阅读下面短文,在空白处填入适当的内容(不多于3个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
Are you facing a situation that looks impossible to fix?
In 1969, the pollution was terrible along the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, Ohio. It (be) unimaginable that it could ever be cleaned up. The river was so polluted that it
(actual) caught fire and burned. Now, years later, this river is one of
most outstanding examples of environmental cleanup.
the river wasn’t changed in a few days or even a few months. It took years of work
(reduce) the industrial pollution and clean the water. Finally, that hard work paid off and now the water in the river is
(clean) than ever.
Maybe you are facing an impossible situation. Maybe you have a habit is driving your family crazy. Possibly you drink too much or don’t know how to control your credit card use. When you face such an impossible situation, don’t you want a quick fix and something to change immediately?
While there are (amaze) stories of instant transformation, for most of us the
(change) are gradual and require a lot of effort and work, like cleaning up a polluted river. Just be
(patience).
My older brother and I are busy (arrange) a trip to Africa.
Now,Valentine’s Day _______(celebrate) in many countries around the world. However, the traditions often differ from place to place.
It is said that the first_______(record) Valentine’s card was sent by the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415.
Valentine’s Day is the time of the year when couples show their love for each other by sending cards,flowers and chocolates. Its origins are________(clear) and hidden in the river of time.
One day, a tramp (流浪汉) was sleeping on a park bench, satisfied with the afternoon sunshine. A couple walked by. The man stopped, woke the tramp up, and asked him, “Excuse me. ___you have the time?” the tramp replied, “I’m sorry---I don’t have a watch, so I don’t know the time.” The man apologized and walked away with his wife.
The tramp lay down and went back to sleep. Just then, a woman, ______ was out walking her dog, shook the tramp’s shoulder until he woke up, _
__said, “I’m sorry to trouble you, but do you happen to know the time?” The tramp was a little annoyed at being woken up again, but he politely told the woman he didn’t have a watch and had no idea __
____ the time. After the woman left, an idea occurred to the tramp. He opened his bag and took out a pen and a piece of paper. He wrote down with all his strength, “I do not have a watch. I do not know the time.” He then hung the paper round his neck thinking that nobody would hold him back in his sleep. Fifteen minutes
___, a policeman noticed the tramp and the sign around his neck. Out of a sense of responsibility, he woke the tramp up and said, “It’s 2:30 p.m.”