Everyone has dreams. Lily dreamed of being a dancer. She took 1 lessons and all her teachers thought she was an excellent student.
One day she saw a notice. It said that a famous dancing group would be performing in her town. 2 though, “I must show the leader my dancing skills.” She waited for the group leader in the dressing room. 3 the leader appeared, she came up and hander him the flowers she prepared. The thorns (刺) hurt her fingers and blood came out. But she was too 4 to care about the pain. She expressed her strong wish to be a dancer and begged (乞求) to show her dance.
“All right, you dance.” The leader agreed. But half way through the dance, he stopped her, “I'm sorry, in my mind you're not good enough!” On hearing this, Lily 5 out as fast as her legs could carry her. It was so hard for her to accept this. She lost heart and 6 her dream.
Several years later, the dancing group came to her town again. She decided to find out 7the leader had told her she was not good enough.
This was his reply, “I tell this 8 every student.”
“You've ruined (毁掉) my life!” she shouted angrily.
The leader went on, “I remember your present of 9and how the thorns had hurt your fingers but you carried on bravely. It was a pity that you didn't take dancing like that and stopped trying so 10 . So you are still not good enough for dancing!”
A
When I was four, one day I was playing outside our house. I saw my grandfather's truck. It was black and looked better.” I got some paint and a brush which were left in the kitchen by my father. I painted the truck white and blue all over. I was finishing the job when my mum walked up and stopped me. She was worried that my grandfather would be angry. However, when my grandfather looked at my paintings on the truck, he laughed loudly. “Angela, that's the prettiest truck I've ever seen! I love it!”
Sometimes adults (成年人) don't stop to see things through children's eyes. They missed so much beauty in the world. Luckily, my grandfather saw things in another way.
B
Gardening is popular in many parts of the world. It brings us sweet smelling flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables. But you can get more from your garden.
Gardening helps to keep healthy. Today's people sit indoors for too long and don't get much exercise. When you garden, you have to move around. It's a good chance for you to exercise your body by watering flowers or doing some digging. Besides, when you are in your garden, you can feel the warm sunshine. This means you are getting Vitamin D. It helps your bodies use calcium (钙), which is necessary to keep your bones (骨骼) strong.
It gets them off computers, televisions and phones. Gardening can be a great teacher to teach children about nature and healthy eating. It can also help them to understand the meaning of “No pains, no gains.”
Gardening is a great way to meet people and build relationships. When you are gardening, you are outdoors. So it is a perfect time to communicate with your neighbors. Most people love to talk about their hobbies, and so do gardeners. They usually enjoy showing people what they are growing. And most enjoy sharing advice and stories about their gardens.
D
A cup of coffee is a good way for many people to start their day. It can also pass on kindness.
Manyang Kher used to be a Sudanese child refugee (难民). When he was three years old, his village was burnt in the war. He was separated from his parents and never saw them again. He became one of the 20,000 young Sudanese who had to leave their home for Ethiopia's Gambella area. He lived there as a refugee for 13 years.
When he was 16, Kher went to the United States. While he was in college, he started a program to help the refugees. Now, he owns a coffee company (公司) called 734, which is part of his program. The company has helped more than 200,000 refugees living in the Gambella area till now. Kher said, “I know the difficulties and pains they face every day. You see kids die from hunger. You see kids dying of illnesses. You see kids running away from the refugee camp to find a place to be home, but die on the way.”
Eighty percent of the money made by the coffee company is used to send more of the children to school. And, as Kher explains, the money helps refugees to help themselves. For example, a cup of 734 coffee can also buy one fishing net (网) for a refugee. They can fish fir themselves.
Kher sells the coffee online and to coffee stores. Megan Murphy owns a coffee store in Washington, D.C. She serves 734 coffee in her store and people love it. The coffee tastes delicious, so it's a win-win on both sides.
A. When will it start? B. You can book it on our website. C. What can I do for you? D. Enjoy yourself. E. Where can I get the ticket? F. Thank you for your help. G. It's wonderful. |
A: Hello, this is Renmin Opera House.
B: Oh, hi. Do you still have tickets for the piano concert tonight?
A: One moment, please. Uh, yes, there are a few left.
B: That's great!
A: At 7:30.
B: How long will it last?
A: It will last about two hours.
B: Sounds great. Can I book (预定) one ticket now?
A: Yes.
B: Well, but how can I do it?
A: Just go to our website, fill in your information, choose a seat and pay online.
B: Sounds easy.
A: At the gate at least half an hour before the show starts.
B:
A: You're welcome.
As we are growing up, we really need advice from adults. Here are three people talking about their experience.
Jasper, 26, actor
You're not alone.
Sometimes when you're a teenager, you feel as if you're all alone and there's you can talk to. Do you know twenty to thirty percent of teenagers in the US have a hard going through the period? They feel lonely and sad. I think life is so much easier if you your troubles with others. I regret that I didn't take the advice when someone gave it to me.
Steve, 27, teacher
Your teachers only want what's best for you.
When I was in school, I never thought I'd become a teacher. I acted badly in class, and I feel about that now. I love my job and I know how challenging it is, so I hope kids can show their teachers more respect (尊敬). I hope kids can that teachers push them to do their best and not just to give them a hard time.
Anna, 29, doctor
Money doesn't grow on trees.
When I was a teenager, I never learned to save money. I just spent it! My parents gave me everything I wanted, but I realize now they spent little themselves. Now I wish I knew more about planning my money, and I am not the only one! It seems that today's teenagers know about money planning even less me years ago. I do wish they could learn about it earlier.
