Fire was discovered many thousands of years ago. The first time humans saw fire was probably when a tree was destroyed by lightning(闪电). Humans soon learned how to make fire. They probably made the first fire by rubbing (摩擦)two sticks together.

 Fire was very important to humans. They needed to keep warm at night. They used fire to cook food. They used fire to keep enemies and wild animals away. In some parts of the world fire was used to send messages. The Indians in America, for example, used fire to make smoke as a message. In some other countries people lit fires to warn their friends of danger.

Fire was also used to give light. Before the invention of the oil lamp(灯), humans burned sticks to get light. 

One man even used fire to tell the time. He invented a candle clock. He made a candle that took exactly twelve hours to burn. Then he marked this candle in twelve equal(相等的) parts. He lit the candle and could tell the time by counting the number of parts left of the burning candle. But the candle clock did not always work well. If there was a wind blowing on the candle, it burned too quickly.

    During rush hours, you never know when a bus or a taxi might come. Walking might be too tiring. If it's about two or three miles away, which kind of transportation will you choose?{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Bike shares are a growing convenience in many cities around the world.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Riders usually have to pick up a bike at a self—serve station and return it at another station later. However, a Chinese bike—sharing company called Ofo, is bringing this idea to a new level.

    Like any other bike—sharing service, Ofo users can get a bike at any time.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Instead, they can pick one up wherever and whenever they please. To get a bicycle, riders with the app are able to find the nearest one.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}After parking the bike, all they have to do is to lock it.

    This Chinese company already has its bicycle throughout China, the United States and Singapore.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} “We want to reach more cities, connect more bikes and serve more people”, said Ofo founder Dai Wei.

A. Thousands of bike sharing programs have been set up by the governments.

B. When a rider is done with the bike, returning is just as easy.

C. This month, 500 Ofo bicycles will be set up in Cambridge, England.

D. For short journeys, riding a bike could be the best solution.

E. The big difference is that they don't need to find a self—serve station.

    Jazz is a type of music, is one of the art forms. It started in the United States. Black Americans, who sang and played the music of their homeland, created jazz.

    Jazz is a mixture of African music, work songs, slave songs and religious(宗教的)music. Improvisation(即兴表演)is an important part of jazz. This's why a jazz song might sound a little different every time it is played.

    Many jazz bands appeared in the late 1800s.They played jazz in bars and clubs in many towns and cities, especially in New Orlean& New Orleans is an international city and people from all over the world come to New Orleans to enjoy jazz.

    Jazz became more and more popular. By the 1920s, jazz was popular all over the United States. By the 1940s, you could listen to jazz not only in clubs and bars, but in concert halls. Today, people from all over the world play jazz.

    More than one million international students are studying in the United States. Many of them find it helpful to have a smart phone and an American credit card(信用卡).

    These things make it easy to pay for many kinds of goods and services. But getting a credit card as an international student is not a simple process. Normal US lenders ask for a social security number(社会保障号码). In addition, they ask to see a person's credit history. This helps the lenders fully believe that someone is responsible and make timely payments. These are the things most international students do not have.

    But one company is trying to make the process easier and fairer for them.

    Jack Guo is from China. He now studies at a university in California. He says having an American credit card makes it easier for students to get around town. And, he says, credit cards are important for international students who hope to live in the country in the future.

    Kalpesh Kapadia came from India to study at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He faced the same difficulties that many international students face when trying to get an American credit card. He decided to open SelfScore(万事达信用卡).

    Without asking for credit history and a social security number, SelfScore looks at materials such as passports，visas, and acceptance letters to American schools. The company also considers a student's ability to pay.

    About 10, 000 international students from more than 66 countries now have credit cards through SelfScore. Kalpesh says less than one percent of SelfScore's credit card holders are late for their payments because of different kinds of reasons.

    Nick and his friends were talking about things that can bring them luck.

    "I have a lucky red pen," said Andy. "Every time I take a test, I carry my lucky red pen."

    "I have a lucky coin," said Peter. "Every time I take a test, I carry my lucky coin."

    Nick thought for a moment, and said, "My blue socks."

    "Blue socks?" the boys were surprised and asked together.

    Nick said that every time he wore his blue socks to school before a test, he got a good mark.

    The next day Nick had a Chinese test. He was sad because he couldn't find his blue socks.

    "Mom!" shouted Nick. "Where my blue socks? I have a Chinese test today, and I need to wear them."

    "Don't be silly," Nick's mom said. "They need to be washed." "When I wear them, I get a good grade," Nick said.

    "Did you prepare for your test?" asked Mom.

    "Yes."

    Mom encouraged him,"①那就不用担心了。尽你的最大努力吧。"

    A few days later, Nick's teacher told him that he got 95 in his test. ②Nick was so excited that he couldn't wait to tell Mom that he did well in his test.

    Mom said, "It wasn't the blue socks that made you success. In fact, it was made by yourself."