Why are so many people so afraid to fail? Quite simply because no one tells us how to fail so that failure (失败) becomes an experience that means growth. We forget that failure is part of the human condition and that every person has the right to fail.

      Most parents work hard at preventing failure or protecting their children from the knowledge that they have failed. One way is to lower standards. 60% of the parents choose this way. When a child finishes making a table, the mother describes it as “perfect” even though it doesn't stand still. Another way is to blame (责怪) others. If John fails in science, his teacher is unfair or stupid.

      There's a problem with the two ways. It makes a child unprepared for life in the real world. The young need to learn that no one can be best at everything, no one can win all the time, and that it's possible to enjoy a game even when you don't win. A child who's not invited to a birthday party, who doesn't make the honour list on the baseball team, feels terrible, of course. But parents should not offer a quick consolations (安慰), prize or say, “It doesn't matter.” Because it does. The young should be allowed to experience failure and be helped to come out of it.

     Failure never gives people pleasure. It hurts both grown-ups and children. But it can be really good to your life when you learn to use it. You must learn to ask “Why did I fail?” Don't blame anyone else. Ask yourself what you did wrong and how you can improve. If someone else can help, don't be shy about asking them.

    Mr. Brown is a very busy man. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} He often forgets his family's birthdays. Today he remembers it is his wife's birthday. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} So on his way home from hospital, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} When Mr. Brown gets home, {#blank#}4{#/blank#} "Happy birthday to you. It is January 14^th today. I remember your birthday this year." Mr. Brown laughs(大笑) and says, "My birthday was yesterday, not today. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}"

A. he buys some flowers in a shop.

B. He always works hard.

C. He loves his wife.

D. He gives his wife the flowers and says,

E. I do not like them

F. But thank you all the same.

    Friendship is one of the greatest pleasures that people can enjoy. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}A true friend does indeed find pleasure in our joy and share sorrow in our grief. In time of trial, he or she is always at our side to give us his or her help and comfort.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}We must choose someone who has a good character, whose activities are good and who shows kindness of heart. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you tell a friend your secrets, he or she won't tell anyone else. Friends share each other's joys and sorrows. They help each other when they are in trouble and cheer each other up when they are sad. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In conclusion, when you have made a good friend, don't forget him or her.

A. Knowing how valuable friendship is, we should be very careful in our choice of a friend.

B. It is very difficult to find a better definition of friendship.

C. A true friend can always be trusted, loved and respected.

D. The most important thing is that a friend always understands you.

E. We should avoid these shallow people who are easily changed by adversities or misfortune.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Jack comes from Russia. He is studying in Beijing now. So he misses his hometown(家乡) very much. He wishes to go to a city where he can find the feeling of home.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Mary is an American girl. She likes going shopping. She is planning to travel to a city where she can find a job.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Frank is from Canada. He is interested in swimming in the sea. But he lives far from the sea. He wishes to go to a place where he can swim and eat bananas and pineapples(菠萝).

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Helen comes from England. She doesn't like hot weather. She likes to go somewhere cool, clean and beautiful.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}Nick is a Japanese(日本人). He likes taking photos. He would like to stay close to nature(自然). He even wishes to take a boat when taking photos. But he doesn't like hot food.