Today, I'd like to tell you something about the history of the United States. The United States covers a large part of North America. After winning freedom from England, it had only 13 states. Each of the states had a star on the national flag. As the nation grew, new states were formed and there were new stars on the flag. For a long time, there were 48 states. In 1959 and 1960, two more stars, standing for the new states of Alaska and Hawaii（阿拉斯加州和夏威夷州）,were added to the flag. Indians were the first people of the land. Many people came from England. It is for that reason that the language of the US is English.

    Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}In other words, we make our own happiness.

    Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future —for example, getting into college or getting a good job that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life's simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives.

    Another secret of living a happy life is to be active. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Many people experience this by dancing, swimming or playing a sport. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity.

    Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by washing the dishes.

A. Having hobbies makes you forget about your problems and time.

B. Happiness depends on ourselves.

C. Happiness is important to everyone.

D. The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life.

E. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone.

    Yu Minhong, president of New Oriental Education, shared his ideas with the young after the English speech competition of the 14th China Daily. Here is some of his advice to young people:

    “One suggestion I'd like to give you is that it's important to do what you like without fear of failure. And the process（过程）of working toward your dreams matters more than the results. Young people should take chances to show off talents. Take competitions like this one as an example: If you are afraid to fail, you'll never get the chance to stand on the stage and make a speech. Above all, it's most important to take part.

    Another suggestion I want to give you is to read books. It is not easy to keep reading every day. For me, it is much more difficult and challenging to keep reading and taking notes every day than it is to walk 10,000 steps.”

    In his speech, Yu also shared his view on life. He chose a different life rather than a more successful one. He uses the famous lines of American poet Robert Frost (1874–1963) to make his point:“Two roads diverged (分叉) in a wood, and I … took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”Yu pointed out, “Your happiness should not be what others think you should run after, but instead you should decide what it is. It is you who should make choices for your own life.”

    Yu Minhong's speech to young people

    When we are talking to someone, we tend to change someone else's mind to our way of thinking. And we may often find it difficult to do that. So here are five tips on how to change someone's mind.

    The first one is never to turn the conversation into an argument. It should be a conversation where you show your opinions and the facts that you've collected. By showing them the facts, we want to tell other people that we are right. But emotionally, they may not totally agree with what you say. So when you are trying to change someone's mind, try to keep it as a conversation and not an argument.

    The second tip is never to say that you are wrong. If someone makes a statement that you think is wrong, it's better to point it out by saying, “I thought otherwise but I might be wrong, let's look at the facts.” The key is to say that you might be wrong, not that you are wrong. This opens up the other person to look at the data again and shows them that you're not bullheaded (顽固的) and that you're not going to change your opinion. You're showing them that you are open to new ideas and this is super important in changing someone else's mind to your way of thinking.

    Tip number three is to get the other person saying yes as fast as possible. You may begin your conversation on hobbies that you guys have, something that they're crazy about, something that gets them saying yes. Because the more that you get them to say yes now, the more likely they are to say yes in the future. A conversation like this will get them to start to like you and maybe even more open up to ideas that you have. It builds up trust between the two of you.

    Tip number four is to let the other person do a great amount of talking. If you let them talk more, you're going to show that you actually care about their opinions and ideas, which will earn their respect in the end. By listening to them, you're going to create a friendly relationship and build trust. So when you express your opinions, they will also show a willingness to listen. Never interrupt them when they are talking. Just listen patienly with an open mind, encourage them to talk even more and more so that when it's your tum to talk, they'll listen and say nothing.

    The last tip is to let the other person feel like the idea was theirs. It's wiser to make suggestions and let someone else come to the conclusion, then they have a sense of pride that it's their idea. Giving someone the data and letting them come to the conclusion let them feel like it is their idea and they are proud of it.

    Title: How to change someone else's mind

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    Yesterday was a big day or my grandfather. My parents and I made a big dinner for my grandfather, we also gave him a cute dog as a birthday gift. My grandfather was very happy yesterday.

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    Dabai is 6 years old. Apples oranges and watermelons are his favorite fruit. He is happy in the zoo. The yard (院子) is his favorite place. He can draw pictures and play soccer. Lots people come to the zoo to see him, he is a star in the zoo

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    Eric is a 12-year-old boy. He likes lots of fruit and vegetables. He gets enough sleep every day. He never forgets his breakfast. He does sports every day. He is tall and strong (强壮的) so he is the PE monitor(班长) of his class.

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    Tony is a middle school student. Yesterday the weather was sunny. He walked to the lake with his dog Max. The Jake is about 4 kilometers away from his home. Tony played with Max near the lake. They went back home at 4: 00 pm. They had a happy day.

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    Hello, everybody. My name is Cinderella. Look! This is a photo of my good friends. Jack is short and heavy. His nose is big. Emma is a beautiful girl. She has big eyes. Ray is tall. His legs are long. Herbie is his dog. Its ears are Jong. I took this photo last year. It is my favorite.

    This teenager can be a good boy and his mum's very happy with him

{#blank#}1{#/blank#} He goes to school, does his homework, meets his friends and enjoys playing sports. But between 5: 30 and 6: 30 from Monday to Friday, Tom does something different. He cooks dinner for all the family: mum, dad, younger brother Joe and elder sister Emma.

    "{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Maths and English are important, of course, but they need other skill to help them in today's world. First I taught Tom how to cook easy meals like pizza or egg and chips. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} Yesterday he made vegetable soup. It was good!

    We all liked it very much. "Toms mum says

    "I love cooking and I think I'm really good at it.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} I don't know why, it isn't difficult and it's great fun! "Tom says

    In the past, Tom didn't help out at home and his mum wasn't pleased with him.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}