— He asked us ___________ more attention ___________ the lab clean.

    Chinese A—level has overtaken German for the first time, as it becomes the UK's third most popular language.

    This year 3,334 students took Chinese A—level, compared to 3,058 taking German. While entries（报名者）for Chinese have increased by 8.6 percent since last year, the number of German entries has dropped by 16.5 percent. French remains the most popular modern language followed by Spanish(西班牙语), but both have seen a fall in entries compared to last year by eight and four percent separately.

    Barnaby Lenon, expert of the independent Schools Council (ISC), said that the teachers used to tell pupils "It will really help your future if you learn German", but this is no longer the case.

    In the 1960s, the 1970s and even the 1990s, pupils were strongly encouraged to study German because of the importance of the German economy(经济). Although it is still strong, that argument has disappeared gradually, and China has become known in the last 25 years for the fastest growing economy in the world.

    Mr. Lenon, a former headmaster at Harrow School, said the increase in Chinese A—level is partly driven by private schools. Many of them have put more money in the subject in recent years. "It is not the case that a large number of state schools are now teaching Chinese A—level. They are not," he said. Many of the entries will be Chinese native speakers, adding that independent schools have attracted(吸引)"large numbers" of Chinese pupils in recent years.

    Mark Herbert, director of schools and skills at the British Council, welcomed the rise in Chinese A—level entries. Our research shows that Mandarin（汉语）will be one of the most important languages for the UK's future and position—but we mustn't give no attention to Spanish, French and German which will still be important post—Brexit(脱欧后).

    Nick Gibb, the school minister, said, "It has never been more important for young people to learn a foreign language than now."

On a winter morning, a little boy of 10 years old or so went to a phone supermarket to make a telephone call. Clearly, he changed his tone (腔调) of voice while speaking over the phone. When all this was happening, the phone supermarket owner watched and listened with great interest to the conversation that followed:

"Madam, I am a poor boy. Can you give me a job cutting grass on your lawn (草坪)?" the little boy asked.

"Sorry, I already have someone to cut my lawn," the woman at the other end of the phone line answered.

"Madam, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now."

"The person who is now cutting my lawn satisfies me a lot. He is doing a good job."

"Madam, I'll even sweep your curb (清扫路边), so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida."

"No, thank you."

Instead of getting angry, the little boy smiled and put back the receiver (话筒) gently. The supermarket owner, who was listening to the conversation, walked over to the boy and said, "Soon, I like your manner and I would like to offer you a job."

"No, thanks. But I will remember your offer."

"But you were asking for a job so sincerely and seriously when you were talking to the lady over the phone."

"No sir, I was just checking how well or badly I've done the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!" the little boy said.

"It's over (结束)! Thank goodness!"

School is over and I am tired. I sit in the front of the school bus.

Janie, the driver, always 1 to talk to others. I listen quietly, but usually I'm busy 2 about my day. On this day, however, I want to listen to her.

"My 3 is ill," she says to no one. I can see worry in her eyes. I didn't see her like this before. She always 4 students with a smile.

With a feeling of interest, I ask, "What's wrong with him?"

Crying sadly, she answers, "Heart trouble (心脏病)." She looks at the floor when she says, "I lost my mum two years ago, so I can't lose my father." I 5 answer. I feel sorry for her.

I sit on the seat thinking of the great pain (痛苦) my own mother had when my grandfather died. I know how 6 it is for her. I won't want anyone to go through that.

At that moment, I find that Janie isn't only a(n) 7 , which is just her job. She has a whole world of family and cares too. I begin to understand (理解) her.

I shouldn't be so selfish (自私的). I don't notice (注意) Janie just because she is a bus driver. I judge (判断) her by her 8 and I don't think that she is a(n) 9 person.

10 people is an art. People around you have different life stories.

Mama was calling to me. I started awake, realizing it must be nearly midnight. "Mary," she said 1 , "Where's your homework?" Then I remembered I had not finished my homework. "Oh, Mama, I fell asleep," I told her weakly. "Well, your 2 comes first! You'd better finish your work." She said. I dragged myself out of bed. As I did so, I could not help feeling 3 . Why me? Those feelings were nothing new, but I did not give voice to them. With Mama, you didn't argue. You just 4 . I finished my work and gave it to her to check.

I remember when Ann and I walked barefoot to school one fine September day because our 5 had worn out and there wasn't enough money for Mama to buy us new ones. The headmaster asked us to go home, for he couldn't have students attending school barefoot. I suggested to Ann that 6 spend the day in a nearby farm instead. Just about the time school was over we went home. There was Mama, waiting for us. I 7 a story rather than let her down. Then she started crying. It was 8 that she knew everything. She told us never to be 9 of being poor. "The most important is not what you 10 , but who you are", said Mama.

Mama's strictness with me always made me feel as if I pleased her less than her other children. However, the 11 that I got has guided me for many years. I have come to be 12 for the value of Mama's strict requests. Still, one question continued to 13 me for more than 30 years. Then one day I asked her 14 she was always so much stricter with me than others. She looked at me straight in the eyes and said, "I had to be harder on you because you had more gifts. It was more important for you to get all the schooling you could because I just knew that many other people would be depending on you to do your best. "I 15 , Mama." At last I did.