In life, everyone once struggles for a dream, whether it's successful or not. I still clearly remember one day when I was in high school. I saw on a website that China's. Got Talent's mass-election（海选）for the best singers was going on. I was very excited and decided to go and try out. But it wasn't as easy as I had thought. When I got there, I saw at least 100 people already waiting in line. My hands started to sweat and shake as my turn got close. I got up and started singing, but I sang so badly that I stopped before I even finished the song. Afterwards I quickly said goodbye to my friends and walked home crying. I thought that I would never be able to show my face in public again.
    However, after about a year, that terrible experience became a funny memory. I realized that I didn't need to care about losing that dream, because I made a new and more realistic one. I'm good at English, as well as other subjects. I made it my goal to get accepted into Columbia University. Columbia is hard to get into, and about 1,300 students from all over the world are accepted every year. Though it is hard to get into, I think my dream will come true someday by working hard.

A

    Once a very rich man and his son collected valuable paintings by famous artists like Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet.

    Later, the son left to join the army. After a few weeks, the old man received a letter saying his son had died while taking another soldier to a hospital. The old man became very lonely and sad.

    One day, a soldier visited the old man and gave him a painting—it was a portrait（肖像）of his son. The painting of his son became the old man's most valuable item. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man died.

    All of the old man's paintings would be sold at an auction（拍卖会）. The auction began with the painting of the old man's son.

    “Who will open the price at $100?” the auctioneer asked. Moments passed and no one spoke or raised their hands. Someone said, “Who cares about that painting? Let's get on to the good ones.” More voices followed in agreement. “No, we must sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the portrait of the son?”

    Finally, a good friend of the old man spoke, “Ten dollars!” “Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence he said: “ Going once… going twice…Sold!” The auctioneer then announced that the whole auction was over. “According to the father's will, whoever takes the son's portrait gets the whole collection.” The auctioneer said.

    Because of the father's love, whoever took the son got it all.

    Barbie dolls always wear beautiful clothes. Do you know who makes the clothes for them? Kim Culmone from the US is a fashion designer. But unlike other designers, she only makes clothes for Barbie.

    Culmone is 48 years old. Her job is to design and make new clothes for Barbie. Culmone likes to watch fashion shows on the streets. When she sees beautiful clothes, she gets some ideas for her designs.

    Culmone is interested in the world of Barbie's clothes. Every day, she spends most of her time drawing different kinds of dresses for Barbie, and making them into real clothes.

    "I love dolls very much. When I was young, Barbie was a very important part of my childhood. I dreamed of making clothes for my own dolls." Culmone says. But it's not an easy job. She has to spend a lot of time planning for Barbie's clothes.

    "Sometimes, you think a dress is beautiful." Culmone says, "But when Barbie wears it, it looks different. Barbie dolls are a bit taller than a bottle of water."

    John is thirteen now. He began to study in a middle school two years ago. His home is in a village and it's nearly five kilometres away from the school. He has to get up early in the morning. After quick breakfast he has to run to school and get there on time. His father hopes to borrow some money to buy a bike for him, but John knows his mother is always ill and that his father spends much money on medicine. He doesn't agree with his father and keeps running there every day. Now he's very strong. He is never late for class and his teachers often praise him.

    Last week there was a sports meeting in his school. John ran faster than any other boy in the boys' 800—metre race, 1, 500—metre race and 3, 000—metre race. The whole school knew him. He was happy. He told his grandma about the good news as soon as he got home.

    "I broke two school records today, Granny, "called out the boy.

    To his surprise, the old woman wasn't happy. She thought for a while and I'm sorry to hear that. But we have no money to pay for them, you know!

    I like listening to music in my free time. My favorite song is Another World by One Direction. I also like reading books and one of my favorite books is The Old Man and the Sea. But I like making clothes best. I think it is very interesting.

Emma

    In my free time, I often help my parents do the housework. I clean the rooms, wash the dishes, walk the dog and help my sister with her studies. But my favorite thing is cooking. I want to be a great cook in the future.

Tina

    In my free time, I like, drawing, playing volleyball and reading books. I also enjoy talking with my friends and playing the piano. I have piano lessons every Thursday and Sunday.

 Bill

    I like doing volunteer work in my free time. I go to the old people's home with my classmates twice a month. And sometimes I go to the market to help old people. I also help clean the park in my neighborhood.

Jessica