Many people cannot tell the difference between the lotus and the water lily because the flowers and leaves have a similar appearance and both kinds of flowers grow in quiet ponds or lakes. In some ways, however, these flowers are very different. First of all, lotus flowers usually reach up out of the water, while the water lily rests on the floating leaves. Secondly, the pads or ridged leaves of the lotus flowers are completely rounded while those of the water lily have a split in them from the outer edge to the center. Finally, the lotus flower has the religious significance of purity in Asia while the water lily is mostly associated with feminine beauty and nymphs (water spirits), as in Greek culture. Although they have different characteristics and meanings, both the lotus and the water lily are highly appreciated in various cultures.

The appearance of smartphones has changed people’s life to a large degree. Not only can people use them to make and receive phone calls, they can 46 use them to surf on the Internet, send and receive emails, communicate with each other through video and make new friends. They have helped make human contact become easier and more 47 than before. Besides helping people to connect 48 each other, smartphones allow people to have fun. People can watch videos and movies online as well as play many different online games either with themselves or with others. Using the camera function 49 by smartphones, people can take pictures of themselves, their family and friends and even things that interest them. Now smartphones have also been used as a kind of credit card. 50 , people can use them to pay for their grocery shopping without taking the money with them.