Learn to Refuse

    Believe it or not, I've always been a people pleaser. I often put others before myself because I want to make my friends happy.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    “Can you help me with my English?” Grace asked me on the first day after she became my desk mate. “Of course,” I replied without hesitation（犹豫）. Grace has been working really hard on her studies and needed my help — although I didn't have much time left for her.

    One day after school, while I was doing a huge amount of homework, Grace's phone call came.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} but I still felt bad about saying no. When Grace ended the call, the clock said it was 00:15 am. But I still had homework left and I wanted to sleep. This was bad for a Junior 3 student who is going to take an important exam this June.

    Finally I burst into tears. I felt so tired and realized that the stress had an effect on my health. I tried to get myself out. Studying is more important than other things,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} . It's now important for me to say no, no, no. “Can you do me a favor?” Grace asked last Monday. “Sorry I just have to review my biology notes,” I answered. “All right, it's up to you,” she said. I felt completely relaxed when I heard her reply.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    To be honest, I have felt much happier since learning to refuse. I have more time to spend on my study at present. I still try my best to help others,{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. She complained a lot and it made me feel bored

B. If anyone asks me for help, I always say, “yes!”

C. Anyway, it's not so hard to say no at all

D. but sometimes I say no because I know everyone has a limit

E. so Grace has to come the second

Rules for Teen Mr. Cloverport ◆Teen Mr. Clovcrport is open for ALL boys aged 13-16. ◆There will be a meeting and practice with the competition director after the day you fill out the form. ◆Clothes must be HOMEMADE. shop-bought clothes are not allowed. ◆NO SMOKING, NO DRINKING & NO RUDE LANGUAGE during the competition. ◆Winners should behave in a good manner while speaking for the Sacajawea Festival. ◆For more information, please call 903-5706.

    Hello, everybody! I'm so glad to experience the Sacajawea {#blank#}1{#/blank#} in the town of Cloverport. It's a community festival to bring people together. Teen Mr. Cloverport is a competition for {#blank#}2{#/blank#} from thirteen to sixteen years old. My new friend Tristan paid {#blank#}3{#/blank#} dollars to enter it. He was really excited about it. They have to wear homemade clothes instead of those bought from a {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. I think the spirit of DIY really matters. To follow the rules, they are not {#blank#}5{#/blank#} to smoke, drink wine, or speak rudely. They should be well-behaved. Thank you!

    I have a lot of problems recently. Firstly, I'm not happy in class. I'm so shy that I'm afraid of speaking in class. Secondly, I argued with my best friend. I'm very worried because I have few friends. I don't want to lose her. Thirdly, I feel nervous when the midterm exams are coming. And sometimes I even can't sleep well at night.

    Yesterday, my mother took me to the doctor. I told the doctor my problems and he gave me some suggestions. He asked me to make more friendly friends and play games in my free time, so that I will not be so shy. He also said, “If you don't want to lose your best friend, you should talk with her. Tell her what you think. ”Because I can't sleep well, he asked me to eat some food that is good for sleep. And he asked me to relax. I'm trying to follow his advice. I think I will get better soon.

Information Card

    There once was a woman. She had a faithful (忠实的) dog. The dog was so faithful that she could leave her baby with the dog when she went out. (A) And after she returned, she would always find her baby safe.

    One day, the woman left the baby with the dog and went shopping. When she returned, she found something had taken place in the house. There were bloodstains(血迹)all over the bedroom. The woman then thought of her baby. She cried and started looking for him. Then she saw the faithful dog. It was licking(舔) its mouth. It seemed that it had just finished a delicious meal. The woman was angry and thought that the dog had killed her baby. Without thinking too much, (B)       .

    But as she continued looking for her child, she saw something else. Close to the bed, there was her baby and he was sleeping. And under the bed, there was a dead jackal (豺), The woman now understood what had happened. The dog tried to protect her baby from the jackal, but just now she killed the dog. How regretful she was!