How do you feel when you have to make a speech in front of class? What about when you go to a birthday party? Do you get really shy?

    Shyness means feeling nervous or frightened when you're around other people. Experts （专家） {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(find)that more than 80 percent of middle school students feel afraid to be the center of attention. Some kids are born shy. Some become shy later because of their life experiences.

    It's OK if it takes you a while {#blank#}2{#/blank#}( feel )yourself again when you go to a new place or meet new people. In fact, everybody {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(get) a little shy sometimes. It's just a case of how much.

    Most people have red faces and talk in broken sentences when they get shy. But some become so shy that they{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (not go) to a restaurant because they are too nervous {#blank#}5{#/blank#}( order） and pay the bill（账单）. Some are afraid of {#blank#}6{#/blank#}（meet） new people, so they seldom go outside. This kind of shyness can be bad for a person.

    If shyness doesn't stop you from doing something you want to do, being shy isn't a very big problem. Some experts say shy people are quieter and cleverer because they think more and talk less. Shy people are also good at working with others because they think more for other people. Some great people in history {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(be)shy, too.

    You see, being shy isn't all bad. But remember not to let good chances pass by just because of it! If you have to sing a song at a birthday party or practice your spoken English in front of others, just do it! There's nothing to be afraid of.

    In a small house outside London lives an old man. People often see him look {#blank#}1{#/blank#} his flowers in his garden all the time.

    One day, a young painter {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (go) by the old man's house. He looked at the nice garden and the special room, picturing how happy he would be if he lived in such a {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (beauty) place. Suddenly he found the old gardener {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (terrible) blind. Shocked, he walked to the old man and asked, "Why are you taking care of the flowers every day which you can't see in fact?" The old man smiled, "I can tell you four reasons. First, I was {#blank#}5{#/blank#} gardener when I was young and I really love this job. Second, although I can't see these flowers, I can touch them. Third, I can smell the sweetness of them. As to the last, it's you."

    "Me? But you don't know me," answered the painter, still puzzled.

"Yeah, it's true that I don't know you. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I know flowers are gifts which everyone loves. And the beauty of my garden will get many people into a good mood," answered the old man,

    The words of the gardener warm me with {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (please). He looked after the flowers {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (make) others enjoy the warm sunshine in spring. He can't see the beautiful flowers he planted, just like Beethoven, who can't hear his wonderful music {#blank#}9{#/blank#} The old man is alone but not lonely. All of his flowers are his friends and neighbours. They {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (grow) in his heart. I believe that he can hear the voice of them.