It was thesummer before my third grade. Our girls' softball team was facing real pitchers(投球手)1thefirst time. Before that, we could just hit the ball on the tee (球座). When the coach started pitching, hitting became2forme. I missed every single pitch. From the side, I heard my teammate Emilylaughing at3. My face got hot and my throat feltlike it had a softball stuck in. At that moment, I was starting to4playingsoftball.

    The nextafternoon, when Mum said it was time to play the game, I told her I was5.She allowed me to lie down for a while. So I went to my room and6myselfin bed. This was difficult for me because I was fine and just7toavoid softball.

    Soon Mumcame in and said, "Time to go!" She didn't even ask if I felt8.I imagined Emily laughing from the sideline, and9Ireally did feel sick to my stomach. I began crying loudly. Still, Mum pulled myteam T-shirt over my head. She said, "You have to10forthe rest of the season, and only after that we can talk about11you'llcontinue next year." She added that practice was what I needed, not12.She promised to practise with me.

    I got twohits that afternoon, and Emily didn't make a13.Every week after that, I practised at home14I got to be one of thebest hitters on the team.

    That15taughtme that being afraid is part of life, and I can do whatever is expected of meif I keep working and practising.

Long March(长征) exhibition

The Shanghai History Museum is putting on an exhibition to remember the Long March which took place over 70 years ago. More than 220 photos and 40 other things are on show. All the exhibition is explained in Chinese. The show will end on November 20.

Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Address: 1286 Hongqiao Road

Ticket: 8 yuan for Chinese/15 yuan for foreigners

Thai elephants

Eight elephants from Thailand are an attraction for visitors at Changfeng Park by riding bikes, playing basketball, dancing and blowing a musical instrument. The elephants give three shows a day at 9:30 am, 3:30 pm and 8:00 pm and there is an extra show at 1:30 pm at weekends. The show will end on November 15.

Address: 189 Daduhe Road

Ticket: 30-40 yuan

Dancing dolphins

Dolphins jumping from the water to touch a ball, dancing to music, kissing people and doing easy maths problems, and seals and sea lions, also performing, have made a large part of the aquarium(水族馆) in Peace Park, which interests children greatly.

Hours: 10:30 am, 4:00 pm, and 7:30 pm

Ticket: 20 yuan for adults and 10 yuan for children

Are you nervous when you stand in front of the public? Are you 1 to make a speech(演说;讲演)? Li Jun, a middle school student, felt shy 2 he was making a speech the other day. Li had thought it would be quite easy to speak in front of3 classmates.

"I was wrong. It was very different and much 4 than talking to my classmates during playtime,"Li said."I tried, but it was really difficult to speak. I felt like a mute(哑巴) and wanted to leave the classroom 5 ."Li is not alone. Many middle school students now have the same6 as Li. After class, most of them can7 their ideas freely with their best friends. But they8 speak well in public. According to Zhou Hong, a teacher from a university, the main reason is that schools in China pay more attention to writing than 9 .

Zhou hopes schools can give students more chances to open their10 such as speech competitions, English corners and class discussions.11 can join in any one.12 he also gives some advice to students."During your free time, you should13 more. When you're speaking in public, take it easy. Just imagine you're talking to 14 and speak out your ideas clearly," Zhou said."That15 a fine public speech and you'll feel confident."

Wang Hua is a twenty-year-old young man. Two years ago, he finished high school and found a job in a shop. Usually he works until 9 o'clock at night. He is very tired when he gets home. After a quick supper, he always goes to bed quietly. His grandma who lives downstairs (楼下) is happy with this. 

One day, on his way home, he happened to meet Zhou Weilun. They were both happy because they hadn't seen each other since graduation (毕业). They talked about their school, teachers, classmates and their future. They couldn't stop and went to Wang Hua's house together with some fruit and drinks. They went on talking there. 

"Have a look at your watch, Wang Hua. I left mine at home," Zhou Weilun said. "What time is it? Maybe I should go home. "

"Sorry, but there is something wrong with my watch," said Wang Hua. 

Wang Hua thought for a while and began to stamp (跺脚) his foot on the floor. "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The sound woke up his grandma. The old woman shouted, "It is twelve o'clock at night, Wang Hua. Why are you still jumping upstairs?"

Naomi, Australia

One country (国家) that I really want to visit is Vietnam. In fact, I‘ve never been to Asia (亚洲). But I‘ve seen a lot of photos and videos of Vietnam online and it looks really beautiful. I think I can take relaxing boat rides around the small islands there. Also, I've heard that the food there is really nice!

Akane, Japan

The country I‘d most like to visit is England. I‘ve heard many things about it because my parents went there on their honeymoon (蜜月). And they have very good memories about the country. Besides that, I can speak some English, so it would be nice to get in some practice there.

Martin, U.K.

I‘d like to visit New Zealand when I have time. New Zealand looks like a gorgeous country. The Lord of the Rings, one of my favorite films, was filmed there. I‘ve never been south (南) of the equator (赤道), so I wish to visit New Zealand one day!

Todd U.S.A.

If I could visit any country in the world, I‘d like to go to Canada. I‘m from America, and Canada is our neighbor to the north (北). I have many Canadian friends. I‘d really like to see their country for the first time!

Tom is Sally's brother. His hobby is playing the violin and his dream is to be a p{#blank#}1{#/blank#} musician one day. Unluckily, Tom hurt his arm badly in a traffic accident last weekend. The doctor said perhaps he couldn't play the violin any more after he c{#blank#}2{#/blank#} his arm. When Sally knew the bad news, she told Tom to be positive and p{#blank#}3{#/blank#} to help him out. She also bought an expensive violin for Tom as a gift. Every day Sally teaches Tom to play the violin in a special way. I{#blank#}4{#/blank#} of giving up, Tom tries his best to practise though it's not easy to do so. He has to practise for 2-3 hours every day. Now, Tom can play the violin better and better. He even w{#blank#}5{#/blank#} two prizes in a competition last week!