Why do we use the expression "mahu" (马虎) to describe a person who is careless? It’s not because horses or tigers are _______ animals! In fact, it is said that the expression came into _______ because of a painter who lived _______ the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

The story goes that one day, he painter was painting a tiger at home. Just as he finished the tiger’s head, _______ came to his home and asked the painter to paint a horse for him. The painter _______ painted a horses body onto the tiger’s head.

The painter’s two sons saw the painting. When the _______ son asked what animal it was, the painter told him it was a tiger. When the younger son asked the same thing, the painter said it was a _______.

Later, the younger son mistook a tiger for a horse and tried to ride it, _______ was eaten by the tiger. Meanwhile, the elder son went hunting (打猎) for a tiger but killed a horse instead. He _______ the horse as a result.

The painter felt sad and guilty (内疚的) and finally burned the painting. His story shows that carelessness can ________ big mistakes. After that, people started to use "mahu" to describe people who are very careless.

Last weekend, I had some extra time before going through security (安检) to catch the plane. While wondering what to do, I decided it was the perfect time and place to look for an act of kindness to do.

Outside security there was a girl having flowers for sale. I told her that I’d like to buy flowers for someone else, and she could decide who to give them to. She looked a little confused, so I suggested perhaps she should give them to someone who looked a little sad. That was because he or she might need some cheering up.

At first, the girl answered, “That’s crazy.” But then I explained a little more about the idea of doing something kind for a stranger, and she understood.

“I’ll never know how it turns out,” I said. “Because you will have the chance to make someone have a good day.” At that time, she started to seem excited about it.

She went to take the flowers out of the water where they were sitting in, and I explained, “it’s fine to leave them there until the person you want to cheer up comes.”

At that point, I think she was between surprised and happy, because it might be her first time to meet a customer like me. I paid for the flowers, said goodbye, and joined in the security line. What a nice day I had!

Qian Xuesen was born in Shanghai on December 11th, 1911. He is known as “the father of China’s space program” and “The king of the rocket”.

When he was 24 years old, Qian went to America for further study. After graduation, he worked in America for a few years, where his working conditions were better. In the early 1950s, he heard New China had been founded (成立) and decided not to stay in America any longer. He succeeded in coming back to his motherland in 1955 though the American government tried to stop him.

In 1956, Qian Xuesen suggested setting up a special organization, which later became the leading organization for China’s rocket and air travel program. In June 1964, China successfully created its first medium rocket. Qian also played an important role in developing China’s first man-made satellite (卫星). On April 24, 1970, “Dongfanghong-I” was successfully sent into the air.

In 1964, a young man wrote Qian Xuesen a letter and pointed out a mistake in his published article. Qian immediately answered the letter and encouraged the young man to write an article out the mistake.

Zhu Yilin, who was said to be the last student of Qian Xuesen, once said, “I learned a lot of professional knowledge as well as the spirit and attitude that a scientist should have from Mr. Qian, especially his deep love for the motherland. Without that, they couldn’t have helped to develop science and technology when New China was badly development. Without that, he would not have made the great contribution (贡献) to rocket industry in the late 1950s and early 1960s when conditions in China were too hard.”

Mr. Qian has been dead for ten years, but he will live in the memory of Chinese people forever.

Nowadays there are more and more western restaurants in our country. We Chinese seem to have little trouble using forks. But have you seen an American who can use chopsticks easily? One thing is clear: most of Westerners find it hard to use chopsticks, although they are curious (好奇的) about Chinese food. Now, thanks to a new invention, it may no longer be a problem.

A company in America wanted to help people who hoped to pick up Chinese food in an easier way. They found that when a pair of chopsticks and a fork work in pairs, they work better. For this reason, they invented the “chork”，a combination (结合) of chopsticks and a fork.

At one end, there is a fork. It can be used to poke (戳) and move food from one plate to another. ________. When it is broken into two parts, a chork can be used as a pair of chopsticks.

“It's a perfect solution for Americans who start their meal with chopsticks,” says the manager of the company. Many Americans agree. “This could possibly be the greatest invention of the 21st century.”

Next time, if you are having dinner with an American friend, you can say “Don’t worry — we have chorks.”

A．Most of Westerners find it hard to use chopsticks.

B．When it is broken into two parts, a chork can be used as a spoon.

C．A company in China wanted to help Westerners pick up Chinese food easily.

D．People usually use a knife to poke and move food from one plate to another.

“For as long as I can remember, mom has been a middle-aged woman, but no one told me that she     66     to be a young girl.” This is a line from the film Hi, Mom as well as the new director and star Jia Ling once     67     about her own mother.

Released on Feb 12, the film is the directorial debut (导演首秀) of 39-year-old comedian-turned-filmmaker Jia Ling. It got a high     68     of 8.1 on the movie rating website Douban. Many people said they were     69     by its raw (质朴的) emotion.

The film is based on the real-life     70     of Jia and her mother, showing her longing and regret at failing     71     her mother before she died. To make the film more appealing (有吸引力的), Jia made it a time-travel story, she goes     72     to 1981 and becomes friends with her mom-Li Huanying. She decided     73     up her own life and disappearing to make sure that her mother has a better future.

In the movie, Li is more of a young girl rather than a mother. “In the movie she is not only my mom, but also     74     .” Without doubt, this film was the     75     winner at the Spring Festival holiday box office. (票房)

In most classes, students sit at desks and listen to teachers in a classroom. But in a new class at chapman Middle School (CMS) in Kansas, US. Students are leaving the blackboards behind and having their class in the open air.

They are actually taking an outdoor life class. It's not a typical class, but teachers are trying it out. "We want kids to experience the outdoors," the class teacher John Harris said. Twenty-Six students attend the 9-week-long class. The class includes four parts: archery (射箭), hunting safety, survival skills (生存技能) and fishing. Students will also discuss how to protect natural resources.

Before Harris’ class this year, archery teacher Andy Fewin taught a outdoor life class. All CMS students took it. "It gets kids to join in something other than sitting and playing video games." Fewin said. Harris shares the same idea. He believes everyone needs to enjoy life and get outside.

"We have the outdoor life class to get the kids interested in their class." Harris said. "Since the start of this new class, students have changed a lot. They become more active and pay more attention in class after this meaningful and educational class." Harris said.

Reviewing is an important part of study. It helps you remember what you have learned. But do you know how to do it well?

·Find your place.

It’s very important to find a right place. The place should be a comfortable and quiet place. That helps you put all your heart into your review work.

·Take your time.

It’s a good idea to make reviewing part of your study plan. You’d better not review for too long. Make sure that you review for no more than two hours at a time, and that you take breaks every half an hour or so. This will keep you fresh and able to take in information.

·Stay organized.

To stay organized can help you a lot. If you take notes, organize them by subject or time. That way when you prepare for an exam, you can exactly find the right notes to help you.

·Check your progress.

At the end of each review, check your notes carefully. It can help you know how much you have reviewed and understood. You could also record your review progress by using review cards.

87. 假如你是英语校报编辑李明，中学生张朋马上就要毕业了，他在给你的信中提到他不知怎样度过即将到来的暑假，希望得到你的帮助。请你给他回信，告诉他怎样度过一个有意义的假期。

You are going to have a long summer vacation and start a new life soon. You don’t know how to spend it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours,

Li Ming