1 . The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England-many people are confused by what these different names mean. So what is the difference between them, if any? Getting to know a little bit about British history will help you solve this puzzle.

In the 16th century, the nearby country of Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. Later, in the 18th century, the country Scotland was joined to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, in the 20th century, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted in the full name we have today: “the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Most people just use the shortened name: “the United Kingdom” or “the UK”. People from the UK are called “British”, which means the UK is also often referred to as Britain or Great Britain.

The four countries that belong to the United Kingdom work together in some areas. They use the same flag, known as the Union Jack, as well as share the same currency and military defence. However, they also have some differences. For example, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all have different education systems and legal systems. They also have their own traditions, like their own national days and national dishes. And they even have their own football teams for competitions like the World Cup!

The United Kingdom has a long and interesting history to explore, which can help you understand much more about the country and its traditions. Almost everywhere you go in the UK, you will be surrounded by evidence of four different groups of people who took over at different times throughout history. The first group, the Romans, came in the first century. Some of their great achievements included building towns and roads. Next, the Anglo-Saxons arrived in the fifth century. They introduced the beginnings of the English language, and changed the way people built houses. The Vikings came in the eighth century, left behind lots of new vocabulary, and also the names of many locations across the UK. The last group were the Normans. They conquered England after the well-known Battle of Hastings in the 11th century. They had castles built all around England, and made changes to the legal system. The Normans were French, so many French words slowly entered into the English language.

The United Kingdom, Great Britain, Britain, England—many people are     1     (confuse) by what these names mean. You can solve this puzzle if you study British history.

In the 16th century, Wales was joined to the Kingdom of England. In the 18th century, Scotland was joined     2     (create) the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Ireland was added to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, the southern part of Ireland broke away from the UK, which resulted     3     the full name we have today: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.     4    , most people prefer to use the shortened name: The UK. Although the four countries work together in some areas, they still have some     5     (different). There were four sets of invaders and the last group were the Normans. They had the castles     6     (build) all round England and made changes to legal systems. The capital city London is     7     ancient port city     8     has a history dating back to Roman times. Studying the history of the country will help you understand more about the country and     9     traditions as well as make your visit much more     10     (enjoy).

4 . The United States is a country of immigrants. It is a place where people from all over the world come to build a better life. Some immigrants bring their families. Some bring a few of their favorite things. Others come alone with nothing but determination. One thing that every immigrant brings with them is their culture.

American immigration began in 1607 with the colony of Jamestown. In 1620, another group of people left England to build a settlement in America. They wanted to go to a place where they could practice their religion freely. Then many more people left their homes in Europe to build a better life in America. Many also came to America from Africa. By 1770, more than two million people had moved to America. Later on, more people came to the United States than ever before. In cities all over America, you can see different cultures that formed this country. Many things that you may think of as being “American” are actually from a foreign culture. Some of the best examples of this are the foods people eat. Pizza and spaghetti are foods that all Americans know and love. But both of them are from Italy. Baseball is an all-American sport. But the hot dogs that people eat during the game are a type of food that was brought to America by German immigrants.

Over time, pizza and hot dogs have become a part of what is considered to be American food. In the same way, different groups of people have come together to define what an American is. An American can be a person of any background. An American can be of any faith. An American can be of any skin color. They can speak English clearly. They can speak English with an accent. Each new immigrant adds something new to American culture. It will keep changing as more people come to this country.

On October 18, world leaders came together in Beijing for an eye-catching forum to celebrate the    1    (ten) anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum was considered     2    (extreme) important in building the Belt and Road.

Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the opening. He said that over the past 10 years, plans of Belt and Road cooperation     3    (turn) into real projects. He also     4    (say) that China would take eight major steps to support high-quality Bel t and Road cooperation, including green development and the advance of science and technology. So far, the Belt and Road Initiative has become the world’s     5    (large) platform for international cooperation. By June 2023, China had worked together with 152 countries and 32 international organisations     6    (build) the Belt and Road. Over 3,000 cooperation projects have been started in the past 10 years, one of     7    is the China-Laos Railway. It was put into use in December 2021,     8    (help) Laos become a country with easy transport in Southeast Asia.

“Bel t and Road cooperation was suggested     9     China, but its fruits are for the world to share,” President Xi Jinping said. There is no doubt that the Belt and Road Initiative will continue to make     10     great difference to the world in the future.

Peru is     1     country located on the Pacific coast of South America with three main areas: narrow, dry, flat land     2    (run) along the coast, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon rainforest. Spain     3    (take) control of Peru in the 16^th century and ruled until 1821.     4     is for this reason that Spanish is the main official language of the country.

If you are travelling in Peru soon, you can choose a short flight from Cusco,     5     takes you from the Andes into the Amazon rainforest. From there, you’ll spend one day travelling by boat to your accommodation. Besides, the city of Machu Picchu is a popular destination. I am sure you will feel     6    (amaze) there. Inca builders cut stones to exact sizes so that nothing was needed     7    (hold) walls together other than the perfect fit of the stones. Cusco is another popular destination for     8    (tourist). Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, a     9    (power) ancient empire in South America, from the 13^th until the 16^th century. On Lake Titicaca, a boat will take you to stay with a local Uros family on an island for three days. Both the island and the Uros homes are made     10     water plants from the lake.

A trip to China with the kids could be a test to your nerves, but also     1     wonderful experience. This is an ancient civilization which is growing     2     great speed into the 21st century, meanwhile holding onto the old traditions and way of life.

As you travel from area to area, a sea of contrasts is     3     makes it so fascinating. You can find an old fisherman on his bamboo boat       4     (answer) his mobile phone, and modernity and old traditions existing side by side. The only constant thing in China is “change”.

At first it might seem challenging. But you will find the people helpful,     5     (especial) if you are traveling with children. Chinese love children, the more the     6     (happy).

But as far as children     7     (be) concerned, this isn’t a light-hearted (轻松愉快的) trip to Disney World. What if they get sick? Will the kids like the food? Is     8     (pollute) really that bad? Will they be     9     (bore)? Just relax. You can depend on it that you’ll end up with plenty of priceless     10     (memory) of the country.

The United Kingdom     1     (consist) of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the 13th century, Wales    2    (link) to England. In the seventeenth century, they were joined to Scotland. They were united    3     peace instead of by war. However, just as they were going to get Ireland    4    (connect) , the southern part of Ireland broke away,     5     only Northern Ireland joined with England.

England is    6    (large) of the four countries and for     7    (convenient) it is divided into three zones: the South of England, the Midlands and the North. Most of the population settled in the first century AD, but most of the industrial    8    (city) are located in the Midlands and the North.

London is the capital city with the great historical treasures. It has the oldest port by the Romans in    9     first century AD, the oldest building begun by the Anglo﹣Saxons in the 1060s and the oldest castle     10    (construct) by later Norman rulers in 1066.

I am glad to hear that you are going to Canada to study. So I was writing to tell you anything about this country. Locating in North America, Canada is the second large country with the largest number of lakes in the world. The majority of people lives in the center of the country. However, I suggest that you should chose to study in the east, because there are many international students there and the tuition is lower. During you study you can take the part in more activities after class, where you can make more friends from different country. In this way, your life will rich and colorful.

Hope you will have a wonderful life there.

Yours,

Li Ming