Do you like to tell stories? Do you like to write? Sometimes those questions have two different answers.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}However, it can be hard to write them down on paper.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Even professional writers do not write everything perfectly the first time. They have to revise their work. When you revise your writing, you look for ways to change it that will make it better.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}You make sure that you have used capitals, periods and other punctuation marks in the best way. You look for words that can be taken out or changed for different, more exciting words. You make sure that your words help the reader get a picture in his mid when he reads them.

    Writing is one of those skills that take practice. The changes you make can turn boring words into exciting words.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Don't be afraid to make changes. The first time you write on a topic, you get your ideas down on paper. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}It's making it ready for readers to enjoy.

    Last Friday night I went to a great party. It was a birthday party for my English teacher Mrs Brown. Students in my class all went to celebrate(庆祝) her 40^th birthday. We began to prepare for(为……做准备) the party two weeks before that, but Mrs. Brown didn't know anything about it.

    We all met at a restaurant at a quarter to seven. There were about 30 people. Mrs. Brown's son took her to the restaurant and they arrived at seven o'clock. Just before seven, we all stayed in one room of the restaurant and it was dark in the room.

    When they got to the restaurant, Mrs. Brown's son asked her to go into the room first. Then we all shouted, "Surprise!"

    Mrs. Brown was really surprised. She jumped when she heard us. Then we sang "Happy Birthday to You" and she knew what was happening(发生). We all had a great dinner and then a delicious birthday cake.

    For her birthday, Mrs. Brown got a beautiful quilt. We all printed(印) our photos on it. So it was a very special quilt.

    Mrs. Brown enjoyed the party, and we enjoyed it, too.

Information Card

    On my weekly math exam, I made a big mistake. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Even worse, in front of all my classmates he criticized(批评) me! I was angry.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}I thought I must be called for more punishment. But to my surprise, he said, Do you get your mistake now? I believe a clever student like you would have never done that except by accident.

    Next, he carefully read both the question and the answer. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    He was so kind that I was deeply moved. My anger went away.

    But it wasn't the end. He called me again and gave me some papers that afternoon. They are especially designed for me. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    In my heart I had nothing left to say, only thanks and sorry. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}I should thank him for he was such a good teacher.

    It's December. It's snowing and the weather is really cold in the north of China. You can see many children playing with snow. Some of them are skating on the river because it's so cold that the water in the river freezes (结冰). It's a white world. How beautiful! But in Australia now, the weather is hot. Many people go swimming in the sea. They are having a good time. Jim and his friends are playing soccer near the sea. The sunny weather is really cool for them. They want to swim after playing soccer.

    Why are they swimming in December? It is winter, isn't it? Yes, it is in China. But it isn't in Australia. That's because we, Chinese and Australians, have different season (季节) in a year.

    We've heard about several "poor students" in the past year. Cui Qingtao, a student from Yunnan, working with his parents on a building site when he got an admission letter(录取通知书) from Peking University. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} She is a student form Hebei. She was doing her part-time job in a different city when her family got her admission letter from Peking University.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} For example, they are all strong and optimistic (乐观的). Li Enhui said in an interview, "As long as we are alive, there are no problems that cannot be solved, and many people don't have my experiences. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}" Such an idea makes many adults feel embarrassed. He refused to accept donation money and decided to make money by himself. This is also the common thing that "poor students" have. Whatever kind of values you hold, such personalities(品格) are necessary for growth. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Not everything goes well all the time. Only being strong and optimistic, can one go through difficulties. In fact, living in poor families doesn't promise such good personalities, and living in happiness doesn't promise optimistic attitudes(态度). We like such "poor students" because they are strong and optimistic.

    For them, few can choose their lifestyles. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} That's why they are highly praised. Every one of us should learn from them.

    Zhuge Liang lived during the Three Kingdoms period. He was famous for his talent and loyalty (忠诚).

    When Zhuge Liang was young, he lived the life of a farmer in Nanyang. Liu Bei visited him three times. Finally, Zhuge Liang promised to do his best to help Liu Bei. A few years later, they built the state of Shu.

    After the death of Liu Bei, his son Liu Shan became the emperor of Shu. Zhuge Liang helped him rule the state. He was the prime minister, but he took care of everything, no matter how small it is. ⑶Because of his hard work, the state became much stronger than before.

    At that time, the state of Wei was an enemy of Shu. Zhuge Liang led the army to fight Wei many times. Before he left, ⑷Zhuge Liang wrote a letter to the emperor. At the end of the letter, he said, "I will give myself to the people and the country until the last day of my life." The war between Shu and Wei lasted for a long time. Finally, Zhuge Liang became sick and died.

It tells us …

   ⑸Zhuge Liang spent all his time working for his people and country. A great man like him will always be remembered.