—Don't worry．We are sure to be at school _____．

—It looks really nice, but it ________ sour.

    A man got a new car and he was very proud of it. One day, when he came back home, he saw his three-year-old son happily hitting the new car with a toy 1. He broke off the paint on the car. The man was so 2 that he ran to his son, took away his hammer (锤子) from him, and used the hammer to hit the boy's 3 as hard as he could for punishment. The poor boy cried 4 but his father didn't care at all.

    When the father calmed down, he took his son to the 5 as soon as he could. Although the doctor tried to save the broken bones, he had to 6 the fingers from both of the boy's hands in the end.

    When the boy 7 in the hospital and saw his hands, he innocently (天真地) said, "Daddy, I'm sorry about your car." Then he asked, "But when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father felt very sad and regretted this very much.

    Think about this story when someone steps (踩) 8 your feet and you want to argue (争吵) with him. Think first before you 9 your patience with someone. Cars can be broken, 10 bones and hurt feelings often can't. So always remember: excusing is greater than argument and think before you act!

    Valentine's Day is a very old holiday. It goes back to the times of Ancient Rome (古罗马). One of the characters we often see on Valentine's Day is Cupid. He was the son of Venus, the goddess of love. He shoots people with arrows (箭) of love. When a man and a woman are hit by his arrows, they will fall in love.

Today people celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14. If a man and a woman are in love, they will give each other gifts. The most popular gifts are flowers (especially roses) and chocolates. Couples may also go to a restaurant for a very nice dinner or plan something else romantic.

    In the United States, Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. Children make special Valentine's cards for their classmates. Families and friends may give candy or other small gifts to each other. It can be a fun day.

    Americans are very direct people. When they want something they say "yes" and when they don't they say "no". If they want something different from what is given, they ask for it. Here's an example. I arrive at someone's house and he gives me wine, I don't want wine. Maybe I don't like it or maybe I just don't want it. I will say "No, thanks." If everyone around me is drinking something, I would ask for something else, "No, thanks. But I'll take a bit of tea if you have some." If I really want wine, I just say, "Yes, thank you." Unless they happen to know the Chinese customs, westerners will not ask you again and again after you have said you don't want it.