I wonder if you like long-distance running. Long-distance running is becoming one of the most popular     1     (activity) in our lives.

Doctors believe that many of the health problems come     2     such bad habits: eating too much, drinking too much, smoking and     3     (stay) up late. Running is     4     (easy) than those exercises in gyms because you don’t need a membership or special equipment. It will help you get fit and prevent diseases. You can find that your immune system gets better and better. It will give you good upper     5     lower body strength. Meanwhile, it makes your heart stronger and allows more blood     6     (flow) around your body and increases more oxygen to your brain. Anybody     7     is feeling down can go for a run to cheer themselves up.

If you are new to running, here is a piece of     8     (advise) for you. It is important to warm up and cool down     9     (proper) before and after running. In this way, you will feel very     10     (relax) instead of hurting yourself.

4 . The sun is shinning. I get on No. 151 bus. I’m heading for my office. The sight on the bus is striking: People sit so close together, using those thin sheets of newspapers to keep their distance.

As the bus approaches the National Park, a voice suddenly rings out, “Attention! Attention! This is your driver speaking.”

No one speaks. We look at the back of the driver’s head. His voice carries authority. “Put your papers down. All of you.” The newspapers come down and they are placed on our laps.

“Now, turn and face the person next to you. Go ahead.” Amazingly, we all do it. Still, no one smiles. Just follow the order.

I face an old woman, her head wrapped tightly in a red scarf. I see her nearly everyday. Our eyes meet. We wait for the next order from the driver. We smile to each other. There is a feeling of relief. The barrier (隔阂) has been broken. We cannot help saying, “Good morning, neighbor.”

It is not so hard after all. Some of us repeat it. Others shake hands. Many laugh. The bus driver says nothing more. Slowly, I hear laughter, a warm sound I have never heard before on the bus.

When we reach my stop, I say good-bye to my seatmate, and then jump from the doorstep. As No. 151 bus drives away, I smile as I watch the happy faces of the passengers. This day is starting off better than most.

6 . This free night of music is a must-attend for jazz fans and music lovers alike! It is presented in association with the American Jazz Museum.

For the first time on stage in an ongoing cooperation, theoretical physicist Stephen Alexander and NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison, a New Orleans-based saxophonist, explore their theory of quantum improvisation (量子即兴创作). They will also be joined by composer and bassist Santi Debriano along with other famous musicians for a night of jazz and its poetic link to the universe.

Time

7:00 pm—8:30 pm, December 22,2023

Event

6:00 p. m.—Doors open

7:00 p. m.—Lively conversation on jazz and quantum improvisation with Library President Lisa Browar, Stephen Alexander, and Donald Harrison

7:30 p. m.—Jazz concert—seven to eight songs, including two original pieces—starts!

8:30 p. m.—Jazz concert concludes

Venue

Please note that this event will be held at the Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105. The program will be free and open to the public, but advanced registration will be required. Attendees can also purchase the souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps linked to the event as well as the magazine signed by these famous musicians.

Parking

Parking is available in the garage next to the Folly Theater for $10-$15. The garage only accepts credit cards.

8 . Labor is important and necessary for everyone. I am glad that I learned the_______of work when I was a child.

I grew up on a farm. We had to care for such _______as cows and sheep from morning till evening, seven days a week. _______during school vacations and on weekends we still had_______work to do. I was paid for my work. From the age of 10, my parents_______me $1 an hour. Because of this, I learned how to_______money. When I was only 11, I saved enough to buy a ten-speed bicycle. In high school, I_______a job in a nearby town during the summer to save money_______college. I learned how to manage money at an _______age.

I also learned the satisfaction of work well done. The young animals were my responsibility. Most________often had problems with their young cows getting sick. I was proud that my young cows were usually ________. I loved it when the whole family ________together to get in hay (干草) before a rainstorm. It was exciting when we jumped out of bed in the middle of the night to________the cows in the field after they had escaped through a broken fence. Doing hard work at an early age________me how valuable it can be. And from these________I learned to be confident and self-disciplined (自律的).

Peter lived in a village. He was always upset and treated others     1     (bad). He enjoyed himself by making other     2     (villager) unhappy. So the whole village avoided     3     (he) as much as they could. On the day when he turned eighty,     4     unusual thing happened. Everyone     5     (hear) the words. “Peter looks happy today. Instead of     6     (say) something bad, he smiles to everyone he meets.” When the whole village got together, Peter     7     (ask) why. He answered, “I’d been running after my happiness     8     eighty years, but it was     9     (use). And then I decided to live without it and just enjoy life. That’s the reason     10     I’m happy now.”