Chuck Wall teaches management and human relations at Bakersfield College. He walked into class one day and told his students that their homework was to perform a simple and random act of kindness. Not {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (understand) the homework, the students didn't know what to do. Chuck didn't answer their questions{#blank#}2{#/blank#} he encouraged his students to work it out by themselves.

    One week later, the students entered the classroom and began sharing their stories{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (excited). One reported on helping a poor dog {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(abandon) by its owner. Another student told others about giving blankets away to the homeless. Gradually, more and more students developed the habit of doing such kind acts, from{#blank#}5{#/blank#} they benefited a lot.

    Since then, similar kind acts{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(perform) in schools around the world. Many schools organize a. Random Acts of Kindness Week, around November 13^th{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(celebrate) World Kindness Day. Some schools use each day of Random Acts of Kindness Week to perform a {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(differ) kind act, such {#blank#}9{#/blank#}making a new friend, helping someone, doing community service or raising money for a charity. In this way, students learn to consider other people and think about how small actions can make the world a{#blank#}10{#/blank#} (good) place.

    In many countries, {#blank#}1{#/blank#} is not unusual for families of different backgrounds to live together in the shared space. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}, in the United States, this idea may still be considered odd.

       But this type of housing, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(call) co-housing, is gaining {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (popular) in the United States, too. Co-housing complexes are popping up across the country. For many people, this way of life is {#blank#}5{#/blank#} relief to the busy modern lifestyle. There is often a “common house” with a kitchen and dining room, meeting room, and maybe a workshop of library or music room in a co-housing community.  About 25 co-housing communities {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (build) in recent years, and 150 more are planned.

    A co-housing complex is a place {#blank#}7{#/blank#} residents shop, cook, and eat together. Residents of a co-housing complex like its sense of shared community. Children have other kids to play with, which many families like. The feeling of living in a “village” is {#blank#}8{#/blank#} other residents like. Residents also say that they can live in co-housing for {#blank#}9{#/blank#} money than they would pay {#blank#}10{#/blank#} nearby apartments.

Do Yao Ming, Liu Xiang and Justine Henin have anything {#blank#}1{#/blank#} common with people like us? You probably answer "NO!"

It seems that top athletes live in a world that is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (total) different from ours. However, if we could see into their minds, {#blank#}3{#/blank#} would be clear that they are actually just like us. Just how they become successful {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (mean) examples for us all. To achieve their goals, sportspeople not only have to prepare physically, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} mentally.

We may not be sports stars {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (we), but we have to face the same problems. We set goals for ourselves and think about personal {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (develop). We have to manage our fears before big exams. We worry about our friendships with both classmates and teachers.

Like sportspeople, we try {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (be) mentally strong and bring out our {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (good). There is much we share with sports {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (hero).