Toby's family often goes on ski (滑雪) vacations. They are great fun. The snow is cold and wet, but the sun is warm. Toby loves the 1 of skiing down a mountain. It's always great.

    But there is one thing that Toby doesn't 2about skiing. There are so many things to 3. The most important things are the skis and ski boots (滑雪板和滑雪靴), of course. He also has to wear big socks to keep his feet 4and long underwear (内衣) for his legs. And he can't 5his hat and mittens (连指手套).

    Toby didn't like ski lessons before. He knew it was 6to learn, but he didn't like his teachers. They always gave very boring lessons. Also, the lessons always took very long 7they had to wait for everyone to get ready.

    However, this year Toby was glad to have the8. One time Toby's hat flew off while he was going down the mountain. One of the teachers went and got it9him. The teachers also showed him10to stop faster and turn better. Lessons were not so bad after all!

    I started playing the piano when I was about eight or nine. But when I got to university, I stopped playing it. I just didn't have enough time and there were so many other things to do.

—Eliza

    When I was little, I thought I should play the guitar like my dad. But later I decided to try something else. I chose the violin. I want to be a musician when I grow up, but my dad says it's difficult to make a living from music. But I don't want to be a doctor like him. It's so boring.

—Robin

    Nobody likes living near someone like me because when I practice, I make a lot of noise! I''m sorry for that but I have to keep practicing. I have drum lessons every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, and I practice the drums every evening. I love playing them and now I play in a fantastic band.

—Lisa

    I''ve played the guitar as long as I can remember. I used to play in a subway station to make some money. Now I keep on playing it when I'm free, but I work as a cook in a restaurant to make a living.

—Carmen

    The New Year was coming. Grace and Alice were going shopping with their mother. The mother wanted to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} them to a Farmers' Fair (集市),but Grace wanted to go to the supermarket. The mother explained that they{#blank#}2{#/blank#} buy fresh fruit and vegetables there, and could support (支持) local farmers as well. Grace agreed.

    The girls were{#blank#}3{#/blank#} when they arrived there. The farmers sold things that they grew{#blank#}4{#/blank#}. Alice found a stall (货摊) with red strawberries ,and she{#blank#}5{#/blank#}, "Where did you get so many good strawberries?" The woman answered, "I grow them on my farm. You can come to visit my farm{#blank#}6{#/blank#} you like." "That will be great!" said Alice. At last, Alice asked her mother to buy{#blank#}7{#/blank#} strawberries. They also bought something else.

    At the dinner, the father asked each person to say something{#blank#}8{#/blank#} this day. Alice said, "I want to thank not only the strawberries, but also the{#blank#}9{#/blank#} They needed to work so {#blank#}10{#/blank#}to grow strawberries." Grace then said, "We should thank the food and the people who bring it to us every day." Alice and Grace's parents smiled.

Some ways to celebrate (庆祝) the birthday

Everyone has his or her birthday. It's a {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (有益的)way to have a birthday party to celebrate the birthday . But do you know other ways to celebrate the birthday {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (好地)？

Have a big dinner with your family. It's a good time for you to talk with your family when you have dinner on your birthday. Tell your parents your problems or ask some {#blank#}3{#/blank#}（问题） about your study and life . They may help you. You may have dinner at home or in a restaurant.

Go on a {#blank#}4{#/blank#}（短的）trip. If your birthday is on Saturdays or {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (星期天)，why not take a trip ? With a friend of {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (你的 ) , you can go to some places near your house . For sure , July and  {#blank#}7{#/blank#} （八月）are the best time to take a trip . Always remember to take a camera（照相机） and you can take some nice {#blank#}8{#/blank#}（照片）.

See a movie (电影). To celebrate your birthday ,{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (怎样) about seeing an interesting movie with your parents or friends ?

Do some housework(家务). You can help your parents do some housework. They  {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (需要)you in their life . It will let them know you are one year older and can help them more.