It was a beautiful day for sightseeing. We were a group of students just out for some fun. The weather was perfect for a picnic, so when lunch time came, we set our sights on a small park. Since we all had different things to buy, we decided to get what each of us wanted, and meet back on the grass in a few minutes.

When my friend Joy headed for a hot dog shop, I decided to go with her. We watched the seller put together the perfect hot dog, just the way we wanted it. But when we took out our money to pay the bill, the seller surprised us.

“You are the first customers to visit, and the first order is given to you for free,” he said.

After we thanked him, we joined our friends in the park, and dug into our food. But as we talked and ate, I was distracted (分心) by a man sitting alone nearby, looking at us. I could tell that he hadn’t showered for days. Another homeless person, I thought, like all the others you see in cities. I didn’t pay much more attention than that.

After we finished eating, we packed our lunch bags and prepared to throw them away.

Suddenly, a strong voice came from that homeless person.

Joy asked me to wait for her for a minute and ran to the hot dog shop.

Ancient Chinese civilisation has continued all the way through into modern times, despite the many ups and downs in its history. One of the main factors     1     (be) the Chinese writing system.

    2     (date) back several thousand years to the use of longgu，written Chinese was a picture­based language. At that time, people carved some     3     (symbol) on animal bones and shells. By the Shang Dynasty，it had been already a     4     (high) developed system. Later, there was a time     5     the Chinese people were divided geographically，leading to many varieties of dialects and characters.Chinese writing system was fixed from Qin Dynasty, when Emperor Qinshihuang united the seven major states into one unified country.

The writing system is not only of great     6     (important) in uniting the Chinese people and culture, but also an important means     7     which China’s present is connected with its past. Today, we can read the classic works which     8     (write) by Chinese in ancient times. Now, Chinese calligraphy, as     9     art form, has become an important part of Chinese culture.

With China playing a greater role in global affairs, an increasing number of international students are beginning to learn Chinese     10     (appreciate) China’s culture and history.

6 . The earthquake was over and the city was in ruins.

I had no choice but to walk home as all the   _______ had stopped as a result of the quake. On my way home I   _______ an old lady at a bakery shop giving out free bread, which made my heart _______. A man was holding a sign saying, “Please use our house.” He was _______ his house for people to go to the restroom.

The next day I drove to have my car _______. There was not enough gas now and many gas stations were either closed or had very _______ lines. I got worried, _______ I was behind fifteen cars. Finally, when my _______ came, the man smiled and said, “_______ this situation, we are only giving $30 worth of gas per person. Is that alright?” “Of course. It’s nice that we are all able to ________ ,” I said. His smile gave me so much comfort.

At the escape center I saw a man ________when people brought food to him. It was the first time in three days that food had been brought to their center. However, after he cleaned up the tears, his next ________ surprised me. “I am very ________ that we are provided with food. But people in the city next to us haven’t ________ any food at all. Please go to that center as well.” Hearing that, I realized there was a bright future on the other side of this ________.

8 . The Best Hawker(沿街叫卖者)Centers in Singapore

Chinatown Complex Food Center

You can find all the must-try local foods here: Being the largest hawker center in Singapore with over 260 food stands, this center offers a full range of local dishes from chilli crab, black pepper crab to local juice and popular desserts.

Foods are offered at the cheapest prices: Food prices here are very reasonable and competitive. Diners can enjoy a plate of chicken rice or a bowl of laksa at prices from $ 2.50 to $3.00.

Old Airport Road Food Center

Singapore iconic hawker center; One of the oldest and largest food courts in the island city serves authentic delicious local food to many generations of Singaporeans. Absolutely, you will find all the popular Singaporean dishes there.

Offering the best soya beancurd in Singapore, it is home to some of the best soya beancurd stands, The beancurd is offered at $ 1.50 per bowl for original favor and $2.00 per bowl for almond favor.

Tiong Bahru Market Hawker Center

A clean and spacious hawker center: Decorated recently, this center is one of the cleanest and most spacious hawker centers in Singapore. You will definitely enjoy the airy, comfortable and relaxing atmosphere there.

Located right above one of the best wet markets in Singapore: The center is on the second floor. On the first floor is a famous wet market with fresh produce. Therefore you can enjoy mouth-watering Singaporean foods and experience the original feature of a typical Singapore wet market during your visit.

Chomp Chomp Food Center

A hawker center catering for late-night diners: Unlike other food centers opening from morning to evening, this center starts from 18: 00 until late every day. So if you want to have good hawker food at late hours, come here.

Serving some of the best satay in Singapore: To many Singaporean foodies, Chomp Chomp Food Center is a satay mecca(圣地).

9 . The United States of America is the most culturally diverse country in the world in terms of culture, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. As a combination of various races and cultures, America is home to all. The culture here is so unique that citizens can be just as proud of their original cultural heritage as they are to be Americans.

What is now the US was initially inhabited (居住) by native people until the land was settled by various European groups and African slaves. Since the 20th century, the country has become a heaven for people from all over the globe.

The arrival of immigrants has removed populations from rural areas into cities because immigrants tend to settle in urban areas. At present, 81 percent of the citizens in the US live in cities.

Cultural and ethnic diversity adds a unique flavor to cities that is expressed through different neighborhoods, restaurants, places of worship, museums, nightlife and multicultural learning environments.

Unique musical forms, such as jazz, rock and roll, Chicano music, and the blues, grow in the US by mixing a variety of culturally distinct musical traditions to create a new form.

At the executive (行政的) level, the country is headed by a mixed-race president; two posts on the Supreme Court are held by members of the country’s two largest minorities. There is also diversity in state and local governments.

Without its rich mixture of races and cultures, America would not be the nation that it is today. Founded upon the basis of equality and freedom, America acts as ad stage where different cultures not only coexist peacefully, but develop well.

10 . There was once a boy called Mario who loved to have lots of friends at school. However, he wasn’t sure whether or not his classmates were his true friends, so he asked his grandpa. The old man answered, “I have just exactly what you need; it’s in the attic (阁楼). Wait here for a minute.”

Grandpa left, soon returning as though carrying something in his hand, but Mario could see nothing there. “Take it. It’s a very special chair. Because it’s invisible (无形的) it’s rather difficult to sit on, but if you take it to school and you manage to sit on it, you’ll be able to tell who your true friends are.”

Mario took the strange invisible chair and went to school. At break time he asked everyone to form a circle, and he put himself in the middle, with his chair. “Nobody move. You’re about to see something amazing,” Mario said.

Then Mario tried sitting on the chair. He missed and fell straight onto his backside. Everyone had a pretty good laugh. Mario wouldn’t be beaten. He kept trying to sit on the magic chair, and kept falling to the ground... until, suddenly, he tried again and didn’t fall. This time he sat, hovering (悬停) in mid-air.

Looking around, Mario saw George, Lucas, and Diana — three of his best friends — holding him up, so he wouldn’t fall. At the same time, many others he had thought of as friends were doing nothing but make fun of him, enjoying each and every fall.

Leaving with his three friends, Mario explained to them how his grandpa had so cleverly thought of such a good idea. Now he knows that those who take joy in our misfortunes (不幸) when we are in difficulty are not our true friends.