(A)

Bags of Love

       Last year, I was assigned to work at an office near my mother's house, so I stayed with her for a month. During that time, I helped out with the housework and contributed to the groceries.

      After less than a week, I started noticing that the groceries were running out pretty quickly — we were always suddenly out of something.  {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (wonder) how my mum could consume them so quickly, I began observing her daily routine for two weeks. To my surprise, I found that she would pack a paper bag full of canned goods and head out every morning at about nine. Eventually, I decided to follow her and {#blank#}2{#/blank#} happened truly amazed me. She was taking the food to the refugee camp, in {#blank#}3{#/blank#} she distributed it to children.

       I asked around and found out that my mum was very well known in the area. The kids were very friendly with her and even looked up to her as if she were their own mother. Then it hit me —why would she not want to tell me about what she {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (do)? Was she worried about how I would react or that I would stop {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (buy) the groceries if I found out?

     When she got home, I told her about my discovery. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} she could react, I gave her a big hug and told her she didn't need to keep it a secret {#blank#}7{#/blank#}me. She told me that some of the children lived with an older lady in a shelter while others slept on the streets. For years, my mum has been helping out by giving them whatever food she could spare. I was so impressed by {#blank#}8{#/blank#} selfless she was.

    It is sad but true that people die in earthquakes{#blank#}1{#/blank#}falling furniture and bricks. Earthquake{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(safe) is very important and there is more to it{#blank#}3{#/blank#}just keeping buildings from falling down. So if your home is in an earthquake area, you should prepare carefully before the earthquake{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(come).

    First, make sure you buy a house which is earthquake safe. All pipes should be fixed to the walls and all walls should be{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(especial) thick and strong. Make sure the building has no{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(break) windows and is well repaired.

    Second, look at the objects in your house. Objects{#blank#}7{#/blank#}computers, televisions and lamps can be tied to tables or{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(stick) to them so they won't easily move around. The cupboards,{#blank#}9{#/blank#}many small things are stored, should have strong doors. Always remember,{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(good) safe than sorry.

    As the effects of global warming, rising seas and natural disasters become more serious {#blank#}1{#/blank#} before, some local communities are taking action. Among them is one community in Florida {#blank#}2{#/blank#} local people and government officials are proving successful in protecting {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (coast) cities from the dangers of rising sea levels.

    The community has studied how much sea levels will rise and has suggested {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (way) to address the problem. It has persuaded the state government {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (ban) new developments on land near the coastline and recommended building sand dunes (沙丘) along beaches. Kristin Jacobs, one of the group's founders, decided to take action in 2008 after it became {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (gradual) clear that her state's 27 water authorities couldn't agree on joint (联合的) action.

    While some Florida government officials doubt whether the climate will become hotter or {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (cold), the people {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (live) in these locations are certain of the need to protect their communities.

    At present, coming up with ways to fight against the effects of climate change under an limited budget {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) a pressing concern. Only time will tell whether these coastal communities will succeed in {#blank#}10{#/blank#} end.

    Japan is a food heaven which has a unique food culture. You can find food from different countries worldwide in this island nation, and it is also very good at {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(combine) foreign food with its own traditional food. You may even find some food which {#blank#}2{#/blank#}only be found in Japan. One of them is called "Okosama Lunch," or "Kids' Lunch." In major department stores in Japan, there usually are many restaurants on the top floor of the building.' No matter what kind of food they serve, they usually have a menu for "Okosama Lunch." {#blank#}3{#/blank#}it is called a lunch, it is served at suppertime in most cases.

    It is said that "Okosama Lunch," a kid's menu was invented in 1930 by Taro Ando, a chief manager of Mitsukoshi Department, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(famous) department store in Japan founded in1673. Ando came up with an idea to have a variety of food which kids like on one plate and decorate {#blank#}5{#/blank#}nicely. The plate usually has molded rice with a tiny national flag chosen from one of many countries on top. It was during the Depression (大萧条) {#blank#}6{#/blank#}Ando thought it would be nice {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(have) something looking good for kids to enjoy. Besides a small portion of rice, an "Okosama Lunch" usually contains kid's favorite food, such as hamburger steak, deep-fried chicken, red Vienna sausages, Spaghetti Neapolitan, fried shrimp and pudding.

    The details of this special menu are different from restaurant to restaurant, resulting in different types of "Okosama Lunch" across the country. They{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(design) to attract kids with popular comic characters on the plate."

    Now you can find "Okosama Lunch" anywhere in Japan. At some restaurants, they usually serve it only to kids {#blank#}9{#/blank#}ten years old. Next time you visit Japan, you {#blank#}10{#/blank#}try this special menu and enjoy Japanese food culture.