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TV GUIDE: MONDAY, JANUARY 11

Most pet owners love and care for their animals and sometimes even treat them like family members. But domestic (家庭的) animals are also sometimes treated badly. This cruelty maybe intentional abuse (虐待), or it can be a result of ignorance. No matter whether it's intentional or not, animal cruelty must be stopped.

Cats, dogs, horses are the most frequent pets of intentional abuse, as they spend much time around humans. Animal abuse is also connected with domestic violence. In one U. S. study, animal abuse had occurred in 88 percent of homes investigated for child abuse. Many abusers threaten to hurt children's beloved pets to control their victims (受害者) or just to enjoy the power it gives them. Victims of domestic violence even stay in abusive relation—ships, fearing that if they leave, their pets will suffer for it.

Animals also suffer physical and psychological harm when their owners are careless in caring for them. This can involve failing to give them food or water, or leaving them outside in uncomfortable conditions. Some people even throw out their animals.

What can be done to stop animal cruelty? The best place to start is at home. Teach children to treat animals with kindness. Set a good example by being respectful toward animals yourself. If we show children that all animals should be treated with respect, that message will continue on to future generations. Contact your local animal shelter and ask how you can support them.

Many countries already have laws to protect animals In the U.S., for example, The Endangered Species Act (ESA) passed in 1973, protecting wild animals that are threatened or endangered. Some laws make it illegal to leave a pet in a car on an extremely hot day. Other laws place limits on the length of time that a pet can be tied up or chained outside.

There is a new type of animal that has been walking on the beaches since the 1990s. They are called Strandbeast, which is Dutch language for beach beast. But these beasts are mainly made of plastic tubes and wood. They are creations of a Dutchman Theo Jansen, who designs kinetic sculptures (雕塑). Jansen's creations look alive when they do a steady and smooth motion on the hard sand. They can push themselves forward using nothing more than the power of the wind.   The beauty of these creations is that they have no electronic parts, and yet they have a basic logic system that helps them walk in their habitat.

Jansen's kinetic sculptures use an revolutionary design to change simple motions into amazing works of art. The Strandbeasts have a mechanical linkage (连杆) that creates a walking motion using triangles. The fascinating combination of thin tubes and fine fin—like (鱼鳍般的) sails which flap in the wind create a   striking image. Jansen has even created a way for his beasts to “eat” the air, and store its   power by pressurizing bottles (增压瓶). This stored power also allows for sculptures to recognize when they have entered water and change their direction.

These sculptures are large but have a fine appearance. Besides, Jansen's designs also work with heavier structures. He created a beast, named Animaris Rhinoceros Lignatus, which was made out of wood and weighed 250 kilograms. Every year, he improves his designs. His hope is that one day he will create herds of beasts that can "live" on the beaches and survive without the help of humans.

Kinetic art isn't just about making large sculptures move. There are many artists that use motion to create amazing visual effects. Some are large pieces, but many can sit on a desk or hang on a wall. However, they all have one thing in common: you can't appreciate their artistry until you see them move. Jansen also sells mini versions of some of his beasts. They come in kits (成套零件) that you can fit them together without any special tools. You, too, can try your hand at creating kinetic art!

Did you forget someone's name after you just met? Did you just talk about yourself the first time you met someone new? Ouch! You never have a second chance to make the first impression. So what can you do when the first impression is a negative one?     16       

Apologize immediately. As soon as you realize that you may have offended (冒犯) someone, say something about it. The more time passes, the worse the situation can become.     17     So take control of the situation by making your last impression a positive one.

Avoid over—apologizing. Saying you're sorry is important.     18     Your goal is to admit your mistake responsibly and sensitively. If you repeatedly bring up the past, you're defeating your purpose. It puts the other person in the uncomfortable position of having to continually forgive you.

Make no assumption (假设). It's easy to assume that others think the worst of you, but usually what we imagine is far worse than reality.     19     Say something like, “I'm uncomfortable with how I behaved yesterday because I realized I might have offended you. Did you feel the same way?” The other person may think it was no big deal.

    20     A sincere apology requires three steps. First, don't blame what happened on other people. Second, admit how your actions affected the other person. Third, explain what you will do differently in the future to avoid making the same mistake. Such an apology might sound like, “I want to apologize for what I said yesterday. After speaking with you, I can hear how much my comments offended you. I want you to know that I'll be more sensitive in the future.”

A man was driving his car when he saw an old lady with her car on the side of the road. He thought that she needed _________. So he stopped his car near hers and _________. He knew he did look _________ as his clothes were so ragged. He could see how frightened she was, so he tried to _________ her, “I’m here to help you. Don’t worry. My name is Bryan Anderson.”

When the _________ job was done, the lady asked how much she would _________ him for the mend. Bryan smiled. He said, “If you really want to pay me back, the _________ time you see someone who needs help, _________ that person the needed help.”

In the same evening, the lady stopped by a small _________. There she saw a waitress, nearly eight months pregnant (怀孕的), __________ the table with care. The waitress had a sweet friendly __________ though she had been on her feet the whole day. The lady had __________ her meal and then paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress went to get change. However, when she __________, the lady had left the cafe. The lady __________ a note on the napkin(餐巾纸), “You don’t own me anything. Somebody __________ helped me, just like now I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, do not let this chain of love end with you.” The waitress __________ four more one hundred bills under the napkin.

That night the waitress came home earlier than before. She knew that her husband was __________ about money because the __________ would soon arrive. She was __________ to tell him the good news. Then she kissed him and __________ in his ear, “Now everything will be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.”

Hanfu, meaning “Han clothing”, is based on the costumes     41     (wear) by China's Han ethnic (种族的) group in the past. Some of the most popular styles are from the Ming, Song and Tang     42     (dynasty).

In recent years, it     43    (become) popular though there are some opposite views. About three-quarters of Hanfu lovers are between 16 and 24 years old. Members of this generation often see it     44     a way to rediscover Chinese traditional culture. It's pretty exciting     45     (see) young Chinese people building up their self-confidence and developing their individuality to show the world what they love. For more Chinese, this dress style might become a good starting point to     46     (far) explore the beauty of China's long history and rich culture.

Li Siting, president of the Hunan Hanfu Culture Promotion Association, often communicates with people from     47     (variety) places. Last year, she attended the 7th Chinese music conference in Wuhan,     48     she met overseas Chinese culture lovers     49     (come) from Japan, France, Argentina and other places for the first time. Many people think Hanfu is not only the perfect bridge for young people to connect with Chinese culture,     50     a medium to promote Chinese culture.