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.”

    I am a middle school student. There are a lot of {#blank#}1{#/blank#} in my house. I have to study harder than before. My parents are {#blank#}2{#/blank#} with me. I'm not allowed to be late for school or stay up. I can't get my ears {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. They are always worried {#blank#}4{#/blank#}my safety. I can't go out with my friends at night. I am not allowed to{#blank#}5{#/blank#} my own clothes. I have some hobbies. But my parents think these can get in the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} of my schoolwork. I have always wanted to be a professional runner{#blank#}7{#/blank#}I grow up. However, my parents won't allow me to train so much. They have always taught me how important it is to study at school and {#blank#}8{#/blank#}a good university. I know my parents care about me. But I think I should make my own {#blank#}9{#/blank#}. Only in this way will I have a {#blank#}10{#/blank#}to achieve my dream.

    Ballet is a special form of art. It's a {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(France) word. It means "to dance". There's no talking or singing in ballet. The dancers use body language such {#blank#}2{#/blank#} steps, gestures and the expressions to tell stories.

    Ballet {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(begin) in Western Europe in the 15th century. Today it has {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (become) popular all over the world.

    One of the most famous ballets in the world{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Swan Lake. The dancers tell the story and express feelings through {#blank#}6{#/blank#} own body language. For example, some of the dancers must give people the impressions that they're swans. They do this by {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(move) their arms like wings and moving their necks like the long necks of swans.

    It's not easy to become a ballet dancer. {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (train) usually starts at an early age, and the dancers have to practise very hard every day. They learn {#blank#}9{#/blank#} use their bodies to communicate all kinds of messages with {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (beautiful).