We often forget that people in other countries eat different things from us. In some countries, for example, rice is a staple food. In others, such as Britain and America, bread made from wheat is the most important food. In many African countries a kind of corn called maize is the most important food.

Most countries have dishes that were first created there. In China such dishes as sweet and sour pork, shark’s fin soup are very common. In Thailand and India people eat any different curries. They like their food hot and spicy. In England, a favorite dish is roast beef. The Italians eat pasta, which is a kind of noodle made from wheat. French food is very famous everywhere. It is often very rich.

In recent years fast food—sometimes called ‘junk food’—has become very popular all over the world. It was invented in the USA, and the first fast food was the hamburger. Interestingly, a hamburger does not actually contain ham. It’s made from ground beef .There are restaurants and takeout places selling hamburgers in most cities of the world.

The most international food, however, is Chinese. There probably isn’t a city anywhere that does not have at least one Chinese restaurant. This is because there are so many different dishes from so many different parts of China that there is something for everyone, whatever their favorite kind of food．

It snowed again. My seventh Christmas was round the corner(即将来临的). I dreamed of getting the present from Father Christmas until my elder sister dropped the bomb（炸弹）. “There is no Father Christmas.”   

I ran to my grandmother’s house, for she always told the truth. Grandmother was at home. I told her everything. “No Father Christmas?” she was a little _________. “Don’t believe it. Put on your coat, and let’s go.”

“Go? Where, Grandma?”I asked.

“Kerby’s Store.”

We walked through its doors. Grandma handed me ten dollars and said, “Take the _________and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of the Kerby’s.

For a few seconds I just stood there, holding the money, wondering what to buy, and who to buy it for.

I thought of everyone I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbours…I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker, a _________with bad breath and messy hair. He sat right behind me in Mrs. Polack’s class.

Bobbie never went to any party during the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but we all knew that he didn’t have a cough, and he didn’t have a coat. I decided to buy Bobbie a red warm coat ___________he would like.

That evening, grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write “To Bobbie. From Father Christmas” on it. Grandma told me Father Christmas never let people know that he helped them. Then she drove me over to Bobbie’s home, telling that I was helping Father Christmas ___________the presents. Grandma parked the car along the street, and we hid behind the trees near Bobbie’s home. Then Grandma said to me. “All right, Father Christmas, get going.”

I took a deep breath, rushed to his front door, put the present down outside the door, rang the doorbell and flew back to the safety of the ___________and Grandma. We waited breathlessly in the dark for the front door to open. Finally it did and there stood Bobbie.

That night, I realized that Father Christmas was alive and well, and we were on his team.

Some British and American people like to i    38    friends for a meal at home. You should not be upset if your English friends don't invite you home. It doesn't mean they don't like you.

Dinner parties usually start between 7 p. m. and 8 p. m. and end at about 11 p. m. Ask your hosts what time you should a    39    . It's polite to bring flowers，chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift.

Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks. If you want to be extra polite，say how much you like the room，or the pictures on the wall. But r    40    ——it's not polite to ask how much the things cost.

In many families, the husband sits at one of the table and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests(客人).

Dinner will usually start at about 8 or 9 o’clock. In many family, the husband sits at one end of the t    41     and the wife sits at the other end. They eat with their guests.

You'll probably start the meal with soup, something small as a “starter(开胃小吃)”, and then you'll have meat or fish with vegetables, and then dessert, f    42     by coffee. It's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it. Some people eat bread with their meal, but not e    43     does.

Did you enjoy the evening? Remember to c    44     your hostess the next day, or write them a short "thank you" letter.

I finally did it! This morning I went bungy (蹦极) jumping！

At first I was scared. The river was so far below. So I stood and watched other people jump from the bridge, 43 meters above the river. Some looked terrified. Others were laughing and joking. Many of them screamed all the way down to the water.

At last I had the courage to take my turn. The assistants strapped (捆扎) a harness (全套设备) around my body and a bungy rope around my ankles. I stood on the edge of the platform.

I dropped down much more quickly than I expected. As I went down, I thought, what if the bungy rope breaks?

Suddenly I came to a stop, and my head dipped (浸) in the river. Then I bounced back up into the air. I bounced up and down gently a few more times and then the boat came and some people pulled me on board and unstrapped (解开) my ankles.

I did it! I jumped off a bridge! I’m so proud of myself.