What is the topic of each paragraph?

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1. There is nothing like a commercial to ruin an evening's TV entertainment. Before a show even starts, two or three commercials begin the viewing. Then, as the action builds and tension mounts, another two or three minutes of ads break the mood. At the end of the show, the announcer says, "We'll be right back," but it's just a trick to get you to stay tuned for still more commercials. The program is really already over.

   1.   ?    there is nothing
   2.   ?    commercials
   3.   ?    an evening's TV entertainment

2. The town where I grew up was so small we had more mules than people. It wasn't, however, such a bad place to live. The acres and acres of open space and the crisp country air are things that I will never forget. And the friendships that I made in those early years will last forever, as will the countless memories. In spite of what some people say about life in small towns, Grub Gulch is a place I'll always think back on fondly.

   1.   ?    mules
   2.   ?    memories
   3.   ?    Grub Gulch

3. The shuttle Columbia marked the beginning of a new era in space. Early space explorations involved short flights into orbit and eventually to the moon. However, scientists were more concerned about whether such flights could be done at all, than about using space for new scientific research. The shuttle meant that a continuing link to the world of space could be maintained, and eventually a space station could be constructed. With the Columbia, humans were first able to examine the uses of space itself for scientific purposes.

   1.   ?    a new era in space
   2.   ?    the shuttle Columbia
   3.   ?    the beginning

4. It is not easy adjusting to the customs of the United States. For one thing, Americans are very informal. For example, older people and even teachers expected me to use their first name right away. Both the food and the meal times are different from home, so I sometimes eat when I am not hungry. Finally, the language can be a real challenge, especially when one asks for directions and is not understood.

   1.   ?    the United States
   2.   ?    Americans
   3.   ?    adjusting to customs in the U.S.

5. Making bread is not difficult, and it gives the cook some exercise, too. The first step is to soak the yeast in water with a little honey. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Then the yeast mixture is added to flour and water and stirred, first with a spoon and then with both hands until the dough is firm enough to knead on a floured board. Scoop the mixture out of the bowl and let it rest for moment before kneading and folding over and over. Put it back in the bowl with a damp cloth cover and let it rise for an hour or two. After several kneadings and risings and kneading again, when arms and hands are finally beginning to ache, the bread is baked until crusty and flavorful.

   1.   ?    making bread
   2.   ?    the cook
   3.   ?    some exercise

6. My father gave me a recipe that never fails to get rid of any pesky fleas you may have on your head. First of all, measure 2 ounces of whisky into a shot glass. Other liquor will do, but whiskey is traditional. Next, fill another shot glass with sand. Then, pour the whisky onto your head and rub it in. After a few minutes, when you feel your scalp tingling with all those fleas jumping around, pour on the sand. In a few moments, the drunken fleas will kill each other in a boulder fight, and your scalp will be as clean as can be.

   1.   ?    my father
   2.   ?    a recipe
   3.   ?    whisky

7. The food service on this campus is pretty terrible. The cafeteria is always crowded. There is not much of a choice of food. It's the same old eggs for breakfast and hamburgers for lunch and dinner. They never have rice dishes or pasta. Finally, and worst of all, everything tastes the same. The soup tastes like the potatoes, which taste like the cakes. It's too bad there's nowhere else to eat on campus.

   1.   ?    food service
   2.   ?    this campus
   3.   ?    lunch and dinner

8. A good craftsperson, whether a potter, a painter, or a writer, has several notable characteristics. He or she trains and practices for several years to acquire the necessary skills in the chosen field. This requires patience and dedication. Also, a true craftsperson doesn't mind putting in long hours so that every detail will be just right. This requires a desire for perfection. A final trait is that a good craftsperson always takes pride in the finished product.

   1.   ?    a good craftsperson
   2.   ?    a potter
   3.   ?    a writer