3 . Practising General Water Safety

A day at the pool or the beach can be a very relaxing activity. However, if you see someone drowning, that can transform your day into a scary experience.     1    

Strengthen your swimming skills.

    2     If you do not know what you are doing, it is possible you could make the situation worse, despite your best intentions. If you are going to be near water, or plan to be, it’s a great idea to take an advanced swimming course.

Practice caution.

Accidents happen, and it is certainly not possible to ensure that drowning incidents don’t occur.     3     Make sure that when you are near water you have flotation (漂浮) device with you. If possible, take a cellphone with you to the pool beach so that you can call for help if necessary.

Swim in designated (指定的) areas.

It is always best to swim with a lifeguard on duty. This is important for everyone, even strong swimmers. If you are going to be swimming in a pool, look for one with a regular lifeguard.     4     For example, do not go in a lake if it is especially windy and the waves are strong. You should avoid going in the ocean when the tides (潮汐) are very strong. Many beaches post signs or flags advising you of conditions. Do not swim if a warning is posted.

    5    

While anyone can drown, children are especially susceptible (易受伤害的). If you have kids, make sure that you teach them to act responsibly around water. Have a set of rules for family swims, and make sure that your children understand them.

8 . Have you seen the incredible guitar playing of man born with no arms? The musician who was born without arms is being________for his greatest guitar-playing skills in a short documentary(纪实的)video which shows him playing the instrument with his________.

Mark Goffeney, 46, of San Diego, who is________as “Big Toe” because of the way he plays the guitar, shows how he became a talented performer despite his_______ in the inspiring video.

“I first________the instrument when I was nine, after my father brought home a beat-up________with only four strings. My first guitar came from some place like a landfill(垃圾场),” says Mark, who adds that he became “________” about becoming a musician at age 12.

Mark devoted every waking hour to searching his town and trying to join a________, but ran into________because of his disability. Therefore, he started his own rock band, called Wicked Misfit, and began booking gigs(特约演奏)in California.

Things were________professionally for Mark because of his disability. But everything________when he started playing music from the heart.

“When I________chasing this fantasy dream of being a rock star and just started playing music to make whatever milk money I could to support my family, everything started feeling good and________out for me,” he shares.

Today, Mark________with his band, Big Toe, and also becomes a street- performer in California, where he makes quite good money________by passers-by.