Couplets (联) have been around for about 600 years. It {#blank#}1{#/blank#} in the Ming Dynasty. People {#blank#}2{#/blank#} red paper instead of peachwood charms to {#blank#}3{#/blank#} the Spring Festival couplets. After the Qing Dynasty, the couplets were once {#blank#}4{#/blank#} popular. Lots of famous couplets appeared. With the development (发展) of the international cultural exchange, the couplets were also {#blank#}5{#/blank#} to Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Singapore and other {#blank#}6{#/blank#}. The customs of sticking these couplets still {#blank#}7{#/blank#} now.

    Couplets are usually in different {#blank#}8{#/blank#} and colors. Nice words and sentences are {#blank#}9{#/blank#} on the couplets. Different couplets are put on doors, walls or windows as symbols of wishes for good {#blank#}10{#/blank#} and a happy new year.

    Around four years ago, I received a call from the headmaster of my son's school. He asked me to speak to a group the next morning. After the call, I became afraid. The time from his call to the next morning seemed like {#blank#}1{#/blank#}. The whole night, I could not sleep well. Many times, I wanted to call the headmaster with regret and tell him that I could not .come. Finally, I had some {#blank#}2{#/blank#}. I thought, "If I miss this chance, surely the school will {#blank#}3{#/blank#} invite me again to any of their programmes.  "

    The next morning, I reached the school on time. Before my turn came, my whole body was shaking with fear. When my turn came and I started {#blank#}4{#/blank#}, my heartbeat increased and my mouth went dry! I wasn't even able to read my paper {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. I didn't know where I was standing and what I was reading. That was the day when I realised what my biggest weakness was, Public Speaking.

    After my speech, I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} with the headmaster and explained what happened to me. He told me that this happened to {#blank#}7{#/blank#}. Even great speakers faced the same things when they started. He suggested that I come again next time.

    Around one month later, I was {#blank#}8{#/blank#} to give a talk again. This time I was feeling comfortable. My speech was appreciated (赏识) {#blank#}9{#/blank#} both the headmaster and the teachers. They praised my efforts a lot.

    After that, I became more confident when giving speeches. I learned that everything is {#blank#}10{#/blank#} if we have the courage to take the first step.

    Hello! I{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Mary Johnson. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}last name is Johnson and my {#blank#}3{#/blank#}name is Mary. My {#blank#}4{#/blank#}number is 632-4658 and my QQ {#blank#}5{#/blank#} is 448333101. My friend is Zhou Jia. {#blank#}6{#/blank#}last name is Zhou. She is in {#blank#}7{#/blank#} now. I give her a pen as a gift (作为礼物). {#blank#}8{#/blank#}pen is blue. Her favorite {#blank#}9{#/blank#} are blue and white. We are good{#blank#}10{#/blank#}.