The umbrella is a very common object. It keeps the 1and the sun off the people. Most umbrellas can be folded up(折叠) so it is 2 to carry them.

    However, the umbrella was not always as 3 as it is now. In the past, it was a symbol of importance. Some African countries still use umbrellas in this 4. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or important person.

    Umbrellas have a long history. People in different parts of the world began to 5 umbrellas at different times. The Chinese had them more than 3,000 years ago. From there, umbrellas 6 to India and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, 7, wouldn't use them. They believed umbrellas were only for women.

    England was 8 the first country in Europe where common people used umbrellas against rain. The weather there is very 9 and umbrellas are very useful.

     Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you 10 one, thinking that for centuries only great men and women used them, you'll feel you are the important person, too.

    Ann is a newspaper reporter. She chose this1so she could travel around the world. The work has taught her many unforgettable (令人难忘的) lessons. She has seen wars, earthquakes and death. But she has 2 seen courage, hope and happiness.

    Last year, she won an award for her reporting in Africa. She was very proud 3 it. At first, she thought she got the award because of her good work. But then she realized that she should thank many other people for 4 help.

    Ann was born in Jamaica. Her family was not poor, but it was not 5 , either. Her parents had to 6 hard so that she could go to school. At school, Ann was not a good student, 7 she enjoyed writing because her English teacher said, "Ann, you are a wonderful 8 " The teacher encouraged her all the time.

    Later, Ann went to university in Canada and then 9 a job. It was very difficult. Then, one day, she went to see the editor of a newspaper in Ottawa. The editor gave her a job. "Everyone needs a 10 at first." he said.

    Eddie was filled with excitement. The mountain bike 1was about to start and he had been training hard. Perhaps, this year, he would finally 2. The waiting crowd shouted encouragement, and Eddie's dad was among them, smiling 3.

    The starter's gun 4 and Eddie got away quickly. The road was bumpy (起伏不平) with lots of sudden turns, but Eddie was 5 for these challenges. As he went around a corner, he 6 that his friend Riley was the only rider in front of him.

    Putting in more effort, Eddie reached Riley and then suddenly he was 7.He was going to win!

    Eddie could 8 the finish line at the top of the next hill. The crowd began to 9 and Eddie heard his father's voice supporting him.

    Moments later, Eddie heard a cry. He looked around to see Riley 10 on the road with his bike on top of him. Any minute now, the other 11 would rush toward him over the hill.

    Eddie jumped off his bike and ran to Riley. His friend was unhurt and the boys 12moved Riley's bike off the road.

    The other riders 13 past to the finish line, and Eddie heard a cheer go up for the winner.

    Slowly, Eddie 14 his bike to the finish line. Tears of disappointment filled his eyes.

    Then, to his surprise, Eddie heard a sound and looked over at the crowd to see them cheering for 15.

And there was his dad, with the proudest smile of all.

Grace wasn't a popular kid in her school. The girl, Ashley, was popular and had many friends. They were in the same class 1 didn't talk much.

During the summer school, the teacher asked them to 2 a project (项目) together. Ashley didn't like working with Grace at first, but she gave in. The reason was that her cool 3 were not in the class. However, when the project ended, they became good friends and Ashley introduced (介绍) Grace to the" cool girls". To fit in with 4 group, Grace followed them around and agreed with all their opinions. She began to do what Ashley liked.

One day, she heard Ashley and her friends talking 5 her." Grace just 6 you around, trying to be you. She loses her own personality (个性)," one girl said. Then Ashley answered,"I know. I wish she could find the group she is 7 in." Grace felt so sad and then thought of her mother's 8 ," Everyone is special. Just be 9 ."

Grace decided to find out who she really was. From that day, Grace changed. She was in every play after school and built confidence to be a much 10 self. The friends she made in the theatre are still her great friends to this day.

Hangzhou is a city full of landscapes, culture and history. It {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (welcome) visitors from all over the world.

Hangzhou is famous {#blank#}2{#/blank#} its landscapes. The West Lake is one of {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (they). People can visit it anytime {#blank#}4{#/blank#} the West Lake is beautiful all year round. Visitors can walk, bike or boat around the West Lake. They can always feel {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (exciting)!

Hangzhou is {#blank#}6{#/blank#} great place to learn about Chinese culture and history. It {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (be) one of the ancient capitals of China. Here you can visit many great {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (museum). You can also take a boat trip along the Grand Canal (大运河).

It is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (wonder) to visit Meijiawu Tea Village in Hangzhou on weekends. There people {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (usual) pick (采摘) Longjing tea leaves by hand in the morning. It is believed that Longjing from Hangzhou is the most delicious green tea in China.

My grandfather often said "I won't" to show his dislike of dishonesty. When he was young, he worked as a furniture maker. One day, a neighbor invited him to make some furniture. When arriving, he noticed the wood provided was a little 1 , so he said, "I won't start right away. " He chose to let the wood dry for a month. He knew working with wet wood could cause 2 later on. 

Around the same time, another furniture maker was also asked to do a 3 job by a different family. Unlike my grandfather, he 4 working right away. As a result, the neighbor started doubting my grandfather, thinking he was trying to make more money by5 the work. However, my grandfather waited 6 . He wanted the best quality for the furniture he was making. 

A month later, the other furniture maker received his money and went back home. My grandfather began to make strong and beautiful furniture when the wood was completely dry. A few months passed and the furniture made by that other maker began to break. The neighbor then regretted 7 my grandfather and said sorry to him. People came to understand his 8 and skill, spreading his fame far and wide. 

Influenced by my grandfather, my father also follows the 9 of "I won't". He always provides the freshest food, which makes his restaurant very popular in town. Once, when a trade r wanted to sell some cheap but smelly seafood to my father, he said "No!" and stopped the business. 

Now, my brother and I 10 in mind what our grandfather and father taught us. Through ups and downs in life, we've come to deeply understand our family value behind this saying—— to be truthful and honest.