Alec plays the violin and Stella plays the flute in the band at their school. The school has two bands {#blank#}1{#/blank#}are known as the training band and the concert band. Everyone begins in the training band. “At the very beginning, I played it {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(terrible)!” says Stella. “My family asked me to practice in the back yard {#blank#}3{#/blank#}they didn't like the noise.”

    Alec and Stella have been playing their instruments for a year now so they sound much better. They are both in the concert band and they are learning    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(difficult) music than before. “We're learning the music from the film Pirates of the Caribbean. It sounds fantastic!” says Alec. “It is really great{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(play) in the band with other kids.”

    As well as being fun, many {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(scientist) say that learning a musical instrument is good for your brain. It helps children {#blank#}7{#/blank#}their reading and math skills. It helps them learn to concentrate. Alec thinks that learning the violin has helped {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(he) at school. “I have to concentrate and think about nothing when I'm practicing,” he says. “And now it's easier for me to concentrate on my schoolwork.”

    Learning music can {#blank#}9{#/blank#}help children become more sure of themselves. As Stella says, “The first time I {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(stand) in front of an audience I was scared. But now I really enjoy it.”

    One afternoon, I went into an art museum while waiting for my husband. I hope {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (enjoy) the works of art quietly.

    A young couple walked in front of me and talked {#blank#}2{#/blank#} the paintings between themselves all the time. The lady did almost all the talking, but the man kept {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (listen) to her. I thought the man was very patient because nobody would like to be bothered (打扰) while enjoying the paintings.

    I met them several {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (time) as I moved through the different rooms of the art museum. Each time I heard her talking, I moves away {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (quick).

    I was paying for some gifts at the museum shop when the couple walked slowly to the exit (出口). Before they left, the man {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (take) out a cane (拐杖). Then he tapped (轻敲) his way to the coatroom to get the jacket for his wife.

    "He is a brave man," the worker of the shop said. "He decided not to change his life after his eyes got hurt. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} he is blind now, he never gives up. He and his wife come here whenever there is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} new art show."

    "But what can he get out of the art? He can't see!" I asked.

    "You are wrong. He sees a lot, more than you and I do." The worker said, "His wife describes every painting so he can see it in {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (he) mind."

    I fell silent. Then I realized that I learnt something about {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (patient), courage and love that day.