I started playing the piano when I was about eight or nine. But when I got to university, I stopped playing it. I just didn't have enough time and there were so many other things to do.

—Eliza

    When I was little, I thought I should play the guitar like my dad. But later I decided to try something else. I chose the violin. I want to be a musician when I grow up, but my dad says it's difficult to make a living from music. But I don't want to be a doctor like him. It's so boring.

—Robin

    Nobody likes living near someone like me because when I practice, I make a lot of noise! I''m sorry for that but I have to keep practicing. I have drum lessons every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, and I practice the drums every evening. I love playing them and now I play in a fantastic band.

—Lisa

    I''ve played the guitar as long as I can remember. I used to play in a subway station to make some money. Now I keep on playing it when I'm free, but I work as a cook in a restaurant to make a living.

—Carmen

    Dave is my good friend. He1in a small village. His home is far2his school and the roads are not good, So it is3for him to get to school. He4at about six o'clock every day and has breakfast quickly. Then he leaves for school at about six twenty. First, he5his bike to the bus station. It takes about forty minutes. Then he takes the No. 12 bus. It usually takes6about fifty minutes. Sometimes he has no time for breakfast at home,7he has some food on the bus.

    "I dream of taking8, It must be9." says Dave. He hopes (希望) he can go to college(上大学) in a big city some day,10? Because then he can take a train to the big city!

There are many holidays and festivals. Dads have Father's Day. Children have Children's Day. Is there a special day for old people?

Double Ninth Festival is a special day for old people in China. It started long ago. The festival is on lunar September 9th. On this day, people show love to their grandparents.

People do many different kinds of things on this day. They enjoy flowers, eat special cakes and drink wine (酒).

It's very interesting. The best way to celebrate it is climbing hills or mountains. People think climbing will bring them good luck and help old people live long lives. Double Ninth Festival is also a good time for a family get-together. And young people give their presents and best wishes to the old.

    One day, I was waiting for my friend at the bus station. A man came to sell1and I just smiled and said thank you. I didn't know if it was because of my smile, the young man came closer and stood2me and started talking to me. "You know, I wasn't born like this, selling shoes. I had a family, but one day my life just3upside down and all was gone," he said. He told me that his wife took away all his money, sold his car and the house. It was really a hard time for him and he was4at that time. He had nothing and then5to sell shoes to make a living. I stood next to him and listened, but I was still6how someone could be so open to a total stranger like that. Then I realized that some people get7in that way. We often meet people with troubles in their hearts. For some of them, there isn't anybody to listen to them,8I've learned to be kind to them. I always spare my time to listen to them. By doing this, the one9listens can not only help others but also himself, because he gets to learn something from what others10and see other sides of life. This will make the world a better place to live in for all of us.

When I was in school, I volunteered to work in a hospital for some time.

On one visit, I carefully entered a dark room to find an elderly man {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (lie) in bed. I firstly thought he was sleeping. When I moved {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (close), however, I realized he was very much awake. He wanted to communicate something; but I couldn't make sense of what he {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (say). 0He seemed quite weak, and I couldn't tell if he was in pain, or just frightened. I knew nothing about him, and I felt totally helpless. He clearly didn't want me {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (leave) him, but I felt so lost and uncomfortable that I had to leave the room after only a couple of {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (minute).

The next time I was at {#blank#}6{#/blank#} hospital and saw him again, I was certain he didn't remember me. But he {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (immediate) said, "I remember you. , You gave me hope in my darkest hour that evening!" I was so {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(amaze) that I didn't know how to answer.

In the short moment of my staying there, I did nothing at all. {#blank#}9{#/blank#} surprisingly he found in me something he needed, just because I was there.

I have thought about this thing often over the past years. {#blank#}10{#/blank#} makes me want to offer whatever kindness I can to others, and I try to make it out and appreciate (赞赏) it.