Julie was at a crossroads. She had just graduated from university {#blank#}1{#/blank#}was ready to begin life as an independent adult. She had already received some great job {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(offer) from several major companies and was very {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(excite)about the opportunities. While {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(clean) out her dormitory room on her last day at university, she {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(receive) an unexpected phone call. The {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(call) greeted her in careful English and then introduced himself as representing {#blank#}7{#/blank#}international association. He had met Julie a few weeks ago at a job fair(招聘会)and {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(impress) with her spoken English. The only difficulty was {#blank#}9{#/blank#} his company was in the country of Colombia. Julie was {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(curiously)to find out more, so after talking with her parents that evening, she booked a flight to South America.

    A couple who sold all of their {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(possess) have been left with nothing after their boat sank just two days into their journey. Tony and Mary began their adventure on {#blank#}2{#/blank#} sailboat last week, setting off from the marina in Tarpon Springs.

    While sailing through the popular tourist site, the bottom of their boat {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(strike) an unseen object underwater and quickly started to take on water, {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(force) them to evacuate（撤出）. They were left with just their two-year-old dog Remy, their social security cards, one mobile phone and some dog food and clothes.

    Tony, 26, is {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(original) from Florida and worked in marketing for timeshares. He met Mary, 24, in her home town of Philadelphia, but told the newspaper they both got “tired" {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the sales lifestyle.

    In April 2017 they sold everything they had, including his SUV, and bought the 1969 boat they named “Lagniappe” – spending a lot of money to restore {#blank#}7{#/blank#}. Up until that point, the couple had no sailing experience, so they spent the next month's learning from Tony's father. It was only this month {#blank#}8{#/blank#} they decided they were ready and were given a grand send-off（送行）by friends at Tarpon Springs. Two days {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(late), the boat sank. It remains in the water, and the coast guard has told the couple it could cost up to $10,000 to remove and store it. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, they only have $90.

    In Chinese culture, each year is related to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (believe) to take after some of the animal's characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

    Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}associates the 12 animals with one of five elements :metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached {#blank#}5{#/blank#} them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(general) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (caution)in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (impress) that they have a stubborn personality, but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.

    In much of Asia, especially the so-called "rice bowl" cultures of China, Japan, Korea, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Vietnam, food is usually eaten with chopsticks.

    Chopsticks are usually two long, thin pieces of wood or bamboo. They can also be made of plastic, animal bone or metal. Sometimes chopsticks are quite artistic. Truly elegant chopsticks might {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (make) of gold and silver with Chinese characters. Skilled workers also combine various hardwoods and metal {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (create) special designs.

    The Chinese have used chopsticks for five thousand years. People probably cooked their food in large pots, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (use) twigs(树枝)to remove it. Over time, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} the population grew, people began cutting food into small pieces so it would cook more quickly.

    Food in small pieces could be eaten easily with twigs which {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(gradual) turned into chopsticks.

    Some people think that the great Chinese scholar Confucius, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} lived from roughly 551 to 479 B.C., influenced the {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (develop) of chopsticks. Confucius believed knives would remind people of killings and {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) too violent for use at the table.

    Chopsticks are not used everywhere in Asia. In India, for example, most people traditionally eat {#blank#}10{#/blank#} their hands.