A Cat found a house full of ________________, and went into the house to catch them.
The Mice noticed the Cat. They thought they might be ________________, and they kept themselves in their ________________. The Cat really wanted to ________________the Mice. So it pretended to be ________________by suspending herself from a peg on the wall. But the Mice didn’t come near the Cat, being more ________________ than before.

In Japan, a common way to obtain what you want is to go to a store. In the US, however, people often make purchases informally among themselves. For example, if you want a pet or a used car, you can probably find many classified ads in your local newspaper. The prices are often much lower than those at stores. It is important to communicate well with the owners, as these ads often do not have any kind of guarantees. On the bright side, the prices are often negotiable. If you are someone who doesn’t like secondhand products, or need a warranty when you buy something, you should probably shop at a store. But if you’re adventurous enough to explore the market yourself, you might find it fun to “shop” through these ads.

Legal ages in Japan differ from those in America. In America, legal ages vary from state to state. In California, you take your first step into adulthood on your 16th birthday. At 16, you can get a driver’s license, which is almost a necessity in California, unless you live in big cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco. At 18, you have the right to vote, a right that allows you to experience the full benefit of US democracy. At 21, you are officially considered an adult, with the right to drink alcohol in public. In Japan, there’s an official day to celebrate the “coming” of 20, the day you become an adult. In America, young people receive adult responsibilities one at a time, while in Japan, young people are pronounced “adults” all at once.”

Australia is a very dry country. So water restrictions are in place in many regions in response to chronic drought. These rules differ from state to state. Because of the water shortage, people try to use less water in their everyday life. Washing dishes is one example. Many people wash dishes in warm, sudsy water and then skip rinsing them. They shake off the suds and then place the dishes directly on the rack. Some people would be surprised to see this unique way of washing dishes. But it’s a very eco-friendly way of using less water and less detergent. 

Today, we live in the age of information and technology. We use the Internet, email, and cell phones every day.

Thanks to all these tools, you may think that life today is easier and more comfortable than before. Studies suggest, however, that despite this technological advance, we have less leisure time than before. Actually, we are working longer hours using these tools with fewer holidays. Besides, we feel a lot more stressed than before, since these tools are destroying the idea of privacy.

Recently, the coronavirus pandemic has forced people to stay home and away from their offices. As a result, the ideas of home and work are getting closer to each other. Using Zoom for online meetings may be convenient, but some people feel stressed about this change. They say they cannot escape working and enjoy free time at home.