Tom has a strong and faithful dog, Bruce. The dog likes playing with Tom. Sometimes he also follows Tom's father to work.
One morning when Tom's father worked in the field, he took off his coat and put it on the ground under a big tree. He turned to the dog and said,“Watch my coat, Bruce!”
   Bruce sat down on the coat. Later Tom's father remembered he had to buy some food. So he hurried to the shop. After shopping, he went home directly and forgot all about his coat and the dog.
   Late in the evening Tom looked for his dog everywhere in the house, but he couldn't find him. At this time Tom's father suddenly remembered his coat and the dog. He went back to the tree at once. He found that Bruce was still sitting on the coat!

     Speaking exams can be stressful! What if you don't understand the examiner (考官)? What if you don't get the exact word you need? Don't panic (惊慌)! Remember that everyone gets nervous in exams, especially oral exams. So, don't worry and our tips will help you feel more confident in a speaking exam.

★ Listening to as much English as possible will help to improve your speaking. Listening to songs, and watching films, TV series or video clips will help you feel more confident about speaking.

★{#blank#}1{#/blank#} If you speak English regularly in class, you will find it easier to speak in an exam.

★{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's not a race. Before you speak, think carefully about what to say and speak a little slower than normal.

★{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Use words and expressions you have used before. If you don't know a word, think of another way to say it.

★{#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you find this difficult, practice with a friend at home. Stand at opposite ends of a room and speak to each other in English. Or speak to each other in English on your computers.

★{#blank#}5{#/blank#} So, take some deep breaths before the exam and try to relax.

    [1] I'm a 34-year-old man, married, lived in a nice house, and have a successful career. But my life was not always so great. I had a learning disability from an early age. I went to a special school where I got plenty of extra (额外的) help. Still, I suffered the rest of my school days in public schools.

    [2] My life improved greatly when I discovered art. The art world gave me a chance to express myself without words. I went to a workshop and gradually became good at making things with clay. Here I learned my first important lesson: disabled as I was in language, I could still be smart and well express myself with clay. And my confidence（自信）came along.

    [3] I got my next lesson from rock climbing. It was a fun thing but I was scared from the start. ⑶I soon noticed it wasn't a talent thing; it needed lots of practice. So I did it more. After about five years of climbing, I found myself in Yosemite Valley on a big wall. I learned that if you fall in love with something and do it all the time, you will get better at it.

    [4] Later I decided to learn ⑷①          to read and write. I practiced reading and ⑷②          , which I used to avoid as much as possible. After two years, I was literate(有文化的).

    [5] Through the long process with art, ⑷③             , and reading and writing, now I've got to a point in my life: I am smart enough to dive into (潜入) an area that is totally unknown, hard, but interesting.

⑴{#blank#}1{#/blank#} During the summer holiday, I visited Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou with my cousins. What a relaxing trip!

⑵{#blank#}2{#/blank#} There are many kinds of shows on TV. As for me. I like talk shows and talent shows better because they are fun and I can learn a lot from them.

⑶{#blank#}3{#/blank#} Most of my friends play computer games in their free time. I usually exercise. I do some running at least four times a week.

⑷{#blank#}4{#/blank#} I made a new pen friend. She is in New York. She is tall and has long curly hair. She wears glasses. She is outgoing and creative.

⑸{#blank#}5{#/blank#} There are three big supermarkets in our town. The Johnson's has the best goods. The Lucky Fellow has the friendliest service. And the King Star plays the most wonderful music.

    Maybe you have heard of the“Mozart Effect". It says that listening to classical music, especially Mozart, can help with math and science learning, and develop smart children. But how can we enjoy music.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    Listen in the car, while the children draw and color, and at dinner, for fun. Listen and talk about music.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Do you like this song? Why, or why not? If you like this kind of music, how does it make you feel? Happy or sad?

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Get to know classical music, but don't forget jazz, blues or many other kinds of music. Many children enjoy different sounds from around the world as well.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    Learn about a singer and then listen to his or her music. Libraries often offer CDs as well. Learn an instrument. This costs some money and time, but the result can be worth it. This including singing. Learn how to sing traditional songs.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

    Find concerts that you attend. Many towns and cities offer family concerts (for parents and their children）. Look for one near you house. Go to a music festival.

There are 24 solar terms(节气)in China. They can guide farming activities and are believed to be an outstanding achievement by ancient Chinese. 

Grain Rain" is the sixth solar term in the 24 solar terms and it is the last solar term in spring. It falls on April 20 this year. The term"Grain Rain" came from a folk story. When Cang Jie created writing characters, grain came down from sky like rainfall. Therefore, the Yellow Emperor named this day as the "Grain Rain". When this day comes, the number of rainfall increases. It is very important for the growth of the grain. 

Nowadays, different areas have different customs during "Grain Rain", Picking and cooking tea leaves: "Grain Rain Tea" is the name for the tea made around the time of "Grain Rain" in the south of China. it is considered as one of the best kinds of tea. it not only has a strong and good taste but also can last for a long time in water. 

Blessing(祈福)to the sea: "Grain Rain" is a perfect time for fishing. Since it gets warmer and warmer, the sea also gets warmer and more fishes swim in the sea. Fishermen in the north often bless for safety and success on the sea. 

Killing insects: As the weather gets warmer. insects become more active. Farmers in Shandong, Shanxi and Shaanxi often use different methods to kill insects. 

Taking a bath: In some of the north-west areas, people take the shower in the river during "Grain Rain" period. They think it can help them be far away from the bad luck.