I can well remember that I was once asked to deliver a speech titled “A Real Test in My Life” before the whole class at the age of 9! You can imagine how{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(terrible) shy I was with so many eyes fixed on me. I had no choice but {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(prepare) for it, though. First of all, I was to draft the speech, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} was just a piece of cake for me, a good writer. But the hardest part {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(lie) in my oral presentation from my memory—for to read from the paper {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(forbid). The real moment began when I stood on the platform with my legs {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(tremble) and my mind blank. But my listeners were waiting patiently without any signs of rushing me. Gradually I found {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (I) back, delivering my speech without difficulty. After {#blank#}8{#/blank#} seemed to be a hundred years, I found my audience applauding—I made it! From then on, my fear of talking before the audience disappeared. Actually with my {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(confident) built up, I now turn out to be a great speaker. Looking back, I know the{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(great) difficulty on our way to success is our fear. Overcome it and we will be able to achieve our goals.

    Once there lived a rich man{#blank#}1{#/blank#}wanted to do something for the people of his town.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}first he wanted to find out whether they deserved his help.

    In the centre of the main road into the town, he placed {#blank#}3{#/blank#} very large stone. Then he {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(hide ) behind a tree and waited. Soon an old man came along with his cow.

    "Who put this stone in the centre of the road?" said the old man, but he did not try to remove the stone. Instead, with some difficulty he passed around the stone and continued on his way. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}man came along and did the same thing; then another came ,and another. All of them complained about the stone but not tried to remove {#blank#}6{#/blank#}. Late in the afternoon a young man came along. He saw the stone, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(say) to himself: "The night {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(be) very dark. Some neighbors will come along later in the dark and will fall against the stone."

    Then he began to move the stone. He pushed and pulled with all his{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(strong) to move it. How great was his surprise at last! {#blank#}10{#/blank#} the stone, he found a bag of money.

    With a timid voice, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work, "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

    Greatly {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (surprise), the father said, "Look, son, not even your mother knows that. Don't bother me now, I'm tired."

    "But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour," the boy insisted.

    The father, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (final) giving up, replied, "Twenty dollars per hour."

    "Okay, Daddy? Could you loan me ten dollars?" the boy asked.

    Showing his restlessness, the father yelled, "So that was the reason {#blank#}3{#/blank#} you asked how much I earn, right? Go to sleep and don't bother me any longer!"

    It was already dark and the father was thinking about what he {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (say) and was feeling guilty. Maybe he thought his son wanted to buy something. Finally, trying to ease {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (he) mind, the father went to his son's room.

    "Are you {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (sleep), son?" asked the father.

    "No, Daddy. Why?" replied the boy.

    "Here's the money you asked for {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (early)," the father said.

    "Thanks, Daddy!" replied the son happily, putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money. "Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars!" the boy said to his father, who was gazing at his son, confused {#blank#}8{#/blank#} what his son had just said.

    "Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?"

    Time is {#blank#}9{#/blank#} precious to spend it all on work! Appreciate your loved {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (one) and don't take them for granted.

    Beijing Opera is a traditional culture of China. It {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (call) Beijing Opera because it's formed in Beijing.

    Beijing Opera has a history of about 200 years, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} origin can date back to old local operas, especially Anhui Opera. In 1790, the first Anhui Opera performance was held in Beijing {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (celebrate) the Emperor's birthday. Later, some other Anhui Opera troupes (戏班) went on to perform in Beijing. Anhui Opera was easy to move {#blank#}4{#/blank#} good at absorbing the acting styles of other types of operas.

    At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Beijing Opera finally formed, and became the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (big) of all operas in China. Beijing Opera has a rich list of plays, artists, troupes, audiences, and wide influences, {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (make) it the leading opera in China.

    Beijing Opera is {#blank#}7{#/blank#} all-round acting art. It mixes singing, reading, acting, fighting and dancing together by using acting {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (method) to tell stories and describe characters. The roles in Beijing Opera include the male, female, painted-face, and comedic roles. Besides, there {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) other supporting roles as well. In addition, the types of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (face) make-up, especially the color, are the most particular art in Beijing Opera.