Dear Mr. Lee,
    I'm sorry to tell you that my grandmother is ill. She {#blank#}1{#/blank#} day and night. My parents aren't at home now. They {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  to Beijing on business last week. My grandma can not look after {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. So I{#blank#}4{#/blank#} take care of her. May I{#blank#}5{#/blank#} two days leave?
Yours,
Yu Ting

     I am Jackie Lee, an {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(America) Chinese. Let me tell you about my {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (grandfather) life story.

    My grandfather was born in 1932 and {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(grow) up in a poor village in Fujian, China. At the age of 14, he first heard of America. It {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (say) to be the land of gold and poor people could {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(easy) become rich there.    So, my grandfather came to America. "I had thought it was easy to make money in America," he told me. "But when I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (arrive) in Los Angeles, I realized it was not true. I couldn't find a good job because  I spoke little English. I wanted {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (go) to a language school to learn English, but I couldn't afford it. Later, I worked in a small restaurant ,{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(serve) the guests, cleaning up the tables, washing the dishes and sweeping the floors. I was such a helpful and honest worker {#blank#}9{#/blank#} my boss was pleased with me. I was popular with my workmates, too. Life became easier and in the end I entered an evening school to learn English."

      My grandfather kept working hard , and finally made {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (he) dream come true. Things do not come easily in life. That is what I have learned from my grandfather.

Let go of the problems

    There are many teenagers who have too much pressure. Last Wednesday, Mr. Trent began his psychological health class {#blank#}1{#/blank#} holding up a glass of water. He asked the students{#blank#}2{#/blank#}would happen if he held it up for a day.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} student said the teacher's arm would ache or go numb. He might have to go to hospital! All the students laughed.

     "But during the time, did the {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(weigh) of the glass change?" asked Mr. Trent. "Then what caused the pain and numbness?" 

     The students {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(be) puzzled.

      "What should I do now {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(get) rid of the pain?" asked Mr. Trent again.

      "Put the glass down!" said another student.

      "{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(exact)!" said Mr. Trent. "Life's problems are something {#blank#}8{#/blank#} caused the pain like this glass. Hold them for a few {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(minute) in your hand and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. The longer you hold them, the more painful you feel."

     It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life. But what's even {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(important) is to put them down at the end of every day.

    I was very quiet and shy before I became {#blank#}1{#/blank#} member of the Teen Board. At my first meeting, I remember that the Teen Board members really {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (encourage) me to speak, as I was quiet {#blank#}3{#/blank#}the whole meeting. It was then that I realized my opinion did matter and people wanted to hear my opinion. That really improved my confidence and self-worth.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (Be) a member of the Teen Board has helped me develop my voice around my friends, and that's {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (especial) true at school. One day, I saw a student being bullied (恐吓) by a big boy. I came to the boy and asked him {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (stop). There's no doubt (无疑) that the confidence I had gotten from the Teen Board helped me stand up.

    I joined the Teen Board {#blank#}7{#/blank#} I knew that the teens on the board would be a good influence. I also thought that many of them had probably faced similar school situations and knew that they would be a good support system.

    {#blank#}8{#/blank#} to the Teen Board, I become a more positive person. I no {#blank#}9{#/blank#}feel sorry for myself. Now, I'm a self-confident girl. And I want to {#blank#}10{#/blank#} my experience with others.

    I have a pet dog. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} name is Indy. He is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} years old. I love Indy very much. He is a good pet. He is cute and {#blank#}3{#/blank#} . And he is my good {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . I like dogs {#blank#}5{#/blank#} dogs are kind to people. Indy can {#blank#}6{#/blank#} many things for me. For example, Indy can guard (守卫)my home. He can open and close the door {#blank#}7{#/blank#} me. When I give him some food to eat, he will shake his tail(摇尾巴) to thank me. I often {#blank#}8{#/blank#} him to go for a walk. I get Indy from my aunt. I must look after(照顾) him {#blank#}9{#/blank#}. He needs a lot of love.

    Now, Indy {#blank#}10{#/blank#} a part of my family. I love him and he also loves me!