Gattica

    Samantha Wynter from Mexico finds this movie interesting because It examines the results of genetic engineering of humans in the future. It shows the struggles of Victor to succeed in a world of genetically-designed, perfect humans.

    Central Station

    Stella Tupinamba from Brazil reviews this excellent Brazilian film which was recently nominated (提名) for Academy awards. This movie which features the talented actress, Fernanda Montenegro is, in Stella's words, "like a prize" for Brazilians. It's a very special film. Don't miss it!

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    Masako Kanki from Japan is pleased to find the movie so faithful to the book, but a little disappointed in the lack of character development. However, she finds the movie fantastic and is eagerly looking forward to viewing more movies based on Hany Potter books.

    Life is Beautiful

    Akiko Tanaka from Japan feels this Italian movie is a very special one. She finds the story very beautiful but very sad. She tells us the basic story of this heart-breaking movie, which shows us we should never forget what happens during wars.

    Whether it's hanging the stockings or baking cookies, all of our favorite Christmas traditions have an interesting history. But no matter where or how you celebrate the holiday season, you might notice a rather unusual custom: finding oranges in your stocking on Christmas morning. As it turns out, there are several arguments as to why people began to put oranges in Christmas stockings.

    According to the original story of St. Nicholas (now called Santa Claus), the saint gave three bags of gold to a poor man. The money helped the man pay for his daughters' weddings, and St. Nick has had a reputation for being generous ever since. Meanwhile, the oranges are thought to represent the gold he left the girls.

    Some believe, on the other hand, that the practice began during the Great Depression. Because many families couldn't afford to buy Christmas gifts or candy, luxury (奢侈) foods, like oranges and walnuts were placed under the tree, instead.

    Another explanation is that the oranges are a reminder to share what you have with others, as December is the season of giving. And finally, some think the oranges were once a "special treat" in the winter — especially for children living in the north. Therefore, there appeared oranges in the stockings.

    The other day I was shopping at a local store and came across a lady from India squatting (蹲) on the floor looking for a certain product on the bottom shelf. She stood up quickly when she saw me as if to get out of my way. Feeling sorry, she explained that she was a cashier at a nearby store and was on her lunch break, trying to get a few needed things before her time was up.

    I comforted her. "I am in no hurry. Go ahead and do what you need to do. I have plenty of time." While she searched for something, she said that sometimes customers were rude to her at the store and she was really thankful for my kindness. I told her that I had noticed cashiers being treated rudely by some people and that those people needed to be more understanding.

    She thanked me for being so nice and friendly. I told her, "The world would be a better place if we all acted kindly toward each other. Those who are rude may have bad karma (报应) coming after them finally for treating people badly." She nodded and was surprised that I knew what karma was.

    She asked me what karma meant. I gave her a simple answer. She looked puzzled, then broke out in a big smile and covered her mouth with her hand, laughing as she walked away.

    It felt so good that I may have helped someone feel better for even a few seconds. In a brief exchange I showed her there are good and kind people in the world and may have added to her belief in humanity (人性). Maybe she thought about that later in the day, perhaps when someone was treating her unkindly.

    Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives (马尔代夫) are among the most beautiful islands in the world, with sandy white beaches, clear water, and amazing coral reefs (珊瑚礁). The country depends on tourism, fishing, and shipping. But the rising sea level and the carbon pollution causing warming oceans are threatening (威胁) their existence.

    The Maldives have asked for international help. They are a tiny country. The World Bank, the United States, the European Union, and many other groups have offered money to develop safeguards against climate change.

    To protect the islands, the Maldives have built sea walls and increased the elevation (海拔) of important buildings and services such as the two interactional airports, which lie just 165 feet from the coastline.

    They're also building up islands such as the Hulhumale. The new island is surrounded by nine-foot sea walls. More than 40,000 people live there. The plan is to house 240, 000, providing new opportunities for jobs. The goal is an excellent planned community with sustainable housing and buildings sensitive to the environment and needs of the people.

    The government will move people living on smaller, lower-lying islands to the new built-up islands. The new islands offer free houses, new schools, health hospitals, fresh water, and waste treatment. Depending on tourism, the country hopes to build 50 more tourist islands.

    "Climate change is happening, but we are not leaving the Maldives to the sea," said Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim. The Maldives will protect their islands, people and tourism with new islands and ongoing island development against rising sea level.

    Running is becoming popular these days. Many people run to keep fit.        However, if you're doing it wrong, you won't get such good results. Fortunately, here are some tips to help you.

    Set right goals

           Be smart and set the right goals. Sign up fora fun run or a 5K first, before even thinking about a marathon. Your goal should simply be to finish. If you push yourself too much, it is possible that you will get hurt and won't want to insist on running.

    Wear suitable shoes

    Once you've decided to try out running, it's time to get yourself new shoes, as the wrong pair can cause foot pain. Wearing the wrong shoes can destroy your workout plan.       

    Eat properly before or after a run

    Some of you don't eat before or after a workout. Your body needs energy to exercise.       So it's important to give your body energy. Experts suggest that you eat foods before and after a workout to help with your body's fat burning process.

    Run out of the city

    If you live in a busy city, running along city streets is the easiest way to get in the miles, but if it's possible, find a less polluted space for your long runs.        Exposure to air pollution can cause damage to brain health and the lungs, so running at a cleaner environment might be worth the extra time.

A. Fresh air cleans our lungs.

B. It is a good, inexpensive way to get into shape,

C. It's exciting to start running, but don't set your goals too high.

D. Another side effect of skipping meals is to make you feel tired.

E. And not eating properly will affect your mental and physical being,

F. Therefore, before running, you should go to the shoe store to buy a new pair of running shoes.

G. Research shows that running in polluted air doesn't give you the same benefits (好处) as running in clean air.

    Tonight, I was walking home from work. It was1. I passed a man2on a bench in the street. We looked at each other. As I passed, I half smiled and he just3me, sad like. It seemed he might be staying there for the4. He was wearing a thin sweater.

    As I walked away, I5the cold air on my skin and thought, "I wish I had a6to offer him." I have a bag from my grandmother. I thought maybe there is an extra blanket among her things.

    I looked in the bag but there was no blanket. There was my7winter hat though. I've had it for years. It would keep his head warm at least, I thought. I went back to the man and stood in8just a little away until he looked up.

    I wasn't sure what to say. I didn't want to assume he needed a hat or9even. Maybe he wasn't going to10there for the night. Maybe he was just sad and wanted11to be alone.

    We both stared at each other for a moment and then I12forward and asked simply, "Would you like a hat? '' He looked at me, then at the hat. I 13him to tell me to go away or something similar.14his face softened and he said. "Yes, thank you." "Okay, goodbye ", I said with a little15as he nodded kindly and half16.

    I am glad I had the hat to17. I think I will start keeping blankets. It's getting colder out there and more people are living in the18. As Mother Teresa said, "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the19and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be20or slow to do the humble (卑贱的) work."

     Howard Carter is one of the most famous explorers in the world. He was brave and loved to discover new places. By the 1920s, he        (start)searching for the tombs of the Egyptian Kings. In 1922, Howard Carter and his team made their most        (amaze) discovery of all. They came across the tomb of King Tutankhamun,        contained more treasure than any of them had ever seen before, as well as the mummy of the king. After        (look) into the tomb, they closed it.        (unlucky), many of the men who had something to do        the opening of the tomb got ill or even died after that. Some people think the        (death) were just coincidence or the curse of mummy.        (other) believe there is a        (science) reason. What is certain, though, is that She curse of the mummy' remains        riddle to this day.

增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号(∧)，井在其下面写岀该加的词；

删除：把多余的词用斜线(\)划掉；

修改：在错词下划一横线，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。

    Healthy eating along with regular exercise is probable the only way to become fit. As a teenager, it is important give your body the energy it needs. For a healthy diet, you should eat mostly rice, bread, vegetables and fruit. They also need to drink plenty of water. Besides, exercise is one of the most important things which can help to make you look good and feel good. Experts suggested teenagers spend at least 30 minutes exercising, five time a week. A good amount of sleep every night are also important for your health. As the matter of fact, loss of sleep can have a bad effect to you. If you follow the suggestions above, you'll look and feel much more better in no time at all!

1）你的建议：

2）你的理由；

3）你的祝愿。

注意：1）词数100左右；

2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯；

3）开头与结尾已为你写好，不计入总词数。

Dear Terry,

    How is everything going?

Yours,

Li Hua