About the movie

    It is the {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (finally) part of the Hobbit movie trilogy, and it came out in the US on Dec 17. The main character Bilbo Baggins is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} of fantasy's most famous heroes. In the movie, he helps the dwarves to get their kingdom back from the dragon Smaug, and also fights an {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(expect) group of enemies. He shows that true heroics are not the absence of fear, but {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(have) that fear and doing something anyway.

Difficulties Freeman once had

    He {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(use) be overshadowed (使逊色) by Benedict Cumberbatch, his co-star in Sherlock. He seemed to be unable to take the role in the Hobbit trilogy because of his role in Sherlock.

His personality and habits

    He is known {#blank#}6{#/blank#} being outspoken and {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(describe) as “direct and mean”. He is so old {#blank#}8{#/blank#} he doesn't use computers much, so he prefers his scripts to be mailed to him rather than e-mailed. He doesn't drive, and he's not interested in {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(hang) out with celebrities at clubs. He said he always saw the world in a funny way and {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(learn) not to care about being criticized.

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    I've learned that an art exhibition is {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(hold) and that you're collecting suggestions on its location. I'm writing this letter to share{#blank#}2{#/blank#} you my opinions.

    In my opinion,{#blank#}3{#/blank#} is more advisable to hold the art exhibition in Shanghai Museum than in community libraries. My reasons are as follows.

    On one hand, it is {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(convenient) for people to get to Shanghai Museum{#blank#}5{#/blank#}is located in the center of the city. Besides, the museum is much larger than commuity libraries, which {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(provide)visitors with more comfortable environment for{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(appreciate) art.

    On the other hand, as a well-known museum, Shanghai Museum is more professional and {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(experience)in holding art exhibitions. Its professional security guards and advanced facilities can better protect those famous {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(paint)from being damaged {#blank#}10{#/blank#}stolen.

    Therefore, I suggest the exhibition should be held in Shanghai Museum.

Wang Min

    It was a sunny day. A little boy's father was sitting on the couch, drinking a beer, while {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (watch) a basket match. Seeing this, the boy rushed to his father and shouted, “Daddy, Daddy, show me how to play catch!” The father, staring {#blank#}2{#/blank#}  the television screen, replied, “Let me finish watching {#blank#}3{#/blank#} match. Play outside and come back in five minutes.”

    “Okay, Daddy!” said the boy, running out of the room. Five minutes later, the boy returned, screaming , “Daddy, let's go. Let's play catch now !”

    By this time, the father had opened another cold beer and another match was beginning.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (patient) with the boy's interruption, the dad brought a magazine to his son. On the cover of the magazine was a large picture of the world. The father, who{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(bother) and angry, began tearing the magazine cover into small {#blank#}6{#/blank#} Then, the father turned to his boy and said, “Son, once you put this picture back together, we can play catch,  but do not interrupt me again{#blank#}7{#/blank#} you finish.”

    A few minutes later, the boy returned and said, “I{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (finish), Daddy! Can we play catch now?” Surprised, the father glanced towards his child, and there lay the magazine with the world together. The dad asked his child{#blank#}9{#/blank#} he put the world together so quickly.

    “{#blank#}10{#/blank#} was simple,” said the boy. “On the back of the world was the picture of a person, and once I put the person together, that's when the world came together. ”

    Today we talk about a word that is a feeling as well as a place. This word is “home.” Long ago in the 1700s, “home” was used as a verb,{#blank#}1{#/blank#} (mean) “to be guided to a destination.” So, when you home in on something, you get {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(close) to your target. For example, you could say, “Police are homing in on the suspects.” That is also where we get homing pigeons－pigeons that can find {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (they) way home after being released.

    But today, “home” is more often used as a noun. And it has a very emotional {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(connect) for American English speakers. You can remember the meaning of the word by the expression “home is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} the heart is.” That expression means home is anywhere you feel love and comfort. It is a place where you belong, and often a place you consider your origin. In other {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (word), “home” is not {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(simple) a building where you live—that's a house. There is a big difference {#blank#}8{#/blank#}a home and a house.

    The writer, Thomas Wolfe, had {#blank#}9{#/blank#} different idea about home. In 1940, his book “You Can't Go Home Again”{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (publish). Today we use this title to mean that the ideas and feelings that you had as a child often change when you are an adult. So, even if you return to the place where you grew up, time and distance have changed your perspective (观点).

    Is there such a thing as being “over­protective”？

    I can honestly say that my answer to that question {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (change) dramatically (戏剧性地) since I became a parent.

    Before the birth of my daughter, I taught at {#blank#}2{#/blank#} private school, often viewing my students as over­protected, worrying {#blank#}3{#/blank#} would happen when they went on to middle schools.

    Some did well, and some did not.Some needed constant pats on the back, words of {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (inspire) and extra support, which I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (happy) gave.Others were content on their own, needing little {#blank#}6{#/blank#} no interaction (互动) with their teacher.

    I'd always supposed their parents were over­protective, for they were the ones that still walked their {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (five) graders into the classroom and met them at the school gate.

    Admittedly, I laughed at those parents, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (think) their children would never learn to be {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (independence) if they didn't let go just a little.Then I had my own daughter.The moment I looked at her little face, I {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (know) I'd do everything in my power to protect her and make sure she always feels safe!