“How can I learn English well?” “This is a 1 many students may ask. In my opinion, the most effective(有效的) 2 is to learn lessons by heart. If you can recite the text and write it out, you will learn it pretty well. And if you can tell 3 your own words about 4 the lesson says, you are a very successful learner indeed. Your English will be quite perfect.

    This is a difficult task. However, if you try to learn by heart only part of each lesson, you'll find it not so hard 5 you might have thought.

    Learn this way, and you will 6 fast progress. Of course, writing is also necessary. It helps you a lot on your way to 7 in English studies.

    It's equally(同样地) important to feel the language. You should laugh at English jokes and be 8 at bad news. When using English, try to 9 your mother tongue(母语). 10 helping you, your own language gets in your way. So, never try to learn English through putting every word into Chinese.

    A poor woodcutter and his wife lived in the forest in a small hut. It was 1small that it was only large enough for him and his wife2 in.3a cold night, somebody knocked at the door.4woodcutter opened the door and wanted to let the stranger in. His wife said, “I'm afraid we don't have that much space.” The man laughed5 said, “Two can sleep well, three can sit.” And then the stranger6 to come in and they all sat telling stories to each other.

    Then came7 knock. The woodcutter told the stranger, “Friend, open the door.” And the man said, “But there is no space.” The woodcutter said, “8 three people can sit 9 four people can sit a little10”.

    The stranger opened the door, and a man entered. Suddenly, a strange knock11did not seem to be human's was heard! The woodcutter said, “Open the door. I know who12. It is my donkey.” Everyone said, “13is the donkey going to stand?” The man said 14 all stand when the donkey15 in.

    An old friend from the US whom I was looking forward to staying with, telephoned from the airport to tell me that he had arrived. I was still at the 1 at that time, but I had got everything ready for his arrival. After letting him know where my house was, I told him that I had the 2 under the door-mat (门垫). 3 I was possible to be home rather late, I told him to go into the 4 and help himself to food and drink.

    Two hours later my friend 5 me from the house. At the moment, he said, he was listening to some of my records after having just had a truly wonderful 6. He had found a cooker and 7 two eggs and had helped himself to some cold chicken from the ice box. Now, he said, he was drinking a glass of orange juice and he hoped I would 8 him. When I asked him if he had reached the house without difficulty, he answered, "I was not able to find the key, but 9 the living room windows just by the apple tree were left open and you know what I could do."

    I listened to all this in 10. In front of my living room there was no apple tree at all.

    Once there lived a farmer called Henry. He had a brother Mike, who was1excellent gardener. His skill and his beautiful trees were2everywhere. One day, Henry went to town to visit Mike. "Look, my brother," said Mike, "here is the best 3 tree from my garden. Take it home and plant it4you, and your children, and your children's children can enjoy it." Henry was 5with the apple tree and went back home. The next morning, he began to wonder6he should plant it.

    "If I plant it on the hill," he said to himself, "the wind might catch it and 7 down the fruit. If I plant it close to the road, people who pass by will8some of them. But if I plant it…"9 he planted the tree in the corner behind his house, where no one else could notice it.10the tree bore(结出) no fruit the first year, nor the second.11Henry sent for his brother and said to him 12, "you have cheated me. This is the third year and it brings me 13but leaves(叶子)."

    When Mike saw where the tree was planted, he laughed and said, "You have planted the tree in such a cold corner14sun-light or warmth. How could you expect flowers and15?"