China has the largest population in the world. The large population has caused many {#blank#}1{#/blank#} /′səʊʃl/ problems for the whole nation. For example, there is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (little) living space for each family. And it is not easy {#blank#}3{#/blank#} find jobs. It's also hard for China to {#blank#}4{#/blank#}/sə′plaɪ/ energy and water to satisfy people's daily needs. Most cities are more crowded {#blank#}5{#/blank#} before, and the traffic is much heavier. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (nature) environments are becoming {#blank#}7{#/blank#}/wɜ:s/. China has taken many measures to control the population. And the measures have worked well in it. {#blank#}8{#/blank#}, our government still faces a serious population problem. So we have a long way to go.

Grace wasn't a popular kid in her school. The girl, Ashley, was popular and had many friends. They were in the same class 1 didn't talk much.

During the summer school, the teacher asked them to 2 a project (项目) together. Ashley didn't like working with Grace at first, but she gave in. The reason was that her cool 3 were not in the class. However, when the project ended, they became good friends and Ashley introduced (介绍) Grace to the" cool girls". To fit in with 4 group, Grace followed them around and agreed with all their opinions. She began to do what Ashley liked.

One day, she heard Ashley and her friends talking 5 her." Grace just 6 you around, trying to be you. She loses her own personality (个性)," one girl said. Then Ashley answered,"I know. I wish she could find the group she is 7 in." Grace felt so sad and then thought of her mother's 8 ," Everyone is special. Just be 9 ."

Grace decided to find out who she really was. From that day, Grace changed. She was in every play after school and built confidence to be a much 10 self. The friends she made in the theatre are still her great friends to this day.

Many teenagers feel that the most important people in their lives are their friends. They believe that family members, and particularly(尤其是)their parents, don't know them as well as their friends do. In large families, it is quite often for brothers and sisters to fight with each other and then they can only go to their friends for advice. It is very important for teenagers to have one good friend or a circle of friends. Even when they are not with their friends, they usually spend a lot of time talking among themselves on the phone. This communication is very important in children's growing up, because friends can discuss something difficult to say to their family members. However, parents often try to choose their children's friends for them. Some parents may even stop their children from meeting their good friends.