Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun1—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class considered turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the2of most of her students' art. And they were. But in her class there was a different kind of boy, Douglas. He was always unhappy. When other children played together, he was likely to stand close by the teacher's side. The boy drew a hand in his picture.3else. Just an empty-hand.

    Whose hand4it be? His abstract(抽象的) picture made classmates really5. One child guessed it was the hand of the6, because they raise turkeys. Another suggested police officers, because the police7and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went8the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

    When the children went on to other projects, she9at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him10hand it was. The little boy looked away and said in a low voice, "It's11, teacher."

    The teacher recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there as she had the other students. How often had she said, "12my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside," Or, "Let me13you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

    Hearing the boy's words, tears ran down the teacher's face. She brushed aside a tear and went on with her work.

    The story speaks of14than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship. They might not always say15, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

    For most people, summer holidays mean sun, sea and sand, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. She had a holiday full of ice and snow. She and her family travelled across Greenland! Starting just above the Arctic Circle (北极圈), Sarah's family used dogsleds with kites to cross the world's biggest island.

    Sarah says {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. "There is only snow, ice, and more snow. " The family travelled 15 miles a day for 22 days, moving faster when strong winds pushed along their kites.

    Then the weather became a bit hot for the dogs to pull sleds during the day, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. The Landrys lived in tents, ate dried food, and took baths with heated water. When they weren't travelling, they played with kites and made snowmen. Using their mobile phones, the family could send and get emails even from Greenland's ice cap! The road to the top was icy and dangerous.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}. "Icebergs (冰山) were so bright, just like the rising sun." said Sarah. Now she and her family have returned home, {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Next holiday, they are going to the South Pole.

The erhu is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. It is the most popular of the huqin family. In the Song Dynasty, musicians began to use this type of huqin to perform different kinds of music, and it became quite a popular instrument. With the rise of some forms of folk art, the art of the erhu developed quickly during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It became an important accompanying (伴奏) instrument in different folk music. Now it is used in both traditional and modern music. It has even become a solo (独奏的) instrument. One of the most famous musical pieces played on the erhu is Erquan Yingyue by Abing.

The erhu used to be mainly played by common people, As the playing skills were passed down by oral (口传) tradition, there are few written records about the erhu that can be found. To study the history and the development of the erhu, historians usually turn to ancient paintings, sculptures and murals (雕塑和璧画). The earliest pictures of this instrument were found in Yulin Caves and Eastern Thousand Buddha Caves in Gansu Province.

Because of so many people's effort, the erhu becomes more and more popular around the world. In fact, we can hear the familiar sound of the erhu in many Hollywood productions, such as Kungfu Panda in 2012 and most recently, the Oscar nominated(提名)film Up in the Air(《在云端》). When people watch these movies, they also enjoy the special music of the erhu. The erhu is also called "Chinese violin" by many westerners, but in many ways, they are quite different.

An old woman in a wheelchair moved into the apartment next door to Betsy's. "Mom, let's go to say {#blank#}1{#/blank#} to our new neighbor," Betsy said. "Why don'tyou give her some time to get settled (安顿好)?" her mom {#blank#}2{#/blank#} .

The next morning they visited their new neighbor. The lady invited {#blank#}3{#/blank#}in and said her name was Emily Harris. "Please forgive the way the house looks," said Ms. Harris. "Being in a wheelchair makes it less {#blank#}4{#/blank#} for me to put things away." Betsy and her mom stayed only for a short time. Betsy's mom said, " {#blank#}5{#/blank#} you ever need anything, let us know." "Thanks so much," said Ms. Harris {#blank#}6{#/blank#} .

The next day, Betsy went to visit Ms. Harris again. The {#blank#}7{#/blank#} was open, so she looked in but only to see Ms. Harris on the ground next to her wheelchair. She {#blank#}8{#/blank#} to Ms. Harris. "I think I broke my arm," said Ms. Harris. Betsy called for {#blank#}9{#/blank#} ambulance (救护车). While Ms. Harris was not at home, Betsy decided to help put things away for her.

When Ms. Harris returned home, she was surprised by Betsy's hard work.

"You are a very kind girl," she said. "I'm so lucky to have bought this house{#blank#}10{#/blank#}    yours!" Betsy smiled and said, "Welcome to the neighborhood!"

Debbie and Simon looked up when an old lady got into their office. The lady looked at them quickly, and then walked over to Debbie. Debbie greeted(接待) her {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (礼貌地). 

Simon was very sad and took some papers over to the fax machine. Chris, one of the {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(职员), was standing there. " What's up，Simon? You look 5{#blank#}3{#/blank#}（确切地）unhappy. " "Customers in all parts of the world always like Debbie better than me. Ⅰ{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (很少)have them. I can't understand it. "

"I can. Whether or not you can do this well depends on the way you communicate. Communicating is not just about speaking. Body language is important, too. "

"Body language?"

"I mean your gestures(姿势)and the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (表情)on your face. Your look communicates things as well as your words. " The way you look at people doesn't give them a good impression (印象), Simon. You often rest your head on your hand. You look shy and you aren't {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (积极的). But look at Debbie. She holds her head up. She always smiles and {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(招待)them with warmth and kindness. That's why people {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (欣赏) her and go to her for help, and not you. "After that, Simon tried to smile at people. This seemed to work. Minutes later, a beautiful girl with a nice  {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(帽子)got into the office. She looked at Debbie and then Simon. Without thinking twice, she went to Sim on and gave him a big smile. A few moments later, she left, still smiling. 

Chris came over at once and said, " Well done, Simon. I'm so {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (骄傲的)of you. You've already made a good impression on her. "

"That was my sister, " said Simon. " She came to remind me that tomorrow is her birthday. "