2 . I grew up in northern Arizona, where it has the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Until I was invited to _______ Guizhou province by the China Storyteller Partnerships Tour, I realized how _______ Guizhou can be in poetic(有诗意的) detail. There is _______ better than seeing things with one’s own eyes. I will attempt to do so here.

My father used to ask my brothers and me on yearly fishing trips around Arizona. We would _______ to catch the largest fish, and those who succeeded would be rewarded. I remembered sitting in a small boat in the middle of the lake, mostly _______ my bored tongue, while my father tried to _______ me the whispers of the wind, or a fish dancing on the surface of the lake. He vividly described to me everything that he _______ in nature. On my trip to Guizhou I had the _______ to kayak(皮划艇) on Wanfeng lake. _______ one point I rested, floating at the center of the lake, listening to the spaces between silence and ________ the surrounding karst(喀斯特) mountains. I thought about my childhood, and ________ I had listened more closely to my father’s ________ feelings.

I’ve ________ Arizona for 10 long years, creating my own destiny in China. I’ve managed to build myself a family, a career, and join in ________ activities. I feel ________ I have everything I need. For a moment, in Guizhou, I felt home.

5 . How to Pick High School Classes

Many high school students want to know what courses (课程) to take to improve their chances for admission to highly competitive colleges.     1     Here is some advice to help you when you make these decisions.

    2     Students should take challenging classes. But they should balance their schedule with easier classes, too. Students can talk with their teachers about what courses will offer the appropriate challenge.

Don’t take classes for the wrong reasons. Students shouldn’t take a class just because their best friend is taking it or it’s a course they think they need to get into college. Students should focus on their strengths and make sure they have time to devote to studying. Parents shouldn’t set unrealistic expectations either.     3    

Do consider future plans when choosing high school classes. Students should first think through their career plans and whether they want to go to a four-year college, or straight to go to work after graduation.     4     While students don’t need to know exactly what they want to do after high school, the closer they can get to figure out their career path, the better prepared they will be.

Don’t neglect (忽视) to plan early. Students should become familiar with all the courses their school offers.     5     Students can also research what the basic requirements are for colleges they are interested in attending – something school counselors (咨询师) could help with.

It is wise to first consult your teachers and high school counselors on what courses are most appropriate for you at your high school. We hope that these suggestions help you.

6 . Longji Rice Terrace is a popular attraction for oversea travelers. Located in Longsheng Autonomous County, Guangxi province, the Longji Mountain is 80 kilometers away from Guilin City. Since Longji is the habitation for Yao and Zhuang ethnic group, it gains the official name of Longji Yao and Zhuang Ethnic Terrace.

Longji Rice Terrace was first built in Yuan Dynasty and was completed in the early Qing Dynasty. With a history of more than 700 years, the terrace now is still using for growing rice. It is hard to imagine that more than 800 years ago how the first group of Zhuang and Yao people moved here and cultivated (开垦) the first piece of field. From Yuan to the early Qing, about 650 years, the ancestors could not imagine that the fields they cleared with sweat and life became the terrace that so amazing with charming curves (曲线).

The scenes here are different in each season. In spring, mountains are wrapped in silver water, shinning in the sun; in summer, mountains turn bright green with growing rice waving under the sky; in autumn, the dropping ears of rice promise good harvest; in winter, sheets of snows cover the terraces, making the hills like pagodas (宝塔).

In Longji Mountain, the highest terrace is 1,180 meters above sea level, while the lowest is 380 meters. With a wonderful view, it owns the reputation (名誉) of The Top of The Terraced Fields in the world. As a main body of the terrace farming culture, Longji Terraced Field is a scenic spot that includes the natural scenery and the cultural landscape of ethnic minorities. The harmonious atmosphere and living environment attract more and more tourists at home and abroad, which makes it the top destination for holiday paradise and photography. So photography tips for the Longji Yao and Zhuang Ethnic Terrace will be helpful for your trip. Follow our step, and let’s uncover them one by one.

7 . Chinese food in Britain has over 100 years of history. Since then, they’ve been springing up around the country. Today, Chinese food is one of the top choices for hungry Englishmen.

But since coming to China, I’ve found some differences. Much of the Chinese food in Britain is influenced by western tastes. For example, dishes are not hot and had fewer kinds. It’s difficult to find the hot food of Yunnan food in Britain. The most popular Chinese dishes in Britain are chou mein, egg-fried rice and spring rolls. Also, meat dishes are always sweet and sour.

The Chinese food in Britain not only gives a different taste. In most Chinese restaurants, food is served as a buffet (自助的). And once you sit down in a Chinese restaurant, don’t hope to rotate (旋转) the dishes around a big round table to share. This kind of table in English is called a Lazy Susan because it’s convenient to move dishes around. But in Britain they are very uncommon.

At the end of the meal, don’t forget your lucky cookie! In most Chinese restaurants, you’ll be given a cake that you break a half. Inside is a small piece of paper with your lucky words written on it. Although you can hardly find lucky cakes in China, no Chinese meal in Britain is complete without reading these letters of good luck.