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No.1 Jim Doherty may not be a born farmer, but he gets by (1) without too much trouble. Not that he has had it easy. That first hard winter he faced must have left him with the temptation (2) to give up and go back to the city. But he managed to get through (3) it without losing heart. He"s picked up a lot of skills since then and made some real improvements (4) to his farm, though without much laborsaving machinery, aside from (5) that old rotary cultivator. I suspect (6) he doesn"t make all that much, though he does have his writing to supplement (7) what little profit (8) he makes from the farm. I guess he does it primarily for the quality of life. Certainly, they seem a happy family and you can often see them out working together, one day spraying apple trees, the next stacking(9) firewood.
No.2 A homesteader (自耕农) is a person who lives a self-reliant lifestyle with major emphasis on home production. While the Industrial Age is being replaced (1) by information and electronics, some people try to seek an escape from the social, environmental, and economic madness of the modern age and begin to consider (2) returning to the country. As this lifestyle is so enjoyable, satisfying and rewarding, more and more people are prepared to quit (3) their job in the city and start a new and more meaningful life on their various farms. For some it has become not only a way of life, but also a way of looking at the world (4).
Of course, life in the country can be pretty tough (5). While it is an enjoyment to be so close to Nature, you may have to reduce your dependence on fuels (6) by cutting back on your daily consumption. You may also have to cook your own meals every day and provide (7) your own low-cost entertainment without the luxuries (8) that are common in cities. On balance (9), however, living in the country has long been a part of the American Dream. Generations of Americans have considered the country an ideal (10) setting in which to live and raise a family.
No.3 The Underground Railroad was forged (1) by the efforts of those who were prepared to fight against slavery and stand up (2) for the long-suffering Southern black Americans. Some of those who helped to transport slaves to the north and freedom were former slaves themselves. Others felt compelled (3) to take part because of their deeply held convictions (4). For many of those involved, liberating the slaves from those who exploited them became a mission (5). While their eventual goal was to abolish (6) slavery completely, in the meantime they were intent on (7) helping to free as many slaves as possible, often at considerable risk (8). In the eyes of (9) slave owners, they were dangerous enemies and frequently received death threats (10).
No.4 Despite the name, the Underground Railroad was not really a railroad, but was a network of people who assisted fugitive slaves. Many fugitives who escaped to the North and Canada received assistance (1) along the way from individuals who were involved (2) in this network. By the early 19th century, the organization became so successful that it is estimated (3) that between 1810 and 1850,100,000 slaves escaped from the South through the Underground Railroad.
It was not a(n) coincidence (4) that it was called the Underground Railroad. Steam railroads had just emerged (5) and the terms used to describe the people who helped and the fugitives were related to the railroad line. Fugitive slaves were called "parcels" and "passengers", the helpers were the "conductors", the people who provided their homes as refuge were called "stationmasters," and the homes were referred (6) to as "depots" or "stations".
The route used was an important part of a successful escape. There were numerous (7) secret routes that a conductor could use.The one used depended on where the search parties and slave catchers were stationed (8). Some trips required the use of many different routes. If it appeared that they might be in danger, a guide would change paths. Some guides and fugitives even hid out in bushes and swamps for many days until it was safe to continue on. Quickness was not the main concern (9), instead safety was most important and as a result they often zigzagged in order to avoid capture (10).
No.5 Statistics (1) show that crime in rural (2) areas is now rising faster than in the cities. The era (3) when the countryside stood for (4) safety and security has long gone. No longer is it safe anywhere to go out leaving the door on the latch (5). We all feel vulnerable (6) and seek to strengthen the barriers (7) we use to hold criminals at bay. These can range from old fashioned bolts and bars to the latest electronic (8) devices. A moment"s reflection (9), however, is enough to bring us face to face with the following puzzle: we may have locked the evils out, but in doing so we have locked ourselves in. This hardly seems a civilized (10) way of life.
No.6 Statistics show that at some point in your life, you will get robbed. Things get even worse for apartment dwellers because so many people pass in and out of an apartment building, and it is much tougher (1) to keep non-residents out. So what to do? Don"t panic. Yes, apartments are liable (2) to robbery, but there are options other than barricading yourself in your apartment with a shotgun. We suggest that you use some common sense to shift (3) that target from your door. Then the burglar will rob the less guarded, not you.
We know what you"re thinking: "I"ll never get robbed. Who"d want to steal a half can of Diet Coke and an electric (4) toothbrush?" If those really are the only things in your apartment, you have every reason not to worry. However, if you have something you"d like to keep — say, a TV, a stereo, a computer, a Picasso — it"s wise to be cautious (5).
Your goal is not to set up any sophisticated (6) security systems to hold thieves (7) at bay; your goal is to keep criminals from even trying to break (8) into your apartment in the first place. If someone really wants to break in, chances (9) are that he/she is going to find a way by breaking a window or climbing up the fire escape. Therefore, you should remove all signs (10) that say, "Hey, look at me! Lots of goodies and no security! Come on in!" Lock the door when you leave. Don"t leave the windows open all day long. Don"t tape notes on the door directed to your mate reading "Gone all day! Left the door unlocked for you!" Just use your brains!
No.7 Alex Haley was at sea (1) when he started thinking how best he could mark Thanksgiving. Turning over (2) the meaning of the holiday in his mind, he came to reverse (3) the order of the words and got to (4) thinking about giving thanks. How, he wondered, could he repay (5) those who had been so helpful to him in the past? It seemed to him that the best way he could express his gratitude (6) would be to write to them. For too long he had gone about without troubling to tell them how much he appreciated all that they had done for him. Before long he had assembled (7) pen and paper and was immersed in (8) writing. Not long after the ship reached port, people started unloading (9) its cargo together with his letters. The replies were not swift (10) in arriving, but when they did, he found them deeply moving.
No.8 Wake up each day and give gratitude for what you have. Instead (1) of giving any thought at all to what you do not have in your life, just spend as much time as you possibly can each day giving thanks for all of the people, opportunities, material possessions (2), good health and any other things that you have in your life that make it so good. It is said that we take so much for granted that we sometimes forget to be thankful for the small things that make our lives so much richer (3). If you have ever been out of breath (4) or under water for too long, the next breaths you take are that much sweeter.
Tell others how much you love and cherish (5) them every chance you get. You may never see someone again so you always want to leave them by telling them just how special (6) they are to you. When you are telling them how much you care about them and how thankful you are for having them in your life, give them specific (7) examples of what you love about them the most. Take the time to appreciate every little thing in your life. When the sun is shining (8), the grass is wet beneath your feet and your dog is barking, give thanks for these small miracles (9). Every moment we have is a gift (10). Use your time to show and tell others how important and special they are. Giving someone your time and kind words is the greatest gift of all.
