Once, in a small village, lived a family with eight children. Two of the children loved 1 very much, but the family was so poor that it was impossible to send 2 of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally 3 a plan. They would toss(抛) a coin. The loser would go 4into the mines (煤矿) and, with his earnings(赚得的钱), 5 his brother studying at the college. Then, when the brother who won the toss finished his studies, after four years, he would support the other brother studying at the 6.

    James won the toss and Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart and his paintings were much 7 than those of most of his teachers, and by the time he 8, he was beginning to make a lot of money for his paintings.

    9 James returned, the family held a big dinner for his great success. Soon after the meal began, James 10 up from his seat to drink a toast (举杯祝酒) to his dear 11 He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your 12 will come true. I will take care of you. "

    But Jack said 13, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too 14 Now I can' t even hold a glass. "

    To show his great love and respect, James drew his brother' s hands with 15 towards the sky.

    He called his drawing "The Praying Hands", which became very famous years later.

    Henry Bond was about seven years old when his father died. His mother found it1to support the large family. However, she tried her best to do so. Also, she2 Henry, the eldest son, to school.

    At one time, Henry needed a grammar book for his study. His family was so3that his mother could not afford one.

    One morning, Henry found that a deep snow had fallen, and the4 wind was blowing. "Ah," he said," it is an ill wind that blows nobody good." With these words, he ran to the house of a neighbour, and offered his5to move away the snow around it. The offer was accepted. When he finished the work, he received his6, Then he went to another place for the7 purpose, and then to another,8 he had earned(挣得) enough to buy a grammar book.

    From that time, Henry was9 the first in all his subjects. He knew no such word as“10”, and he succeeded in all he tried to do. Having the will, he always found the way.

    When George was thirty-five, he bought a small plane and learned to fly it. He soon became very good at it and made his plane do ①all kinds of tricks.

    George had a friend. His name was Mark. One day George wanted to take Mark up in his plane. Mark thought, "I've traveled in a big plane several times, but I've never been in a small one. So I'll do."

    They went up, and George flew around for half an hour and did all kind sof tricks in the air.

    When they came down again, Mark was very glad to be back ②safely, and he said to his friend in a shaking (颤抖的)voice ,"Well ,George, thank you very much for those two trips in your plane."

    George was very surprised and said, "Two trips?"

    "Yes, my first and my last," answered Mark.

It was late and there weren't many people on the street. l guessed a lot of people were probably asleep. But I was on the way home from my office. 

There was a man riding his bike behind me. I didn't think anything of it until I turned off the highway to go home and he turned off too. Then I turned into another street and he followed me again. 

I was starting to feel a bit afraid especially when I turned into my own street and he followed me there too, I parked my bike in front of my house and he stopped in front of my house too. I was feeling quite scared by then, He was all dressed up in his bike clothes and I wanted to know what was going on. He came up to me and said my indicator (转向灯) wasn't working. He said that he was worried about me. He wanted to make sure 1 got to my home safely and knew about the problem so I could work it out. 1 thanked him for his kindness and he got back on his bike and rode off. 

l learnt an important lesson that day: Do not be so quick to judge (判断) a person. Maybe a person doesn't look like a good man, but he might have a heart of gold. 

Chinese students thank their teachers on September 10th, Teachers' Day. How do American students thank their teachers?

First of all, US schools thank their teachers the whole first week in May. Their special Teachers' Day falls on the Tuesday of that week. During the week, the school will have special parties and give teachers gifts. There are "Thank you" signs everywhere to thank teachers.

US students give small gifts to their teachers to let them know how great they are. It could be a simple gift like a thank-you card with a personal message. US teachers love it because they think it's meaningful. They like it even more when students say "thank you" directly (直接地) to them. US teachers like getting arts and crafts (手工艺品) from children best. Little things to decorate (装饰) their classroom are also common gifts in the US. This could be a small plant.

It doesn't take much to celebrate a Teachers' Day. But students shouldn't just wait until Teachers' Day. 他们应该一直都感谢他们的老师。

Not long ago, I decided to read a lot of books to {#blank#}1{#/blank#}（增长） my knowledge. So I went to the library and {#blank#}2{#/blank#}（返回） with several books. But after a few days, I felt I was not {#blank#}3{#/blank#}（耐心） enough. It was impossible for me to calm down to read a {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（整个） book. I didn't know how to deal with this problem. Then suddenly one day, I had an idea: why not make reading fun?

From then on, I knew what I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} （确切） needed, so I started reading books widely. I read different kinds of books, like storybooks, science books, {#blank#}6{#/blank#}（小说） and so on. And I also made a list of books I read every month. When I read books, I tried to understand the writers' {#blank#}7{#/blank#} （快乐） and sadness. And I also read books in different places. Sometimes I liked reading in the library. Sometimes I liked reading{#blank#}8{#/blank#} （在……旁边） a peaceful lake. After reading books, I made myself understood by expressing my ideas more {#blank#}9{#/blank#}（清楚）. Now I am more interested in reading. And books have become a part of my life. Books are great wealth for me.

Books are like our friends. They are very {#blank#}10{#/blank#} （帮助） to us. We can learn a lot from the books we read. They can also give us a lot. So start reading now, or one day you will regret not having read enough books.