B

    Tears filled my eyes when I stood in our room. I was washing new jeans and a shirt of my 16-year- old stepson(继子), Brett. He drank a lot last night. The clothing was already dirty.

    I was very tired. The clothes were just one thing. He had already kicked a large hole in his bedroom wall. Many windows were broken because of his breaking in to steal money. Brett came to live with us when he was 12 years old. During those four years I had dealt with Brett as patiently as possible, but inside I was feeling sad. Later, I cheered up again and continued parenting Brett. Still, Brett did not change his behavior.

    When Brett was nearly 18, my husband and I decided to send Brett to a boarding school that had very good result with troubled teenagers.

    At the graduation ceremony the graduates stood one by one to thank those who had helped them. Each graduate held a rose to give to the person who had meant the most to him or her.

    Brett spoke lovingly to me, “You did so much. You were always there, no matter what happened. You always showed me such love. And I want you to know that I love you for “it”.

    Surprised, I stood as Brett placed the white rose in my hand and hugged me hard. At that moment I realized the truth-although I had been angry in my heart toward my stepson, Brett had seen only my actions.

    One day, when I arrived at school, an ice cream truck was parked in the schoolyard. Ice cream men usually drove their trucks to primary schools. I had never thought one ice cream truck would come to bring ice cream to us older kids. When I went up to the truck, I was quite surprised to hear the man call out, "Free ice cream!" To make sure of his words, I asked, "I'm sorry. What did you say?"" Free ice cream. Choose whichever you like," he said, smiling.

    After I was certain that the man was just giving away the ice cream, I talked with him for a long time. He told me that his dream was to travel around, giving away ice cream, and that's what he was now doing. With his mother's support, he kept doing what he loved even during hard times. Now, some large companies were helping him with his plan.

    The man said he wanted to encourage people to do exactly what their hearts told them to do during their lives. I kept asking him, "So your dream was just to drive around and give away ice cream? It seems like a very unusual goal." "Yes, just meeting people and making them smile," he replied. At that point he handed me my ice cream. I thanked him, but what I got from him was much more than just ice cream. It can't easily be expressed in words. I believe what he was doing is exactly what great people do all the time: small acts of big love.

Harries, a 25-year-old nurse in a hospital. One evening there was a big dance at the hospital.

Most of the doctors and nurses would be there. But someone must be 1 to look after the sick children. Harris liked dancing, but she had to work and couldn't go there. She felt 2 . Harris went to each sick 3 one after another and said good night. One little boy of 11, David was able to say good night 4 an adult. He was serious ill, and he could 5 move any part of his body except his hands. Harris knew he would never get any better, but he was always happy and was always 6 about others instead of himself.

David knew that Harris loved dancing, 7 he greeted her with the words,"I'm very sorry that you have to 8 the dance because of us. But we are going to have party for you. Look there is a piece of cake. I saved it from my 9 this evening, so it's quite fresh. And there's also a dollar there. You can buy something to drink with that. I'd get 10 and dance with you myself if I was able to." he added.

Harris was moved and wasn't unhappy any more.

The Spring Festival is one of the most important holidays in China. Last year,I had the chance (机会) to1 it with a family of one of my dear Chinese friends in a little town in China's Guizhou Province. The2 was interesting. 

Before my arrival, my friend's family had cleaned their whole house,and done their shopping. They were very hospitable. My friend showed me around the town every day. 

On the New Year's Eve,I enjoyed a big meal with my friend's family. We watched a(n)3 show on TV. As I 4 understand Chinese well,the time seemed to pass very slowly. When midnight came,everyone in the house shouted in5 . 

Every morning in the following days,I6 for the sounds of firecrackers (鞭炮) as early as 5 a. m. My friend told me that people were chasing off evil spirits (赶走邪灵). He took me to visit 7 relatives during the day. We were usually invited to stay for dinner. We once happened to see a lion dance on the street. Every business owner was happy if the "lions" stopped by their shop 8 that usually means good luck will come. 

Before I left,my friend's parents handed me a red envelope with some money in it. His father said it was to9 me on the road，bring me good luck and wish me a happy new year. It felt like I was part of the10 ,though I couldn't chat (聊天) with the parents at all. 

My name is Lin Fei. I'm in No.1 Junior High School in Longyan. I have a new classmate. He is from Sichuan. His name is Jia Liang. He comes to Longyan with his mom and dad.

Jia Liang is a good student. He likes Chinese and math (数学) very much, but his English is poor. Miss Jiang , his English teacher, often(经常) helps him after class (课后). Jia Liang has some friends in Sichuan. He often gets(收到) letters from his friends. He is very happy.

Jerry Sun is 28 years old. He {#blank#}1{#/blank#} （spend） the Chinese New Year with his family every year. "It is part {#blank#}2{#/blank#} our family tradition, wherever we live or spend it," said Sun.

Sun was {#blank#}3{#/blank#} b in Shandong. All his family {#blank#}4{#/blank#} （move） to New Jersey14 years ago. He went to junior high school {#blank#}5{#/blank#}college in New York. Now he works {#blank#}6{#/blank#} a bank clerk in Manhattan. Though he is busy, he lets nothing stop {#blank#}7{#/blank#} （he） from spending the Chinese New Year with his family. Sun always takes {#blank#}8{#/blank#} few days off every year to be with his family at festival time.

"I think it is because my parents take every Chinese New Year {#blank#}9{#/blank#} （serious）, even though we live in the US," said Sun. "We cook together. We make {#blank#}10{#/blank#} （dumpling） every year." Sun also added that they took an {#blank#}11{#/blank#} （act） part in watching the CCTV New Year's Gala （春晚）. They could feel the love, kindness and {#blank#}12{#/blank#} （happy） of Chinese people.

Being a Chinese- American, Sun said he got the {#blank#}13{#/blank#} （good） of both China and the US. He likes the {#blank#}14{#/blank#} （color） cultures and celebrates festivals from both.

Sun said, "Spending the festival in the most {#blank#}15{#/blank#} （tradition） way is what we can do to keep the culture."