—_______ half an hour.

—It doesn't matter. If you stick to ______ up early to _______, you'll become slim.

—You'd better _______ the workers into two groups and ask them to take turns to work.

—Yes. I have some trouble _______ you which is better.

—Oh! I know. It's said that it ________ every day.

—Don't be shy. Believe in yourself and everything will be OK.

—I _______ Shanghai to meet my old friends.

—Think it over. You'll find a good way.

    Michael had taught us English for two years before he moved to New York. He worked very hard and was patient with his students, so we all 1 him very much since he left. It was not long before Michael came back to Los Angeles 2 a short visit. The teachers and students held a small party for 3.

    At the party, people walked 4 and talked with each other. I certainly would not give up the good 5 to learn English. I tried to think of all kinds of topics 6 with another English teacher, Mrs. Green.

    Just before I was going to run out of my 7, suddenly I heard Michael say to others loudly, “I dig New York!” I asked Mrs. Green at once, “Is it really 8 to find a job in New York? Why does Michael have to do 9 work since he is such a good teacher?”

    Mrs. Green didn't seem to understand 10 I said. “Why do you think of that?” she asked.

    “Haven't you heard him say that he is digging New York? Is he 11 an underground passage(地下通道)?” I asked.

    When Mrs. Green finally 12 what I meant, she laughed to tears. Then she asked us whether we knew the 13 of “I dig New York”. All of us shook heads and said “14“. Michael told us that “I dig New York” means “I love New York” in American slang(俚语). 15 few people say that now, we still hear it sometimes.

A

English Corner

B

    Handshaking is a kind of silent language. It is the common politeness on most social occasions as an expression of etiquette(礼仪) and greeting when people meet or say goodbye to each other. Besides, handshaking is also a way to express congratulations, thanks and encouragement to others.

    Who should offer his hand first? There are some rules you should follow. Generally speaking, the elder, the senior(长辈), the teacher, the female, the married, the leader should reach out their hands first. If you have to shake hands with more than one person, you should shake hands in turn with the senior and leader to the junior and low—grade, from the nearest to the furthest. Specially, when the host meets the guest, the host should shake hands first to show his welcome; however, when they say goodbye with each other, it is the guest who should offer this hand first.

    Then how to shake hands with others? It is not right to shake hands too long or too short, three to five seconds is the best, not go ahead to 30 seconds at most. There are also some things that are uncomfortable when shaking hands. You can't shake hands carelessly or with left hand. Before you shake hands, you should take off your hat, gloves, sunglasses first. You had better not refuse to shake hands with others or shake hands while having your other hand in your pocket.

C

    When we have a conversation with someone, we may be using more body language than words. However, the same body language may mean different things in different countries. (A)sometimes, that's, understand, correctly, why, don't, each other, people. Pointing to one part of the body can mean differently in different cultures. For example, in the USA people point to their heads when they think someone is clever. However, in Europe it means “He or she is stupid or something is wrong with his or her head”. In our Chinese culture, nodding our head up and down means “yes” and shaking our head from side to side means “no”. However, in parts of India, Greece and Turkey, it means just the opposite. In England or the USA, when you raise your hand and make a circle with the thumb and the second finger, it means “You're all right or everything is OK”. However, if we do this in France or Belgium, it means “You're worth zero”. In Greece or Turkey, we should not make this gesture. Or we are thought to be very rude.

    The meaning of gestures can also change over time. In the 1960s, the “V” sign meant “peace”. However, during World War Ⅱ, it meant “victory”.

    (B)Though the meaning of body language is different, there are some expressions having the same meaning throughout the world, such as smiling and crying.

A: Hi, Linda! Come in, please.

B: Hi, Sam! What are you doing?

A: I'm        some information about Sydney on the Internet. I'm going to Sydney for my holiday.

B: Aren't you lucky? Have you ever been to Sydney before?

A: No, but my father has been there twice. He told me there are many        of interest there.

B: When are you leaving?

A: I'm        at 9:00 am on Friday, October 5.

B: Are you going there by plane?

A: Yes, of course.

B: Have you ever        in a plane?

A: No, never.

B: You must be        when you fly in a plane for the first time.

A: Really, I can't wait for it.