In 1990, when I {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (be) nine years old, I wanted very much to find {#blank#}2{#/blank#} pen friend. I found Ashley's address in a magazine, and decided{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (write) to her. I sent off my letter with a little hope. Very quickly, I received her letter. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} my surprise, Ashley was only one month {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (old) than me. I learned some new expressions from her. I {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (real) liked this new friend.

Letter after letter, year after year, Ashley and I continued to write to one another. A letter would be received and I'd write back right away. We would send each other birthday and festival {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (gift).

Eight years later, my parents decided it was time {#blank#}8{#/blank#} me to meet this friend. They drove me down to Mississippi for a few days. We {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (have)a fun time together. We did the things that teenage girls love to do.

Twenty—five years after the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (one) letter, Ashley and I still have an amazing friendship. Although we don't write letters now, we communicate through mobile phones and the Internet.

It's a warm Saturday morning. Julia, Mark and Tina are at Simon's house. They are not doing their homework. They are making1 for this afternoon. They2 get together and play sports on Saturday afternoon, but this time, they want to do something3 . They hope to help Mr. White.

Mr. White is an old man in the town. He is seventy years old and he4 alone. His two daughters are both in another town. They' re too busy to look after him. So the four children plan to5 him this afternoon. Julia is going to tell some interesting stories to cheer6 up. Tina, Mark and Simon are going to do some7 for him. It always takes Mr. White a long time to wash his clothes because he is old8 he isn't in good health.

Now, the four good friends are9 . They want to meet Mr. White. They are sure Mr. White will be10 to see them. Maybe it's a big surprise for him.

My sister Lily likes cartoon movies. She always watches them. Her favorite movie is Frozen. I never watch cartoon movies. I think they are boring. I like action movies best. They are exciting. Mom likes music programs. The band she likes best is the Jonas Brothers. I like it, too. I watch talent shows with mom every Friday. Dad only watches the news. He says it's very relaxing. He doesn't like other programs. My brother Bob likes western movies best. He thinks cowboys (牛仔) and horses are wonderful.

—Mike

My mother's favorite TV program is Nature News. She always watches it and she sometimes asks me to watch nature programs with her, but I think they are boring. My father watches a football game on TV at 7:00 p. m. every Wednesday. I don't like it, but my father likes it very much. He also likes the news. My sister Tina's favorite program is a game show. She thinks it's fun and she watches it every Saturday. I like cartoons best. I find them very interesting.

—Helen