There was no one quite like my father. When any other man had an extra dollar, he bought a drink; when Father had an extra dollar, he bought a book. Other people had pictures on their walls, or at least a calendar; we had books, 3000 of them, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(line) every surface of our little four-room house {#blank#}2{#/blank#} every subject. Father was the {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (more) persistent (固执的) scholar I ever knew. Every summer he took a month or so off to attend classes. Eventually, he earned seven degrees, attended 11 different colleges and universities. My sister and I were the immediate beneficiaries of Father's insatiable (不能满足的){#blank#}4{#/blank#}(hungry) to learn.

    Before I was three, my father was reading aloud to me. Thereafter, I read aloud to him so he'd work on my {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (pronounce). By the time I was in the fifth grade, I'd recite {#blank#}6{#/blank#} classical literature to poetry and had to be prepared to do {#blank#}7{#/blank#} Then Father would warn by quoting a saying from Shakespeare, “{#blank#}8{#/blank#} all the year were playing holidays, to sport would be as tedious(乏味的) as to work. “Obviously, his efforts weren't {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (entire) in vain, for my voice has enable me to earn a fair livelihood. But that fact doesn't begin to define the most debt {#blank#}10{#/blank#} I owe my father.

    Many weight loss programs seem attractive to people. But for most people {#blank#}1{#/blank#}are overweight, the results are so {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(limit) that they will give up long before achieving any realistic results. It turns out that the programs are practically of no use. You lose weight for a while, only {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (gain) back more weight when you stop your weight loss program. This is {#blank#}4{#/blank#}such programs are not natural. Is there a natural weight loss solution?

    A sure way of achieving natural weight loss is to increase {#blank#}5{#/blank#}amount of exercise you get every day.  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} , this doesn't necessarily mean spending hours at the gym {#blank#}7{#/blank#} in front of a weight loss video. Increase your weight levels {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(nature) by walking or biking short distances instead of driving, or by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. There are even exercise that you can do while {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(sit) at your desk. All of these activities can burn extra calories {#blank#}10{#/blank#}taking up too much time.

    About 25 million people play soccer in the U.S.,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}is almost 10% of the total population. Many of these players are young people, and soccer's{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(popular) has grown over the years in part because children as young as five years old can play on{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(organize) teams{#blank#}4{#/blank#}contrast, most baseball and basketball leagues don't start until ages seven{#blank#}5{#/blank#}eight. Also, most parents want to sign their kids up for soccer teams because the sports{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(consider) very sage,{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (like) baseball and basketball. Most{#blank#}8{#/blank#}(importance), the culture of youth soccer in America places greater importance on teamwork than being{#blank#}9{#/blank#}(compete). Because of this, players of all skill levels are able to be part of{#blank#}10{#/blank#}team.

Mike: Hey, Jack. How are you doing?

Jack: Just fine. I'm trying to make friends. Could you give me some {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (suggest)?

Mike: I'd love to. As we know, a true friend is someone who is always {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (concern) about you.

Jack: Yes. And he can also cheer me up when I'm upset and calm me {#blank#}3{#/blank#} when I'm angry.

Mike: I {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (entire) agree with you.

Jack: I have one more question, though.

Mike: Go ahead. I'd be happy {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (show) you how to make new friends.

Jack: I wonder {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I can make friends with people of all ages.

Mike: Yes, of course. I {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (become) a friend to an old lady and to a young kid a few years ago.

Jack: Wow, that's surprising. I didn't know {#blank#}8{#/blank#} you could have such friends. I'm sure I can be friends with many people because I am outgoing.

Mike: I think so. Friends are people who understand you and enjoy {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (be) around you. I think you're a person who is easy to get along {#blank#}10{#/blank#}. People usually like to make friends with someone like you.

Jack: Thank you for giving me such useful advice.

Mike: You are welcome.

    Today I will share a true story about an overseas student {#blank#}1{#/blank#} studied in Germany.

    After years of hard work, this student graduated with {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(amaze) achievements. Everyone was sure that he was going to get a good job easily and have a bright future. But to his surprise, he was not even given the chance for {#blank#}3{#/blank#} interview! The third time he {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (refuse), he couldn't help {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(telephone) the company to ask why they didn't want him. The answer was simple. "We don't offer jobs to dishonest people in Germany."

    You might wonder what was wrong. The truth is, shortly after he {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (arrive) in Germany, this clever student found that {#blank#}7{#/blank#} was easy to skip(逃票) buying subway tickets in this country. So in order to save money, he often went in the subway without a ticket. As a result, he had been caught without a ticket many {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (time).

    From this story, we learn that we may get short-term benefits(好处)in dishonest ways, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} the truth will come out sooner or later and the cost is high. So remember that {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(honest) is the rule.