The first astronauts

Since the earliest times, people have looked up at the stars, the moon and the planets. Today people use modern machines _______ at the sky. This is very different from the situation _______ years ago when people could only use their eyes. Perhaps they dreamed of _______ the universe.

When did humans first go into space? The story began not so very long ago _______ the first astronauts were not people—they were animals.

Scientists wanted to make travelling to space as _______ as possible for humans. So they decided to experiment with animals and test _______ in spaceflights. Insects, mice, frogs, dogs and monkeys were some of the animals _______ first went into space. Many of them _______, but they helped to make space travel safer for humans. For their great service, we _______ forget these animals.

Albert II was the first monkey to go into space in 1949. Sadly he died ________ his spaceship landed back on Earth.

________ the result was different for Ham the Monkey. His story ended happily when he returned to Earth ________ very good health.

Scientists Wanted to know the answer to the important question: could ________ animal like Ham do the same things in space as he could do on Earth? The answer came when Ham ________ into space in 1961. Yes, he did everything well and live for ________ 16 years.

Should Museum Entry Be Free?

Comments

With International Museum Day coming up, today we are asking readers: Should museums be free or should people have to pay for a ticket? Let us know your view. Museums are not only there for enjoyment; they are education. This is why they must be free. While museums need a huge amount of money to operate, let the wealthy pay for it. The idea of a person or child interested in art not being able to view it because of cost is wrong. Krista Chen(US)—Age 15 Free entry does not attract people or encourage them to appreciate art. Generally people respect things that are difficult or costly to get. Museums should require regular visitors to pay a fee, but provide free tickets as prizes for high-achieving students who can appreciate them more. Fred Smith(New Zealand)—Age 14 Museums teach people about their past. This is part of our shared culture that should be available to everyone, rich or poor. People should never be asked to pay an entrance fee. Rob Sanchez(Australia)—Age 17 There are no simple answers. Low ticket prices could help museums stay open. But companies and businessmen should also provide museums with more money and other support. They have a social responsibility too. Amber White(UK)—Age 16 I think museums and art galleries should all be free to the public. I do, however, think twice a year the museums should organize money-raising events to help pay for the cost of staying open. Li Mishao(China)—Age 15

It may be hard to believe, but the American Revolution (革命)—the war that freed the American states from British control—began over a cup of tea. Tea was not the only thing that caused the war, of course, but it played a very big part.

The British people’s love of tea is well-known. When the British won control over much of North America in the early 1700s, they brought their tea-drinking habits with them. Tea quickly became the continent’s most popular drink. As tea could not be grown locally, just as in Britain, it was shipped into the country—mostly from India.

In the early 1700s, the Britain government made a special deal with the East India Company, an English trading company. They agreed that no other company was allowed to bring tea to Britain or any country controlled by Britain, including America. It was a great deal for the East India Company, since it meant that the company could decide whatever price it wanted for its products. And it always decided on a high price!

In North America, the local people did not like having to pay such high prices. Instead of overpaying for tea from the British, they turned to Dutch traders, who secretly brought tea to the country that was just as good—and much less expensive. Although this broke the law, the American people didn’t care. They got the same cup of tea at a much lower price.

The East India Company, however, didn’t like this at all. By the 1760s, they were losing millions of pounds each year to Dutch traders—a huge amount of money in a time when £60 a year was considered a good income. Instead of reducing their prices to compete with the Dutch, the company asked the British government for help and the government agreed.

In 1767, the British introduced new laws that increased the prices of all goods which were brought into America. These laws helped make the East India Company even richer and forced local people to pay much more for everything. The American leaders asked the British government not to do so, but the British refused to listen. These unfair laws increased Americans’ anger about British rule and the rest, as they say, is history.

An elephant and a crocodile were once standing beside a river. They were disputing which was the better animal.

“Look at my strength,” said the elephant. “I can pull up a tree, roots and all, with my trunk.”

“Ah! But your skin is not nearly so thick as mine,” replied the crocodile. “No knife or tooth can cut through it.”

Just as they were coming to blows, a lion happened to pass.

“My dear friends!” said the King of all animals, going up to them. “Let me know the cause of your disagreement.”

“Will you kindly tell us who is the better animal?” cried both at once.

“Certainly,” said, the lion, pointing across the river. “Do you see the soldier’s metal hat on that wall?”

“Yes!” replied the beasts.

“Well, then,” continued the lion, “go and get it, and bring it to me, and I shall be able then to decide between you.”

Upon hearing this, off they started. The crocodile, being used to the water, reached the opposite side of the river first, and was soon standing beside the wall.

Here he waited till the elephant came up. The elephant, seeing that the crocodile had no way of reaching their goal, raised his long trunk, and took down the hat quite easily.

They then made their way together back again across the river. The elephant was trying to keep up with the fast-moving crocodile in the water and became careless. When he was forced to turn sharply to avoid a floating tree branch, the elephant dropped the hat and it fell to the river bottom. The crocodile noticed the accident, so down he dived, and brought it up in his huge mouth. They then returned, and the crocodile laid the metal hat at the lion’s feet. The King took it up, and turning to the elephant, said.

“You, because of your size and trunk, were able to reach the hat on the wall but, having lost it, you were unable to get it back. And you,” said the lion to the crocodile, “although unable to reach the hat, were able to dive for it and save it. You are both wise and able in your own ways. One is no better than the other.”

Apps(short for application) are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, and for good reason. They can help you out in just about every area of your life, whether it’s keeping fit, communicating with friends, or even learning a language.     41     Here’s what you should think about before downloading an app for language learning.

Learn from diverse sources(not just apps)

Any seasoned language learner will tell you that the beauty of mastering a foreign language is the world which it opens up to you. This is a world of diverse sources(来源) of information, from newspapers and books to TV, radio, music and even real people. Would you limit yourself to one medium in your native language?     42    

Establish your purpose and plan your habits

Do you want to be fluent in weeks or are you in it for the brain training? The good apps are designed to help you fit your studies around your timetable.     43     These apps encourage habit building, because the successful formation of a habit ensures your safe and regular return.

Make it social

    44     I mean social for real. I owe the speed of progress I made in Italian to the support from Jim, my partner in study time. Find a friend to accompany you. Take an evening class. Borrow a book. Buy a book. Book a week away and attend a language school. Just don’t forget your phone! If I may speak sincerely, the combination of app, language school, Jim, evenings out, and a choice book or two proved extremely effective.     45