（六十一）
Of all kinds of sports, I think mountain climbing is one of _____ . Usually the higher the mountain is, the _____ it is to climb. So there is no doubt that climbing Qomolangma is the _____ , as it is the highest mountain in the world. Qomolangma is 8844.43 metres high. With thick clouds covering its TOP and heavy snowfalls all year round, the freezing weather _____ make it even hard to take _____ air as you get near the TOP. Still many climbers want to challenge themselves in the face of difficulties and _____ their lives to climb it. The first people to reach the TOP were Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953. The first Chinese team did _____ in 1960, while the first woman to _____ was Junko Tabei from Japan in 1975. The spirit of these climbers and their _____ show us that we should never give up trying to achieve our dreams and humans can sometimes be _____ than the forces of nature.
（六十二）
Mark Twain, an American _____ , was born in 1835 in a poor village. He was the _____ child in his family. _____ he was 11 years old, his father died. In the next year, he left school and _____ to make a living by himself . He had many jobs and he also wrote something.
He wrote many novels all _____ life, but The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is the most famous. This novel is mainly _____ a young boy growing up along the Mississippi River. _____ first, this novel wasn't very _____ . But after he died, it began to become popular. Until now, this novel is still one of the most popular _____ .
Mark Twain became famous because of his wonderful books. He died in 1910. But his novels will always stay with us _____ make us happy.
（六十三）
Do you have any dreams? Let's have _____ look at how these two people made their dreams come true.
Balamurali Krishna Ambati was burned _____ the age of three. He spent several months in the hospital. From then on, he wanted _____ a doctor. A few years later, he knew that the _____ doctor in the world was 18 years old. So he _____ to be a doctor by the age of 17. And at 11 Ambati was in university and began to get better education. _____ graduating from the university at 17, he took up his work as a doctor.
The Scholastic Achievement Test is a test in America. Each year, only a few students get a great score. One of these _____ is Jasmin Sethi. She's not _____ to see anything, but how did she get this achievement ? To take the test, someone read the test questions to her, and she gave the answers. She was very good at her _____ . She even did difficult math problems in her mind. Sethi wanted to be a lawyer when she _____ up. Now she is really a successful attorney adviser .
（六十四）
Our clothes will become small with our growth. Some books and _____ will be not used any more. How will you deal _____ these old things? Don't worry! Here's a good way. online shopping will help you. online shopping is _____ more and more popular now.
We can bid for the _____ goods online, such _____ books, dolls, clothing and used cars. We can spend less money on _____ goods. Also, we can sell the things well through the Internet. There are many world online market places _____ the Internet. If we want to buy _____ sell something online, we must become the member of one of them _____ .
Let's buy and sell things online. Let's enjoy _____ online.
（六十五）
Sam got an email from his friend Rosa. Rosa _____ him to her birthday party on Sunday afternoon. Sam was happy _____ the invitation , but it also made him feel worried, _____ he only had a few dollars. That was not enough to buy a good birthday gift. And Sam's father lost his job last month, so it wasn't a good time to ask his parents _____ help.
Sam went to study in the library that day. There was _____ book sale in the library. The books were all from the library. They were old but very cheap. Sam saw two books. They were about how to cook _____ food. Sam knew Rosa was interested in _____ , but would it be too bad to use old books as a birthday gift? Well, it was _____ than no gift at all!
On Sunday, Sam wrapped the two books and went to Rosa's party. He enjoyed _____ at the party, but still worried about his gift. The next day, he got an email from Rosa. It said: Of all the _____ , yours was the nicest. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!
（六十六）
When people say "culture", we think of art and history. But one very famous symbol in American culture is a cartoon. We all know and love the black mouse with two large round ears—Mickey Mouse. Over 80 years ago, he first _____ in the cartoon Steamboat Willie. When this cartoon came out in New York. _____ November 18, 1928, it was the first cartoon with sound and music. The man behind Mickey was Walt Disney. He became very rich and _____ . In the 1930s, he made 87 cartoons with Mickey.
Some people might ask how this cartoon animal became so popular. One of the main reasons _____ that Mickey was like a common man, but he always tried to face any danger. In his early films, Mickey was unlucky and had many problems such as _____ his house or girlfriend, Minnie. However, he was always ready to try his best. People went to the cinema to see the "little man" _____ . Most of them wanted _____ like Mickey.
On November 18, 1978, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today's cartoons are usually not _____ simple as little Mickey Mouse, but everyone still _____ and loves him. Who has a pair of ears _____ than Mickey's?
（六十七）
Tom and Mike were good friends. Sometimes they were kind to each other, but sometimes they were not. Some of their classmates said they were _____ brothers.
One day they went out for a walk together. At noon they were very _____ and they went into a restaurant _____ lunch. The _____ came up to them and asked," What can I do for you?"" Please bring us two apples first," said Tom.
_____the waiter put two apples on the table, Mike took the _____ one at once. Tom get angry," You were _____ , Mike. Why didn't you take the smaller one?" Tom said.
" But I was right," said Mike with a smile," if I let you take first, _____ one will you choose?"
" Of course I'll take the smaller one," said Tom.
" Yes," Mike said," _____ you take the smaller one, the bigger one will still be _____ . Don't you think so?""Oh!" Tom couldn't answer.
（六十八）
The Chinese homemade cartoon film Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf has become one of the _____ cartoon films.
The film has the same name and characters as the TV series . But the film tells a new _____ . In the TV series, Big Big Wolf wants to eat the goats, but the goats _____ themselves successfully. In the movies, Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf _____ together. _____ hard work, they defeat their common enemy in the end.
It's so popular that the tickets are often _____ out in hours. Many people have to _____ in line for the next day's tickets. _____ box office has reached 3,000,000 yuan. The film is very _____, and you can go to see it _____ your parents.
（六十九）
A few weeks ago, John went to a new school. He likes it _____ than his old school. The classrooms are big and clean. Every classroom has a computer in it. The library is also really great! It is not _____ . There are the newest books, magazines _____ newspapers. It also has _____ chairs and students can sit on them when they read. The food in the school dining hall is delicious and not expensive. You can buy the food _____ . All the students like to eat there. The beef noodles are John's favorite. John's favorite place at the school is the big auditorium . The auditorium has _____ seats and students can sit them comfortably. The students often go there to listen to speeches . Last week John went there for an interesting speech and he loved it.
The school has all _____ of activities. _____, there is a music festival every June. The students like their school band very much. The sports meeting is also one of _____ activities at school. It is in September every year.
John enjoys every day here _____ he is happy that he can study at this school.
（七十）
Many earthquakes happen without warning, so it is important _____ what to do during an earthquake. Here are some _____ on how to stay safe in an earthquake.
If you are indoors during an earthquake, the _____ place is under a heavy table or desk. _____ on the floor in a doorway or close to a wall is safer _____ standing in the middle of a room. Stay away from windows and _____ that could fall on you.
If you are in a crowded doorway from the door, _____ hurry to rush to the exit. You will find too many people trying to get out _____ the same time.
If you are outdoors, find a clear place away from buildings, trees, street lights and power lines.
Besides, some aftershocks may follow an earthquake. These are as dangerous _____ the earthquake. Stay in a safe place until you are sure it's OK to leave.
When it is safe for you to move around, check the people near you, in case someone may need help. You may be afraid, but try to stay calm. This is the _____ important thing to do in an earthquake.
（七十一）
Books about how _____ things are very popular in America today. There _____ about four to five thousand kinds of books
_____ the name "How to… ". One book may tell you how to make _____ money. _____ may tell you how to save or spend it. And another may tell you how to give _____ money away.
Some "How to" books tell you how to choose a way of _____ a living and how to succeed in it. If you fail, you can buy a book _____ "How to Turn Failure into Success". If you never make any money _____all, you may need a book named "How To Live on Nothing". If you're _____ with your life, you can read "How to Love Every Minute of Life".
（七十二）
Mary and Anna are having lunch in a restaurant. Mary's and Anna's _____ are outside the restaurant in the car park. Anna is looking through the window _____ the cars and scooters .
"I think scooters are _____ than cars," she says. "They only want a little petrol , so they are _____. And I think they are easier _____ ."
Mary laughs. "Oh, cars are _____ than scooters," she says, "but they are not difficult to drive. And think! Cars are bigger _____ scooters, so they can _____ more people. They're bigger, _____ they are quieter. My car is quieter than a scooter _____ a bus or a plane or a train."
（七十三）
Melbourne is in Australia. It is a beautiful city _____ huge gardens, great parks and many _____ buildings. Many people come to visit it every year.
Melbourne is also _____ ancient city in Australia. It has an interesting history of more than 170 years. The first people came in 1835, and in the 1850s, gold _____ . Because of this, Melbourne became a very rich city. Many new buildings were built at that time.
And today, Melbourne is one of the world's _____ cities. It is known _____ its _____ and its famous universities. It is also Australia's TOP city for _____ . Many of them are very popular. For example, young people are mad _____ football here. In 1956, the Olympic Games came to the city, and for the first time they were showed live on TV around the world.
Melbourne is a nice place and you can always have great _____ here.
（七十四）
Tim is my _____ friend. He is crazy _____ football. He loves _____ football matches. Of course, he _____ playing football, too. He also likes meeting people and _____ friends. However, his love of football has become the cause _____ his problem. He often plays football _____ his classmates after school _____ 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. He has to _____ up late to do his homework and the next day he often feels sleepy in class. I think it's _____ to spend some time on our habits. But we should finish our homework first.
（七十五）
Now the robots are making our life easier. The _____ robots were invented in the 1920s. And robots _____ in Hollywood movies many years ago. The robots in these movies were _____ and cleverer than people.
In real life, robots are mainly used in _____ . They can do many different jobs. Usually these jobs are too _____ , difficult or boring _____ humans. Robots can help people who cannot look after _____ . For example, scientists are making a robot _____ blind people. Nowadays, many blind people have dogs to help them. The dog is called a guide dog. In _____ future, more guide dogs might be robot dogs. Robots are also used in hospital.
_____ robots can help people in many different ways, they can never take the place of humans.
（七十六）
Robot scientists are not just trying _____ robots look like people. For example, there are already robots _____ in factories. These robots look more like huge arms. They do simple jobs over and over _____.People would not like _____ such jobs and would get bored. But robots will never get bored. In the future, there will be _____ robots everywhere, and humans will have _____ work to do. New robots will have many different _____ . Some will look like humans, and others might look _____ snakes. After an earthquake, a snake robot could help look _____ people under buildings. That may not seem possible now, but computer, space rockets and even electric toothbrushes seemed _____ a hundred years ago. We never know what will happen in the future.
（七十七）
Jeff Green: My mother told me a good friend is _____ a mirror. I'm quieter and _____ than most kids. That's why I like _____ books and I study harder _____ class. My best friend Yuan Li is quiet too, so we enjoy _____ together. I'm shy so it's not easy for me _____ friends. But I think friends are like books—you don't need a lot of them as long as they're good.
Huang Lei: It's not necessary _____ the same. My best friend Larry is quite different _____ me. He is taller and more outgoing than me. We both like sports, but he plays tennis better, _____ he always wins. However, Larry often helps to bring out the best _____ me. So I'm getting better at tennis. Larry is much less hard-working, though. I always get better grades than he does, so maybe I should help him more.
（七十八）
Hong Kong has about forty public _____ . Some of the beaches are among the _____ in the world. People can go there _____ a swim. You can go to most of them _____ bus. To go to some beaches you must take _____ boat. There are toilets, changing rooms and places to buy food and drinks on most of the beaches.
You will swim there almost _____ any danger if you remember these instructions: First, never swim _____ . Second, never swim after a meal or when you feel hungry. Third, don't stay in the water too long. _____ , never go out in a boat if you can't swim.
Remember: A red flag means that it is dangerous for anybody _____ into the water. A blue flag means that it is _____ for children.
（七十九）
Do you like Strauss _____ Mozart? For me, I like both of them.
Strauss was born in Vienna, the capital of Austria. His mother _____ him the first violin. When Strauss was a student of the Polytechnic school, he was not interested _____ lessons. He spent all his time _____ music. At the age of 19, he performed his first concert. He became a _____ composer. He wrote over 150 waltzes. In 1876 he wrote The Blue Danube waltz. _____ a great composer he is!
Mozart was also an important composer. He was born in Austria in 1756. He was one of the greatest _____ of all time. He showed his musical abilities at a young age. At three he could play music on the piano. At five he started to write his own music. _____ talented he was! In 1762 his family took him around _____ and he gave concerts in many cities. He wrote _____ of wonderful pieces of music. But by the time Mozart was 17, he became very poor and died in 1791 when he was only thirty-five. He was great and many people still think his music is perfect.
（八十）
Life in the future will be different _____ life today. Between now and the future many changes will happen. But what will the changes be?
The population is growing fast. There will be many people in the world and most of them will live _____ than people live now.
Computers will be much smaller and _____ , and there will be at least one in every home. And computer studies will be one of the most important _____ in schools then. People will work fewer hours than they do now and they will have more free time for sports, _____ TV and traveling. Traveling will be _____cheaper and easier. And more people will go to other countries for holidays.
There will be changes in our food, too. More land will be used for _____ new towns and houses for all the people. Then there will be less room for cows and sheep, so meat will be more expensive. Maybe no one will eat it every day. They _____ more fruit and vegetables. Maybe people will be healthier. Work in the future will be different, too. Robots will do dangerous and hard work. Because _____ this, many people will not have enough work _____. This will be a problem.
（八十一）
Wendy was only 11 years old, but was very responsible and she loved children. "I want _____ a great babysitter when I grow up," said Wendy.
One day, Wendy and her mom went shopping and _____ Mrs. White, one of their friends.
Mrs. White said she needed a babysitter _____ her 3-year-old boy, Martin, on Saturday night. She asked Wendy's mom _____ someone that was responsible and free on Saturday.
"How about me?" asked Wendy, "I like little Martin and I will look after him _____ ."
"Oh, I don't think so, Wendy. You are too Young," said Wendy's mom.
"Come on, Mom. I'm almost twelve. I can do it _____ I'm ready to do it," said Wendy.
"Wendy knows Martin and I think she can do it," said Mrs. White.
"OK, but do everything _____ ," said Wendy's mom at last.
On Saturday night, Wendy went to Mrs. White's house. Of course, she did _____ good job. Now Wendy is a reliable babysitter for some _____ . "I would like to work in a daycare center when I get _____," said Wendy, "then I can be with children all day long."
（八十二）
Rebecca is interviewing Dr Jones about trees in order to know more about them. Dr Jones tells her that trees help us _____ many ways. They keep the air cool and clean. They take in _____ gases from the air and produce oxygen for us _____ . They help to fight against air pollution. Just _____ Rebecca says, they also make our lives _____ convenient. There _____ a lot of things coming from trees, such as paper, pencils, fruit, oil and tea. Even a lot of furniture in the room is _____ of wood. So trees are really important in _____ daily lives. However, _____ of trees are cut down by us every year. At last, she tells Rebecca that we human beings should sTOP _____ this, or there will be no trees in the world.
（八十三）
Gao Can, a 13-year-old girl, is _____ youngest member of the Association of Writers of Shaanxi. She writes fairy tales, short stories, and most _____ all, poems. Gao said she _____ poem writing when she was in primary school. once the teacher asked the class _____ a composition called "If I were …" Gao had an idea, "_____ not make it a poem?" That was her first poem, and it won a lot of compliments from both her teacher _____ classmates. So far, _____ of her poems have come out.
"Writing poems is not _____ at all. Just express _____ —what you do, what you see or what you think." said Gao. "I don't have enough life experience, so I write about _____ , about things I feel inside."
（八十四）
Last night I went to a concert of Chinese folk music. _____ piece which was played on the erhu especially moved me. I was made _____ sad and painful _____ . The piece _____ Er Quan Ying Yue, but it was one of _____ pieces of music that I've ever heard. The erhu sounded so sad _____ I almost cried along with it as I listened. Abing _____ was a folk musician wrote the music. He could play many musical _____ with his father's help. By age 17, he was known _____ his musical skills. Today, Abing's Er Quan Ying Yu is a piece which all the greatest erhu masters play and praise. It _____ one of China's national treasures.
（八十五）
Everybody has his best friend, and so _____ I. My name is Lily. Today I want to tell you something about my best friend—Gina. I made _____ with her two years ago. She is an outgoing and _____ girl. She likes volleyball and plays _____ every day. She _____ many prizes in different games. In fact, I'm quite different _____ her. I'm not as tall as her. I like music. I don't like sports, but sometimes she asks me to go to play volleyball with her. She thinks it is good for my health. I'm _____ and hard-working than her. I always get _____ grades than she does, so maybe I should help her more. It's not necessary _____ the same. I like Gina because she is kind and she can make me laugh. We can share many things. _____ we are not similar, we care about each other. That's the most important thing.
（八十六）
Do You Think You Will Have Your Own Robot?
When we watch movies about the future, we sometimes see robots. They are usually just like human _____. They help with the housework and do jobs like working in dirty or _____ places.
Today there are already robots working in factories. For example, they can help to build cars, and they do simple jobs over and over _____. _____ people will do such jobs in the future because they are boring, but robots will never get bored.
Scientists are now trying to make robots look like humans and do the same things as we do. Some robots in Japan can even walk and dance. These kinds of robots are fun to watch. However, some scientists believe that although we can make robots move like people, it will be difficult to make them really think like a human. For example, scientist James White thinks that robots will never be able to wake up and know where they are. But many scientists _____ with Mr. White. They think that robots will even be able to talk like humans _____ 25 to 50 years.
Some scientists believe that there will be more robots in the future. However, they agree it may take _____ of years. These new robots will have many different shapes. Some will look like humans, and others might look like animals. In Indian, for example, scientists made robots that look like snakes. If buildings fall down with people inside, snake robots will be able to help look _____ people under the buildings. That was not possible 20 years ago, but computers and rockets also seemed _____ 100 years ago. We never know what _____ happen in the future!
（八十七）
There was a man named Glen in a village. His legs became bad _____ the age of twelve. The doctors said he couldn't _____ again. But Glen didn't believe _____. He found two chairs. With _____ hand on each handle , he tried to walk again. Soon he was able _____ like a normal person. Five _____ later, he ran with his friends. Then he _____ a running team. Six years later, he took part in a marathon race _____ won the race. He said, "I always _____ that I could walk, and I did. Now, I'm working hard to become the _____ runner in the world."
（八十八）
Rebecca wants to know more about trees and how they help us. Dr. Jones is telling her something about trees.
Trees help us _____ many ways. They keep the air cool and clean. They take in _____ gases from the air and produce oxygen for us _____ . They are major _____ against air _____ . Besides, trees can also make our lives even _____ . Many of the things in our daily lives come from trees. For example, paper and pencils. _____ , we get a lot more from trees. We get fruit and oil from them. Tea also comes from the leaves of trees. Look around this room. A lot of the furniture is _____ of wood. Trees are really important in our daily lives. So we can't imagine _____ the world would be like if there were no trees.
However, we cut down millions of trees every year. We must sTOP to protect them _____ we don't want a world without trees.
（八十九）
We got over one thousand letters and e-mails from our readers about their New Year's resolutions. Thank you!
Many readers are _____ to work harder in school this year. _____ of readers are going to play _____. Some readers say they are going to eat _____ vegetables than they did last year. Some girls say they are going to exercise more _____ fit. Some parents are going to study the subjects their _____ learn at school. They want to communicate _____ with their kids than before. An old lady from England is going to work _____ a teacher in China next year.
_____ we can see from these answers that different people have different resolutions for the _____ year. We hope they can keep them well.
（九十）
_____ up early is good for people's health. Many people have this habit. How does it help? Let me tell you my story. When I was about twenty _____ old, I _____ went to bed late and _____ up late. _____ later I started to know the benefit of getting up early. On the days I got up earlier, my efficiency was _____ when I did things and I kept _____ , not just in the morning but all day. _____ you want to get up early, you must try _____ to bed early. Maybe you will be tired on the first day you get up early, but you'll have to go to bed early that night. After a few days, you'll have a habit _____ going to bed at the same time every night and getting up early.
