Singapore's public transport system is one of the best in the world, so you should have no problem finding your way around like a local. There are three main forms of public transport that you would find in any other major city—trains, buses and taxis.

    TRAINS

    Trains run from 6:00 am to midnight. Single trip tickets start at 80 cents. If you buy an EZ-Link cars for $15, you can ride the trains and buses as you like.

    If you need more information, just call Transit Link on 1800 525 7333.

    BUSES

    There are several bus services in Singapore and fares start at 80 cents. Be sure always ask the driver the cost of your ticket as he can not give change.

    If you need help, just call Transit Link on 1800 525 7333.

    TAXIS

    There are three main taxi companies—City Cab (6552 2222), Comfort (6552 1111) and Tibs (6552 8888). Booking can also be easily by calling the numbers listed above.

    RENTAL CARS

    Driving in Singapore is a pleasure and if you liked to travel at your own pace, renting a car is a good choice. Renting takes away the hassle of getting to places around Singapore. Just sit back and enjoy the city. It also means you'll get to see a lot more that a train or a bus won't let you see.

    For car rental, call Avis on + 65 6737 1668.

    Want to stay away from colds? Put on a happy face.

    Compared to unhappy people, those who are cheerful and relaxed are less likely to suffer from cold, according to a new study. It's possible that being happy helps the body fight illnesses, say the researchers from New York University.

    “It seems that positive feelings may reduce the danger of illness,” said the study's chief researcher Sheldon Cohen.

    In an earlier study, Cohen found that people who were cheerful and lively caught coughs and colds less often. People who showed positive feelings were also less likely to tell their doctors that they felt ill.

    In this study, Cohen's study interviewed 193 adults every day for two weeks. During the interviews, the people told researchers about the happy or sad feelings they had that day.

    After the two weeks, the people were given colds by doctors and had to stay alone in a room for six days.

    The result showed that everyone in the study was equally likely to get ill. But for people who said they felt happy during the research period, their illness was less serious and lasted for a shorter time.

    Cohen believes that when people experienced positive feelings, their body may produce a chemical that helps fight illness and disease. So if you are worried about your health, look on the bright side more often.

    Charlie studied in a famous college for four years. He studied hard and did well in all his subjects. He hoped to become a good teacher. This year he left the college and began to work in a middle school. He likes his students and is strict with them. He does his best to make his classes lively and interesting.

    One day he carefully explained a chemical reaction to the students of Grade 2 in the chemistry lab.

    “Be careful, everyone,” he said loudly. “Before I make the experiment, there're twenty five atoms of carbon (碳原子), but after I finish it, there're twenty four atoms of carbon left!”

He stopped to watch the classroom and hoped his students would go on explaining it. But the young men looked at each other and nobody answered him. He had to ask,

    “What happens? What makes the atom lost?”

    The classroom was very quiet and none of the students looked at their teacher.

    “Who can tell us where it has gone?”

    Suddenly a soft voice came from the back row, “We did not see anybody leave the lab!”

    Are you preparing any gifts for your friends now?       , but choosing a proper gift can be a big headache, because it takes a lot of time and effort to think of the right gift for someone. Before you finish your list, keep these dos and don'ts in mind:

    Do put thought into your gift.

    If you like something, that doesn't mean that your friend is going to like it, too.       . Don't get him/her an ordinary gift, and reflect back on your previous conversations to see if he/ she talked about a certain gift he/she had been wanting to get.

          .

    Make sure the gift you're buying is appropriate for the person. For example, if you're buying a friend a gift, remember not to overspend or personalize it too much. Take a moment to think about how your relationship is with the person before getting him/her something.

    Do get a gift receipt (收据)

    If you're purchasing something for your friend, make sure you ask the salesperson to include a gift receipt. It's just a polite gesture, and you know your money won't go to waste.      .

    Don't leave the price tag (标签) on.

    Make sure you don't leave the price tag on the gift and that you're giving a gift receipt and not the original bill.      , and it's not important for him/her to know anyway.

A. Don't buy an inappropriate gift

B. Don't be afraid of spending money

C. Giving gifts has forever been so pleasant

D. Take some time to really think about what he/she likes

E. If your friend doesn't like the gift, he/she can just exchange it

F. Giving someone you care about a very special gift can be tough

G. It's not proper to let your friend know how much you spent on the gift

    It was Easter 2014, and my family was on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Solomon Islands for my sister's wedding.

    I was traveling with my husband, my four-year-old son and my daughter who was nearly two. We'd been 1 it was very hot in the Solomons, so we'd 2 lots of light cotton clothes and were wearing the same as it was summer. The only problem was that we had to catch an overnight bus that 3 airport, at midnight so we could make our early morning 4 to Honiara. It was cold on the bus! My husband and I were snuggling (依偎) our children as best we could, trying to keep them 5. The bus stopped many times as passengers got on and off, and we didn't take much 6. The little ones were 7, unable to sleep for the biting cold. Then at one stop, an older lady came forward from the back of the bus and paused by our seat. I sat forward to see what she wanted and she 8 out a small knee rug (毛毯). My little girl reached 9 for it and pulled it tight 10 her. The lady said she'd made the rug herself and, seeing that we were cold, she wanted us to use it. After she went back to her seat, our now-warm children 11 snugly (舒服地) all the way to the airport. Just a stop or two 12 we arrived, the rug lady made her way to the door to get off. I tried to 13 the children to return her blanket, but she refused. “No,” she said, “14 it. I can always make another one!”

    Over the years, that little blanket became a 15 to me and to my children of the kindness of strangers. I told the story to the children over and over and hung the rug on the end of my daughter's bed so we would see it often. That rug was handmade with the colors carefully chosen. Yet its maker 16 it to keep my family warm for a night. If ever people were bad or 17, it served as a 18 that there is goodness in the world.

    I am forever 19, not just for the warmth that night, but for the lifelong reminder of the 20 of people. That blanket has warmed my life.

Dear sir,

    I'm writing to apply for the position as a volunteer. I want this precious opportunity very much       (improve) my organizational ability, communication skills as well as my confidence in speaking English        public. As        outgoing girl, it       (be) my strength to get along well with my       (classmate). Besides, I have such a good command of English        I am elected as assistant to my English teacher. So far, I       (organize) several English activities of my class        (successful), which have been appreciated by both teachers and classmates.

    I would appreciate it if you could take me into       (consider). Looking forward to        (receive) your reply.

Yours,

Li Hua

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。

删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。

修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。

注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；

2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。

    I have learned English for many year, but I don't have a really chance to speak before foreigners. Last Monday, I go downtown to buy some flowers for my friend Mary, whom was seriously ill. I was going to the hospital to see him. In the shop a foreigner and the boss was having a conversation, so the boss didn't know what the foreigner said. I hesitated for while, then I came to help the boss. They thanked for me so much and I felt very happy and exciting. Since then, I have been determined to learn English well.

1）表达心情；

2）自己的特长（英语能力强，熟悉中国文化等）；

3）询问志愿者活动的相关信息。

注意：词数100左右；可以适当增加细节，使行文连贯。开头和结尾已写好，不计入总词数。

Dear Peter,

    How is everything going?

    I'd appreciate your reply soon and I can't wait to see you next month.

Yours,

Li Hua