Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable?

There’s no doubt that tomatoes have many different uses. They can be used in a summer salad or to make a tasty sauce. But is the tomato a fruit? Or are we eating a vegetable?

Farmers, cooks and lawyers all have different answers to this question.

But it may seem     16     to us. Eat it for lunch? Vegetable. Eat it for dessert? Fruit! But it’s not that easy. There are legal definitions (法律界定) for what are considered fruits and vegetables,     17     scientific ones.

To answer the question “Is a tomato a fruit?”, let’s look at the definition of fruit. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, fruit is “the part of a plant that     18     one or more seeds and flesh (果肉) can be eaten as food and usually tastes sweet.” Like other true fruits, tomatoes form from small yellow flowers on the vine (藤蔓) and naturally contain many seeds. These seeds can later be used to     19     more tomato plants.

Does that mean that pumpkins, peppers and cucumbers are fruits? Yes, scientifically speaking, they are all fruits. Then, what is a vegetable? Simply put, if you just eat the stems or leaves or roots or flowers of a plant, that makes it a vegetable.     20     , carrots, potatoes and broccoli (西兰花) are all vegetables.

While tomatoes are scientifically fruits, they’re legally classed as vegetables. In 1893, the U. S Congress (美国国会) passed a law. It put a 10-percent tax on whole vegetables. So, to avoid paying the fee, sellers     21     that tomatoes were fruit. The Supreme Court (美国最高法院) then made a     22     for the case. It stated that tomatoes were vegetables instead of fruit. The reason was that cooks prepared them and people ate them like vegetables. This means, legally speaking, tomatoes are vegetables.

When it comes down to the exact definition, it doesn’t really matter. After all, both fruits and vegetables are     23     helpful and necessary for our bodies. Whether you like tomatoes in a salad or prefer tomato soup, eating this fruit/vegetable will do you good.

Why do kids need braces?

Do you have braces (牙箍)? If not, you probably know someone who does. Even if you don’t have braces right now, you might need them one day.

Braces are a way of improving how teeth look and how they work. The metal wires work by putting pressure on the teeth, to slowly move them in the right direction. The rubber bands help to adjust the alignment (排列) of your teeth. Working together, the wires and rubber bands straighten your teeth and _______.

Different kids have different feelings about braces. Some can’t wait to get them because they know that they’ll improve their smile.

Others _______ how braces will change how they look. Many are afraid of being uncomfortable. It’s Okay to have these worries, but kids who get braces often find they have no reason to worry.

Braces are just tools that dentists use to _______ the alignment of your teeth. Not all teeth grow straight, and this is _______. But braces can help straighten or move teeth so that they can do their jobs as well as possible.

Years ago, braces were made of thick metal that was very easy to notice. Today, they look much better. Sometimes, you can get braces that go on the back of your teeth. _______ these developments, braces aren’t as noticeable today as they once were.

Most kids have to wear braces for only a couple of years or so. After the braces are taken off, they may have to wear a retainer (保持器) for a while. This makes sure the teeth don’t go back to where they had been before. With the help of a retainer, their teeth will fit into their new _______.

Finally, they will be able to throw the retainer away and smile about it!

The Value of Timekeeping

Are you often late for things? Do you wish you could be more on time? Lots of people find it difficult to be on time. As the new school year starts, it’s good to brush up on timekeeping skills.

Being punctual means being able to arrive somewhere, complete a task or meet someone at an agreed time. Examples i    51     getting to your classroom before the lesson begins, handing in your homework on time and arriving at a friend’s house when you say you’ll be there.

Being late can feel stressful, not only for yourself but for the people around you. It also makes it easy to f    52     something important. “When I’m late, I feel disorganized and panicky (恐慌的).” says a student called Freddie. “But when I’m on time, I’m more r    53     because I don’t have to run around looking for things.”

Being on time also makes you feel more prepared. Finishing a project early gives you e    54     time to make improvements. Packing your bags the night before a match or performance allows you to feel calmer and more focused the next day. By being punctual, you’re telling yourself that your time matters, and you’re showing other people that you’re reliable and you r    55     time, too.

Grace Pacie is an author who writes about lateness. She believes there are lots of reasons why people aren’t punctual. Some aren’t good at measuring time; others dislike being early and waiting around. Pacie believes you can learn to be more punctual by arranging to meet a friend on the way to school b    56     this will make you get out of the door earlier. Or, if you don’t like waiting around, try arriving early but fill your time with something interesting like listening to music or reading a book. It’s not always easy to change timekeeping h    57    . Taking small steps towards becoming more punctual can help you feel calmer and more organized.

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