One morning, I was jogging and I noticed a person in front of me about 1/4 mile. I could 1 that he was running a little slower than me and I thought, “Very well, I shall try to 2him.” I had about a mile to go3 I needed to turn off, so I started running faster and faster. Every block, I was4getting closer to him just a little bit. Just a few minutes later, I was only about 100 yards from him, so I really sped up,5I was running the last lap of London Olympic competition. I was 6to keep up with him. Finally, I did 7 it! I caught and passed him. I really felt good, “I 8him.” Of course, he didn't ever know we were 9

      After passing him, I realized I had been so focused on competing against him that I had 10my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past it. I had to turn around and go back. Isn't it what happens in our 11 when we focus on competing with classmates, co-workers, neighbors, friends, family, trying to outdo ( 胜过) them or trying to 12 that we are more important or more 13?

      In reality, we spend our time and14 running after other people and we miss out on our own15 to our given destinies ( 命运). The 16 with unhealthy competition is that it's a never ending cycle. There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with 17grades or a more satisfying job, more education, a nicer car, more money in the bank, etc. But be 18that we can be the best that we can be. We are competing with no one. Take what we have been19 the height, weight and personality. Dress well and 20 it proudly. We should feel lucky with them and stay focused and live a healthy life.

    When we do something, we all have our own plans. Some people are born planners. I can't claim (宣称) to be one of that kind of people. Most of the time, I try to at least expect what might go wrong. I have taken to making lists and, although I'm not yet achieving perfection, I usually manage to achieve goals. But there are times when even the best plans do not succeed. All that is left then is to smile and to make or do something using whatever is found.

Hanukkah (光明节) came early this year, perhaps too soon after Thanksgiving to allow us to prepare well. During the first night of Hanukkah, the Hanukkah candles were nowhere to be found in the entire Dallas area where we lived. Birthday candles wouldn't work! The tall long thin candle fell in small drops. "What would our ancestors do?" I thought. "What shall I do now? That's where ingenuity comes from. Don't be nervous and worried. Never let missing candles spoil a family celebration." Later what we did find was a bag of tea lights. The long, silver bread tray became the base for our tea lights. The younger ones were wide-eyed and happy as Grandpa lit the first tea light and all recited the blessing. We sat at the dining table, happy to be together and the food was plentiful.

    No matter how imperfect it is, the fact that families gather to share a special event, an event that has held meaning for so many generations of families, is the meaning itself and forms the important part of the observance (仪式). What we need to remember, and to carry with us, is the knowledge that togetherness is much better than all other concerns.

Building your healthy diet

    Although some extreme diets may suggest something else, we all need a balance of protein ( 蛋白质), fat, carbohydrates ( 碳水化合物), fiber, vitamins, and minerals in our diets to keep a healthy body. You don't need to remove certain kinds of foods from your diet, but rather select the healthiest ones.

Protein

    Protein gives us the energy to get up and go — and keep going — while also supporting mood and cognitive function. Too much protein can be harmful to people with kidney  ( 肾 )  disease,  but  the  latest  research  suggests  that  many  of  us  need  more high-quality protein, especially as we grow up. That doesn't mean you have to eat more animal products — a variety of plant-based sources of protein each day can ensure your body gets all the essential protein it needs.

Fat

    Not all fat is the same. While bad fat can destroy your diet and increase your risk of certain diseases, good fat protects your brain and heart. In fact, healthy fat — such as omega-3s — is necessary to your physical and emotional health. Understanding how to include more healthy fat in your diet can help improve your mood and your well-being.

Fiber

    Eating foods high in dietary fiber (grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and beans) can help you stay regular and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also improve your skin and even help you to lose weight. Depending on your age and gender, nutrition experts suggest you eat at least 21 to 38 grams of fiber each day for optimal (最 佳的) health. Unfortunately, most of us aren't eating even half that amount.

Calcium (钙)

    Your body uses calcium to build healthy bones and teeth, keep them strong, send messages through the nervous system, and regulate the heart's rhythm. Not getting enough calcium in your diet can also lead to anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. Whatever your age or gender (性别), it's necessary to include calcium-rich foods in your diet.

    Reading makes you a smarter, better leader. But if you've been following the latest science, you'll also know that studies have shown regularly picking up a book might increase your empathy (共鸣) and protect you from feeling lonely, hopeless or suffering from dementia (痴呆) in later life. But obviously, that's not the end of the list. New research has discovered yet another benefit of being a reader who focuses one's mind on reading.

    After following those surveyed based on more than 3,500 adults over age 50 for 12 years, the team from Yale University behind the research found that those who read books for 3.5 hours a week were 23 percent less likely to die. Reading for less than 3.5 hours a week lowered participants' (参加者) risk of death by 17 percent. Put another way, picking up an interesting book could earn you about an extra two years.

    It's worth noticing that the researchers were looking exactly at time spent in reading books, rather than newspapers, magazines, or online media, and that this difference is important for the observed advantages of reading. “We found that reading books provided a greater advantage than reading newspapers or magazines,” said Avni Bavishi of the Yale School of Public Health. “This effect is likely because books attract the readers' mind more — providing more cognitive (认知的) advantages, and therefore increasing the lifespan (寿命). In short, deep slow reading rather than reading quickly and carelessly is best.”

    So how long should you be reading for, and what sort of titles should you pick up? While more reading seems to be better, the researchers suggest that anything more than

    30 minutes a day will be likely to do good to you. As for what exactly to read, the researchers can't yet offer much advice beyond making time for actual books, though they pointed out this was a promising way to future research.

    When I was trying to find a place where to spend my December holidays, I met by chance some cheap flights to Iceland. After checking just a few winter pictures of Iceland, I realized that the country, known as the land of fire and ice, during the cold months of the year could offer me experiences I had never had before.

    For sure you can't miss the chance to go to Iceland in winter if your traveling wish list includes at least one of the crazy experiences Iceland can offer. Iceland in the North

    Atlantic Ocean is a paradise ( 乐 园 ) for all those who want to see the northern lights, experience cold weather conditions and put themselves in geothermal ( 地 热 的 ) baths while the snow is falling on their head.

    The best way to move around Iceland is with a rental car. Distances are huge and public transport in winter is not really common out of the major towns. As we wanted to be even more convenient we decided to rent a small camper ( 野 营 车 ). Sleeping and cooking in a camper saved us a lot of driving, money and gave us the chance to be always in the right place at the right time.

    There were also no locals and in many cases no tourist facilities (设备). For us, as we slept in a camper, it was easier. But for tourists traveling by normal cars it is necessary to check the opening times of hotels and restaurants as many of them run just from June to September.

    It is amazing to experience how the weather is changing in Iceland. However, Icelanders prefer to stay inside their houses. They have even no time to complain about the weather in December. All they care about is Christmas. They love to decorate their houses, sing Christmas songs and eat typical Christmas food.

Participating (参与) in Class

    Class participation is a valuable part of learning. Many students are unwilling to participate in class  Other students participate in class, but do so not correctly. Here is some advice that can help you become an effective class participant.

     Do all tasks and readings and go over your notes from previous class periods. This will help to prevent you from making uninformed ( 无知的) comments or asking unsuitable questions. As you get ready for class, think about important questions and concerns that may appear in class. Be sure that you are prepared to deal with these.

    Try to sit close to the front of the class Besides, you can hear what the teachers say clearly.

    Listen to what the other students say. You can then build on their comments to make your own. Be active when you respond to something another student says. You can disagree, but don't go into an “attack mode”.

    Don't be afraid to be wrong You can learn from being wrong. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a good learning skill. Also, the chances are that other students in the class have the same questions as you do, and they will appreciate your asking.

    Be sure that your questions and comments are closely connected with the class topic.

    Don't waste the time of the teacher and other students by going off way. Don't take it in person if others disagree with what you say

A. Creating a personal connection helps you feel more comfortable about participating in class.

B. Be confident that your opinions will be valued by your teacher and other students.

C. It's hard to stay unconcerned when you are near to the teacher.

D. Be sure that you are well prepared before coming to class.

E. This may be because they are shy or fearful of being judged and criticized (批评).

F. Your class should be a good place for giving opinions and taking advice.

G. Learning is a change in behavior based on experience.

    The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, called the Chinese Valentine's Day, is the only Chinese festival  (connect) with love in the lunar calendar. Valentine's Day in China usually(fall) in August.

    the evening of the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, Niulang and Zhinü meet on a bridge of magpies across the Milky Way. If it rains that night, the rain will be the tears of Niulang and Zhinü.

    Compared with love stories in western legends (传说)story of Niulang and Zhinü seem not so romantic. They just wait patiently on the riverbank, (believe) that their love can be worth their not staying together. Unlike St. Valentine's Day in other(country), there is not so much importance on giving chocolates,

    (beauty) flowers and kisses. Instead, Chinese girls prepare fruits, melons and so on as offerings to Zhinü. They ask Zhinü to give them wisdom and high skills in making hand-made arts with needles in the hope of finding their satisfactory husbands. On that day, people in love like to go to the local temple and hope(get) their love and possible marriage.

    At night, people sit outdoors to observe the stars (happy). Some old people  say  that  if  you  stand  under  a  grapevine  ( 葡 萄 藤 ),  you  can  probably  overhear Niulang and Zhinü are talking about.

1)告诉她你的困难；

2)求助的内容（推荐recommend一些听力材料、周末和她练习口语等）；

3)希望得到她的帮助。

注意：1)词数100左右，开头和结尾已经为你写好，不计入总词数；

2)可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

Dear Chris,

    I am Li Hua, one of your students in Oral English class.

Yours,

Li Hua