What could a poem writer and a movie director share? More than you think! Langston Hughes began writing poems in high school and soon became one of America's greatest writers. Most of his writing is about his experiences as an African American. He wrote poems about people who worked hard through life but still found things to be happy about. He wrote plays and books about justice(正义) for all people, and he wrote kids' books, too. The Sweet and Sour Animal Book is a book of his animal poems. Pictures and photos were used in the book.  "Hold fast to dreams”is a line in a famous Hughes poem. That's exactly what he did throughout his life.

 When Steven Spielberg was in middle school, he wanted to make a film. He had an idea for a movie, but no money. He started a tree-planting business and made his film with the money he earned. Spielberg never stopped making films, even after many film schools refused him. Today he is one of the most popular and important filmmakers in the world. His movies are about people who are adventurous(爱冒险的), brave, kind. His characters often fight for what is good. Some of his films are about his Jewish background, such as Schindler's List. Spielberg once said, “I don't dream that much at night because I dream for a living.”In different ways, both Hughes and Spielberg have encouraged people of all ages to reach for their dreams.

 The crowd at the airport rushed forward. The passengers had been waiting for a couple of hours for an airport worker to open the door leading to the plane outside. No one was in a good mood. An old man got stuck in the middle of the rush, He fell down and his head hit the hard floor. B1ood came out of his head. He appeared to be unconscious. Everyone rushed past him, except for Dana. She called for help.

 A minute later, a young airport worker showed up. Hardly looking at the old man, she told Dana to get on her plane. She said the old man would be okay, and walked away.

 Dana cried for help. Another airport worker appeared. He told Dana to get on the plane. Dana said that she was not moving until an ambulance(救护车) arrived. The worker said her plane would leave without her. Dana said that she didn't care.

 An ambulance with a doctor and a nurse finally arrived. They put him into the ambulance and drove off.

On her way out to the plane, which was still refueling(加油), Dana saw the worker who didn't care about the old man at the very beginning. The worker said, “You're lucky the plane didn't leave without you.”

 “The plane?” Dana asked.“Who cares about the plane? How could you be so cold? That was an old man; he could have been your grandfather! How would you like it if everyone just stepped over your grandfather and went on their way?”

阅读理解

    Rose's husband, George, was in prison for two years for stealing. While he was in prison, Rose had a very difficult time. She had two children, but no job. Her husband did not make any money either. She only had a small amount money from the government.

    “I don't know how we will manage. Life is so difficult for us,” she wrote to her husband in prison. “I get only enough money to pay the rent (房租). There isn't enough money for food. I have to plant vegetables in the garden. They will grow quickly. We can live on vegetables.”

    The garden was quite large, and much of it was covered with grass.

    When George received his wife's letter, he wrote to her immediately.

    “Don't dig up the garden,” he wrote. “That's where the money I stole is hidden.”

    All letters written by the prisoners were read by one of the guards (守卫) before they were mailed.

    When the guard read George5 s letter, he took it to the head guard. When the head guard read it, he telephoned the police. He told them what George had written to his wife.

    The police went to George's house at once. They dug up the garden, looking for the money, but they did not find anything.

    When they had gone, Rose wrote to her husband. “The police came today,” she wrote. “They dug up the garden. What should I do?”

    Her husband wrote back immediately, “Plant the vegetables.”

     In April 2004，Sharon Tirabassi got more than$10 million by winning a lottery (彩票抽奖)．She became very rich．But just in nine years，she spent almost all the money．Now she even has to work hard to make enough money for everyday use．

    Before she won the lottery,Sharon lived in a small house with her three children and didn't have enough money for a car．After she won it，she was unprepared for the change to her life．She spent most of her time shopping with her friends and paid for everything．She bought a big house in the richest part of town and four cars．

    Today Sharon lives in a rented(租来的)house on a quiet street—not far from where she started．She doesn't have the big house or the expensive cars．She goes to work by bus or by bike．

    But Sharon says she's happier now than before，and she lives life more fully than she did before．"When l was rich．I spent all my time shopping．But now other things are more important to me，"says Sharon．Now Sharon works hard and often talks with her children．"I'm trying to get them to learn that they have to work for money"she says．

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    Any introduction to Peking Opera would not be complete without telling of Mei Lanfang. During his stage life, he combined(融合) the traditions of the past with his own creations, creating a style of his own and giving birth to "The Mei Lanfang School". He was also the first artist to introduce Peking Opera to foreigners, winning international fame（名声）in the globe. For half a century, Mei Lanfang was a household name in China.

    Mei Lanfang began his stage life at the age of 8. His teacher said he showed little hope because of his boring eyes. To improve this, he exercised them day after day. He would fly kites and look at them moving slowly in a blue sky. He also kept pigeons in order to look at them flying higher and higher until they disappeared into the clouds. Thanks to his efforts, he managed to change his dull eyes into a pair of bright and expressive eyes and win national fame before the age of 20.

    In over 50 years on the stage, Mei Lanfang played no less than 100 different characters in the traditional Peking Opera performance（表演）. He completely changed both stage make-up and costumes, and made characters' performance. He also wrote many new plays, designing the dances himself. They are part of the great legacy(遗赠) that he left to Peking Opera.

    In 1930, Mei Lanfang started on a successful US tour. There his great performances fascinated the audience, making them realize that Peking Opera was a most valuable form of art.

    Some people have a very poor sense of direction. Unlucky, I am one of them. I have visited a place many times but I may still get lost there the next time.

    When I was a little girl, I never dared ask strangers the way. And so I used to walk round in circle and hope that by chance I would get to the place I was going to.

    Now, I am no longer too shy to ask people for directions, but I often receive helpless or even wrong information. So I try to avoid(避免) giving people wrong directions. If anyone asks me the way somewhere, I would say, "Sorry, I am a stranger here."

    Once on my way to work I was stopped by a man. He asked me if I could tell him the way to the Friendship Building. I gave him my usual reply. But just as I walked on only a few steps, I realized that he had asked the way to my office building. However, I had no time to turn back and look for him. I was rushing to meet with someone at my office and I didn't want to keep him waiting.

    When I just got to my office, the secretary showed in the man who had asked me for directions. Imagine how embarrassed I was and how surprised he was when we saw each other at the first sight！