Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home. You should not be upset  1 your English friends don't invite you home. 2 doesn't mean they don't like you. Dinner parties usually start 3 7 and 8 p.m. and end at about 11 p.m.

    Ask your hosts what time you should arrive. It's polite to bring flowers, chocolates or a bottle of wine 4 a gift.

    Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks. If you want to be extra polite, say how much you like the room, or the 5 on the wall. But remember－it's not polite to ask how much things 6.

    In many families, the husband sits at one of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests.

    You'll probably start the meal with soup or something small, then you'll 7 meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert, followed by 8. It's polite to finish 9 on your plate and to take more if you want it.

    Did you enjoy the evening? Call your hosts the next day, 10 write them a short "thank you" letter. British and American people like to say "thank you" all the time!

    There are so many English expressions (表达) about weather. They mean 1different.

    Raining a lot isn't a good thing, but there is good news about rain: "Save for a rainy day" 2 people are working hard for a future plan. And "as right as rain" tells us that someone is as 3 as usual. So when your friend says, "I was ill, but now I feel as right as rain", you know he is OK.

    However, the expressions about 4 don't sound so good. If a person only wants to do something great but 5 starts with small things, we may say "he has his head in the cloud". And if someone passed (通过) a difficult test (测试) and felt very 6 we may say he is "on cloud nine".

    On hot days, wind makes you feel 7 and comfortable. The expressions with wind mean a lot more. "Sail (航行) close to the wind" tells us it is dangerous to 8 a dishonest (不诚实的) man. While the expression "know which way the wind blows (~)" suggests that a man won't tell his idea about something 9 he knows it very well.

    Snow has many meanings. When there is too much work for you to 10 on time, you may say “I've been snowed down by my work". And "as white as snow" Means being honest.

    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!

    In the US Mother's Day is a holiday on the second Sunday in May. It is a day when children give their 1cards，presents and flowers.

    One of the best ways to celebrate Mother's Day is to give your mother the day off. Let her have a good rest while other members of the family do the 2.

    Many families begin Mother's Day with3in bed. Usually Dad and the children will let Mum4late as they go into the kitchen（厨房）and get ready5 her favourite meal. A Mother's Day breakfast can make anything your mum likes.

    After the food is cooked, keep everything nicely on a plate. Don't forget to put the bottle6 only one flower. It's spring here, and the children can pick the nicest 7from the garden outside. When everything is ready, carefully carry the plate and Mum's favourite books and newspapers up to her bedroom. Cards and small presents from the children can be put on the plate8it is given to Mum in bed.

    Many families take Mum out to her favourite restaurant for a meal. It is a good day to let your mum9and let her see what a wonderful10she has.

    A gift is necessary when one is invited to visit friends in China. After greetings, the gift should be passed immediately to the host. Remember that usually Chinese people will not open the gift in front of the person who gives  1. To show the respect, it may be  2 to explain what the gift is. Bringing some nutrients and tonics (营养品、补品) to the elders in the family is a good idea. You can 3 prepare some small gifts for the spouse (配偶) or kids of the host. The host usually makes full  4 by carefully tidying up the house and  5  a lot of delicious dishes.  6 the meal is well prepared, the host may say to the guest politely, "My preparation is not enough, please excuse me for my poor treat." As a guest, you should make the host believe that there is plenty to eat by praising the food.

    While eating, the elders will use chopsticks to  7 food for guests as a tradition and ask them to eat  8 . As a guest, you should accept their goodwill readily.  But nowadays, the younger people do the traditional way less.

    After dinner, tea and fruit are usually served. When the guests are to leave, the host may still politely ask them to stay. They don't have to take it 9 and they can try to find a good time to leave. This doesn't mean that leaving early is always a good idea as the host may feel that the guests are not satisfied with the treat. Finding the right time to leave  10  the situation.