Now, lots of parents take their children from activity to activity. So, many {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  are under too much pressure. Teachers also complain about {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  tired kids in the classroom. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}  parents are nothing new, but now parents seem to push their children a lot {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. In some families, competition {#blank#}5{#/blank#}  from a very young age. Parents see other children {#blank#}6{#/blank#}  a lot of things, and they feel their own children should do the same. Children say their parents are always comparing {#blank#}7{#/blank#}  with other children. They think parents shouldn't push them so {#blank#}8{#/blank#}. They may find it hard {#blank#}9{#/blank#}  for themselves when they are older. So please give children more {#blank#}10{#/blank#}  to relax.

       Nancy is from the USA but she   {#blank#}1{#/blank#}  in Shanghai now. She is 12 years old. She {#blank#}2{#/blank#} to Shanghai with her parents because they {#blank#}3{#/blank#} here. Her father {#blank#}4{#/blank#} English in her school and her mother is a doctor.

      Nancy and I are {#blank#}5{#/blank#} .We study in No.21 Middle School in Shanghai. Nancy likes{#blank#}6{#/blank#} school very much. She is nice to others(其他人). She often helps us {#blank#}7{#/blank#} our English and we often help her learn Chinese. Nancy loves {#blank#}8{#/blank#} very much. Every Sunday she has a swimming class with twelve students. She is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} at swimming and she is in the school swimming {#blank#}10{#/blank#} .

    Growing up in England, the happiest thing for my classmates and I was reading stories. Among them, The Ugly Duckling (《丑小鸭》) was a popular one.

    The classic story of The Ugly Duckling describes a poor young bird. All the ducks {#blank#}1{#/blank#} for his ugly appearance—small and grey. Feeling sad, he begins a journey of self—discovery. Finally one day, he looks down into a pond. He {#blank#}2{#/blank#} his reflection (倒影) in the water. He was never an ugly duckling, but a beautiful swan.

    This great children's fairy tale has been a hit for years. It's even been {#blank#}3{#/blank#} a musical and Disney film. In fact, this year is the story's 175th birthday. Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen wrote it in 1843. The story teaches us many valuable lessons. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, we should not judge a person by his or her appearance. It is inner beauty that makes a person special. What's more, one should think of other people's feelings. The story's positive messages are saved by the world. Today, we use the phrase “ugly duckling” as a metaphor {#blank#}5{#/blank#}poor or bad that grows into something successful or beautiful.