Students often gather together in small, closed groups. If you are not part of a group, it can be difficult for you to be accepted. This is  (especial) true if you can't speak to the members of the group in their language.

    This was the situation Sam faced each day as he  (go) to class. Sam and his family moved to France last month. Before he arrived, he knew there would be many difficulties. But they were even  (bad) than he imagined.

    Every lunch hour, after  (arrive) at his new school, Sam sat alone in the dining hall. He looked at all the different groups of students around him. But he had no way to let them know that he was a good person. He simply couldn't find the right words to reach his  (classmate).

    Sam knew he had to find a way to change the situation. He did a little research on the Internet and discovered that smiling is a universal language — it  (understand) everywhere.

    One morning, while Sam  (walk) by a group of students, he smiled at them. A boy in the group smiled back at him. For Sam, that was a good beginning. Later, he noticed the boy coming towards him in the hall  a warm smile on his face. Sam returned the smile.

    Soon the boy asked Sam  (join) him and his group of friends for lunch. Although Sam wasn't able to say much in French, everyone was willing to help  (he). From then on he had a group of friends.

    That day he experienced the power of a smile.