1 . An old saying goes that “Good fences make good neighbors.” With so many folks ______ to stay at home during the pandemic, good fences can also make good ______ .

In Minneapolis, the Olson family lives next door to 99-year-old Mary. Although Mary’s daughter ______ once a week, for the most part, the pandemic left Mary alone. But with lockdown (封锁) ______ Mary managed to form a special friendship with one of her neighbors—Benjamin Olson, aged 2.

Over time, Mary watched through the chain-link as Benjamin learned to walk, talk, and ______ run and play. Despite the huge differences in their ______ Benjamin was drawn to his elderly neighbor, ______ in her presence. Between the two, they developed a ______ they could play over the fence. Benjamin would ______ her a ball and she’d hit it back to him with her stick.

While others might ______ at the 97-year gap between the two, when Benjamin sees Mary, he ______ sees a friend, not a number. Mary’s daughter believes the ______ has been a lifeline that’s kept her mum going through the long period.

When the lockdown was lifted, Benjamin ______ Mary on her back steps to play games that bring joy to both the young and the young at ______ .

In August, when Mary celebrates her 100th birthday, the one thing she won’t be wishing for is a ______ friend. Benjamin is the one that has covered.

2 . The good news is that more people bought electric vehicles (EVs) in 2020. The bad news is that sport utility (多用途的) vehicles (SUVs) continued to grow in popularity, too. “The fall in oil consumption due to the first trend was completely canceled out by the second,” said Laura Cozzi, an officer at the International Energy Agency (JEA).

Between 2010 and 2020, global carbon dioxide emissions (排放) from conventional cars fell by nearly 35 billion tons, due to reasons such as fuel efficiency improvements as well as the switch to electric cars. Emissions from SUVs rose by more than 50 billion tons. “While the growth in EVs is encouraging, the boom in SUVs is heart-breaking,” says Peters at the Cicero Climate Research Centre in Norway.

There are many reasons for the growing popularity of SUVs. For example, rising economic boom in many countries means more people are able to afford them. Some people see them as status symbols. Also, SUVs are heavily advertised by car-makers, whose profit is higher on these vehicles. Some countries, including France, have introduced plans under which more taxes are paid on heavier cars. But Peters thinks that people who are rich enough to afford SUVs won’t be deterred by slightly higher taxes. “There are now some electric SUVs available, but I hope one day you will see more electric vehicles brought to the SUV market,” says Peters.

Even if it happens, switching to electric SUVs isn’t a good solution. Due to their size and bigger batteries, it takes more resources to build electric SUVs, and they consume around 15 percent more electricity. That means higher emissions unless the electricity comes entirely from renewable sources, and higher electricity demand makes it harder to green the electricity supply.

3 . Some winter routes which tap into the delights hidden in the snow and ice will encourage public participation in winter sports. They are great ways to get a first-hand view of places.

Winter Olympic Cities

The National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the “ice ribbon”, is a new venue built for ice competitions in Beijing. It will hold speed skating events and award 14 gold medals. Every move and every sound from the skates on ice will be seen and heard by all at the oval. The Big Air Shougang, sitting in the Shougang Industrial Park, will serve the snowboard and freestyle skiing events.

Along the Great Wall

The route runs through seven cities in Hebei and Inner Mongolia and offers skiing, hiking, photography and winter fishing. The Yudaokou Grassland and Forest Scenic Area and the Chengde Mountain Resort are an ideal complement to local snow sport experiences. Daogunan Mountain Ski Field offers ski slopes catering to skiers of all levels. Its winter recreation park offers snowmobile and dog sleigh experiences for family travelers.

Changbai Mountains

Forging a path across Jilin province, this route takes in the Changchun Ice and Snow New World, a large-scale winter themed park in Changchun. It will provide visitors with a glimpse into the fascinating world of ice buildings, snow sculptures and ice slides. At night, it holds spectacular fireworks and light shows. Visitors can take a ride that offers a stunning view of the Songhua Lake and the wild, snowy mountain. In Changbai Mountains International Resort, tourists can enjoy performances featuring (以……为特色) the Changbai Mountains, sing karaoke, go to bars and taste gourmet food. Hot springs are also available.

4 . I was gating ready to head to my daughter’s college to bring her home for New Year. The _______ was falling heavily and the land was silvered, I knew it wasn't going to be an easy drive.

Usually a three-hour round _______ but I knew it was going to be a lot _______ today as I slowed my car to _______ the slippery roads. Once I was on the road, though, condition only worsened I _______ slowed down but four-wheel trucks sped past me _______ huge showers of slush (融雪) onto my windshield (挡风玻璃). During the last twenty miles I suddenly found myself behind a very _______ winter driver. Instead of driving slow and adjusting, when he hit a slippery spot he braked (刹车) hard and tamed sharply all over the road. I had to _______ hard myself to keep from hitting him but unfortunately slid into a ditch (沟).

I tried pulling out again and again but could only hear _______ tires. I was half-way out in the road and a truck sped by me, missing the car by inches. I looked about the car ________ and amazingly the car started to ________ , as if it was almost being pushed out of the ditch. From the driving mirror I spotted a ________ covered with snow, pushing my car as hard as possible. When I stuck out my hand to greet him with gratitude, he ________ signed me good luck, getting on his car.

Just as a famous writer Henry ________ it, “He who walks in love may wander far.” Wherever you go then and however ________ your journeys may be, always remember that you are watched over by people with a love more powerful and more beautiful than you can ever imagine.

9 . Chase is always looking for ways he can help others. At just 13 years old, he has already contributed a great deal to the community in Port Allen, Louisiana. He has hosted dinners for senior citizens, donated hundreds of socks to the homeless, and now he is contributing directly to the kids at his school.

Chase noticed many children at Port Allen Middle School have a hard time affording new clothing, especially when events like school dances and graduations come up. So when school leaders asked students how they could improve their community, Chase suggested helping families get clothes.

The school agreed, so PAM’s Pantry was born. The concept is simple. First, people donate clothing, shoes, sports equipment, and other helpful personal items. Then, Chase helps organize the donations so headmaster Jessica and the teachers can hand them to those in need.

Jessica says this plan is meeting more kids’ needs than ever before, especially since they live in a low-income area. “We really want the kids to feel as if they have somewhere to go when they need something,” the headmaster said. “We only have 215 kids, so we’re able to get to know them really well and try to help them when we can.”

Amanda, Chase’s mother, said she was not the least bit surprised by what her son decided. “He seems to have a great passion for people,” she said. “I always encourage him to help others because they deserve happiness, too.”

If more people do as Chase does, the world will be a kinder place! Simply looking for ways of the change we want to see in the world can have life-changing effects, not just on us, but also on those around us.

10 . Some Sightseeing Tours

Tour A: Bath & Stonehenge, £39

It includes entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge. Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum. Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous monuments dating back over 4,000 years.

Tour B: Oxford & Stratford, £36

It includes entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway’s house. Oxford: It includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires (尖顶)” from St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: It includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.

Tour C: Windsor Castle & Hampton Court, £37

It includes entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace, a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry Ⅷ’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle (entrance fees not included). With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four kings and one queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze (迷宫) where it is easy to get lost!

Tour D: Cambridge, £33

It includes entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great. It also includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.