2 . There are hundreds of genres (流派) of music, so while some might like one kind, others might like something completely different. Why do people like different kinds of music?

    1     At the same time, music can also help us feel like part of a group or a culture, especially one that shares an interest in a certain kind of music.

Music can also be nostalgic, that is, it creates a kind of longing for the past. Musicians leave behind a footprint with their music.    2     Even long after the musicians are gone, people still find something in the musicians’ recordings that they can enjoy.

We may also find that the music we like is strongly tied to our memory. Maybe there was a song that someone sang to us when we were little that brings up good memories.     3    

When we listen to music that we like, a chemical called dopamine is sometimes released in the brain, which can make us feel good.     4     There are some algorithms (算法) today that can help pick up on the kind of music we like. When we are streaming music, some programs will let us like or dislike songs.

People’s taste in music can remain the same in their whole life or it can change many times. But the truth is, we don’t know all the exact answers to why people like different kinds of music — or sports, or food, or colors.     5     We are all different people who like different things.

3 . Searching for a new cat to add to your family? If your home already has a cat, you may wonder how your cat will welcome a new partner.     1    Continue reading for tips on how to do that.

Your existing cat’s needs come first.     2    Does your cat prefer female cats over male cats? If he/ she enjoys the company of female cats, adopting a female cat can help. If you adopt a young kitten as a companion for your older cat, it can work well as kittens get along with a cat of any age.

Shower your existing cat with extra attention. Cats can be territorial when it comes to their space; the same can be true for their owners as well.     3    Giving your cat more hugs and care during the introduction of a new cat can help ease his/ her bad feeling. This also helps your cat accept and trust the new one more quickly.

    4     When you bring your new cat home, it’s best to keep the cats in different rooms. This way they won’t try to defend their territory. Each should have their own space with bowls and cat furniture so he/ she don’t feel the need to compete. And do spend time with the new cat as he/ she can also be stressed in a new environment.

Introduce the new cat slowly. Your cats will have the chance to get used to each other’s smell through the door. When they seem interested in meeting, you can bring one into the other’s territory.    5    If you notice either of the cats getting uncomfortable, separate them.

Two years ago, Song Fei’s muscle pain was getting worse, despite years of gym exercise. A month after     1    (practise) taijiquan, however, the pains that had been bothering her were slowly relieved. Song, 29, a Shanghai-based fitness vlogger (视频博主), has been sharing her changes after learning taijiquan     2     lifestyle-sharing platform Xiaohongshu. Besides performing it each morning, she also integrates     3    (element) of the Chinese martial art into her fitness courses.

China’s taijiquan has become     4    (increasing) popular as a form of mind-body exercise and stress reduction. Like Song, more young people are inheriting (继承) and developing ways to integrate the martial art into     5     (variety) lifestyle applications. Master Li Guangjin, who created his own style of taijiquan, emphasizes     6     importance of maintaining health, combat (格斗), and relaxation through taijiquan practice. Visual designer Lin Xiaoxue has also experienced physical and mental benefits since she picked up taijiquan. She has designed some visual works     7    (inspire) by taijiquan. Additionally, taijiquan has influenced other fitness practices, such as ChiRunning,     8     combines tai chi techniques with running     9    (promote) injury prevention and mindfulness.

This integration of traditional wisdom into modern lifestyles     10    (reflect) a growing interest in understanding the deeper meaning of life through taijiquan and related practices.

7 . Recently I bought a book about signposts. Signposts aren’t very interesting, you’re thinking. Well, that, of course, depends on whether you happen to be lost! Ancient travelers would have been grateful for these when settlements were smaller and further apart. In winter, the ability to reach shelter for the night could be the difference between life and death.

One of the very earliest way-marks discovered is in Cumbria. Dating from Roman times, it had lain fallen until 1836, when a farmer ploughing his fields came across a sandstone shaft (碑文). There are other stone posts that have stood by roadsides for centuries. It wasn’t until 1697 that an act was passed declaring that guide-stones must be built.

This applied to remote parts of the country where there might be confusion as to which path led to the nearest market town. Later, with the appearance of the Royal Mail, the number rose still further. Nowadays many of these early road signs are designated (指定) as Listed Monuments.

“How times change!” Lucy, an enthusiastic walker, to whom I loaned the book, exclaimed.

“I suppose now we all rely far more upon mobile phones to guide us.”

“Yet they aren’t perfect. Whenever I go out, I prefer a map. I never have to worry about running out of battery.” “I’m always grateful to whoever is placing way-markers along the route,” she added, “I suppose that however sure we are, a little outside confirmation is always welcome.”

Lucy is quite right there. Life itself can offer us a great many choices of path, and sometimes it isn’t easy to know if we’ve chosen the best one.

Perhaps when it comes to gratitude, we should also include thanks for those people who appear in our lives when we most need them — either giving us gentle warning that we might be heading in the wrong direction, or reassurance that we are on the right track. After all, we’d be lost without them!

9 . Last year in early summer, I was walking to my house when I saw two large birds standing in my yard. They didn’t seem to _______ me until I was right in front of them and then they _______ disappeared into the nearby bushes. I was quite excited by the _______ of two special birds making a nest (巢) in my yard．

A few weeks later, the birds _______. I found them crouching (蹲伏) beside a tree. As I approached them, they _______ their heads and made a croaking (嘶哑地叫) sound. I didn’t know why they were croaking at me until a short time later I made an amazing _______: there were two small birds _______ around happily.

As I inched towards the birds, _______ not to make sudden movements, they started their croaking again, putting their necks forward so they seemed _______ and more threatening.

The mother put the baby birds under her wings and carefully crouched down over them so her babies were well ________.

I was watching them with respect when I suddenly ________ and fell to the ground. The mother took this as a/an ________ and the father raced towards me, ________ his wings to protect the mother and the baby birds.

I felt sorry to have disturbed them and left quickly. I am amazed by their ________ actions. Their parental love made them so courageous. It is hard not to show ________ for nature.

10 . An Art Class

When Kelly was twelve, she started taking classes at Miss Grace’s School for Art. She didn’t like it at first: the “novice artists”—the kids who hadn’t really done art before-worked mostly with clay, and Kelly was a terrible sculptor.

It wasn’t until her third year that Kelly found something she was really good at-charcoal drawing (素描). She loved watching the lines spread unevenly across the page as she moved the bits of charcoal back and forth over the paper.

One day, Sophia, the best artist in her class, sat down and set up her easel (画架) next to Kelly. Kelly felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. She’d actually found an art form that she enjoyed and was good at-and now Sophia was going to outshine her again? Kelly fought back tears when Miss Grace entered the room.

“Hello class, Miss Grace said.” We’ll continue to work on the project today. What masterpiece would Sophia have come up with?

Kelly looked at Sophia’s easel and she couldn’t believe it-it was a mess! For a brief moment, Kelly couldn’t actually believe her drawing was better than Sophia’s.

But then she looked at Sophia, who was watching Kelly with an anxious expression. “I…. I couldn’t decide what to do,” Sophia said. “And you’re so good. Sometimes I feel like my stuff is just so bad in comparison.”

Kelly looked to see if Sophia was joking, but she seemed completely serious. Now Kelly was shocked. “I’m not talented ... Miss Grace seldom praises me. You’re the best one in our class!”

Sophia raised her eyebrows. “I might be a really good copier of the stuff, but I have no idea what to do when it comes to making up my own images. You are so great at making new things out of the old stuff. I’ve loved your works.”

“I’ve loved yours, too,” Kelly said.

“Well, definitely not this one,” Sophia said.

Kelly smiled. “Maybe not right now. But if you move these lines up...” she said, pointing her finger on Sophia’s paper.

Sophia was quiet for a moment. “That’s a great idea!” she said finally.

Kelly smiled and turned back to her drawing, looking every so often at Sophia’s work to see that she was taking her advice, down to the last line.