There is a big desert  our village and Hope Town. If you want to go to Hope Town, there are two  (way) for you. One is short but dangerous; the  is long but safe. Many people died in order  (get) to Hope Town sooner.

  “We need some trees in the desert,” said  old man. But soon all the young trees died out in the hot sun. “Don't  (worried). We can use them as our road signs,” said the old man，“Every time we walk along them，pull them upward so  we can still see them.”

   One day a businessman was walking to Hope Town. Some villagers gave him the  (advise).

  “Maybe it's the only time for me to come here. It doesn't matter to pull the dry trees upward  Not,” he thought. When he walked to the half-way point, a heavy wind came. In no time he  (lose) his way. And soon the poor businessman died!

I'm going to my little sister this weekend.

    Chi Li is one of the best known Chinese writers in the west. She was born in the west. She was born in the 1950s.119, Chi entered a medical college in 1976. After she graduated, she2as a doctor at a hospital in Wuhan. As she loved3much more. she went to W uhan University to study Chinese language and literature in 1983. She chose4as her major(专业)。

    During the 1980s. Chi wrote many works full of love. In the 1990s， her works, such as Apart From Love and The Sun Was Born , were5lives of young people and everyday problems. Since 2003. Chi has6a higher level in her works. And many of her novels have received a7honor. Life Shore is one of her representative(有代表性的) works and8has been translated into many languages. The9shows the real life of a common woman in Wuhan.

    Chi says, “Writers don't need to be anyone. but they should be able to understand everyone. ”So she often travels10to get a feel of how the world is and tries to understand people from all social strata(阶层).

    Fifty-three years ago Barbie Millicent Roberts first appeared in the world of toys. Since then, Barbie doll, as everyone called her, has become the most successful toy doll in history. Her parent, the Mattel Company, said that 90% of all American girls between 3 and 10 have at least one Barbie at home.

However, Barbie is facing some trouble at present(现在). There are many similar dolls on the market in competition with her. Another doll named Bratz, for example, came to life thirteen years ago. She looks more like today's pop stars with heavy makeup(浓妆) and miniskirts. And her company offers more kinds of clothes too.

    It seems that Barbie has lost her magic among older girls. “For younger girls, playing with a Barbie is much fun. But when you get older, you want something smarter and more modern,” says Vera Shepherd, a shop assistant in a New York toy store.

    It is good news that on the international market, Barbie is still No.1. Although Mattel is selling fewer Barbies in the United States these years, sales in other countries are still going up. In January 2009, Mattel opened its first Barbie store in Shanghai, where girls can shop, eat, drink or even become fashion designers for their own Barbies.

    Mattel is planning big celebrations for Barbie's 53rd birthday. Fashion designers from all over the world have been called to make new dresses for Barbie. How long will Barbie stay popular in the world of toy dolls? It is hard to say, but 53 is surely not the age to retire(退休).

一 I'm glad to hear that.

(A reporter is asking Bert some questions about the earthquake last month.)

A: Bert, do you remember the earthquake last month?

B: Yes, I do.

A: What were you doing at that time?

B: I was doing some shopping in a shopping center.

A:

B: I tried my best to run out to the street.

A: But you know, it's dangerous to run during the earthquake.

B: But I know little about how to protect myself in an earthquake.

A: You should read some information about that online.

B: Very afraid.

A: Well, Bert, thanks for talking with me.

B: My pleasure.

—Don't worry. Your aunt is          to look after your pet.

①剪纸

②一种  

③擅长

④ 出发；动身

⑤ 拴……在……周围

⑥天黑后，黄昏后

⑦阻止做......

⑧一直

⑨由....制成

⑩过去常常做某事