People all over the world celebrate the new year. ________, not all countries celebrate it ________ the same way, and in some countries, the new year doesn’t begin on the same date every year.

In many countries, the new year begins on 1st January, but people start celebrating it on 31st December, New Year’s Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Times Square. ________ they’re waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 o’clock, everyone ________ down from 10: 10, 9, 8... As soon as it’s 12 o’clock, everyone shouts very ________, “Happy New Year!”

New Year’s Day is often a family day. Some families get together for a special meal. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a ________.

On New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions for the new year. They ________ a list of things, such as “I will help out more with housework. I will work ________ at school than others.” or “I won’t spend so ________ time playing video games.” When they have made ________ lists, they read it to their family or friends and promise to ________ their resolutions.

So it doesn’t matter how they celebrate. For people in countries ________ over the world, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old year, and to welcome the new.

During the war, a soldier looked after his horse with the greatest care. He gave it the best grass to eat and the clearest water to drink. He cleaned it when it got wet and covered it with a warm quilt on cold nights. As a result, the horse was strong and carried its master safely out of the dangers of the war.

When peace came, however, the soldier changed. He made the horse live in a small and cold room and gave it only a little to eat. During the day the soldier made the horse work hard on his farm, carrying heavy things every day. After some time the war broke out again. The soldier went to the field to catch his horse. He quickly brushed the horse and got on the horse’s back. For a moment the horse stood there and didn’t move. The soldier kicked it. Then gradually its thin legs began to bend and it sank slowly to the ground. The horse gave the soldier a look of reproach（责备）.

“Master,” it said, “you’ll have to fight on foot this time. You have made me work like an elephant and fed me like a sheep. I cannot change back into a strong horse quickly just as before.”

My grandpa loves playing chess. Every day he plays chess with his friends. Last week, he     39    （come）to visit us in Canada. But he was very disappointed when he found nobody here could play chess with him.

One day, when I came back     40     school, I found my grandpa was sitting     41    （quiet）in a chair, doing nothing. I knew he was lonely. Why not teach him to play online chess on my computer? I thought.

“Grandpa, someone is     42    （wait）you to play chess.” I went to him and said.

“Really?” he said, his eyes opening wide. “Who? And where?”

I took him to computer in my room and said, “Right here.” Then I taught him how     43    （use）the Internet and how to play chess online. At first, he was slow. Having tried several times, he became better and     44    （begin） play chess     45     people from around the world.

“How interesting it is! This is simply fantastic!” he cried excitedly.

Now he is quite good at playing chess online and has made lots of friends     46     the Internet at the same time. My grandfather is much     47    （happy）than before.

Grandpa will go back home soon. I believe the time when we played online chess together was so great that both of us will never forget.