1 . Lining up to board a plane has become an evident indicator of how our society has commodified (使商品化) the very act of waiting. The more you pay, the sooner you can get on the plane and the less likely you will have to check a bag. It’s not just airlines, it’s also museums, online purchases and amusement parks where VIP status can help you avoid lines. When did the act of waiting get such a bad reputation?

The very act of waiting can enhance our appreciation of something. We enjoy the anticipation like a child waiting for Christmas or summer vacation. Perhaps the person waiting in line to see his favorite singer perform in concert relishes the night more because of the time invested in getting into the venue.

As our world has sped up, this desirable balance between instant and delayed satisfaction conflicts with the current expectations of many people. When we denigrate (诋毁) the act of waiting, we risk losing an important part of our shared humanity. Having to wait is taken as a sign of being less well off or “not in the game”. It encourages privileged impatience and disdain (鄙视) for those who are caught waiting.

But the capacity to wait is a foundational part of a civilized society and thus an important skill to have. If we lose our ability to stand in line or to wait our turn, we suffer from the stress of a changing world. If we label people who wait as “losers”, we release strong urges to grab what’s ours at any cost with no concern about those we leave behind. We see the people in line as “other”, not like us, and that dehumanization (非人化) is dangerous.

Of course, we should not have to wait patiently for everything. For example, there are times when injustice deserves immediate action. Asking people to wait can be a calculated obstacle to change. In a larger context though, all of us are supposed to understand the act of waiting not only as a necessary evil but also as an important function which allows us to participate fully in life alongside our fellow travelers.

2 . Growing up, I lived with my parents in Rugby. Going back to the beginning, my first impressions of the island city were how _________ it was. I loved walking around and was _________   by rich life patterns.

My parents were very hard-working but we were always on a tight _________ . I started working at the age of 16. When I left for university, my sisters took the _________. We all agreed my parents were lucky to have such _________ children.

Unfortunately, these financial _________   continued at university. I rented a private flat as I couldn’t afford student _________. Asking my parents for money was out of the question so I_________ extra work as a Healthcare Support Worker and Receptionist to pay the rent.

This was good financially but it did_________ the trouble, not only with my physical health but it was impacting my studies too. I didn’t get very good__________ in the first year. I knew I had to go into my second year with an action plan.

I first heard about the__________ when my classmates told me about it so I applied. I had forgotten about it, __________ I didn’t get it. Three months later, I received the good news that I was __________. These days were a time when I really needed financial help.

It might seem like small money to some but for me, it was a __________. It meant I could stop working extra jobs so I could focus on my academic work. I finally felt like a __________ !

4 . Eiffel Tower Guided Climb Tour by Stairs

Most visitors ride the elevator at the Eiffel Tower, but travelers with a sense of adventure prefer to take the stairs. Climb the 704 steps to the second viewing platform of the Eiffel Tower on this guided tour and be rewarded with splendid views of the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seine River, and the Champs. Get a good workout by climbing up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower. Choose a ticket to the summit and take the lift to the very top.

● Meet your guide and fellow Eiffel Tower climbers at the meeting point, then join the queue for Eiffel Tower tickets. It can take up to 90 minutes at peak times, but your guide will keep you entertained while you wait with fun facts about the tower.

● Next, follow your guide up the stairs to the second floor viewing platform, a total of 674 steps! Make a stop along the way to learn about Gustave Eiffel and the history of the tower, then enjoy views of the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral.

● Your tour ends on the second floor. If you booked the Summit Access tour, ride the elevator up to the summit. If you booked the combo (套餐) tour with a Seine River cruise, your guide will provide tickets that can be used at any time.

● For a full refund (退款), you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

● Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

● This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

8 . Fast food chains have tried for years to appeal to customers who care about their health. They have added lighter food to their menus, such as salads and yogurt. Of course, the lighter food goes with the usual burgers, fried chicken and shakes.

Menus have changed over the past three decades. According to a recent study, fast food menus are less healthy than they were 30 years ago. The study suggests the problem is getting worse. The fat, salt content and size of fast food meals are the problem. They are often the reason for the rising obesity (肥胖) rate among adults in the United States. The researchers found that the average main dish weighed more in 2016 than in 1986. It also had more calories and more sodium (钠). One expert said, “The restaurants have not done enough. The big picture is that there have been some positive changes, but they are small. Overall, the changes have gotten worse.”

The average fast food dessert had more calories in 2016. It also weighed more than the average fast food dessert thirty years earlier. Restaurants are counting on bigger sundaes and cookies to increase the amount spent on each order. For example, McDonald’s recently introduced “donut sticks” dusted with sugar. Six sticks have 280 calories. But you can also order 12 sticks for less than the cost of two single orders.

The researchers found that, over the 30 years, there were more calories in items like chips, soup, and French fries. Sodium content rose even though portion(一份) size did not grow much. When consumed together as a single meal, the study found that the average main dish and side order account for nearly 40 percent of a 2000-calory daily diet.