Everyone must have experiences of setting off fireworks and firecrackers（爆竹）during the Spring Festival, but this year, stricter  (1)   on fireworks and firecrackers have been made by many cities and provinces. Since air pollution is   (2)  more and more serious all over China, the government has taken action.

Different cities have taken   (3)   measures to prevent that. For example, Beijing has told citizens that if there is someone who   (4)   the rules again, setting off fireworks and firecrackers will be completely banned. Shanghai even asks people to write down their   (5)   names and addresses on their ID cards when they buy fireworks and firecrackers.

The more fireworks and firecrackers, the  (6)   serious the air pollution will be. Although many people are quite sure of it, tradition is still popular in some areas. People believe that fireworks and firecrackers are useful for  (7)  away evil spirits（恶魔）. And people  (8)  live and work in cities follow the tradition when they go back to their rural homes for the Spring Festival. In big cities, however, citizens are ready to give up the pleasure of setting off fireworks and firecrackers to   (9)   some fresh air.

All in all, people should think twice before they  (10)   a choice between practicing customs and enjoying a healthy life.

“How are you?” is a nice question. It’s a friendly greeting that people in the United States use. However, “How are you?” is also an unusual question. It’s a question that often doesn’t need an answer. The person who asks, “How are you?” expects to hear the answer “Fine,” even if the person isn’t fine. The reason is that “How are you?” isn’t really a question and “Fine” isn’t really an answer. They are common ways of saying “hello” or “hi”.

Sometimes, people don’t say exactly what they mean. For example, when someone asks “Do you agree?” the other person may be thinking, “No, I don’t. I think you’re wrong.” It isn’t polite to disagree very strongly, so he might say, “I am not so sure.” This is a nicer way to say that you don’t agree with someone.

People also don’t say exactly what they are thinking when they finish talking to other people. For example, many conversations over the phone end when one person says, “I’ve got to go now,” or the person who wants to hang up gives an excuse such as “Someone is at the door,” or, “Something is burning on the stove.” The excuse may be real, or not. The person who wants to hang up simply doesn’t want to talk any more, but it isn’t polite to say so. An excuse is polite, and it doesn’t hurt the other person’s feelings.

Whether they are greeting each other, talking about an opinion, or ending a conversation, people often don’t say exactly what they are thinking. This is one way of being nice to people, and it’s a part of the game of language.

Many of us enjoy watching animals in the world. But do you know they can also  (1)  us?

Geese, for example, teach a very good lesson about   (2)  . In the fall, Canada geese fly to the warm south to keep themselves   (3)  Canada’s cold winter. They lift off in no order. But  (4)  they form a V shape, with one bird leading the group.

This V shape  (5)  geese save energy. When the front bird moves its wings up and down, the resulting force of the air lifts the next one. This continues down the line. The bird in front has the  (6)   job. When it gets tired, it moves behind, an  (7)   bird moves into the lead. By sharing the role, the group can travel great distances. Geese flying in a V shape can fly 70 percent farther without rest than birds flying alone.

Through the long flying journey, geese communicate with one another. They honk to encourage the birds up front to keep the speed. They also cheer each other up   (8)  working toward a common goal.

What have we learned   (9)  the lovely geese’s experience and skills?

  (10)  together! Whether it is our personal lives or our jobs, we need other people. We need the spirit of teamwork!

According to the World Happiness Report, people who live in Denmark are the happiest in the world. Why? Because they know the secret to happiness- “hygge”. But what is “hygge”?

    The Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-ga”)is often translated in English as “coziness”. But coziness paints only part of the picture. It's also about spending peaceful time in a quiet environment with no calendar. It's about spending time alone or spending time with family.

    Danish people are very good at “hygge”. For example, they create a “hygge” environment by burning candles in classrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, ect. According to some reports, Danish people burn more candles every year than people from any other European country.

    However, “hygge” isn't just about creating a nice and warm environment; it is best enjoyed with family members and friends. With up to 17 hours of darkness every day in winter, Danish people spend more time indoors as a result, and they often get together for a meal or hot drinks, without the distraction(使人分心的事物)of technology or the stress of daily life.

    Still can't understand what “hygge” is? If you're reading this in a comfortable chair, with a few candles around you, that sense of coziness you're feeling might just be “hygge”.

①play computer games till midnight

②spend more time indoors as a result

③stay up late to work in their own rooms

④often get together for a meal or hot drinks

“You speak very good English”the other day I heard an American say to a Chinese student of English. “You  (1)  very good English.” But the student answered, “ No, my English is very poor.” The foreigner was quite  (2)  at the answer. Thinking he had not made himself  (3)  or the student had not heard him clearly, he said, “Yes, indeed, you speak it very well.” But the Chinese student still  (4)  saying “No”.  (5)  the foreigner gave up and didn’t know what to say.

       What’s wrong with the student’s answer? It is because he didn’t accept a compliment as the American people  (6)  . He should have said “Thank you” instead of “No”. He actually understood what the American had said. But he thought he should be modest. If someone says to a woman, “ You look  (7)  beautiful with the new clothes  (8)  .” she should be very happy and answer, “Thank you.” In our country we think  (9)  modest is a virtue and showing off is a bad behavior. But in the West, if you are modest and say, “ No,   (10)  I can’t do it well,” then the others will take it for granted (理所当然)that you  (11)  can not do it. If you often say,“No”, you will certainly be looked down upon by  (12)  . When  (13)  for a job, if one says something like “Yes, I can certainly do it” instead of “ Let me have a try on the job”, he or she can expect to get it. So in the West, one should always be confident.  (14)  self-confidence, he can’t go anywhere. Confidence is of great  (15)  to one in a country where competition is quite keen.(激烈)

Many people don' t want to eat break fast when they get up in the morning. Why don' they want to eat? it's because they don' t wake up early enough (足够地) in the morning, especially(尤其)when they go to bed late the night before. So some of them often go to work without breakfast.

 You know, if we go to work without breakfast, maybe we'll feel hungry(饥饿的) at about 10:00 am. Then we can't work well. This is not good for our health and work.

 Then what can we do?

 First, we need to go to bed early in the evening and get up early in the morning. Second, we can drink a glass of water after we get up, because the body loses lots of water during the sleep. Third, we can try to do some exercise, like running or ball games. After the exercise, we will find our breakfast tastes good

Everyone needs friends. There is an old saying: Friends are God’s way of looking after us. But how do you find real friendship and keep it?

The Care and keeping of Friends by American writer Sally Seamans tells young students some smart ways to find friends.

Sally says finding friendship is just like planting a tree. You plant the seed(种子) and look after it to make it grow.

First, you should choose a friend. What makes a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks. A good friend should be kind and patient（耐心）. For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend should listen to your complains( 抱怨) and do their best to help. To make a friend, you can’t be too shy. You should make each other happy and share your lives.

But things can’t always be happy. Even the best friends have fights（吵架）. What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to them. When there is no one around, have an honest （真诚的） talk. If he or she doesn’t want to talk, you could write a letter.Sally says there are three steps of being friends again: Tell him or her how you are feeling; say what your friend has done wrong, and say why you did this or that . The book also has advice on some small but important things like celebrating your friends’ success. Even if you haven’t had a real friend before, you will start to think of having one if you read this book. Because the book tells that friendship is the most important thing in your life.