How quickly can you count from one to ten? Do you use ten different words to do it? Can you do it in English, or do you have to use your first languages? Do you count on your fingers? Many people think that numbers and math are the same all over the world. But scientists have discovered that it is not true.

People in different parts of the world use different ways to count on their fingers. In the United States, people think begin counting with their first fingers, which they extend or stick out. They then extend the rest of their fingers and finally the thumb(拇指) to count to five. Then they repeat this with the other hand to get to ten. In China, people count by using different finger positions. In this way, a Chinese person can easily count to ten on only one hand.

Besides ways of finger counting, scientists have found that cultures and languages are also different when it comes to numbers. Some languages have only a few words for numbers, and others have no words for numbers. A group of scientists studied aboriginal(土著的) people in Australia. These people don’t have hand movements to stand for numbers. They don’t even have word for numbers. However, they are still able to understand different ideas about numbers.

In a similar study, researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that people of the Piraha tribe (部落) in northwestern Brazil don’t have words for numbers such as “one” or “three”. They are not able to say “five trees” or “ten trees” but can say “some trees”, “more trees” or “many trees”. Professor Edward Gibson said that most people believe that everyone knows how to count, “but here is a group that does not count. They could learn, but isn’t not useful in their culture, so they’ve never picked it up.”

Although all humans are able to understand quantities(数量), not all languages have numbers and not all people use counting. Number words in a certain language are a result of people needing numbers in their daily lives. Now we know that people have different ideas about numbers and math, too.

Many people hope lucky numbers will bring them good luck. In Chinese culture, some numbers are believed to be lucky or unlucky according to the Chinese characters that the number sounds similar to. For example, the number 8 sounds similar to the Chinese character for “making a fortune(发财)”. So people think it’s a lucky number. Some even spend a lot of money having the number 8 in their phone numbers or vehicle license plate numbers. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics Games began at 8:08 p.m. on 8 August, 2008.

The number 9 is also a lucky number because of its connection to the emperors(皇帝) of ancient China. There were nine dragons on the emperors’ robes(袍). It’s said that the dragon has nine children. The number 9 also stands for “long lasting”. That’s why a man always gives a woman 99 or 999 roses.

Then what’s the unlucky number in China? It might be the number 4. Many Chinese people take 4 as an unlucky number because it sounds similar to the Chinese character for “death”. Because of this, some buildings skip the fourth floor, and people simply call it the fifth floor. In Hong Kong, some buildings even skip all floors numbered with 4, such as 4, 14, 24, 34, and all 40-49 floors. However, in many Western countries, some buildings skip the 13th floor because 13 is considered as an unlucky number.

Fire has all kinds of uses in our daily life. However, fire can also be very dangerous.     26     When a building catches on fire, getting outside quickly and safely is your top choice.     27    

If you are in the room with closed door when a fire happens, you must be very careful before opening the door. If you see smoke coming under the door or if the door is hot, don’t open it. If there is no smoke or heat, open the door and move quickly to the nearest exit. As you move, stay low to the ground.     28    　

If you can’t get out quickly because fire or smoke stops you, shout for help.     29    

It is important to know what to do in case of a fire, and is also important to practise.     30    

Once, a king looked for the best instrument in the world. One day, a man gave     36     king a harp(竖琴).

    37     the king played it, the harp sounded terrible. Many other people tried it. They didn’t     38     (success), either. The harp was thrown away as rubbish.

A poor little girl     39     (late) found the harp. She didn’t know how to play it, but she decided to have a try. She played and played, months and years. The music was never perfect, but each time she played it, it sounded a little     40     (good) than before. Then one day, she played     41     (beautiful) music in the world with the harp. In fact, it was a magic harp, and someone     42     great talent could play it well.

The king heard the music, and he ordered the girl     43     (come) into his palace. When the king saw     44     playing his old harp, he was very happy. At that moment he made the girl become his own     45     (music). He gave her and her family much money.