It's half past five in the afternoon. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} is ready. There are {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  things on the table—plates,bowls and glasses. We can {#blank#}3{#/blank#} some meat,{#blank#}4{#/blank#} and fish on the plates. There are some dumplings, noodles and rice in the bowls. The dishes are {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  nice. Oh , there is a big cake in the middle of the table. There{#blank#}6{#/blank#}  something to drink. Five {#blank#}7{#/blank#} are there. One is full of milk, three of them are full of coffee and the{#blank#}8{#/blank#}  one is full of Coke. There are two bottles of apple {#blank#}9{#/blank#} . I'd like to have them very much. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}  are there so many nice things? Because it's Lucy's birthday.

    There are 24 solar terms (节气) in China, and the Grain Rain(谷雨) is one of them. It falls on April 19 this year.

    This solar term is {#blank#}1{#/blank#} the Grain Rain because it is known for “rain” that helps the grain grow. From its name, we can guess it{#blank#}2{#/blank#}a time of more rain. So if you go out in the next two weeks, you may need to bring an umbrella with you.

    But this is a great time for{#blank#}3{#/blank#}crops. If you miss the time for planting during the Grain Rain, you will feel sorry later. So maybe you can try to plant some flowers or vegetables in your garden. When the spring rain falls,{#blank#}4{#/blank#} begin to grow crops (庄稼). Farmers often say, “Spring rain is as precious (珍贵的) as oil.” It{#blank#}5{#/blank#}farmers hope for a good year ahead.

    There are also many interesting{#blank#}6{#/blank#}during the Grain Rain. In the northern part of China, people like to eat

    Chinese toon{#blank#}7{#/blank#}with eggs. The food made during the Grain Rain tastes wonderful and is good for your stomach. In the southern part of China, the tea leaves are picked during the time. They are called Grain Rain tea, which is famous for its freshness and sweet smell.

    People can imagine life without water. Without it, the earth we live on would be a dead one. There would be no trees, no crops, no animals and no people. So water is considered to be next to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} in importance.

    Although nearly three quarters of the earth's surface is covered with water, it is sea water and {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. The demand for water is increasing, while water{#blank#}3{#/blank#} are scarce.

    Agricultural production needs enormous amounts of water, so does industry. Besides, the rapid growth of population makes it more and more difficult for people to{#blank#}4{#/blank#}because of the water shortage. So water shortage has become one of the most serious problems.