A hobby means favorite activity that a person does
pleasure in his spare time. It differs from person to person
from age to age. Some people like to ski, fish, swim, raise flowers and collect stamps.
like to watch football games, take pictures and play
(music) instruments. Hobbies can help people relax after a period of intense work and provide a balance
work and rest. They can also help people improve
mental and physical health. Sometimes hobbies can help cure sick persons.
But in the old days, workers worked long hours in factories to support their families. Farmers worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset. They had no time or money (enjoy) hobbies. Nowadays, with the development of science and technology, and with the improvement of
(life) standard, people from all walks of life have more free time and leisure time for hobbies. By developing various hobbies, many old people, especially retired people,
(spend) their remaining years in ease and comfort nowadays.
Technological developments have also played their part ______ keeping Valentine’s Day relevant in the 21st century. Valentine’s ecards have been very popular in recent years.
Now，Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. However, the traditions often differ from place to place.
In Japan，for example，it is normal _______the woman to send chocolates to the man, ___
___in South Korea April 14th is known as “Black Day” and is when the unfortunate men who received nothing on Valentine’s Day gather to eat noodles and show sympathy for each other.
_______is believed that he tried to find comfort from his imprisonment by writing love poems to his wife.
Nobody knows exactly ________St.Valentine was，although some historians suggest he was ___
___Roman killed in the third century AD by a Roman Emperor.
阅读下面材料，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。
Last night was the last game for my eight-year-old son’s soccer team. It was the final quarter. The score was two to one, my son’s team the lead. Parents surrounded the playground, offering encouragement.
With less than ten (remain) seconds, the ball suddenly rolled in front of my son’s teammate, Mickey O’ Donnel. With shouts of “Kick it!” echoing across the playground, Mickey turned around and gave
everything he had. All around me the crowd erupted (沸腾). O’Donnel had scored!
Then there was (silent). Mickey had scored all right,
in the wrong goal, ending the game in a tie. For a moment there was a total hush. You see, Mickey has Down Syndrome（综合症）and for him there is
such thing as a wrong goal. All goals were celebrated by a joyous hug from Mickey. He had even been known to hug the opposing players when they scored.
The silence was finally (break) when Mickey, his face filled with joy, hugged my son
(tight) and shouted, “I scored! I scored. Everybody won! Everybody won!” For a moment I held my breath, not sure how my son would react. I need not
(worry). I watched, through tears, as my son threw up his hand in the classic high-five salute and started chanting, “Way to go Mickey!” Within moments both teams surrounded Mickey, joining in the chant and congratulating him on his goal.
Later that night, when my daughter asked had won, I smiled as I replied, “It was a tie. Everybody won.”