It was very cold, Amaya was warm in her house, thinking about an article she'd read at school. The article was about kids who 1 out their communities, and she thought it would be really cool to help her own town, Harvard.

    The only2 was that she wasn't sure how to help. In the article, the kids had grown food for people who needed food, but it was winter. She couldn't start a garden. Amaya was deep in thought when her mom said it was time to go shopping.

    As they drove along the road, Amaya saw a family wearing only light jackets. The cold wind blew 3 outside. How cold they must be! That gave her an idea! She could 4  winter coats, hats and gloves for people who needed them.

    She shared her idea with her mom, who thought it was great. But how would they 5 the idea to get plenty of winter clothing? Amaya decided to talk to her teacher, because then she could share her idea with her classmates at least.

    Ms. Monroe agreed when Amaya talked about her idea. They decided to call the 6  Hats in Harvard. Then they wrote a letter explaining the project. They also met with the headmaster during lunch time. He was excited about the idea, and said he would make sure copies (复印件) of the letter went home with all the students.

    They collected enough winter clothing in only one week. Then they left the clothes around two parks, so families who needed clothes could get them there. Three days later, Amaya and her mom went shopping again. She saw the same family that had given her the7for Hats in Harvard.  This time, though, the family wore some new coats, hats and gloves. Amaya felt 8 in her heart, and was very glad she could help others.

To My Best Friend

On a sunny morning, I am listening to the music. The soft music reminds me of my best friend, Sarah. There are many things I want to say to her.

Thank you for being there for me throughout all of the seasons of my life — the ups and downs, the beautiful and the ugly. You have offered me a shoulder to cry on whenever life has become hard. You have helped me in ways I didn't even know.

{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Whether it's been sending me the funniest pictures on the Internet or singing with me my favourite singers' songs, you have given me some of the best laughs of my life.

{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Whenever I have doubts about myself, you remind me of who I am and why I should be proud to have grown into the person I am. And thank you for always being honest with me. Whenever I make a stupid mistake, you always bring me around to face reality.

{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Without your encouragement, I wouldn't have applied for(申请) and landed the well-paying job that I now have.

{#blank#}4{#/blank#}You have taught me what it means to be a loving friend and what it means to receive love. There is something special about our friendship that cannot be found in any other relationship I've ever had.

{#blank#}5{#/blank#}No words could ever describe how thankful I am to have you in my life. And I'll always try my best to be the best friend for you.

Once a father and his son were going on a journey. Father gave his son a small

1 to carry. It was late evening. They walked through a hard footpath. Father found it 2 to walk with the moon light, so he told his son to light the lamp.

"Father, oil will 3 soon if we light lamp now. Let us walk some without lamp." Son replied. Father said4 and they continued walking.

It became completely dark Father said, "Son, you 5 light the lamp now." Son lit the lamp and held it 6 Father said, "Son, hold it higher so that we can get better view of road ahead." Son replied, "But father if I hold it high, it will

be7 . by the wind. So let me hold it low." Father again didn't say anything.

Both father and son were 8 . Just a while later, son almost fell down. Then father said, "Now hold your lamp high. We will be able to see path 9

Son held the lamp high and the path was brightened. Now, they were able to cross the path easily. Son 10 that their journey was hard because he didn't hold the lamp high.

Emma was nervous about the ceremony. She was the valedictorian(致告别辞者) for their class, and she was {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(worry) about speaking in front of such a large audience (观众). Emma wanted to practice her speech one more time with Julie.

But {#blank#}2{#/blank#} was Julie? Emma looked everywhere, but she couldn't find her. She called Julie's cell phone and sent her a few text {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(message), but Julie didn't answer. Emma didn't have much time, so she practiced her speech behind the curtains in the hall. Nobody say her.

When it was time {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(line) up for the ceremony. Emma finally say Julie." Where have you been?"

Emma asked Julie. "I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (call) you five times!"

"Sorry, I didn't hear my phone,"replied Julie.

"Where have you been? I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(look) for you, too."

"I was in the hall, practicing my speech,"said Emma.

"Where? I didn't see you there," said Julie.

"I was behind the curtains," Emma said and laughed. "That's why you couldn't find me!"

Julie laughed, too. "Don't worry. You'll do {#blank#}7{#/blank#} great job!" They took their seats. Emma sat in the front row. She was still {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(real) nervous. Then, someone landed her a piece {#blank#}9{#/blank#}paper. It was a note from Julie! It said, " Good luck! You can do it!" Emma felt better and smiled. 

"Sometimes paper is the {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(good) technology." She thought.

Tina started her junior high last Tuesday. There were 36 students in her 1 . In the first class，Mr Smith asked them to 2 themselves. Tina was shy，so she felt 3 . When it was her turn，Tina looked at Mr Smith 4 couldn't say a word. When her eyes met 5 ，Tina felt more nervous. Then she heard Mr Smith say，" Everybody，Tina's 6 is drawing. How about asking her to 7 a picture of me on the blackboard?" The students said，" Good idea. " Then Tina walked 8 the platform(讲台). On her way to the platform，she didn't feel so nervous. A question ran through her mind—9 does Mr Smith know her hobby?

"Are you 10 ?" Mr Smith asked. Tina said YES and 11 Mr Smith for a minute. Then she 12 to draw with chalk(粉笔). Very soon she finished the picture. "Wow! The picture looks the 13 as you，Mr Smith，" some students shouted. 

"Well done，Tina!" Mr Smith said. "I14 you can share your drawing skills with other students. " Tina said，"I will，Mr Smith. I'd like to give them some 15 about drawing. "

Tina really likes her classmates and teacher. 

①Emma is a lively girl. She applied to join the school's dance club as soon as she started high school. She had heard lots of descriptions about high school clubs and had always been curious and longing to join one.

②As the school's 100th anniversary (周年纪念日) drew near, Emma's club needed to perform at the celebration. Emma was both excited and nervous when she knew she had been chosen to be one of the performers. Emma wasn't used to performing in public. However, her teammates' encouragement gave her hope and her confidence improved .

 ③The day finally came. Emma imagined her dance moves over and over again in her mind when she and the team were waiting backstage. Then, they stepped onto the stage (舞台) one by one. With butterflies in her stomach, Emma began to dance. She was afraid to make mistakes. Suddenly, she stumbled (绊脚) and fell. At that very moment, she breathed heavily and her heart was racing like a frightened rabbit. The audience (观众) saw that in surprise, but they soon cheered Emma on.

 ④With her teammates' help, Emma picked herself up and continued to dance with calm. Then the team went all out for the show, and the audience were impressed by them.

 ⑤When it was all over, the audience showered the performers with cheers and praise. Emma's team even won an award! Emma was thankful for the love and support from her teammates and the audience. She realized that bravely facing fears and rising to challenges are necessary qualities to have. Surely, she will remember the experience forever.