[Story] Before the kindergarten’s rebellion, the cunning sister decided to classify the volleyball team into two distinct groups: the rebels and the petty ones. The rebels, at risk of being out of fashion, had a lodge where they plotted their milk and water tactics to feed their cause. The petty group, being more kind-hearted, preferred to play by the rules and not rock the boat. But before long, the two groups united against the common enemy, the “milk and water” approach, and the sister had to use all her skills to lodge a compromise. It was a volleyball match like no other, with both sides displaying distinctive strategies and determination in their every volley. ...

[Story] In spite of the dusk, the engineers hasten to put into operation the new engine. Their leisure time was interrupted by a sudden raid of triangle-shaped UFOs. In an effort to preserve their relative peace, they quickly filled the bill with tools to the point where there was no gap left. Probably, it was an alien message, but they couldn’t explain the meaning behind it. [参考翻译] 尽管是黄昏，工程师们急忙启动新引擎。他们的休闲时间被三角形UFO的突然袭击打断了。为了维护他们相对和平，他们迅速装上工具，以至于没有留下任何空隙。可能这是外星人发出的讯息，但他们无法解释其背后的含义。 [Words] probably [ˈprɒbəbli] adv 可能 put into operation [pʊt ˈɪntuː ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən] phrase 投入运行 raid [reɪd] n&v 袭击 dusk [dʌsk] n 黄昏 triangle [ˈtraɪæŋɡl] n 三角形 in spite of [ɪn spaɪt ɒv] phrase 尽管 leisure [ˈleʒə] n 闲暇 preserve [prɪˈzɜːv] v 保护 relative [ˈrelətɪv] n 亲属 engine [ˈendʒɪn] n 引擎 tool [tuːl] n 工具 bill [bɪl] n 账单 gap [ɡæp] n 空隙 to the point [tuː ðə pɔɪnt] phrase 切中要害 hasten [ˈheɪsən] v 加快

[Story] Beans and cheese were arguing about who was better. Cheese said he was the best because he could be used in so many dishes, while beans insisted that he was not as versatile as rice. Rice overheard them and decided to settle the argument by making a dish with both of them. He cooked pasta with cheese and tacos with beans, proving that they could complement each other perfectly. The end. ...

[Story] After receiving some advice from his favorite doctor, John decided to make an appointment for a toothache. The pain was pale compared to the headache he had last week, but it was probably going to get worse without medicine. [参考翻译] 约翰听从了他最喜欢的医生的建议，决定预约治疗牙痛。与他上周的头痛相比，这种疼痛很轻微，但如果没有药物治疗，情况可能会变得更糟。 [Words] advice [ədˈvaɪs] n 建议 appointment [əˈpɔɪntmənt] n 约会，预约 decide [dɪˈsaɪd] v 决定 favorite [ˈfeɪvərɪt] n 特别喜爱的人或物 headache [ˈhedeɪk] n 头痛 medicine [ˈmedɪsɪn] n 药，医学 pain [peɪn] n 疼痛 pale [peɪl] adj 苍白的，暗淡的 probably [ˈprɒbəbli] adv 可能，或许 tooth [tuːθ] n 牙齿

[Story] Tourists might believe the stadium offers enough parking, but they’ll soon learn it’s discounted for special events only. [参考翻译] 游客可能会认为体育场提供了足够的停车位，但他们很快就会了解到，只有在特殊活动时才会打折。 [Words] believe [bɪˈliːv] v 相信，信任 discount [ˈdɪskaʊnt] n/v 折扣，打折 enough [ɪˈnʌf] adj/adv 足够的，充分地 might [maɪt] modal v 可能，或许 parking [ˈpɑːkɪŋ] n 停车，停车场 stadium [ˈsteɪdiəm] n 体育场，运动场 tourist [ˈtʊərɪst] n 游客，旅游者

[Story] Currently, my companion is demonstrating an odd behavior. Every time I talk about my expectations, she finds it as a burden and consequently shows no attraction towards our conversations. This situation has become quite concret in the last few days, like fuel that feeds her bizarre actions. [参考翻译] 目前，我的伙伴表现出一种奇怪的行为。每次我谈及我的期望时，她都觉得这是一种负担，因此对我们的对话不再感兴趣。这种情况在过去几天变得非常具体，就像助长她怪异行为的燃料一样。 [Words] burden [‘bɜːrdn] n 负担 consequently [‘kɒnsɪkwentli] adv 因此 expectation [ˌekspɛkˈteɪʃn] n 期望 concret [‘kɒŋkrət] adj 具体的 attraction [ə’trækʃn] n 吸引 currently [‘kʌrəntli] adv 当前 companion [kəm’pæniən] n 伙伴 fuel [‘fjuːəl] n 燃料 demonstrate [‘demənstreɪt] v 展示

[Story] In a world where expectations and burdens weighed heavily on everyone’s shoulders, a group of friends found solace in their shared companionship. They would often engage in lively debates, fueled by the concrete evidence they each brought to the table. However, their arguments were always grounded in mutual respect and attraction to the same ideals. Currently, they were facing a new challenge that required them to demonstrate their unwavering resolve. Consequently, they banded together, each contributing their unique perspectives, to overcome the obstacles in their way. ...

[Story] In a canyon, a clear stream flowed nearly silently, its silver water shining in the grey sky. On its banks, a man-made sign stood, hinting at the wonders of nature that lay below. Though the canyon was a man-made marvel, the eastern discussions often focused on the beauty of the natural world. The canyon remained a testament to the power of nature, its sheer rock walls towering above the stream. The electricity of the canyon’s beauty was palpable, and the opinions of those who visited it were often loud and clear. ...