【推荐2】Bill worked as a fireman for 17 years. He’s been proud of his bravery in risking his life to_________others. One emergency call_________him to poisonous chemicals, which later led to repeated strokes. Just at 37, the man, who had become accustomed to having the_________to save lives, now wasn’t able to button his own shirt or tie his own shoes.

Bill’s wife Daisy_________what would happen to Bill, and she suggested they add a_________to the family. So_________Coco. Coco was saved from the slum (贫民窟) and brought to America for_________by the nonprofit Puppy Rescue Mission. At the airport, as soon as Coco_________from his box, he peed (尿湿) all over Bill — and Bill burst into his first genuine_________in months — he got to love the dog!

After several months, Daisy was suddenly woken up by Coco’s__________barking. She went to see what was__________and found Bill had fallen down unconscious. Bill was rushed to the hospital—Coco had saved the day. And it wasn’t the__________time. When Coco would find Bill__________, he would call for help with his bark of warning.

“He’s always there watching me, helping me,__________I’m okay,” says Bill. “I’ve__________saved others, and now this lovely dog saves me, and that has to mean something. That has to mean I’m worth something after all.”

【推荐2】The United States you may not know

The United States is the only superpower in the world, and it is far more advanced than any other country. However, we can’t simply owe its _________ and prosperity to its lucky escape from the destruction of the two world wars. What other nations should _________ is the American spirit and its social system.

The most obvious features of the American spirit are _________ and pragmatism (务实思想). Nearly 70% of the important inventions have been made in the US since the first industrial revolution. Since the US occupies such an important position in science and technology, naturally it has become the first superpower in the world.

Americans are always _________ with what they have achieved, and they have an appetite for adventure over the love of _________. European countries have been pursuing a reformist policy of “high tax and high welfare” since the 1960s, while only the US _________ the policy of “high risk and high return”. _________ , the US has become the leader of the third industrial revolution (in technology of information, materials and biology).

High salary is not the only _________ that the talents from other countries find in the United States. Some characteristics of American society should not be _________. Family backgrounds and great wisdom in building connections and playing up to the boss, to which great importance is attached in other countries, are not so important to __________ development in the US. Most people are on the same starting line, and whether one can succeed or not depends on his own ability and hard work.

However, the American character is full of paradoxes (矛盾). The American people are both extremely romantic and pragmatic. The American is a(n) __________ people, but in every field there are workaholics. The Americans are open-minded but they are very conservative on certain matters. Since China’s reform and opening-up to the outside world, many media in Western countries have greatly __________ their attitudes towards China. However, the American media are singing the same old tune against China as they were in the Cold War period. The Americans __________ freedom, but their government is very fond of interfering in other countries’ internal affairs. What’s most puzzling is that the Americans __________ authority, but they highly respect the laws and regulations of the society. Therefore, in such a nation that values personal liberty, the society can still be kept in good order and operate with high __________ . Is it odd? No one can provide a satisfactory answer.

【推荐3】What if an animal’s main food source is very scarce in the winter? The_______may be hibernation (冬眠)，that is, a deep sleep which allows them to_______the winter with little or no food.

Ways of hibernation_______widely. Some animals store food in their burrows (洞穴) to eat when they awake for short periods. Many_______extra food in the fall while it is plentiful, which is_______as body fat to be used later for energy.

Hibernators have two kinds of_______ ——regular white fat and special brown fat. The brown fat_______near the animal’s brain, heart and lungs. Its main_______is to provide extra body heat. It also sends a quick burst of_______to warm these organs first when it’s time to wake up.

True hibernators go into such a deep sleep that they are difficult to________and may appear dead. Their________goes down. Their breathing and heart beat slow significantly. ________hibernating woodchuck’s heart rate________from 80 to 4 beats per minute, and its temperature________from 37°C to as low as 4°C. Other hibernating animals don’t experience major________in temperature, heart rate or breathing. They are usually the________sleepers, easily awakened. They may sleep during the________weather and wake to wander and eat during milder weather.

If an animal lives in an area where the winter is mild, it may hibernate only________or not at all. However, even when the________is severe, the animals may wake up for short periods every few weeks to use their “toilet rooms” and eat if food is________

【推荐3】How to Encourage Employee Involvement in Decision Making

As a business owner, you have to make a lot of decisions. Even though you are the head and have the most knowledge about the workings of your business, you might _____ knowledge in some areas. Involving staff in decision making can make your business stronger. Your employees can _____ you with new ideas that you would have never thought of.

When you let employees help with decisions, it shows that you trust them. Even if you only let employees give _____ to assist you in making the final decision, you still show that you _____ their opinions.

Asking employees for their opinions can give you different perspectives to make better decisions. While you have an overarching idea of your business, your employees are in the day-to-day trenches. Employees often work more closely with customers, so they know what buyers need and request. Employees can also _____ revenue-generating and cost-saving ideas.

Letting employees make decisions _____ for work in other areas. For example, if employees have a say over how displays are set up, you might have more time for your accounting tasks checklist.

You can’t simply hope employees will give you their opinions. You must actively _____ their advice.

Gathering good ideas is the first step to making good decisions. Create a system for employees to give you their suggestions. This might be a physical suggestion box. Or, you might have a digital _____ , such as a designated email or online form.

If you do have a suggestion box, make sure you regularly check it. Don’t let it go unopened for long periods of time. Create a routine of checking it. This helps you make _____ decisions.

When employees give you suggestions, respond to them. Tell them how you will use their ideas. If the idea isn’t right ______ , make a note of it. Tell the employee that you appreciate their idea and explain why you aren’t using it. Be careful about ______ all employee ideas. If employees notice that you never ______ their ideas, they may quit submitting them.

You might ______ leadership teams, or committees, at your business. The people on these teams don’t have to be managers. The teams can comprise any employees.

The leadership teams might have a general focus on your business. Or, you can create ______ teams. For example, you might have a team that focuses on marketing decisions and another team that focuses on developing your products or services.

The teams should regularly meet to ______ ideas and make decisions. Or, you might set up a communication channel for ongoing conversation. Committee members should feel free to give input about upcoming decisions.