July 4 is the birthday of the United States of America. Since 1776, people have 1 the Independence Day holiday every year.
   What do people 2on Independence Day? Many colorful and interesting things. They have fireworks shows in the evenings and sing songs. Some families organize picnics with barbecues (烧烤). Kids can3much delicious food like hotdogs.
   And these parties are a good time to dress up. Some kids make July 4 hats 4 the stars and stripes(星条) of the country's flag on them. And Independence Day is in summer. Many kids use stars and stripes fans to keep themselves 5 .
   It's a great day, but no one forgets that it's6too. US people are proud of their   7  and proud of what the founders did for it. On Independence Day everyone gets the chance to show it.

   The expression “down to earth” means being open and honest. It is easy to get on with some one who is down to earth. A down-to-earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
   Down-to-earth people could be important members of society. But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important. A person who is filed with his own importance and pride is said to have his nose in the air.
   Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth. The expression is both feet on the ground. Someone with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality（现实）. He may have dreams, but he does not allow them to have influence on his understanding of what is real.
   The opposite kind of person is one who has his head in the clouds. Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life. Such a person may be called a day－dreamer.
   When we have both our feet on the ground, and when we are down to earth, we do not have our noses in the air. We act honestly and openly to others. Our lives are like the ground below us— solid(牢固的) and strong.

    We had a math contest today. I am good at math, so I 1it quickly. I was the first one to 2 the paper. I was sitting on my seat relaxing, while the teacher shouted, "Whose paper is this?" I made no response. Some time later, I suddenly realized that I didn't sign my name on the paper. I stood up 3and went to the teacher. She helped me find the 4paper and sign my name. I would have failed the contest if she hadn't 5me in time.