I had an amusing experience last year. After I left a village of the southern of France, I drove on to the next town. On the way, a young man waved to me. When I stopped my car, he asked me to lift. As soon as he entered, I said good morning to him in French, he replied to me with the same French. Apart from few words, I nearly didn’t know French. We didn’t have any talk in the journey. When we arrived the town, the young man suddenly and slowly said: " Do you speak English?". As I soon learnt, he was English himself.

I had an amusing experience last year. After I left a **small** village **in the south** of France, I drove on to the next town. On the way, a young man waved to me. **I stopped and** he asked me **for a lift**. As soon as he **had got into the car**, I said good morning to him in French **and** he replied **in the same language**. Apart from **a** few words, I **do not**  know **any** French **at all**. **Neither of us spoke during** the journey. **I had nearly reached the town, when the young man suddenly said, very slowly,** " Do you speak English?". As I soon learnt, he was English himself.

The sectary told me that Mr Harmsworth would see me. I felt very nervous when I had got inside his office. He did not look up from his desk when I entered. After I had sat down, he said that the business was very bad. He told me the firm could not afford this such large salaries, 20 people had left. I knew it’s my turn. "Mr Harmsworth", I said very weakly. "Don’t interrupt", He said. Then he smiled and told me, I would get extra 1000 pounds every year.

The **secretary** told me that Mr Harmsworth would see me. I felt very nervous when I **went into** his office. He did not look up from his desk when I entered. After I had sat down, he said that the business was very bad. He told me the firm could not afford **to pay** such large salaries, 20 people had **already** left. I knew **that** my turn **had come**. "Mr Harmsworth", I said **in a weak voice**. "Don’t interrupt", He said. Then he smiled and told me I would **receive an** extra 1000 pounds **a** year.

My aunt Jennifer is an actress, she must be at least thirty five years old. In spite of this, she often appears on the stage as a young girl. Jennifer will have to take part in a new show. This time, she will act a girl of seventeen. She must wear a red  dress and black stockings. Last year in an another show, she had to wear socks and a bright, orange clothes. If someone ever ask her age, she always answers, "darling, it’s terrible to be grown up".

My aunt Jennifer is an actress. She must be at least thirty-five years old. In spite of this, she often appears on the stage as a young girl. Jennifer will have to take part in a new **play soon**. This time, she will **be** a girl of seventeen. **In the play,** she must **appear in** a **bright** red  dress and **long** black stockings. Last year in ~~an~~ another show, she had to wear **short** socks and a bright, orange**-coloured dress**. If **anyone** ever ask**s** her **how old she is**, she always answers, "darling, it **must be** terrible to be grown up".

After I had had lunch in a village pub, I looked for my bag. I had putted on the chair beside the door, but it disappeared. When I was looking for it, the landlord came in. "Did you have a good meal", he asked. "Very good, thank you", I answered, "But I can’t pay, I haven’t got my bag". The landlord smiled and immediate walked out. After a while he took my bag back and gave it to me. "I’m sorry", he said, "My dog had taken it to the garden, he always does it".

After I had had lunch **at** a village pub, I looked for my bag. I had **left it** on **a** chair beside the door **and now it wasn’t there**. When I was looking for it, the landlord came in. "Did you have a good meal", he asked. "Very good, thank you", I answered, "But I can’t pay **the bill**, I haven’t got my bag". The landlord smiled and immediate**ly** **went** out. **In a few minutes** he **returned with my bag** and gave it **back** to me. "I’m sorry", he said, "My dog had taken it **into** the garden, he always does **this**".



While John Gilbert was in hospital, he asked his doctor to tell him whether his operation had been successful, but the doctor refused to do so. The following day, the patient asked for a bedside telephone. When he was alone, he telephoned the hospital exchange and asked for Doctor Millington. When the doctor answered the phone, Mr Gilbert said he was inquiring about a certain patient, a Mr John Gilbert. He asked if Mr Gilbert’s operation had been successful and the doctor told him that it had been. He then asked when Mr Gilbert would allowed to go home and the doctor told him that he would have to stay in hospital for another two weeks. Then doctor Millington asked the caller if he was a relative of the patient. "No", the patient answered, "I am Mr John Gilbert’.


<span style="font-family:.PingFangUITextSC-Regular;">约翰</span>・吉尔伯特住院的时候，他请求医生告诉他自己的手术是否成功，但医生拒绝了。第二天，这位病人要了一部床头电话。当房里只剩他一个人时，他挂通了医院的交换台，要找米灵顿医生。当这位医生接电话时，吉尔伯特先生说他想询问一个病人的情况，是一位名叫约翰・吉尔伯特的先生。他问吉尔伯特先生的手术是否成功，医生告诉他手术很成功。然后他又问吉尔伯特先生什么时候可以回家，医生说他还得在医院里再住上两个星期。之后，米灵顿医生问打电话的人是否是病人的亲属。“不是，” 病人回答说，“我就是约翰・吉尔伯特先生。”


While John Gilbert was in hospital, he asked his doctor to tell him whether his operation had been successful, but the doctor refused to do so. The following day, the patient asked for a bedside telephone. When he was alone, he telephoned the hospital exchange and asked for Doctor Millington. When the doctor answered **the phone**, Mr Gilbert said he was inquiring **about** a certain patient, a Mr John Gilbert. He asked ~~that~~ if Mr Gilbert’s operation had been successful and the doctor told him that it had been. Then he asked when Mr Gilbert would allowed to go home, the doctor **told him** that he would **have to stay** in ~~the~~ hospital for another two weeks. Then, Doctor Millington asked the caller if he was a relative of the patient. "No", the patient **answered**, "I am Mr John Gilbert".



Mrs Anne Sterling did not think of the risk when she ran across after two men. The men had rushed to her when she was having picnic with her children in the edge of a forest and tried to steal her handbag. In the struggle, the strap broke and, with the handbag in their possession, the two men ran through trees. Mrs Sterling got very angry, she ran after them. She was soon out of breath, but she continued to run. When she caught up with them, they had sat down and went through the contents of the bag. She ran straight to them, the men fright, dropped the bag and ran away. "The strap need to mend", Mrs Sterling said later, "But the did not steal anything".



Mrs Anne Sterling did not think of the risk she was taking when she ran through a forest after two men. They rushed up to her when she was having a picnic at the edge of a forest with her children and tried to steal her handbag. In the struggle, the strap broke and, with the bag in their possession, the men started running across trees. Mrs Sterling got so angry that she ran after them. She was soon out of breath, but she continued to run. When she caught up with them, she saw that they had sat down and was going through the contents of the bag. She ran straight to them, both men got such a fright that the dropped the bag and ran away. "The strap needs mending", said Mrs Sterling later, "But they did not steal anything."



Mrs Anne Sterling did not think of the risk she was taking when she ran through a forest after two men. Both men had rushed up to her while she was having a picnic at the edge of a forest with her children and tried to steal her handbag. In the struggle, the strap broke and, with the bag in their possession, the men started running through the trees. Mrs Sterling got so angry that she ran after them. She was soon out of breath, but she continued to run. When she caught up with them, she saw that they had sat down and were going through the contents of the bag. So she ran straight at them, the men got such a fright that they dropped the bag and ran away. "The strap needs mending", said Mrs Sterling later, "But they did not steal anything."


The whole village soon learnt a large sum of money had been lost. Sam Benton, the local butcher, had lost his wallet while taking his savings to the post office. Sam was sure that the wallet must have been found by one of the villagers, but it was not returned to him. Three months passed and then one morning, Sam found his wallet outside his front door. It had been wrapped up in newspaper and it contained half the money he had lost, together with a note which said: 'a thief. Yes, but only 50% a thief!' Two months later, some more money was sent to Sam with another note: 'only 25% a thief now!"  In time, all Sam's money was paid back in this way. The last note said: 'I am 100% honest now!'


The whole village soon learnt that a large sum of money had been lost. Sam Benton, the local butcher, lost his wallet while sending his savings to the post office. Sam was sure that his wallet must have been found by one of the villagers, but it had not been returned to him. Three months passed and then one morning, Sam found his wallet outside his front door. The wallet was wrapped up by a newspaper, contained half of the money he had lost, together with a node, it said :’ A thief, yes, but only 50% a thief!’ Two months later, some more money was sent to Sam, also with a note : 'only 25% a thief now!' In time, all Sam’s money was paid back in the same way. The last node said :' I am 100% honest now!'


The whole village soon learnt that a large sum of money had been lost. Sam Benton, the local butcher, had lost his wallet while taking his savings to the post office. Sam was sure that the wallet must have been found by one of the villagers, but it was not returned to him. Three months passed, and then one morning, Sam found his wallet outside hist front door. The wallet had been wrapped up in newspaper, it contained half of the money he had lost, together with a note which said :’ A thief, yes, but only 50% a thief!’ Two months later, some more money was sent to Sam with another note :’ Only 25% a thief now!’ In time, all Sam’s money was paid back to him in the same way. The last note said :’ I am 100% honest now!’


When a plane from London arrived at Sydney airport, workers unloaded the wooden boxes which contained clothing. No one could account for the fact that one of the boxes was extremely heavy. It suddenly occurred to one of the workers opened up the box. He was astonished what he had found, a man was lying on the top of a pile of woolen goods. The man was so surprising that he had been discovered that he did not even try to run away. After he had been arrested, the man admitted hiding in the box before the plane left London. He had had a long and uncomfortable trip, for he had confined in the box more than 18 hours. The man was ordered 3500 ponds to the cost of the trip, but the price of the ticket was 2000 ponds. 

When a plane from London arrived at Sydney airport, workers began to unload a number of  wooden boxes which contained clothing. No one could **account for** the fact that one of the boxes was extremely heavy. **It suddenly occurred** to one of the workers to opened up the box. He was astonished at what he found, a man was lying in the box on top of a pile of woolen goods. He was so surprised at being discovered that he did not even try to run away. After he was arrested, the man admitted hiding in the box before the plane left London. He had had a long and uncomfortable trip, for he had been confined in the wooden box for over  18 hours. The man was ordered to pay 3500 ponds for the cost of the trip, the normal price of a ticket is 2000 ponds. 


When a plane from London arrived at Sydney airport, workers began to unload a number of wooden boxes which contained clothing. No one could account for the fact that one of the boxes was extremely heavy. It suddenly occurred to one of the workers to open up the box. He was astonished at what he found, a man was lying in the wooden box on top of a pile of woolen goods. He was so surprised being discovered that he did not even try to run away. After he was arrested, the man admitted hiding in the box before the plane left London. He had had a long and uncomfortable trip, for he had been confined to the wooden box for over 18 hours. The man was ordered to pay 3500 ponds for the cost of  the trip, the normal price of a ticket is 2000 ponds.




Hey, there, just checking in. I’d like to talk about the picture you have forwarded to the group. Give me a call if you have a minuter.





Dentists always ask questions when you cannot answer. My dentist had pulled out one of my teeth, he had asked me to rest for a while. I wanted to say something, but my mouth was full of cotton wool. He knew that I collected match boxes, he then asked me whether the collection was growing. Then he asked me how my brother was and whether I liked my new job in London. In answer for these questions, I either nodded or make strange noises. Meanwhile, my tongue was busy searching the hole of the tooth had been. I suddenly felt worried, but I could not say anything. When the dentist remove the cotton wool from my mouth, I was finally able to tell him, he had pulled out the wrong tooth.


Dentists always ask questions when **it is impossible for you to** answer. My dentist had **just** pulled out one of my teeth, **and had told** me to rest for a while. I **tried** to say something, but my mouth was full of cotton wool. He knew I collected match boxes, **and** asked me whether the collection was growing. Then he asked me how my brother was and whether I liked my new job in London. In answer **to** these questions, I either nodded or **made** strange noises. Meanwhile, my tongue was busy searching **out** the hole **where** the tooth had been. I suddenly felt **very** worried, but I could not say anything. When the dentist **at last removed** the cotton wool from my mouth, I was finally able to tell him, he had pulled out the wrong tooth.


Tired of sleeping on the floor, a young man in Teheran saved up for years to buy a real bed. **For the first time in his life, he became the proud owner of a bed which had** springs and a mattress. Because the weather was very hot, he carried the bed on the roof of his house. He slept very well **for** the first two nights. But a storm blew up on the third night. A gust of wind swept the bed **off the** roof and **sent it crashing into** the courtyard **below**. The young man did not wake up until the bed **had** struck the ground. Although the bed was smashed **to** pieces, the young man miraculously unhurt. When he woke up, he **was** still on the mattress. Glancing **at the bits** of wood and metal **that lay around him**, he sadly picked up the mattress, and carried it **into his** house. He promptly fell **asleep again** after he had **put** the mattress on the floor.

My friend, Hugh, has always been fat, but he recently got so bad that he decided to go on a diet. First of all, he wrote a long list which included all the foods were forbidden. Most foods on the list were loved by Hugh: butter, potatoes, rice, beer, milk, chocolate, and sweets. Yesterday I paid a visit to him. I rang the bell, I was not surprised when I saw Hugh as fat as ever. He led me in his house, and hurriedly hid a big parcel under his desk. It was obvious that He was very embarrassed.  When I asked what he was doing, he guiltily smiled and showed the big parcel on the desk. He explained that his diet was so strict that he had to reward himself occasionally. Then he showed me the contents of the parcel, it contained five big board chocolate and three bags of sweets. 




My friend, Hugh, has always been fat, but he recently got so bad that he decided to go on a diet. First of all, he wrote a long list which included all the foods were forbidden. Most foods on the list were loved by Hugh: butter, potatoes, rice, beer, milk, chocolate, and sweets. Yesterday I paid a visit to him. I rang the bell, I was not surprised when I saw Hugh as fat as ever. He led me in his house, and hurriedly hid a big parcel under his desk. It was obvious that He was very embarrassed.  When I asked what he was doing, he guiltily smiled and showed the big parcel on the desk. He explained that his diet was so strict that he had to reward himself occasionally. Then he showed me the contents of the parcel, it contained five big board chocolate and three bags of sweets. 


My friend, Hugh, has always been fat, but things got so bad recently that he decided to go on a diet. He began his diet a week ago. First of all, he wrote out a long list of  all the foods which were forbidden. Most foods on the list were loved by Hugh: butter, potatoes, rice, beer, milk, chocolate, and sweets. Yesterday I paid a visit to him. I rang the bell, I was not surprised when I saw Hugh as fat as ever. He led me in his house, and hurriedly hid a big parcel under his desk. It was obvious that He was very embarrassed.  When I asked what he was doing, he guiltily smiled and showed the big parcel on the desk. He explained that his diet was so strict that he had to reward himself occasionally. Then he showed me the contents of the parcel, it contained five big board chocolate and three bags of sweets. 

We have just moved in a new house, I have been working hard all the morning. I have been trying to make my new room into order, but it wasn’t easy. I have more than one thousand books. To make matters worse, the room is very small, so I temporarily put them on the floor. This moment, there was no space on the floor, actually I 

We have just moved into a new house, I have been working hard all morning. I have been trying to get my new room in order. This has not been easy because I owned over 1000 books. To make matters worse, the room is rather small. So I temporarily put the books on the floor. At the moment, the books covered every inch of the floor space and I actually walked on the books when I got in or out the room. A short while ago, my sister helped me to carry one of my old bookcases to the upstairs. He walked into my root and got a big surprise when she saw the books on the floor, "this is the prettiest carpet I have ever seen", she said. She gazed at it for some time then added: "You don’t need bookcases at all, you can sit here to read the carpet in your spare time"

We have just moved into a new house **and** I have been working hard all morning. I have been trying to get my new room in order. This has not been easy because I owned over 1000 books. To make matters worse, the room is rather small. So I **have** temporarily put the books on the floor. At the moment, the books covered every inch of floor space and I actually **have to** walk on the books **to get** in or out **of** the room. A short while ago, my sister helped me to carry one of my old bookcases **up** the **stairs**. She walked into my room and got a big surprise when she saw the books on the floor, "this is the prettiest carpet I have ever seen", she said. She gazed at it for some time then added: "You don’t need bookcases at all, you can sit here to read the carpet in your spare time"



We have just moved int a new house and I have been working hard all morning. I have been trying to get my new room in order. This has not been easy because I own over than 1000 books. To make matters worse, the room is rather small. So I have temporarily put the books on the floor. At the moment, they have covered every inch of floor space and I actually have to walk on them to get in or out of the room. A short while ago, my sister helped me to carry one of my old bookcases up the stairs. She went into my room and got a big surprise when she saw all those books on the floor, 'This is the prettiest carpet I have ever seen', she said. She gazed at it for some time and added, 'You don’t need bookcases at all. you can sit here in your spare time and read the carpet.'



After breakfast, I sent children to school, and then I went to the shops. It was early when I returned back home. Children were at school, my husband was at work, and the house was quiet. So I decided to make some meat pies. In a short time, I was busy mixing butter and flour, my hands soon covered with sticky pastry. At exactly the moment, the telephone rang. Nothing had been more annoying. I picked up the receiver between two sticky fingers and was dismayed when I heard the voice of Helen Bates. It took me ten minutes to persuade her to ring back later. At last I hung on the receiver. What a mess! It covered with pastry on my fingers, on the telephone, and on the doorknobs. I had no sooner got back to the kitchen than the doorbell was rang which was loud enough to wake the dead. It was the postman to ask me to sign a registered letter. 


After breakfast, I sent **the** children to school, and then I went to the shops. It was **still** early when I returned home. **The** children were at school, my husband was at work, and the house was quiet. So I decided to make some meat pies. In a short time, I was busy mixing butter and flour, **and** my hands **were** soon covered with sticky pastry. At exactly the moment, the telephone rang. Nothing **could have** been more annoying. I picked up the receiver between two sticky fingers and was dismayed when I **recognized** the voice of Helen Bates. It took me ten minutes to persuade her to ring back later. At last I hung **up** the receiver. What a mess! **There was** pastry on my fingers, on the telephone, and on the doorknobs. I had no sooner got back to the kitchen than the doorbell **rang loud enough** to wake the dead. **This time** It was the postman **and he wanted** me to sign a registered letter.


Dreams of finding lost treasure almost came true recently. A new machine called 'The Revealer' has been invented and it has been used to find the gold which was buried in the ground. The machine was used in a cave near the  seashore where, it is said, pirates used to hide the gold. Pirates would often hide gold in the cave but failed to collect it. Armed with this new machine, a search party entered in the cave hoping to find the buried gold. The leader of the party was examing the soil of the entrance of the cave when the machine revealed that there was gold under ground. Very excited, the party dug a two feet hole. The finally find a small gold coin which was nearly worthless. Then the party searched the cave thoroughly, but they got nothing except a tin trunk. In spite of this, many people believe 'The Revealer' will find things of value fairly soon. 


Dreams of finding lost treasure almost came true recently. A new machine called 'The Revealer' has been invented and it has been used to **detect** the gold which **has been** buried in the ground. The machine was used in a cave near the  seashore where, it is said, pirates used to hide ~~the~~ gold. Pirates would often **bury** gold in the cave **and then** failed to collect it. Armed with this new machine, a search party **went into** the cave hoping to find **buried treasure.** The leader of the party was **examining** the soil **near** the entrance **to** the cave when the machine **showed** that there was gold under ground. Very excited, the party dug a ~~two feet~~ hole **two feet deep**. They finally **found** a small gold coin which was **almost** worthless. Then the party searched the **whole** cave thoroughly, but **did not find anythig** except **an empty** tin trunk. In spite of this, many people **are confident that** 'The Revealer' **may reveal something** of value fairly soon. 




Once a year, a race was held with old cars. A lot of cars entered this race last year. There was a great deal of excitement before it began. One of the most handsome care was Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and the most unusual car was a Benz with only three wheels. Build in 1885, It’s the oldest car in the race. After a great many loud explosions, it began. A lot of cars broke down in the course, and some drivers spent much more time under their cars than in them. A few cars, however, completed the whole race. The winning car reached the speed of forty miles an hour, much more than its rivals. It sped downhill at the end of the race, the driver got a lot of trouble trying to stop the car. The race gave everyone a great deal of pleasure. It’s different from modern car races but no less exciting. 


Once a year, a race **is** held **for** old cars. A lot of cars entered this race last year **and t**here was a great deal of excitement before it began. One of the most handsome cars was **a** Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and the most unusual car was a Benz **which had** only three wheels. **Built** in 1885, It **was** the oldest car **taking part**. After a great many loud explosions, **the race** began. A lot of cars broke down **on** the course, and some drivers spent much more time under their cars than in them. A few cars, however, completed the whole race. The winning car reached the speed of forty miles an hour, much **faster** than **any of** its rivals. It sped downhill at the end of the race, the driver **had** a lot of trouble trying to stop the car. The race gave everyone a great deal of pleasure. It **was** **very** different from modern car races but no less exciting. 


Once a year, a race is held for old cars. A lot of cars entered **for** this race last year, and **there** was a great deal of excitement before it began. One of the most handsome cars was a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and the most unusual car was a Benz which had only three wheels. Built in 1885, it was the oldest car **taking part.** After a great many loud explosions, the race began. Many cars broke down on the course, and some drivers spent more time under their cars than in them! A few cars, however, completed the race. The winning car reached **a** speed of forty miles an hour, much more than any of its rivals. It sped downhill at the end of the race, and the driver had a lot of trouble trying to stop it. It was very different from modern car races but no less exciting.




A woman in jeans stood at the window of an expensive shop. Though she hesitated for a moment, she finally went in and asked for a dress showed in the window. The assistant who served her did not like the way she dressed in. Glancing at her scornfully, he told her that the dress was sold. The women went out of the shop angrily and decided to punish the assistant next day. She returned to the shop following morning dressed in a fur coat, with a handbag in one hand and a long umbrella in the other. After seeking out the rude assistant, she asked for the dress. Not realizing who she was, the assistant eager to serve her this time. With great difficulty, she climbed into the window to fetch the dress. As soon as she saw it, she said she did not like it. She enjoyed herself letting the assistant to bring almost everything in the window before buying the dress she first asked for.


A woman in jeans stood at the window of an expensive shop. Though she hesitated for a moment, she finally went in and asked **to see** a dress **that was** in the window. The assistant who served her did not like the way she **was** dressed. Glancing at her scornfully, he told her that the dress was sold. The woman went out of the shop angrily and decided to punish the assistant next day. She returned to the shop **the** following morning dressed in a fur coat, with a handbag in one hand and a long umbrella in the other. After seeking out the rude assistant, she asked for the **same** dress. Not realizing who she was, the assistant **was** eager to serve her this time. With great difficulty, she climbed into the **shop** window to **get** the dress. As soon as she saw it, **the woman** said she did not like it. She enjoyed herself **making** the assistant bring almost everything in the window before **finally** buying the dress she **had** first asked for.



A small village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because it has been mentioned by a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has increased. The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it gained an evil reputation. It is said that if someone touches the tree, he will have bad luck; if someone put a leave away, he will die. Many villagers believe that it has claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut off, but so far he refused. He has pointed out that it became a useful resource of income, as tourists from all parts of this country have been visiting the tree. In spite of all that has been said, tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has stuck down by sudden death.


 **The tiny** village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because **the tree was** mentioned **in** a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has **now** increased. The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it **has** gained an evil reputation. It is said that if **anyone** touches the tree, he will have bad luck; if **he picks a leaf**, he will die. Many villagers believe that it has claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut **down**, but so far he refused. He has pointed out that **the tree is** a useful source of income, as tourists **have been coming** from all parts of this country **to see it**. In spite of all that has been said, tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has **been** stuck down by sudden death.




At a village fair, I decided to visit a fortune-teller called Madam Belinsky. I went into her tent and she told me to sit down. After I had given her some money, she looked into a crystal ball and said: 'A relation of yours is coming to see you, she will be arriving this evening and intend to stay a few days. At the moment you leave the tent, you will get a big surprise. A woman you know well will rush towards to you, she will tell you something and lead you to leave this place.  That is all.' As soon as I walked outside, I forgot all about Madam Belinsky because my wife hurried towards me. 'Where have you been hiding?', she asked impatiently, 'Your sister will arrive here in less than an hour, we must be at the station to meet her. It is late already.' When she went away, I followed her to out the fair.

At a village fair, I decided to visit a fortune-teller called Madam Bellinsky. I went into her tent and she told me to sit down. After I had given her some money, she looked into a crystal ball and said: 'A relation of yours is coming to see you, she will be arriving this evening and i**ntends** to stay a few days. At the moment you leave the tent, you will get a big surprise. A woman you know well will rush towards you, she will **speak to you** and **then she will** lead you **away from** this place.  That is all.' As soon as I walked outside, I forgot all about Madam Belinsky because my wife hurried towards me. 'Where have you been hiding?', she asked impatiently, 'Your sister will **be here** in less than an hour, we must be at the station to meet her. **We are** late already.' When she **walked** away, I followed her  out **of** the fair.




Jereme Hampden has a large circle of friends and is very popular at parties. Everybody admires him for his humor sense — everybody, that is, except his six-year-old daughter, Jenny. Recently one of Jereme’s closest friends asked him to make a speech at a wedding reception. That is sort of thing Jereme loves. He prepared carefully and went to the wedding with Jenny. He had included many funny stories and, of course, was a great success. As soon as he had finished, Jenny said to him that she wanted to go home. Jereme felt a little disappointed by this, but he did as his daughter asked. On the way home, he asked Jenny if had liked his speech. In his surprise, she said that she hadn’t. Jeremy asked why this was so, she said that she hadn’t wanted to see so many people laughing at him!



Jereme Hampden has a large circle of friends and is very popular at parties. Everybody admires him for his **great sense of humor** — everybody, that is, except his six-year-old daughter, Jenny. Recently one of Jereme’s closest friends asked him to make a speech at a wedding reception. That is **the** sort of thing **that** Jereme loves. He prepared **the speech** carefully and went to the wedding with Jenny. He had included **a large number of** funny stories **in the speech** and, of course, **it** was a great success. As soon as he had finished, Jenny said to him that she wanted to go home. Jereme **was** a little disappointed by this, but he did as his daughter asked. On the way home, he asked Jenny if **she** had **enjoyed** his speech. **To** his surprise, she said that she hadn’t. Jeremy asked why this was so **and** she said that she **didn’t like** to see so many people laughing at him!
ench engineer arrived England with a plan about a 21 mile tunnel under the English Channel. He said that it would possible to build a platform on the centre of the tunnel. It would be well-ventilated, if tall chimneys were built above sea level. In 1860, a better plan was put forward from an English man, William Low. He suggested to build a two-railway tunnel. It would solve the problem of ventilation, for if a train entered in the tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it. 42 years later, a tunnel was actually begun. If, at the time, British had not feared for invasion, it would have been completed. The world had to wait almost another 100 years for the Channel Tunnel. It officially opened up on March 7th, 1994, connecting Britain to the European continent. 

In 1858, a French engineer arrived **in** England with a plan **for** a 21 mile tunnel under the English Channel. He said that it would **be** possible to build a platform **in** the centre of the **Channel**. **This platform would serve as a port and a railway station.** It would be well-ventilated, if tall chimneys were built above sea level. In 1860, a better plan was put forward **by** an Englishman, William Low. He suggested to build a two-railway tunnel. It would solve the problem of ventilation, for if a train entered the tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it. 42 years later, a tunnel was actually begun. If, at the time, British had not feared invasion, it would have been completed. The world had to wait almost another 100 years for the Channel Tunnel. It **was** officially opened up on March 7th, 1994, **finally** connecting Britain to the European continent. 



In 1963, a Lancaster Bomber crashed in Wallis Island, which is a remote small island in South Pacific, far away west of Samoa. The plane was not seriously damaged. But  over the years, the crash has been forgotten and the wreck has remained undisturbed. Then in 1989, 26 years after the crash, the plane was rediscovered by an aerial survey of the island. By this time, a Lancaster Bomber in reasonable condition was rare and worth rescuing. The French authorities had the plane packaged and moved in parts back to France. Now, a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. The plane has four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, but they only have three engines rebuilt. Imagine the surprise and delight when they broke open the package cases and found out that the fourth engine was sweet as honey — the engine was in perfect condition. A colony of bees had lived in the engine as hive and it was totally preserved by beeswax.


In 1963, a Lancaster Bomber crashed **on** Wallis Island, which is a remote small island in **the** South Pacific, **a long way** west of Samoa. The plane was not **badly** damaged. But  over the years, the crash **was** forgotten and the wreck remained undisturbed. Then in 1989, 26 years after the crash, the plane was **accidentally** rediscovered **in** an aerial survey of the island. By this time, a Lancaster Bomber in reasonable condition was rare and worth rescuing. The French authorities had the plane packaged and moved in parts back to France. Now, a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. The plane has four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, but they **will need** **to have only three of them** rebuilt. Imagine the surprise and delight when they broke open the **packing** cases and found  that the fourth engine was sweet as honey — **still** in perfect condition. A colony of bees had **turned the engine into a** hive and it was totally preserved **in** beeswax.

Haroun Tazieff, the Polish scientist, has spent his lifetime studying active volcanoes and deep caves all parts of the world. In 1948, he went to the Lake Kivu and observed a new volcano which he later named as Kituro. Tazieff was able to set up his camp very close to the volcano while it was erupting violently. Though he had taken some brilliant photographs, he wasn’t able to stay near the volcano for long time. He noticed that a river of liquid rock was coming towards him, it was threaten to surround him, but Tazieff managed to escape it. He waited until the volcano had been quiet, he returned two days later. This time he was able to climb into the mouse of Kituro to take photographs and measure temperatures. Tazieff has often risked his life like this and he was able to tell us more informations  about volcanos than any man alive.


Haroun Tazieff, the Polish scientist, has spent his lifetime studying active volcanoes and deep caves **in** all parts of the world. In 1948, he went to the Lake Kivu **in the Congo to** observe a new volcano which he later named ~~as~~ Kituro. Tazieff was able to set up his camp very close to the volcano while it was erupting violently. Though he **managed to take** **a number of** brilliant photographs, he wasn’t able to stay near the volcano for **very long**. He noticed that a river of liquid rock was coming towards him, it ~~was~~ threatened to surround him **completely**, but Tazieff managed to escape **just in time**. He waited until the volcano **became** quiet **and** he **was able to return** two days later. This time he **managed to** climb into the mouse of Kituro **so that he could** take photographs and measure temperatures. Tazieff has often risked his life **in this way.** **He had been** able to tell us more ~~informations~~  about **active** volcanos than any man alive.


I was being tested for a driving license for the third time. I had been instructed to drive in heavy traffic and I had completed it so successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, I have started to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was almost enjoying the test. The examiner must have been pleased with my driving, for he smiled and said. 'Mr Emes, just one more thing left. Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap the window, you must stop the car within five feet.' I continued driving and after some time. The examiner tapped the window loudly. Though the sound heard clearly, it took me a long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown up. The examiner looked at me sadly, 'Mr Emes', he said in a mournful voice, 'you have killed that child'.

I was being tested for a driving license for the third time. I had been **asked** to drive in heavy traffic and I had **done** so successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, I **began** to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was almost **beginning to enjoy my** test. The examiner must have been pleased with my **performance**, for he smiled and said. 'Mr Eames, just one more thing ~~left~~. Let us suppose that a child suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap **on** the window, you must stop ~~the car~~ within five feet.' I continued driving and after some time. The examiner tapped ~~the window~~ loudly. Though the sound **could be** heard clearly, it took me a long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal and we were both thrown **forward**. The examiner looked at me sadly, 'Mr Emes', he said in a mournful voice, 'you have killed that child'.



When you visit to London, one of the things you will see is Big Ben, it is a famous clock which could be heard all over the world on BBC. If the Houses of Parliament had not been burned down in 1834, the great clock would never have been erected. Big Ben took its name from Sir Benjamin Hall, who was responsible for the making of the clock, when the new Houses of Parliament were being built. It is not only of immense size, but is extremely accurate as well. Officials of Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day. On bbs, you can hear the clock striking, because the microphone has connected the clock tower. Big Ben has rarely gone wrong. Once however, it gave incorrect time. A painter had been working in the tower hung a pot of paint on one of the hands and slowed it down.

When you visit ~~to~~ London, one of the **first** things you will see is Big Ben, ~~it is a~~ **the** famous clock which could be heard all over the world on **the** BBC. If the Houses of Parliament had not been burned down in 1834, the great clock would never have been erected. Big Ben **takes** its name from Sir Benjamin Hall, who was responsible for the making of the clock, when the new Houses of Parliament were being built. It is not only of immense size, but is extremely accurate as well. Officials **from** Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day. On **the BBC**, you can hear the clock **when it is actually** striking, because microphones **are** connected **to** the clock tower. Big Ben has rarely gone wrong. Once however, it **failed to give the correct** time. A painter **who** had been working in the tower hung a pot of paint on one of the hands and slowed it down.

When a light passenger plane flew off course some time ago, it crashed in the mountains and its pilot was killed. The only passengers, a young woman and her two baby daughters, were unhurt. It was the middle of winter, snow lay thick on the ground. The woman knew that even the nearest village was miles away. It grew dark, she turned the case into a bed and put her children into it, covering all the clothes she could find. At the night, it was terribly cold. The woman closed as near as she could to her children and even tried to get in the case herself, but the case is too small. The next early morning, she heard a plane flew overhead, but she wondered how to send a signal. Then she had an idea. She stamped out letters 'SOS' on the snow. Fortunately, a pilot saw the signal and sent a message by radio to the nearest town. Not long before, a helicopter arrived on the scene to rescue the survivors of the plane crash. 


When a light passenger plane flew off course some time ago, it crashed in the mountains and its pilot was killed. The only passengers, a young woman and her two baby daughters, were unhurt. It was the middle of winter, snow lay thick on the ground. The woman knew that even the nearest village was miles away. It grew dark, she turned the case into a bed and put her children into it, covering all the clothes she could find. At the night, it was terribly cold. The woman closed as near as she could to her children and even tried to get in the case herself, but the case is too small. The next early morning, she heard a plane flew overhead, but she wondered how to send a signal. Then she had an idea. She stamped out letters 'SOS' on the snow. Fortunately, a pilot saw the signal and sent a message by radio to the nearest town. Not long before, a helicopter arrived on the scene to rescue the survivors of the plane crash. 


When a light passenger plane flew off course some time ago, it crashed in the mountains and its pilot was killed. The only passengers, a young woman and her two baby daughters, were unhurt. It was the middle of winter. Snow lay thick on the ground. The woman knew that even the nearest village was miles away. **When** it grew dark, she turned **a suitcase** into a bed and put her children **inside** it, covering **them with** all the clothes she could find. **During** the night, it **got** terribly cold. The woman **kept** as near as she could to her children and even tried to get **into** the case herself, but the case **was** too small. **Early** next  morning, she heard **planes** **passing** overhead, but she wondered how **she could** send a signal. Then she had an idea. She stamped out **the** letters 'SOS' **in** the snow. Fortunately, a pilot saw the signal and sent a message by radio to the nearest town. **It was** not long before, a helicopter arrived on the scene to rescue the survivors of the plane crash. 

The mummy of an Egyptian woman who died in 800 BC has just had an operation. The mummy was that of Sepenmut who was once a singer in the Temple of Thebes. There were strange marks on the X-ray plates taken from the mummy, doctors have been trying to find whether the woman died of a rare disease. The only way to do this was to operate. The operation, which lasted for over 4 hours, proved to be very difficult because of the hard resin which covered the skin. The doctors removed a section of the mummy and sent it to a laboratory. They also found something which the X-ray plates did not show: a wax figure of the god Duamutef. This god, which has the head of a cow, was normally placed inside a mummy. The doctors have not yet decided how the woman died. The feared that the mummy would fall in pieces when they cut it open, but fortunately, this has not happened. The mummy successfully survived the operation.

The mummy of an Egyptian woman who died in 800 BC has just had an operation. The mummy **is** that of Sepenmut who was once a singer in the Temple of Thebes. **As** there were strange marks on the X-ray plates taken **of** the mummy, doctors have been trying to find **out** whether the woman died of a rare disease. The only way to do this was to operate. The operation, which lasted for over 4 hours, proved to be very difficult because of the hard resin which covered the skin. The doctors removed a section of the mummy and sent it to a laboratory. They also found something which the X-ray plates did not show: a **small** wax figure of the god Duamutef. This god, which has the head of a cow, was normally placed inside a mummy. The doctors have not yet decided how the woman died. The feared that the mummy would fall **to** pieces when they cut it open, but fortunately, this has not happened. The mummy successfully survived the operation.


After reading an article entitled 'Cigarette Smoking and Your Health', I lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. I smoked with concentration and pleasure, as I was sure that this would be my last cigarette. For a whole week, I did not smoke at all and during this time, my wife suffered terribly. I had all the usual symptoms of someone giving up smoking: a bad temper and an enormous appetite. My friends kept on offering me cigarettes and cigars, they made no effort to hide their amusement whenever I produced a packet of sweets from my pocket. After seven days of this, I went to a party. When my old friend Brian urged me to accept a cigarette, it was more than I could bear. I took one guiltily, lit it and smoked with satisfaction. My wife was delighted that things had returned to normal **once more**. Anyway, as Brian pointed out, it is the easiest thing in the world **to give up smoking**, he himself has done **it** lots of times.


I used to travel by air a great deal when I was a boy. My parents used to live in South America and I used to fly there from Europe in holidays. A flight attendant would take charge of me and I never had an unpleasant experience. I am used to traveling by air and only on one occasion have I **ever** felt frightened. After taking off, we were flying low over the city and slowly gaining height, when the plane suddenly turned round and flew back to the airport. While we were waiting to land, a flight attendant told us to **keep calm** and to get off **the plane** quietly as soon as the plane had touched down. Everybody on board was worried and curious to find out what had happened. Later we learnt that there was a very important person on board. Police had been told that a bomb had been planted on the plane. After we had landed, the plane was searched thoroughly. Fortunately, nothing was found and five hours later we were able to take off again.


Perhaps the most extraordinary building of the 19th century was **the** Crystal Palace, which was built in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Crystal Palace was different from all other buildings in the world, for it was made of iron and glass. It was one of the biggest buildings **of all time** and a lot of people from many countries came to see it. A great many goods were sent to the exhibition from various parts of the world. There was **also** a great deal of machinery on display. The most wonderful piece of machinery was Nysmith’s Steam Hammer. Though in those days, traveling was not as easy as it is today, steam boats carried thousands of visitors across the Channel from Europe. On arriving in England, they were taken to the Crystal Palace by train. There were 6 million visitors in all. The profits of the exhibition were used to build museums and colleges. Later, the Crystal Palace was moved to South London. It was one of the most famous buildings in the world until it was burnt down in 1936.


When he had killed the guard, the prisoner of war quickly dragged him into the bushes. Working rapidly in the darkness, he soon changed into the dead man’s clothes. Now, dressed into blue uniforms and with a rifle over his shoulder, he marched boldly up and down in front of the camp. He could hear the shouting of the camp itself. Lights were blazing and men were running here and there: they had discovered that a prisoner had escaped. On the moment, a big black car with four officers stopped at the camp gate. The prisoner took an attention and saluted to them, when the officers got out and passed him. When they had left, the driver of the car came towards him. The driver obviously wanted to talk. He was very elderly with gray hairs and clear blue eyes. The prisoner felt sorry to him, but he had nothing else what he could choice. When the driver came near, the prisoner sharply blowed him to the ground. Then jumping in the car, he drove off the car as fast as he can.

When he had killed the guard, the prisoner of war quickly dragged him into the bushes. Working rapidly in the darkness, he soon changed into the dead man’s clothes. Now, dressed **in a** blue uniform and with a rifle over his shoulder, he marched boldly up and down in front of the camp. He could hear ~~the~~ shouting **in** the camp itself. Lights were blazing and men were running here and there: they had **just** discovered that a prisoner had escaped. **At that** moment, a **large** black car with four officers **inside it** stopped at the camp gate. The prisoner **stood to** attention and saluted to them, when the officers got out and passed him. When they had left, the driver of the car came towards him. The driver obviously wanted to talk. He was **rather** elderly with gray hair and clear blue eyes. The prisoner felt sorry to him, but he had nothing else what he could choice. When the driver came near, the prisoner sharply blowed him to the ground. Then jumping in the car, he drove off the car as fast as he can.


Fishermen and sailors sometimes claim to see monsters in the sea. Though people have ofter laughed the stories told by seaman, now we have learnt that many of the monsters which have at times been sighted are just strange fish. Occasionally, some unusual creatures are washed to the shore, but they are rarely caught in the sea. Sometime ago, however, a peculiar fish was caught near Madagascar. A small fishing boat was carried miles to the sea by a powerful fish as it was pulled in the line. Realizing that this was no ordinary fish, the fisherman tried to take every effort not to damage it in any way. It was eventually caught to the shore and people found that its body was over 13 feet. It had a head like horse, big blue eyes, shinning sliver skin, and a bright red tail. The fish , which have been sent to a museum and is being examined by a scientist, is called oarfish. These creatures was rarely sight alive by people as they live in the sea of depth of 600 feet.

Fishermen and sailors sometimes claim to **have seen** monsters in the sea. Though people have often laughed **at** stories told by seaman, **it is** now **known that**  many of the monsters which have at times been sighted are **simply** strange fish. Occasionally, some unusual creatures are washed to the shore, but they are rarely caught **out at** sea. **Some time** ago, however, a peculiar fish was caught near Madagascar. A small fishing boat was carried miles **out** to ~~the~~ sea by a powerful fish as it ~~was~~ pulled **on** the line. Realizing that this was no ordinary fish, the fisherman **made** every effort not to damage it in any way. It was eventually **brought** to ~~the~~ shore and people found that its body was over 13 feet. It had a head like horse, big blue eyes, shinning sliver skin, and a bright red tail. The fish , which **has since** been sent to a museum and is being examined by a scientist, is called oarfish. These creatures was rarely sight alive by people as they live **at a** depth of 600 feet.


The former Prime, Minister Mr Wentworth Lane, was defeated in the recent elections. He is now retiring from political life and has gone abroad. My friend, Partrik, has always been a fanatical opponent of Mr Lane’s Radical Progressive Party. After the elections, Partrik went to the former Prime Minister’s house. When he asked if Mr Lane lived there, the policeman on duty told him that sine his defeat, the ex-Prime Minister had gone abroad. The following day , Partrik went to the house again. When the same policeman was walking slowly to past the entrance, Partrik went to ask the same question. Though a little suspicious this time, the policeman gave him the same answer. The day after, Partrik went to the house once more and asked exactly the same question. The policeman list hist temper this time. 'I told you yesterday and the day before yesterday', he shouted, 'Mr Lane was defeated in the elections. He has retired from political life and gone to live abroad'. 'I know', answered Prtrik, 'But I love to hear you say it.'

The former Prime Minister, Mr Wentworth Lane, was defeated in the recent elections. He is now retiring from political life and has gone abroad. My friend, Partrik, has always been a fanatical opponent of Mr Lane’s Radical Progressive Party. After the elections, Partrik went to the former Prime Minister’s house. When he asked if Mr Lane lived there, the policeman on duty told him that sine his defeat, the ex-Prime Minister had gone abroad.  **On** the following day , Partrik went to the house again. When the same policeman was walking slowly ~~to~~ past the entrance, Partrik went to ask the same question. Though a little suspicious this time, the policeman gave him the same answer. The day after, Partrik went to the house once more and asked exactly the same question. The policeman lost his temper this time. 'I told you yesterday and the day before yesterday', he shouted, 'Mr Lane was defeated in the elections. He has retired from political life and gone to live abroad'. 'I know', answered Prtrik, 'But I love to hear you say it.'


Busmen have decided to go on strike next week. The strike is due to begin on Tuesday. No one knows how long it will last. Busmen have stated that the strike will continue until general agreement is reached about pay and working conditions. Most people believe that the strike will last for at least one week. Many owners of private cars are going to offer 'free rides' to people on their way to work. This will relieve pressure on trains to some extent. Meanwhile, some university students have volunteered to drive buses when the strike lasts. All the students are expert driver**s**, but before **they** drive any of the buses, they will have to pass a special test. The students are going to take the test in two days' time. Even so, people **are going to** find it difficult to get to work. But so far, the public has expressed its gratitude in ~~the~~ letters to the Press. Only one or two people have objected that the students will drive too fast.

As yesterday’s news mentioned, a deadly shooting had killed three people in Austin, Texas. Now, it turns out that the suspect had a long term mental heathy problem and he had made several criminals before this shooting. It was said that he believed he was Jesus.
By that day of the shooting, the suspect went to the parking lot of a supermarket with the handgun of his family. At first, he killed a worker of the supermarket who was responsible for collecting shopping carts. Then, he wanted to rob a car to escape from the scene. He killed an elder man and his granddaughter in a near car, who were probably Chinese because of the face and name. But the suspect could not drive the car. He crashed the car and tried to rob another car. After injuring some different customers in the parking lot, he escaped by walking and was captured by officers while he was naked and hiding in a yard.


I have just received a letter from my old school, informing me that the former headmaster, Mr Stewart Page, will be **retiring** next week. Pupils **of the school**, old and new, will **be sending** him a present to mark this occasion.  All those  who **have** contribute**d towards the gift** will sign their names **in** a **large** album, which will **be** sent to the headmaster’s home. We shall **all** remember his patience and understanding and for the kindly encouragement when we went so unwillingly to school. A great many former pupils are going to attend the farewell dinner for him next Thursday. It is coincidence that Mr Page has been teaching for 40 years before he will be retired. After he has retired, he will devote to gardening. For him, it will be a new hobby. But it does not matter, for, as he used to remark, people never too old to learn. 

A high-stakes summit will held in days in Alaska. Trump has invited Putin to attend this meeting about how to end this war which has been lasting three years. It is extremely controversial as Ukrainian President  Zelensky hasn’t been invited. No one knows why Trump made this arrangement, but Trump said that Putin would get huge punishment if Russia doesn’t make the deal. After invading to Ukraine for years, Russia troops killed a great number of people and occupied 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Even though Russia has gotten  more than one thousand sanctions from the US and EU, Putin is still keeping to attack Ukraine. 
Before Trump took in the office, he had claimed  that  he would end the war in just one day if he wins the election. At any rate, it is the closest time to achieve this goal. Experts predict that Putin may agree to end the war if Ukraine makes territorial concessions. Zelensky has denied this proposition. He said that Putin was bluffing, and it would useless without securirty grantees.


As the man tried to swing the speedboat round, the steering wheel came away in his hands. He waved desperately to his companion, who had been water skiing for the last 15 minutes. Both men had hardly had time to realize what was happening, they were thrown violently into the sea. The speedboat had stuck a buoy, but it continued to move very quickly across the water. They had just swam towards the shore, when they noticed with dismay that the boat was moving in the circle. It now came straight towards them. In less than one minute, it passed roarly only a few feet away. After it had passed, they swam on as quickly as they could because they knew that the boat would return soon. They had just begun to swim out of danger, the boat completed a circle. This time, however, it slowed down much more. The petrol nearly all had been used up. Before long, the noise dropped completely. The speedboat began to drift gently across the water.

As the man tried to swing the speedboat round, the steering wheel came away in his hands. He waved desperately to his companion, who had been water skiing for the last 15 minutes. Both men had hardly had time to realize what was happening, **when** they were thrown violently into the sea. The speedboat had stuck a buoy, but it continued to move very quickly across the water. They had just **begun to** swim towards the shore, when they noticed with dismay that the boat was moving in **a** circle. It now came straight towards them. In less than one minute, it **roared past them** only a few feet away. After it had passed, they swam on as quickly as they could because they knew that the boat would return soon. They had just **had enough time** to swim out of danger, **when** the boat **again** completed a circle. **On this occasion**, however, it **had** slowed down **considerably**. The petrol **had** nearly all  been used up. Before long, the noise dropped completely. The speedboat began to drift gently across the water.  


'At the time the murder was committed, I was traveling on the 8 o’clock train to London', said the man.
'Do you always catch such an early train?', asked the inspector.
'Of course I do', answered the man, 'I must be at work at 10 o’clock. My employer will confirm that et you to work on time?'
'I suppose it would. But I never catch later trains.'
'At what time did you arrive at the station?'
'At ten to eight. I bought newspaper and waited for the train'
'And you didn’t notice anything unusual?'
'Of course not'
'I suggest', said the inspector, 'that you are not telling the truth. I suggest that you did not catch the 8 o’clock train, but that you caught the 8.25 train which would also get you to work on time. You see, at the morning of the murder, the 8 o’clock train did not run at all. It broke off at Ferngreen Station and was taken off the line.'

'At the time the murder was committed, I was traveling on the 8 o’clock train to London', said the man.
'Do you always catch such an early train?', asked the inspector.
'Of course I do', answered the man, 'I must be at work at 10 o’clock. My employer will confirm that I was there on time.'
'Would a later train get you to work on time?'
'I suppose it would. But I never catch **a** later train.'
'At what time did you arrive at the station?'
'At ten to eight. I bought **a** paper and waited for the train'
'And you didn’t notice anything unusual?'
'Of course not'
'I suggest', said the inspector, 'that you are not telling the truth. I suggest that you did not catch the 8 o’clock train, but that you caught the 8.25 train which would **still** get you to work on time. You see, **on** the morning of the murder, the 8 o’clock train did not run at all. It broke **down** at Ferngreen Station and was taken off the line.'



Six men have been trapped into a mine for seventeen hours. If they are not brought to the surface soon, they may lose their lives. However, rescue jobs are proving difficult. If explosives are used, vibrations will cause the roof of the mine to collapse. Rescuing workers are therefore drilling a hole on the north side of the mine. They intend to bring the six men up with a special capsule. If there had not been a hard layer of rock, their jobs would have been completed in a few hours. As it is, they have been drilling for  sixteen hours, and they still have a long way to go. Meanwhile, a microphone, which lowered down the mine two hours ago, is used to keep in touch with their closest relatives. Though they are running out of the food and drink, the men are cheerful and confident that they will come out soon. They have been told that the rescuing is progressing smoothly. If they knew how difficultly to drill the hard rock, they would lose heart. 

Six men have been trapped **in** a mine for seventeen hours. If they are not brought to the surface soon, they may lose their lives. However, rescue **operations** are proving difficult. If explosives are used, vibrations will cause the roof of the mine to collapse. **Rescue** workers are therefore drilling a hole on the north side of the mine. They intend to bring the six men up **in** a special capsule. If there had not been a hard layer of rock **beneath the soil**, their jobs would have been completed in a few hours. As it is, they have been drilling for  sixteen hours, and they still have a long way to go. Meanwhile, a microphone, which **was** lowered **into** the mine two hours ago, **has enabled the man** to keep in touch with their closest relatives. Though they are running out of the food and drink, the men are cheerful and confident that they will **get** out soon. They have been told that **rescue operations are** progressing smoothly. If they knew how difficult **it was** to drill **through** the hard rock, they would lose heart. 


For training my reading skills, I have just finished to read George Orwell’s Animal Farm for the second time. About George Orwell, I can’t forget the ending of his another well-known book, 1984. The ending is that a man has been torturing for a long time to admit his crime of his betrayal, which was even only in his mind and had caused the man to be sentenced to death. When he really believe himself was wrong finally, he was executed by the authorities immediately. 

In this book, Orwell drew a same picture. Animals in the farm had been neglected and hungry as the owner Mr Jones pushed them so hard. Pigs led all the animals to fight against human race and successfully took over the ownership of the farm which soon named 'Animal Farm'. However, animals didn’t live in better conditions. Their maxim of the Rebellion,  'All animals are equal', had never been implemented. At first, pigs became new leaders of the farm and were responsible to offer propositions to the public. And before long, a pig, Napoleon,  repelled his rival and dismissed the committee of the farm, and became the dictator who was even worse than Jones. Animals worked harder and longer, ate less and simpler, but on the other hand, Napoleon and his pigs began to live in human’s room, wear on human’s clothes, drink human’s beer, and bring up human’s whips.

The story symbolized the revolution of Russia. Comrade  Napoleon is Stalin obviously. People fought and died in the revolution for freedom and dignity, but their expectations have never materialized. 'The Big Brothers' were more greed than capitalists, and crueler than kings, which just like the maxim has  changed to 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others'.

Fish and fries have always been a favorite dish in Britain, but as the oceans have been overfished, fish have become more and more expensive. So it comes as a surprise to learn that giant fish are terrifying divers on North Sea oil rigs. Oil rigs have to been repaired frequently and divers, who often have to work in darkness one hundred feed under the water, have been threaten out of wits by fish bumping into them as they were working. They have had special cages made to protect them from these monsters. The fish are not sharks or killer whales, but favorite eating varieties like cod  and skate, which have grown in unnatural sizes, some as  much as 12 feet in length. Three factors have caused the fish to grow so large: the warm water around the hot oil pipes; the plenty supply of food thrown by the crews on the board; the total absence of fishing boats around the rigs.  The result is that, these fish eat and eat and grow and grow. Who eats who?

Fish and fries **has** always been a favorite dish in Britain, but as the oceans have been overfished, fish **has** become more and more expensive. So it comes as a surprise to learn that giant fish are terrifying divers on North Sea oil rigs. Oil rigs have to **be** repaired frequently and divers, who often have to work in darkness one hundred feed under ~~the~~ water, have been **frightened** out of **their** wits by **giant** fish bumping into them as they **work**. They have had special cages made to protect them from these monsters. The fish are not sharks or killer whales, but favorite eating varieties like cod  and skate, which **grow to** unnatural sizes, **sometimes** as  much as 12 feet in length. Three factors have caused the fish to grow so large: the warm water **round** the hot oil pipes **under the sea**; the plenty supply of food thrown **overboard** by the crews on the **rigs**; the total absence of fishing boats around the rigs.  **As a result**, these fish eat and eat and grow and grow. Who eats who?


The pilot noticed a balloon which seemed to be making for a Royal Air Force Station nearby. He informed the station at once, but no one there was able to explain the mystery. The officer of the control tower was very angry when he heard the news, because balloons can be a great danger to aircraft. He said that someone may be spying on the station and the pilot was ordered to track the strange object. The pilot managed to circle the balloon at some time. The  pilot can make out three men in a basket under it and one of them was holding a binoculars. When the balloon was over the station, the pilot sam a man taking photographs. Soon afterwards, the balloon began to descend and it landed near an airfield. The police were called in, but they could not arrest anyone, for the basket contained two Members of the Parliament and the Commanding Officer of the station. As the Commanding Office explained later, one half of the station did not know what the other half was doing. 

The pilot noticed a balloon which seemed to be making for a Royal Air Force Station nearby. He informed the station at once, but no one there was able to explain the mystery. The officer **in** the control tower was very angry when he heard the news, because balloons can be a great danger to aircraft. He said that someone **might** be spying on the station and the pilot was ordered to **keep** track the strange object. The pilot managed to circle the balloon **for** some time. The  pilot **could** make out three men in a basket under it and one of them was holding a **pair of** binoculars. When the balloon was over the station, the pilot saw **one of the** man taking photographs. Soon afterwards, the balloon began to descend and it landed near an airfield. The police were called in, but they could not arrest anyone, for the basket contained two Members of the Parliament and the Commanding Officer of the station. As the Commanding Office explained later, one half of the station did not know what the other half was doing. 


Regarding technology terms, let me introduce you my most important work, the core system architecture of cloud computing. As you know, a typical system, such as website, have  at least two parts: frontend and backend. Cloud computing system actually is a website, but it’s rather difficult than most similar systems. Even a simple website needs to put much efforts on communication between frontend and backend. The problems like these: How can I reach the destination, and sometimes I need to be aware of the change of the destination; How can I talk to my destination more accuracy and efficiency(you have known this is 'protocols'); How can I make sure the message has been received by my destination. And now, as a more complex system, cloud computing system have got much many parts(or ends), these communication problems suddenly become disasters.

So, I had to manage to solve these problems. From traditional solutions, we could increase stability by enough retries and monitoring, but it obviously increased complexity. I believed that it tried to avoid the intrinsic problem, how to make communications simpler. Two old technology inspired me, CGI and ethernet. A important principle from CGI is that, if you don’t know the code you are writing will be running on the remote environment, you will never meet communication problems by your code. Then your code written for local running environment will attache to another specific system written just for communication and be send out. You should have guessed out, this specific communication system was based on the methods of ethernet. A shared bus(总线) is the only proxy to handle all messages. By the bus, senders don’t need to know where is their destinations and receivers  don’t need to know where is their sources. What’s more important, the bus is able to store, transform, audit, drop and even modify messages. It makes all simpler finally. 

September 30th, 2013, the beginning of the unforgettable and amazing holiday, I started to make it a reality. In four days, I wrote one thousand lines of code, but I had completed the bus which based on RabbitMQ, the message protocol  which contained the necessary meta informations for progress control, the execute framework like CGI for other programmers who just need to consider their own product logic without understanding the whole system. To my surprise, these code have almost  never been revised in the following years, and we have built one of the largest computing clusters.

——————————


As I have always said, programming is the only real magic in the world. In fact, after a long time program learning about 20 years ago, I suddenly found out the truth that we would do anything without physical limits if we transfer everything to binary data, and we would face a new world step by step in this progressing. It amazed me for the coming sci-fiction like scenes. For example, you can’t imagine the amusement the first time when I was writing code for buy train tickets online automatically.  

So, when I had learned a technology named bitcoin in 2010, I got its value immediately. Bitcoin created an individual but whole ecosystem which has been running by its code written before totally. It was the first time that 'code is law' had been completed in a such complex system. Moreover, bitcoin implemented a number of features about privacy and convenience. This seemed to be suitable for the data world(certainly, the data world would replace the real world eventually).

In short, three factors made bitcoin so amazing. First, decentralized design by introducing the concepts of 'block’ and 'chain' to make every member to keep the absolutely same information. A group of information make up a 'block' and connect all blocks to the only 'chain'. Every information in block is the data’s hash result which can make sure that the data can’t modify. Second, consensus mechanism by bitcoin’s innovative 'mining'. Mining in bitcoin protect the common interest from malicious node or invader. As long as you have more profit from bitcoin, you shouldn’t hurt the ecosystem. Third, openness and traceability. Anyone can join bitcoin at anytime, and  any transaction finished will store in all nodes forever. Everyone is equal. Everyone has opportunities to take his advantages.

But I soon didn’t continue to obsess with bitcoin. Because I noticed that bitcoin was like people revolution. People had fight for themselves and failed so many times, but why would bitcoin success? Especially, bitcoin would have more possible making few giants for its financial attribute. Then I was sure that bitcoin would fail or become a huge online casino.

Of course, you know, my prediction is not true. Bitcoin and crypto market created by bitcoin are become human beings’ casino.

————————

As I have always said, programming is the only real magic in the world. In fact, after a long time of program learning about 20 years ago, I suddenly found out the truth that we would do anything without physical limits if we transferred everything to binary data, and we would face a new world step by step in this progress. It amazed me for the coming sci - fiction like scenes. For example, you can’t imagine the amusement the first time when I was writing code for buying train tickets online automatically.
So, when I had learned a technology named bitcoin in 2010, I got its value immediately. Bitcoin created an individual but whole ecosystem which has been run by its code written before totally. It was the first time that 'code is law' had been completed in such a complex system. Moreover, bitcoin implemented a number of features about privacy and convenience. This seemed to be suitable for the data world (certainly, the data world would replace the real world eventually).
In short, three factors made bitcoin so amazing. First, decentralized design by introducing the concepts of 'block’ and 'chain' to make every member keep the absolutely same information. A group of information make up a 'block' and connect all blocks to the only 'chain'. Every information in block is the data’s hash result which can make sure that the data can’t be modified. Second, consensus mechanism by bitcoin’s innovative 'mining'. Mining in bitcoin protects the common interest from malicious node or invader. As long as you have more profit from bitcoin, you shouldn’t hurt the ecosystem. Third, openness and traceability. Anyone can join bitcoin at anytime, and any transaction finished will store in all nodes forever. Everyone is equal. Everyone has opportunities to take advantage.
But I soon didn’t continue to obsess with bitcoin. Because I noticed that bitcoin was like people's revolution. People had fought for themselves and failed so many times, but why would bitcoin succeed? Especially, bitcoin was more likely to create a few giants because of its financial attribute. Then I was sure that bitcoin would fail or become a huge online casino.
Of course, you know, my prediction is not true. Bitcoin and crypto market created by bitcoin have become human beings’ casino.



_______


One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty, was presented to United States of America in the 19th century by the people of France. The statue which was designed by sculptor August Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework which had been especially constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to America, a site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to be build. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of New York Harbor. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall had been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the statue had been put together again and was officially presented to American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument has been a symbol of liberty for millions of people who have passed through New York Harbor for make their homes in America.

One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty, was presented to United States of America in the 19th century by the people of France. The statue which was designed by **the** sculptor August Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework which had been especially constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to America, a site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to be build. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of New York Harbor. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall had been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the statue had been put together again and **it** was officially presented to American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument has been a symbol of liberty for millions of people who have passed through New York Harbor **to** make their homes in America.


——


It must have been about two in the morning when I returned home. I tried to wake up my wife by ringing the doorbell, but she was fast asleep. So I got a ladder from the shed in the garden, and began climbing towards the bedroom window. I almost got the window when a sarcastic voice below said: 'I don’t think the windows need cleaning at this time of the night.' I looked down and nearly fell off when I saw a policeman. I immediately regretted answering in the way I do, but I said, 'I enjoy cleaning windows at night'.
'So do I', said the policeman in the same tone, 'Excuse me interrupting you. I hate to interrupt a man busy working. But would you mind coming with me to the station?'
'Well, I’d prefer to stay here', I said, 'You see, I have forgotten my key.'
'Your what?', he called.
'My key!', I shouted.
Fortunately, the shouting woke up my wife and she opened the windows just as the policeman started to climb towards me.

_____

It must have been about two in the morning when I returned home. I tried to wake up my wife by ringing the doorbell, but she was fast asleep. So I got a ladder from the shed in the garden, **put it against the wall,** and began climbing towards the bedroom window. I **was** almost **there** when a sarcastic voice below said, 'I don’t think the windows need cleaning at this time of the night.' I looked down and nearly fell off **the ladder** when I saw a policeman. I immediately regretted answering in the way I **did**, but I said, 'I enjoy cleaning windows at night'.
'So do I', said the policeman in the same tone, 'Excuse me interrupting you. I hate to interrupt a man **when he’s** busy working. But would you mind coming with me to the station?'
'Well, I’d prefer to stay here', I said, 'You see, I have forgotten my key.'
'Your what?', he called.
'My key!', I shouted.
Fortunately, the shouting woke up my wife and she opened the windows just as the policeman started to climb towards me.

______

Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age. At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children are expert at holding their breath under water even before they can walk. Babies of two months old do not appear to be reluctant to enter water. It is not long before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights on the floor of the pool. A game that is very popular with these young swimmers is underwater tricycle race. Tricycles are lined up on the floor of pool seven feet under water. The children compete against each other to reach the other end of the pool. Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer to push or drag them. Some children can cover the whole length of the pool without coming up to breathe. Whether or not they will be Olympic’s champions, time will tell. Meanwhile, they encourage those among us who cannot swim five yards before gasping the air.


Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in swimming at a very early age. At a special swimming pool in Los Angeles, children **become** expert at holding their breath under water even before they can walk. Babies of two months old do not appear to be reluctant to enter **the** water. It is not long before they are so accustomed to swimming that they can pick up weights **from** the floor of the pool. A game that is very popular with these young swimmers is underwater tricycle race. Tricycles are lined up on the floor of pool seven feet under water. The children compete against each other to reach the other end of the pool. Many pedal their tricycles, but most of them prefer to push or drag them. Some children can cover the whole length of the pool without coming up **for breath even once**. Whether ~~or not~~ they will **ever become** Olympic’s champions, **only** time will tell. Meanwhile, they **should** encourage those among us who cannot swim five yards before **they are** gasping **for** air.

______


A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan. The festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living. Food is laid out for the dead after their long journey. Specially-made lanterns are held outside each house to help the dead to find their way. All the night long, people dance and sing. In the early morning, the food that had been laid for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea, as for it is considerable unlucky to anyone living to eat it. In towns that near the sea, the tiny lanterns that had been hung in the streets, are placed in the water. Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to the sea guiding the dead to return the other world. This is a moving spectacle, for crows of people  stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.

_______


A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan. The festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living. Food is laid out for the dead after their long journey. Specially-made lanterns are **hung** outside each house to help the dead to find their way. All ~~the~~ night long, people dance and sing. In the early morning, the food that had been laid **out** for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea, as ~~for~~ it is **considered** unlucky **for** anyone living to eat it. In towns that near the sea, the tiny lanterns that had been hung in the streets **the night before**, are placed **into** the water **when the festival is over**. Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to ~~the~~ sea guiding the dead **on their return journey to** the other world. This is a moving spectacle, for crows of people  stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.