I quit my office job in 2012. At that time, a strong sense of 1bothered me. I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with my life. So I committed myself to2. I took acting classes, traveled, volunteered on farms, and so forth. After a period of time, I realized my problem had 3changed. My idea bank was full of4. I had countless ideas for what I could perform to 5 a meaningful life. However, the number of the choices I had made me 6. Being passionate about so many things, I didn't know what I should 7to find a way forward.

    By chance, I read a book written by Stephen Covey, in which he 8that people “begin with the end in mind” when they need to make choices. The idea means knowing your final goal 9, and then you can more10 make the choices and take the steps 11to reach your goal. Thanks to Covey, I knew what I should 12. I showed an interest in 13 at an early age, and hoped to make a difference some day. So my interest14my final goal. And fortunately, after about two years of effort, now I have devoted myself to this15work—a professional dancer.

    In daily life, a large number of people may have the same 16— not knowing which to choose when they have lots of 17 for many things. According to my own experience, I have realized that in order to 18the uncertainty about choosing, knowing the final goal first really matters. Not only did it help me know 19 what I should pursue, but it also functioned as a firm belief that 20me to take action to make it.

    It was the biggest night of my life—opening night. Hours of1and daily rehearsals had gone into this production. I had recited my line a thousand times,2that my one sentence would be the highlight of the show.

    As a 7-year-old boy, I was3to perform in an actual musical. The night before I had4my costume on the bed: a white shirt, blue jeans, and my handmade necklace. My5was going to be specially done. My lips would be in beautiful red. I was6prepared to be the shining star in my class's performance of the musical One Big Happy Family.

    A little time before the play, the backstage was complete7. My friend and I, dressed in our costumes, were giggling. Children were running around madly. Some were8about forgetting lines; others were singing various songs out of tune. It was a big group of9second graders about to make their first performance.

    Soon the big moment came, and we all filed onto the stage,10the audience of parents and relatives. The11began, and my second grade class started singing with sweet seven-year-old voices. I sang my little heart12, hoping to make the show as perfect as I d13.

    My turn to speak! The kid standing next to me handed over the microphone to me. As I started to speak, I noticed something had gone horribly14—the microphone was not turned on. The blood rushed to my face immediately.15, I turned it over and switched the device on. After saying my line as quickly as possible, I handed the microphone off and I just felt that I had16.

    “Everybody is excellent!” the teacher17us in the backstage. “I'm sorry, Miss Alex.” I said to her. “18to be sorry about, Honey.” She smiled to me, “Not every surprise in our life is always so pleasant. You did a good job!”

    I felt so19in a minute and I can hardly wait to tell my dad and mum the story of “the unpleasant20”.

    “None of us get out of life alive, so be brave and be thankful for all the opportunities (机会)you have.” Those were 1 words said by 18-year-old Jake Bailey, a cancer patient.

    Bailey was in the leading position of the Students' Union. The young man had planned to2 at his high school's end-of-year ceremony (典礼)on schedule. 3, just the week before, he received shocking 4. After several weeks of not feeling well, tests showed that he had a fast-growing form of cancer. Doctors said, without 5, he would only have weeks to live, so they didn't 6 him to take part in the event. But Bailey put on his school uniform along with his 7 face and left his hospital bed to give the inspiring speech to his 8. Without doubt, his surprise appearance 9 everyone at the ceremony. Sitting in the wheelchair, he began to 10 his ideas. He expressed that a strong-willed person would not easily 11, no matter how hard life was.

    At the speech, Bailey encouraged his schoolmates to 12 their time. "The future is truly in our hands. 13 about having impractical long-term dreams. Let's be 14to short-term goals ," He15. "We don't know where we might end up, or when we will end up, so work with pride on what is 16 us."

    When the senior 17 his speech with the school's 18, "Altiora Peto," which means "I fight for higher things", the entire room burst into cheers.19, Bailey's message was heard loud and clear. Bailey then closed his eyes and 20 the words "Thank you".

    A boy named Nick dialed 911 this Thanksgiving. He just wanted to give 1 to his local police office. Nick asked the police officers to 2 him and his family for their holiday dinner at their home.

    "With all the 3 calls we take on a daily basis, this one was a welcomed happy call that made all of us 4," said Monica from the police office.

    The boy admitted that he'd 5 the number soon. "I had told him to do that for 6 only." The boy's mom, Mary Ann 7.

    When two officers 8 Nick's house to thank him for his 9 offer, she said her young son began crying because he thought he was 10.

    "The policemen had to 11 my son, so did I," Ann said.

    "The officers told Nick that it was 12 to know someone that young was still thinking about them over the holiday and that they were very proud of him, " she 13.

    The officers didn't 14 eating any of the family's turkey, but they did give the boy a badge(警徽) and let him take 15 inside their police car. While he now knows that the number 911 16 be used for non-emergencies, Nick also has his 17 set on becoming a policeman when he's older.

    "It just goes to show that policemen aren't just about 18 people and putting them in prison," Monica told the local media.

    "Nick's call 19 all of our days, and the officers' surprise visit gave Nick a sweet Thanksgiving 20 that will stay with him for the rest of his life. It is a special holiday for Nick and us."

Sharifkhuja has loved Chinese movies and culture since childhood. His father is also a huge fan of China. Before his {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(graduate)from high school, Sharifkhuja's father suggested that he learn Chinese and go to China in the future.Having studied Chinese for two years in Tajikistan, Sharifkhuja finally came to China {#blank#}2{#/blank#} ( pursue) his dream.

After five years in China, Chinese language and calligraphy {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(become) a part of his life. In his first calligraphy class，Sharifkhuja said that writing with brushes was {#blank#}4{#/blank#}amazing experience, which could help him feel the spirits of Chinese culture. Besides，{#blank#}5{#/blank#} he enjoys most is traditional Chinese music. Sharifkhuja is willing to share his experience in China with his family and friends and introduce Tajik culture to his Chinese pals.

{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(stay) in China for many years, he hopes to work in the embassy(大使馆) {#blank#}7{#/blank#} a cultural bridge between the two countries. Meanwhile, he also {#blank#}8{#/blank#} ( plan) to return home as a Chinese teacher because {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(employ) the skills he acquired in China to improve the education of his motherland is one of his dreams.

However, no matter what Sharifkhuja chooses, his future will be {#blank#}10{#/blank#}( close ) related to Chinese.

Power of Self Talk

Life is like a big swing. dangling between the depths of happiness and sadness. To overcome tough times you have to cheer yourself up. When you are feeling low and confused, this can be done effectively by self-talk.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}It can be effectively used for soul searching. When talking to ourselves, we hardly lie as our conscience controls our speech. Self talk is useful because when we speak out our thoughts, it makes a larger effect on our brain.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}This repetition talks and thoughts pass message to our brain.

Self-talk is a software, which when properly loaded onto our mind directs ourselves for better results and a healthy mind. Actually many times in our life, we find others advising us to do better in studies, sports, life etc. We usually blank our cars out of their suggestions.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}And when something comes from within you, you always try your best to do it.

If you are a shy person and you want to be the outgoing person like your friend next door, all you need to do is talk to yourself.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}" I am a natural born speaker." "I do like people and speaking comes naturally to me." "I just have to be ready to listen and speak". If you are highly confident to do better, there is no better motivator(动机) than self-talk.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. So guys start talking.

B. Every person loves to be loved.

C. Self-talk can thus improve our status.

D. Self-talk is a way of talking to oneself.

E. It is because it doesn't come from within us.

F. Tell yourself with all the sincerity and emotions that "I can be like him."

G. Our brain then receives the same message from the mind as well as the ears.