3 . Four-Day Tour in Chongqing

You will be met upon arrival at Chongqing Airport and taken by bus for a short city tour to the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo and the Residence of the famous American General Joseph W. Stilwell if time permits. Have an expensive buffet dinner at a 4-star hotel, Holiday Inn Yangtze before boarding your luxurious 5-star cruise ship.

Enjoy the cruise sailing on the Yangtze River. You will leave the ship for the land at Fengdu, the “Ghost City” for a short trip. Late in the afternoon, the Captain’s Welcome Party presents Chinese folk dance and music performance. You can also join in if you like.

Begin the passage into the Qutang Gorge, the shortest and the grandest of the Three Gorges. Later you will pass through the Wu Gorge with its famous lofty and misty peaks. Disembark at Wushan Daning River for an excursion to the Three Little Gorges or disembark at Badong for an excursion to the Shennong Stream. Continue sailing. The cruise will dock overnight at Maoping, which is close to the Three Gorges Dam site.

After breakfast, visit the construction site of the Three Gorges Dam. Back onboard to pack up your luggage and complete check out procedures. Your local guide will meet you and see you off at the airport.

5 . Our life has become more and more intelligent over_______past 30 years. Have you ever imagined what a smart home is? Last weekend, Cox Communications published their new smart home ______(call)Home Life, in which all equipment is ”smart“. A _______ (power)Internet connection is central to their product. Not only is the equipment remotely controlled, this home also features direct connections to family members and doctors. For example, their relatives_______live in another state can enter their house through their smartphones or computers.

The smart home seems to be designed _________(attend)to the elderly. In a smart home, many activities can be monitored and all kinds of help________(provide)whenever necessary. If a person has a fall or doesn’t take their medicine, he or she will be reminded________(instant). However, the person________(live)in the smart home has his or her_______   (independent).

This smart home offers plenty of chances for patient control, as well________reducing health costs in many situations. Technology can help old people stay independent and safe.

7 . The new semester has begun, and it’ll be a fresh start for you. First of all, congratulations !     1     Now the hard work really begins. You’re probably feeling excited or maybe a bit nervous about what awaits you at senior high. What everyone mentions is the increased schoolwork and preparing for gaokao, but senior high is not all about the national college entrance exam.     2     In junior high,you followed your teacher’s instructions. But as a senior, you’re expected to think and study independently -how you organize your study notes and how often you study are left up to you.

    3     The first year in senior high offers many development opportunities. Joining various activities can enrich your school life, help you to make new friends, broaden your horizons (开阔眼界) and deal with stressful situations.

    4     So, open yourself up and make new friends. Life will be easier and more exciting if you have people to share the good times and the bad times of these years.

9 . British Tea Culture

Tea was first introduced to Great Britain from China in the 1600s and in the centuries since the British tea culture has been going strong.

British-style Tea

For everyday tea, the British simply boil water and pour the water over a tea bag in a cup. After the tea brews for a few minutes, the tea bag is removed. Fresh milk and sugar are usually added. Biscuits or cake may be eaten with tea.

The British prefer various types of black tea. Brands like Twinings, Tetley, and Lipton are popular in the world tea market.

Formal Tea

For a formal tea, tea sets made of fine bone china or silver are used. The set includes a teapot, cups and saucers, a creamer for holding milk, and a sugar bowl. All are cried on a tray. All the pieces of a proper English tea set have a matching pattern.

Elevenses

“Elevenses” refers to a snack consisting of tea or coffee and a finger food like biscuits or cake. It is taken mid-morning so the name refers to the time of day (11:00 am).

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is a light meal served with tea in the late afternoon. It began among wealthy women in the 1840s, but it soon spread to hotels, tea rooms, and tea gardens across Great Britain. The food served typically includes small sandwiches and sweets. A formal afternoon tea has fancy desserts presented on tiered stands.

10 . William is a scientist. He makes robots to help people with some housework. Arnold is William’s helper, who cleans William’s laboratory. Arnold only works in the afternoon, from 1:00 to 4: 30. William used to teach Arnold how to control a robot, but Arnold never listened.

The day before Mother’s Day, William drove to the town with his friend to buy a present for his mother. “When I come back,” he said to Arnold. “I want to see the laboratory clean. Goodbye and work hard!”

Arnold cleaned the windows, tidied the tables, and swept the floor. “Now I will ask a robot toWash thefloorforme,” Arnold thought. Then he went to arobot, pressed a button (按钮) and said, “Robot, wash the floor.”The robot got a bucket of water. Arnold was happy to see that. But Suddenly the robot poured (倾倒) the water all over the for. Then it began to move around in the water.

“Stop,” shouted Arnold, but the robot didn’t stop. Arnold pressed another button, but the robot moved even faster. Soon the laboratory was in a mess. Arnold was quite nervous。

Just then, the door opened. It was William. Looking at the water on the floor, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He ran to the robot and pressed some buttons. It stopped.

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you carefully before,” Arnold said.

“Better late than never,” William said. “Let me teach you how to control a robot now.”