Long long ago, there was a spider. She found a beautiful farm. She liked the farm and decided to live there forever.
    One day, the spider caught a little bug. When the spider ate it, the bug said, “If you let me go, I will tell you an important thing. The thing will save your life.” The spider stopped and listened.
    The little bug said, “You'd better get out of the farm. The harvest is coming! If you stay here, you will be killed by the farmer's machine.”
    But the spider didn't listen to the bug and ate it for lunch. The next day when she was sleeping, the farmer came to have a harvest. The spider was killed by the machine.

    I was travelling alone through the UK. To reach places that were off the public transportation map, I bought an old car, which cost most of my money. I couldn't afford to stay in a hotel, so I had to camp in my car for the rest of the trip.

    One morning I woke up in my old car on a country road in Ireland and saw a single house, The water in my thermos(保温瓶) had gone cold, so I knocked on the door of the house. A woman opened it. I asked her for some hot water. But she wouldn't let me get away with just that! I was invited indoors. She asked me to sit at the table and have breakfast with her family. They filled my thermos before I left.

    I was greatly moved. And I decided to pass the kindness on. The other day I met a young man who had been driving around to look for a parking lot. He looked increasingly upset. I was glad that I was able to point one out to him. His thankful smile was the hugest reward(奖赏) for me.

Nancy: Richard, I think we need to talk about the chores. You know there are lots of chores to do around the house.

Richard: Sure, dear. Tom, could you come here, please?

Tom: OK, Dad. I'm coming.

Nancy:Our house gets quite dirty sometimes, so my idea is to make a list of chores.

Richard: That sounds nice! I'll make a list. Well, who's first?

Nancy:I can do the cooking, but you should do the dishes, Richard.

Richard: OK. I do the dishes. Tom, could you please take out the rubbish every day?

Tom: Um, well, I think I can do it.

Nancy: And could you please make your bed and clean your bedroom every day?

Tom: Sure, Mom.

Nancy: What about the living room? Could you sweep the floor, dear?

Richard: Oh, no, I hate it! Maybe I could cut the grass and water the plants.

Nancy: Well, I sweep the floor and wash the clothes. But how about Kitty, our dog? Tom, can you feed it and take it for a walk after dinner?

Tom:No problem.

Nancy:Thanks, Tom. And what about shopping? Well, let's go shopping on weekends together, and we can also have a picnic at the park if it's fine.

Richard & Tom: Good idea!

Nancy: Well, that's it. Our home can be much cleaner from now on, I think.

Have you ever lived in a school dormitory (宿舍)? Some students think living at school is a piece of cake. Well, it's not as 1 as you might imagine.

Last year, my parents decided to let me live at school. I was 2 to hear this decision because I hadn't thought about it before. But I 3 this idea after they told me that they would be too busy to look after me for the following year.

However, when I first arrived, I got nervous about the strict 4 . We have to study from 7 a.m to10 p.m. every day. We are not allowed to play with cellphones or go back to the dormitory to take showers during this time. Also, I 5 one of my roommates. These things made me feel upset and homesick. I just wanted to go back home.

On weekends, I went back home. My mother comforted me, "Don't be afraid. Try to think about how to improve the 6 ." My mother's words cheered me up. None of my roommates had such problems. So I needed to solve them by myself.

The next week, I tried my best to calm myself down and focus on my work. And it did not seem too 7 . I talked with my roommates more 8 and made more friends. I realized the good or bad of things depends on 9 own attitudes (态度). I began to enjoy the dormitory life.

Every time I struggle (挣扎) with difficulties, I always think about this special 10 . It gives me the courage to overcome them. Perhaps I have grown up through this.

I stood by the window, Looking at the gray sky and snowy ground. A woman crossed the street, with a thick scarf, looking cold and unhappy.

 The morning was ideal for reading, so I turned on the light and lay in bed with a book. The phone rang, and I heard my mum agree to something, mentioning my name. Curious,I wondered what was happening.

 Mum entered and told me Uncle Sam was taking me to Sparrow Hills. Unwilling to leave on such a cold day,I hesitated(犹豫) but didn't want to disappoint Mum, so I put on my blue sweater. The doorbell rang, and Uncle Sam asked if I was ready.

"I suppose," I replied, grabbing a warm wool hat. We headed to the station, catching the train to Sparrow Hills. The train is warm, and my body started to relax.

"Can we just stay on the train?" I said as the train stopped. Uncle Sam softly pulled me up and said, "You will miss all the fun."

 Outside, the wind was blowing strongly. The trees were shining and they swung in the wind.

"I don't know how long I can stay out here," I said as we started to walk uphill. He pulled me closer to the trees and said, "Listen!"

 At first, I heard only the wind. Then came a jingling and chiming(叮叮当当). "That's the music in winter," My uncle said. I pulled my hat up to free my cars. The branches(树枝) sounded like hundreds of bells ringing, jingling and chiming. I was surprised and I stood still, looking at the icy branches hitting each other and leaves swinging in the wind. Then we climbed to the top of Sparrow Hills and looked down. The snow-covered trees made buildings appear brighter. Then the sun broke through the clouds.

"The sun is shining!" I shouted. Uncle Sam smiled and said, "The sun is always shining. You just need to climb high enough to see it."