American; but others 1 that San Francisco is a very international city.

    Over 100, 000 people celebrate the Chinese New Year in January or February. There are lion dances, fireworks, and a huge parade 2 the Financial District(地区)and Chinatown. It is the most important festival of the Chinese year, and the largest 3 event in North America.

    Tourists4 try to see the Cherry Blossom Festival(樱花节)at the Japan Center in April. This is a celebration of traditional Japanese culture with musicians, dancers, and artists, and a colourful 5.

    In early May, there is a Mexican festival called Cinco de Mayo, with a carnival（狂欢节） and lots of special events. And Carnaval San Francisco—a popular Latin American and Caribbean festival with salsa and reggae bands— 6 on the last weekend in May.

    On the Fourth of July, there are celebrations and parties all over the city, and everyone enjoys 7 the amazing fireworks over San Francisco Bay.

    On the night of 8 , thousands of people in costumes come to Market Street and Castro Street for a huge Halloween party. Many people think this is the most exciting night of the year.

    9 at Christmas time, there is a huge Christmas tree in Union Square, and the stores in the square have a competition for the 10 store window.

    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.

    It's very interesting to study names of different countries. Chinese names are different1foreign names. Once an English lady came to2me. When I was introduced to her, she said, "Glad to meet you, Miss Ping." Then she gave me her name card with three words on it: "Betty J. Black". So I said "Thank you, Miss Betty." We looked at each other and laughed heartily. Later I found that the English people3their family names last and the given names first, while their middle names were not used very much. I explained to her that the Chinese put family names first, the given names last, so she should4call me Miss Ping. She asked if we Chinese had a middle name. I told her we didn't.5people may often find three words on a Chinese name card. In this case, the family name still comes first, the other words after it was a two-word given name. It is quite usual in China. My sister is Li Xiaofang. She has two words in her given name instead of just one6   mine.

    "Readers(《朗读者》"is a popular TV show. It invites1people to read aloud on the stage(舞台). Some are famous actors and actresses. Some are students. Some work in different places. The show also tells the moving stories behind those people. They can read everything, like poems, books, and letters. By reading aloud, the 2 on the paper come to life.

    Many people are fans of the show. They begin to 3 reading aloud at home. Now, the show gives people a special 4 to read across China. It is a reading pavilion( 朗读亭). They are in many cities, including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xi'an.

    The pavilion is very small. Only one person can come into it each time. There is a microphone in it and it records(录下) people's voices. Everyone can read for three minutes in the pailion. They can read anything they like. The show will 5some of the readers to read on TV.

    People of all ages read in the pavilion. "Reading should be just like singing and talking," said Dong Qing, the host and producer(制作人) of the show." We can express our 6 feelings by reading aloud.

    In our country there are street names everywhere. So it is 1 for us to give directions. You can just say what street a 2is on. For example: It's on Guang Ming Street. It's next to the bank. However, there are no street names in some other countries. How do the people give directions then?

    Most visitors from other countries are often puzzledin Japan because most streets there don't have names. In Japan, people use 3. For example, when you ask the way to the hospital, the Japanese will say," Go straight down to the corner. Turn right at the big hotel and go past a bookstore. The hospital is there."

    People in California have no idea of distance in their minds. They give distance by means of time, not miles." 4is the hospital?" you ask." Oh," they answer, "It's about ten minutes from here." You say," Yes, but how many miles away is it?" They don't know.

    People in Greece won't tell you 5the hospital is. Because visitors cannot understand the Greek language. But a Greek often says, "6me." Then he'll lead you through the streets of the city to the hospital.