Many parents want to give their children chances to experience a variety of situations.  {#blank#}3{#/blank#}.

    Children, especially boys are expected to be energetic and assertive(果敢的). That doesn't mean, though, that they are allowed to "run wild" in public. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, particularly in public places and in the homes of others. When a child misbehaves badly, only the child's patents may discipline(约束) him. Other adults should not interfere （干涉） unless the child is doing something which may be harmful to himself.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. While beating a child's buttocks(屁股), is acceptable to some people, any punishment that wounds the child or leaves a mark is considered child abuse(虐待) and is against the law.

A. The relationship between American parents and their children is harmony

B. In the US, a few religious groups think it is important to have a large family

C. Most parents discipline their children by rewarding good behaviors, not by punishing bad behaviors

D. Having many children would leave the couples and their children less freedom

E. American children are expected to accept invitations to a formal party

F. They bring their children with them to church, to sporting events, to stores, and to social events

G. Parents are expected to keep their children under control at all times

    The cultures of the East and the West really distinguish each other a lot. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    The origin of the eastern cultures is mainly from two countries: China and India. Both of the two cultures are developed by rivers—the Yellow River in China and the Hindu River in India. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

When the two mother rivers gave birth to the Eastern culture, another famous culture was brought up on the Mesopotamian Plain-the Mesopotamian Civilization. This civilization later on developed into the cultures of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Like the Chinese culture, the European culture also crossed waters. When the British settled down in America, their culture went with them over, the Atlantic Ocean. So the American culture doesn't distinguish from the European culture a lot.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Take the language system for example. In the East, most languages belong to the pictographic language while the Western languages are mostly based on the Latin system. Other causes like human race difference counts as well. But what's more, due to the far distance and the steep areas between the East and West, the two cultures seldom communicate until recent centuries. So they grew up totally in their own ways with almost no-interference (干扰)from the other.

The differences are everywhere. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} But different cultures make the world of 21st century more colorful. The cultural gap should not be the obstacle to the civilization of human being. It ought to be the motivation of our going farther.

    Unsurprisingly, people who are very busy also tend to be very successful and knowledgeable, so it's in your interest to befriend with them. But how do you talk to such busy people in order to make friends with them?{#blank#}1{#/blank#} the same rules apply. However, there are a few specific rules for talking with busy people in particular.

    Remember that even busy people are social creatures. That people are busy doesn't mean they don't want to chat with others or they don't enjoy it.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Busy people can be very social and friendly. Like anyone else, they have a deep-seated need to socialize and make friends.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} They know they're capable and in demand, but it doesn't mean they expect others to prove themselves to them. The best use of your time talking with busy people is not in trying to impress them. Focus on making a conversation and creating a connection, not on proving yourself.

    Spend more time in their field. When dealing with busy people, since their time is in high demand, your favorite topics take a slight backseat to theirs. It usually makes sense to make sure they find the topics you talk about meaningful.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Get to the point.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Their time is highly valuable. So they don't need you to sugar coat your messages that much, they just want you to say what you have to say.

A. Don't try to prove yourself.

B. Don't hesitate to change your plans.

C. They just don't have that much time for it.

D. It's comfortable for them to chat with people who they like.

E. Mostly, talking to busy people is the same as talking to any others.

F. Once you've found a topic they enjoy talking about, you should explore that topic.

G. Busy people have little patience for communicators who beat around the bush.

    You may ride on your bicycle in a rush to get to school every morning.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} You may also watch taxis crawl their way through traffic jams.

    No matter where you are, all big cities around the world have traffic jams these days. But although they all have their problems, many cities also have a type of transport (交通) that has become a cultural icon (圣像).

    In London, to avoid the traffic above ground, people use the "underground",also called the"tube".{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It brings a lot of convenience to its own residents and visitors and it is the pride of many Londoners. With 12 lines and 275 stations across the city, the tube, is normally the quickest and easiest way of getting around London. In London, you are never far from a tube station.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}They serve as a quick and easy way of getting across Manhattan, where the subway doesn't take you everywhere. Stopping a cab is easy; just stick out your arm like you do in any city. But, with over 12,000 yellow cabs in the Big Apple, they also cause traffic jams.

    Since 1873 when the first cable car started public service, the slow and noisy vehicle has been a symbol of San Francisco. Although once damaged by a serious earthquake and challenged by cars, it is never caught in traffic jams and provides better views than the subway. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    But there are no such symbols in Los Angeles. If you visit you'd better rent a car. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}It can take hours to get across town by bus. The subway covers just a small part of the city center. The light rail line only runs between the Long Beach hotel area and the city center. That's why Angelenos love their private cars more than any other people in the world.

A. No wonder it's always the first choice for commuters and tourists there.

B. You may fight to get a bit of space on a bus or on the subway.

C. The city has the oldest and most complicated underground railway system in the world.

D. The city's public transportation is terrible.

E. At this time every day, bike rides will be the most reliable means of transportation.

F. New York is famous for its yellow cabs.

G. There will always be one for you to every corner, fast and no worry.

    One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer. This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem — inability to read.

    In the library, I found my way into the "Children's Room." I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf at random. The cover of a book caught my eye. It presented a picture of a beagle. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only animal companion I ever had as a child. He was my secret sharer, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him. I never forgot my beagle.

    There on the book's cover was a beagle which looked identical to my dog. I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover. My eyes ran across the title, Amos, the Beagle with a Plan. Unknowingly, I had read the title. Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.

    Under the shade of a bush, I started to read about Amos. I read very, very slowly with difficulty. Though pages were turned slowly, I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home. That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book. At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together.

    My mother's call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it. Books could be incredibly wonderful and I was going to read them.

    I never told my mother about my "miraculous" (奇迹般地) experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature, and authored his own books, articles, poetry and fiction. The power of the words has held.

    If you live in a city where everyone rushes, realise that you don't have to be like everyone else. You can be different. I can't give you a step-by-step guide to moving slower, but here are some ideas to consider and perhaps adopt, if they work for your life

    ⒈Do less

Cut back on your projects, on your task list, on how much you try to do each day. Focus not on quantity but on quality. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    ⒉Have fewer meetings

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Try to reduce the number of meetings and have blocks of time with no interruptions, so you don't have to rush from one meeting to another.

    ⒊{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    If you're constantly rushing to appointments or other places, it's because you don't allot(分配)enough time in your schedule for preparing and for travelling. Pad your schedule to allow time for this stuff. If you think it only takes you 10 minutes to get ready for work or a date, perhaps give yourself 30 to 45 minutes so you don't have to shave in a rush or put on makeup in the car.

    ⒋Practise being comfortable with sitting and doing nothing.

    When people have to wait, they become impatient or uncomfortable. Try standing in a line and just watching and listening to people around you. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    ⒌Realise that if it doesn't get done, that's OK

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} And yes, I know that's a frustrating attitude for some of you who don't like laziness or living without firm deadlines, but it's also reality. The world won't end if you don't get that task done today.

    Try these things out. Life is better when unrushed.

    Remember the quote: if nature can get everything done without rushing, so can you.

A. Do nothing but wait.

B. Pick two or three important things-or even just one -and work on those first.

C. Start to put off or cancel the unnecessary.

D. Give yourself time to get ready and get there.

E. Meetings are usually a big waste of time and make you rush.

F. There's always tomorrow.

G. It takes practice, but after a while, you'll do it with a smile.