Anna Whitney, a student at Colorado State University, first had a problem taking tests when she began college. “I was always 1 prepared for my tests. Sometimes I studied for weeks before test. Yet I would go in to take the test, only to find I would not answer the questions2.  I would blank out (忘记) because of nervousness and fear. I couldn't think of the answers. My 3 grades on the tests did not show what I knew to the teacher. ” Another student in microbiology had 4 experiences. He said, “My first chemistry test was very difficult. Then, on the second test, I sat down to take it, and I was so nervous that I was 5. My hands were moving up and down so 6 that it was hard to hold my pencil. I knew the material and I knew the answers. Yet I couldn't 7 write them down!”

    These two young students were 8 something called test anxiety (考试焦虑症). Because a student worries and is anxious about a test, his or her 9 does not work as well as it usually does. The student cannot write or think 10 because of the extreme tension and nervousness. Although poor grades are a 11 of a poor study habits, sometimes test anxiety causes the low grades. Recently, test anxiety has been recognized as a real problem not just a(n)12 or a false explanation of lazy students.

    Special university counseling (指导) courses try to help students. In these courses, counselors try to help students by teaching them 13 to manage test anxiety. At some universities, students take tests to14 their tension. These courses teach students how to relax their bodies. Students are trained to become 15in very tense situations. By controlling their nervousness, they can let their minds 16 at ease (安心地). Learned information then comes out without 17 on a test.

    An 18 at the University of California explains, “With almost all students, relaxation and 19 stress are felt after taking our program. Most of them experience better control 20 their tests. Almost all have some improvement.”

    The following children's books are our top picks to read together every year on Christmas Eve.

    Snowden written by Nancy Carlson

    This book is aimed at pre-school to the third-grade children, but can be enjoyed by many older children as well. Snowden is the story of a little girl and the snowman she makes that magically comes to life. Together, the two learn to ice-skate and discover that “a little magic and a lot of practice” can make all the difference in the world. The story is heart-touching and sweet.

    The Polar Express written by Chris Van Allsburg

    A young boy cannot sleep on Christmas Eve and is swept away by a steam engine on a trip to the North Pole. During the adventure, the message is that believing will keep you young at heart. The bell that the boy receives and his belief are both touching. The illustrations leave enough to the imagination to make it easy to fall into the story yourself.

    A Snowman Named Just Bob Written by Mark Kimball Moulton

    This book shares a tale of lasting friendship and teaches the lesson that friendship is always in your heart. The illustrations are beautiful and the text is eye-catching. The lessons are taught in such a way that they do not overshadow (使失色) the actual story. I tear up every time I read this book to my children.

    (NEW YORK) A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two-year-old girl in Manhattan said he didn't think twice before jumping into the cold East River.

    Tuesday's Daily News said 29-year-old Duret from France is the man who left the spot(现场) quickly after the rescue last Saturday.

    He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Scaport museum. He handed the girl to her father, David Anderson, who had jumped into the water after him.

    “I didn't think at all,” Duret told the Daily News. “It happened very fast. I reacted very fast.”

    Duret, an engineer on holiday, was walking with his girlfriend along the pier ( 码头 ) when he saw something falling into the water. He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. He jumped into the water at once.

    When he reached the girl, she appeared lifeless, he said. Fortunately, when she was out of the water, she opened her eyes.

    Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later. Duret caught a train with his girlfriend shortly after.

    Duret said he didn't realize his tale of heroism had greatly moved New York until he was leaving the next morning. “I don't really think I'm a hero,” said Duret. “Anyone would do the same thing.”

    Growing up, I wanted to be just like my mom. She was kind. People always seemed to feel comfortable in her presence. For years, she was a volunteer in our community. I loved going to the local nursing home with her where she taught a ceramic class.

    On one summer day, Mama told me to get changed and meet her at the car.

I had planned to spend the day at the lake with friends. Why did she have to ruin everything? I imagined the cool lake water. Irritated, I climbed into the car and slammed the door shut. We sat in silence. I was too upset to make conversation.

“Tasha, would you like to know where we are going?” Mama asked calmly.

    “No,” I said.

    “We are going to volunteer at a children's shelter today. I have been there before and I think it would benefit you,” she explained.

    When we reached the shelter, Mama rang the doorbell. Moments later, we were greeted by a woman. She led us to the front room where all of the children were playing. I noticed a baby whose body was scarred with iron marks. I was told it was because she wouldn't stop crying. The majority of the children had noticeable physical scars. Others hid their emotional wounds.

    As I took in my surroundings, I felt a gentle tug on my shirt. I looked down to see a little girl looking up at me. “Hi. You want to play dolls with me?” she asked. I looked over at Mama for reinforcement. She smiled and nodded. I turned back and said, “Sure.” Her tiny hand reached up and held mine, as if to comfort me.

     My mom taught me a valuable lesson that summer. I returned to the shelter with her several times. During those visits, some of the children shared their troubled pasts with me and I learned to be grateful for what I had. Today as I strive to instill (逐渐灌输) these values in my own child, I reflect back to that experience. It was a time that I will never forget.

    Like many people, the start of the day maybe isn't your favorite time.  Try at least one of these tomorrow…

    Stretch（伸展）every part of your body for 15 seconds.

    Try this before you open your eyes. Lift your arm and begin by stretching each finger, then your hand, then your wrist, then your arm. Then your toes, feet, ankles and legs. In this way, you upped the flow of blood through your body, providing extra oxygen to all your tissues.

    Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier.

     You can begin your day by lying in bed, slowly waking up, mentally ticking off the decisions you made in advance about what you're going to wear, what you're going to do…

    Brush your tongue for one minute.

    There's no better way to rid you of morning breath and begin your day fresh and clean. After all, more than 300 types of bacteria stay in your mouth every night.   

    Reduce the number of choices and decisions you make to zero. Make your decisions the night before. Really, there's no need to vary your breakfast, timetable or clothes to wear every morning.

A. Avoid any decisions.

B. Repeat with the other arm.

C. Don't change your living habits.

D. These few minutes in bed are all yours.

E. You think a quick brush is going to make them all disappear?

F. By doing so, you don't have to jump out of bed and rush through your morning.

G. Here are some healthy habits you can learn without much effort.

    Parents' Day is  American event for the parents and families.  (surprising), this event was not even there two decades ago. was only in 1994 that this event got officially accepted in the USA.

    It is very hard  (say) when the idea of Parents' Day actually came into picture. But it can be certainly said that this event is born to honor and appreciate parents  are responsible for the upbringing of the new generation. Their hard work  endurance (耐力) open up a new horizon for the humankind.

    As said earlier, Parents' Day (get) its acceptance in 1994. President Bill Clinton passed the law for (recognize), uplifting, and supporting the role of parents. It was decided that the fourth Sunday of every July would be celebrated as Parents' Day, which is similar  Mother's Day and Father's Day.

    The tradition  celebrating Parents' Day is relatively new. But within few years after its acceptance, the event has spread its wings to the whole world. Now the event is widely adopted.

【内容包括】

1）表示理解Ann 的心情（上网对她而言是一种放松的方式；……）。

2）希望她能明白父母的用意（在父母看来，作为学生，应该把精力放在学习上而不是浪费时间于上网; ……）。

3）提出建议。

4）祝愿她的心情好起来。

注意：1）词数至少100左右。2）开头已经给出，不计入总词数。

【参考词汇】上网 surf the Internet

Dear Ann,

    I know from your letter that you are upset recently because ……

Yours,

 Linda