Dean felt his arms and legs were burning. With each breath, Dean wondered if he should be done, but as he touched the wall at the end of the pool he turned for another lap (圈). "I can do one more. This is for Kevin," Dean told himself. He was starting his seventh lap.

    Dean and the other members of his swim team were swimming to raise money for Dean's best friend, Kevin Hawking. Earlier in the year, Kevin fell ill. He needed expensive medical care that his family couldn't afford. After Kevin's friends learned what was happening, they started brainstorming ways to help. Several of Kevin's friends were on the swim team, which led to the idea of swimming.

    For a month, Dean and the other swim team members had asked for pledges (承诺) from anyone who would help: family members, friends, and neighbours. Most people pledged a dollar or two each lap. Dean's grandmother said she would offer $ 10 for each lap Dean swam!

    Finally, as Dean completed his tenth lap, he knew he was too tired to keep going. If I try another lap. I'll end up lying in the middle of the pool, waiting for someone to come and get me, he thought. Dean pulled himself up onto the edge of the pool and sat breathing quickly for a couple of minutes, quietly resting before he tried to stand.

    Dean's father came over and said, "Wow, Dean," shaking his head in amazement, "I am so proud of you. That's farther than anyone else has swum today, and I know it's farther than you've ever swum before."

    Dean stood up and slowly walked with his father back to the seats where the other swimmers sat next to Kevin. "Thank you," Kevin said.

    "It's no big deal. I know you'd do the same for me," Dean said.

Dorothy lived with her uncle Henry and aunt Em who were both farmers.Their house had only four walls，a floor and a small space under the floor to protect them from powerful winds.The house was in the middle of poor land with strong sunlight and few plants.Aunt Em used to be young and cheerful，but the sun and wind had taken away her happiness.Uncle Henry also looked serious and strict.Only Toto，could bring laughter into Dorothy's life.

One day，they heard low sounds of wind from both the north and the south.Uncle Henry realized a strong wind was coming.He rushed to protect the animals while Aunt Em hurried Dorothy to the basement.Suddenly，the house began to rock and rise to the air.In the center，but Dorothy found herself riding safely on the rising house.

Frightened，Toto ran around the room until Dorothy caught him and protected him from falling through the open door.She closed it carefully to avoid further danger.As hours passed，Dorothy slowly got over her fear.She finally fell asleep on her bed with Toto by her side.The wind had set Dorothy's house down gently in a beautiful country.

As she looked around, she saw green grass, fruitful trees, and colourful flowers.Birds with special feathers sang and flew around.As she stood enjoying the beautiful views, a group of strangely dressed people came near. They wore round hats that rose to a small point a foot above their heads. Three men were dressed in blue, and a little woman wore a white dress. They stopped and discussed in a low voice, as if afraid to come farther.

For many middle school students, leaving their home towns and studying in a foreign country may sound mad. For me, it's different.

Since the first day I came to school, all the teachers and classmates have been very nice. With their help, I've made much {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (进步) in Chinese learning and got better scores in maths {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(测验;考试). My host families are kind and loving. They regard me as a member of their family instead of a {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(客人;宾客), so I'm very satisfied with my host family. They not only {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (提供) me with delicious meals — Oh, I've put on much {#blank#}5{#/blank#}

(重量), haha! — and a comfortable bed, but take trips with me at weekends. We have {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (形成) close friendships. Besides, they invite me to {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(庆祝) festivals together. Because of these, I have a better understanding of Chinese {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(文化).

I'm going {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(回到;返回) to my home town this summer, but it's certain that I'll stay in touch with all the people in my {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(名单). I'm sure I'll return one day.

In our kitchen, there's a wooden table and three chairs. The chair for my dad is always1 . Thanks' Giving Day is coming. How can I be thankful without my dad? Every night I go to sleep, whispering," Maybe tomorrow, maybe tomorrow."

That morning, the smell of coffee 2 me up. I run into the kitchen. There he is. Dad lifts me onto his shoulders." How's my boy? You've got so big that I can 3 . I' ll you up anymore."

Mum says she's going to make an apple ple for dad's homecoming dinner." Go to the shelf and get that Jar of apples for me, please. Jimmy." That's the 4 jar of apples on shelf. Every time I passed the shelf, I looked at the Jar.5 for dad to come home earlier. My mouth waters just at the word apple.

I take the jar from the shelf and run to my dad and mum, so 6 to be with them. But then ! studio(绊倒) and 7 . When I put out my hand to steady myself, the jar drops through my8 . It is broken, and bits of apple fly everywhere.

Then I hear my mum's steps and 9 ." Are you hurt?" She checks me for cuts. That's the last jar we've been saving to welcome dad home with weeks of no dessert. I want her to shout at me, but all she said was " Don't worry. I am going to make my Mama Sugar Pie 10 apple."