4 . As modern cars continue to add new features, the dashboard can become more and more confusing. A variety of lights, buttons, symbols, and switches aren’t easily decoded without referencing the operating manual (手册): Pressing something as harmless as the air recirculation control can become an exercise in suspense.

Then there’s the “A” button. A relatively new option, its purpose is complex, and you might be worried about activating it. So what does it do?

The A button controls the automatic start-stop system in vehicles. Automatic start-stop functionality was designed for fuel economy and cuts the engine when a car comes to a complete stop. If your vehicle is equipped, you’ll likely notice the engine stopping at red lights or in traffic jams and then revving back up again once you begin to accelerate (加速). Depending on how often you drive, the technology might save you anywhere from 3 percent to 12 percent in fuel costs.

But not everyone is a fan of the feature. When it’s engaged and the engine is off, drivers may have trouble maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature or lose the ability to quickly accelerate when coming onto a highway.

If a vehicle operator wants to disable it, they press the A button. Once the button is engaged, the vehicle’s engine will run uninterrupted. Often, the A button will light up, meaning you’ve elected to disable the function.

The catch? The A button is typically only good for each ride. Every time you start the car, you’ll have to press it to suppress the automatic start-stop function.

Some drivers get into the habit of pushing the A button every time they get in their car; others opt for an aftermarket solution to permanently disable the feature without having to do it during every drive. If you find it disconcerting to have the engine stop every time you're at a light, the A button is the solution.

For 27 years, Mao Shihua     1     (be) a permanent fixture for the residents of Huangtankou, selling breakfast to schoolchildren from her simple stall (货摊) meters away from a primary school.     2     (fond) nicknamed “Breakfast Nanny”, Mao served food that was both nutritious and cheap. Each item cost just half a yuan,     3     the price was never raised.

Mao’s “day” began at 2 am,     4     she would start preparing the breakfast items. Around 5:30, Mao would ride a tricycle cart to her stall to sell the breakfast, and remained there till 7:30 am.     5     hours of preparing and selling the breakfast, Mao barely made 50 yuan a day. She would often need to dip into her pension (养老金)     6     (cover) costs. Even owners of neighboring stalls would admit that Mao made no money out of her business.

However, Mao didn’t care. The hours she spent serving food to the children living in the mountainous area was the     7     (happy) part of her day.

When 90-year-old Mao died on December 18, 2023, netizens from around the country expressed their     8     (admire) for her and grief over her death, praising her as     9     “ordinary hero”.

In 2019, inspired by Mao, the public service center established the “1-yuan caring breakfast” store. From 7 to 8:30 am every day, the store provides 20 to 30 breakfast sets     10     (price) at 1 yuan for special groups such as sanitation workers and elderly people.

7 . I was waiting in line at the gas bar when two small white cars drove in out of nowhere and _______ right in front of me. I wish I could calmly _______ this new situation, but I can’t. I was overcome with anger.

I got my tank filled up and drove _______ to a snack bar to grab a burger. As I sat in my car _______ an above-average tasty lunch, I was still angry about the gas pump fiends (魔鬼).

Suddenly I remembered something. I was in line at a grocery checkout and my items had been rung up _______ I discovered I had left my card in my car. I apologized and the cashier suggested I go get the card and come back. When I made it through the _______ to her again, she told me my $14 or so in _______ had already been paid for. A young man, who had a young boy with him, seeing my _______, offered to pay for my stuff.

I went into the parking lot to see if I could find my _______. I couldn’t. But as I was about to get into my car, another car ________ beside mine and a young man with a boy got out.

“I heard you were looking for me,” he smiled. “I paid your bill.” I thanked him greatly and apologized for not having any cash on me. ________, my young friend, who had a car older and more ________ than mine, said he didn’t want to be paid back. He was just glad to help out.

He more than ________ the two friends at the gas bar. And I am glad I have my ________ of him and what he ________ did to counteract my anger.

8 . If you’re starting construction on the home of your dreams, consider the benefits of building with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Here are a few tips to follow.

Hire the right construction professionals.

Even if you consider yourself handy or a DIY pro, new construction isn’t a project to go at alone. Do your research on local professionals like architects, contractors and others who are experienced in sustainable construction.     1    . You can also read reviews online to gather options before requesting bids or signing contracts.

Start with a sustainable foundation.

    2    . A longer lasting home can begin with strong building materials like insulated concrete forms, such as those from Nudura, which provide superior energy efficiency, sound-proofing and lower utility costs versus traditional wood-frame construction.

    3    

While installing energy-efficient appliances and high-quality windows and doors are obvious examples of eco-friendly materials, there are other solutions to help you go green in your new home. Consider options like countertops made from recycled glass or reclaimed bricks for fireplaces and accent pieces.

Power your home with renewable energy.

If it’s within your budget, you can take your new home to the next level by powering it with renewable energy like solar or wind. Typically installed on the roof, solar panels stop the sun’s rays and convert that energy to power your home.     4    

Prepare for the unexpected.

Project delays, fluctuating costs and more can turn building a new house into an unpredictable process.     5     Be prepared for the unexpected so you aren’t caught off guard. In fact, unanticipated circumstances can sometimes be a good thing, like building materials dropping in price, a new product hitting the market or those flashy eco-friendly appliances going on sale.

9 . At age 10, McCullough got a glimpse of her dream job. It sparkled in the eyes of the Packard Children’s nurses who cared for her brother Matthew, who had brain cancer. As a child, McCullough spent hours at her brother’s bedside. “I looked up to the nurses. I found their unconditional commitment to my brother’s care remarkable,” McCullough says.

As a young girl, McCullough practiced nursing by caring for her brother, a desire born out of her intense love for him. She would rub his back, bring him drinks, and even help adjust his lines. She was a natural. Her parents said that she was very caring and always put people first from a young age.

When Matthew passed away, McCullough became even more committed to becoming a nurse. She took steps through the years to make her dream come true. In high school, she volunteered at cancer centers and hospitals. “My becoming a nurse is 100% in honor of Matt. I felt the need to channel my grief and turn that tragic moment into something positive,” McCullough says.

Over time, McCullough realized that she didn’t just want to be a nurse. She wanted to be a pediatric oncology (儿科肿瘤) nurse at Packard Children’s. McCullough wanted to give back to the hospital that had done so much for her brother.

Despite feeling like school never came easy, McCullough persisted (坚持) and got into a respected nursing school. She feels like she worked 10 times harder than other nursing students at the university. She traded going out and spending time with friends for the library.

In college, each step brought McCullough closer to her dream. She worked as a nursing assistant at Stanford Health Care for adults with cancer. Then, she transferred to Packard Children’s and worked as a nursing assistant in the Pediatric Transplant Center.

Today, She’s a nurse on the same unit that cared for her brother years ago. She is one of those nurses she admired so much as a child. She finds the time, even on very busy days, to truly be there for patients and families to make them feel loved and welcomed.

10 . Here, four farm-to-table restaurants in Singapore to try out. Any fresher and you’ll have to eat off the farm itself.

Open Farm Community

Open Farm Community has been championing local produce since 2015 by partnering with local and regional farms.

Open Farm Community also has a garden plot where they grow some of the produce it uses as well, such as the corn needed to make the OFC Farm Sweet Corn “Ribs”.

Opening Hours: Monday to Fridays 12-3pm, 6-11pm. Saturdays an Sundays 11am-4pm, 6-11pm.

Smith Marine

Fancy having a meal on a modern kelong that has been transformed into a floating seafood restaurant off the coast of Pulau Ubin?

Then, head to Smith Marine where you can enjoy various seafood farmed in the neighbouring fish farm.

To get there, you’ll need to take a speed boat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal.

Opening Hours: 10.30am to 1.30pm, 3pm to 4.30pm

Labyrinth

Labyrinth is one of the few restaurants serving up modern Singaporean cuisine.

Headed by Han Li Guang, the one Michelin-starred establishment champions chef with a menu consisting of 90 percent locally sourced ingredients from producer Edible Garden City.

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sundays, 12 – 2:30pm, 6:30 – 11pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Kausmo

Headed by internationally known chef Lisa Tang and supported by the Les Amis Group, Kausmo was opened in 2019 with the aim of repurposing unwanted fruits and vegetables that are either not aesthetically pleasing or over-ripened.

Seafood is also sourced from small regional farming communities and secondary cuts of meats are prized here. Kausmo serves a six-course carte blanche menu (全权菜单) at $105++ per pax (顾客，乘客).

Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays 6:30-10:30pm. Sundays 2-5pm. Closed on Mondays.