Four of my friends and I gathered at our favorite restaurant for Anna's birthday party. We were all having a good time when suddenly Julia said, "Hey! Let's go to 1 house and continue the party!"
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea," I said. I looked to the others for support, but it seemed they were 2 going to Julia's house, for they didn't know how to say "3" to Julia. Julia always tried to bully (欺负) the rest of us. She knew that we would all get into trouble with our parents 4 we left the restaurant. But that didn't stop her.
"Don't forget Anna's mother will bring the birthday cake at 8: 30," I said. "We 5 wait until Anna's mother arrives!"
"Don't be 6. She'll find us," Julia said, laughing, like it was no big deal.
"My mother is coming here to pick me up," I 7, not wanting to tell her I knew my mother wouldn't allow me to go.
"Stay here 8 yourself," Julia said. "The rest of us are going." Then she began calling me name.
I felt tears coming to my eyes, so I ran to the bathroom. I felt so childish, crying alone. It's really hard to go 9 your friends, especially when you're hoping to be popular with them. A moment later, Amanda came in and said, "Julia is just that 10. I agree with you. If we get out right now, maybe we can persuade (劝说) the others to stay."
"I'm staying here with Susan," Amanda said as soon as we 11 to the table. Then she said something I hadn't expected. "If I leave, I'll get into trouble with my parents, so let's take Susan's 12."
Anna looked happy again as she said, "My mother wouldn't agree, 13. I'll stay with you two." "Okay, I'll stay, too," Ellie added.
"Well, I'm not going alone. I have to stay! Oh!" Julia said.
I was surprised it was so 14. None of the girls left and I knew it was because Amanda sided with me.
I guess it's true that there's strength (力量) in 15. Friends can influence each other, for good or bad.
Replacing (更换) some things in your house at the right time can make you healthier. Some researches show us when and why the following things should be replaced.
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Item |
Toothbrush | Cutting board | Chopsticks | Blanket |
| Main material | Plastic | Wood | Wood | Wood |
| Cleaning way | Using warm water | Using hot water | Using hot water | Dry-cleaning |
| Replacing reason | Causing a toothache | Producing bacteria (细菌) | Producing bacteria | Being worn out |
| Replacing time | Every three months | Every three years | Every five months | Every five years |
When I was younger, bedtime was always my favorite part of the day. Wearing soft pajamas (睡衣裤) and with Lan, my stuffed monkey, in my arms, I felt no pressure at all.
I named Lan after my uncle when I compared Lan's long arms and legs to his. One night I ran up to Uncle Lan at a family party and told him I had named my monkey after him. His eyebrows wrinkled (起皱纹) in confusion, and then a chuckle (哈哈大笑) escaped from his lips. I guess he didn't understand how important it was to me.
Even if Uncle Lan didn't think my monkey was special, I certainly did. I dressed him in a white baby nightgown (睡衣). My mother thought that Lan was the best-dressed stuffed animal in the world. Yes, he was certainly a fashionable creature. The strong cologne (科隆香水) I used on him years ago makes him still smell "pretty".
For a long time, Lan went everywhere with me. He was my best friend, and I told him everything. But when I turned twelve, I realized I was too old for stuffed animals. I thought people would think I was babyish, so I put him in the cupboard with the rest of my teddy bears and dolls. I begged him to understand why I was doing this, but at the same time I longed to talk to him again.
It took me several years to realize that it was OK to miss Lan. I know now that maturity (成熟) doesn't only mean growing up and taking on more responsibility (责任). It also means holding on to your childhood and acting young sometimes.
Lan has been with me since I was six years old. Holding him in my arms connects me with my past and my present as I continue growing and understanding myself.
The Vine That Ate the South
Kudzu is a fast-growing vine (蔓生植物) that covers a large area in the southern United States. It is so common that one might think it is a native plant, but it is not. Kudzu was brought to the United States from Japan in 1876. Many Americans thought it was beautiful, and they began to plant it. They didn't know it could grow up to a foot a day during the summer months. Nor did they know it would grow up and over anything in its path (路径).
In Japan, kudzu experienced cold winters and a short growing season. But in the United States, it has a very long growing season with warm and wet southern weather. It is fine weather for the vine to grow fast.
In the 1920s, people used the vine to feed farm animals. Ten years later, the government supported to plant kudzu because it kept soil (土壤) from washing away. However, by the 1950s, the government no longer wanted people to plant the vine. Twenty years after that, the government said it was a harmful plant.
The vine grows up trees and buildings, making some beautiful shapes. However, trees die after kudzu covers them because they cannot get enough light. Scientists are looking for ways to kill the vine. They used poisons (毒药)to kill the vine. However, some of the poisons made it grow even better. Scientists also find it difficult to dig up Kudzu. The plant is really tough.
Because kudzu is so hard to kill, some people are making the best of it. So they try to find different uses for the vine. They find the vine can be used to make paper and baskets, it can be used to feed the goats, and it can even be eaten by people. Scientists are studying it in the hope that the vine can be used as a medicine. At the very least, kudzu serves as an example of the unexpected results that can come from non-native plants.
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keep sleep regret weigh prefer |
Mattie J.T. Stepanek, an American boy, has (be) a hero to people around the world.
Mattie suffered from a serious (疾病) called muscular dystrophy (肌肉萎缩症). He was in poor (身体状况), so he used a wheelchair to move around. But he never thought that he was too (虚弱的) to do anything.
Mattie began writing when he was about three years old. He wrote thousands of poems and short stories. His first book Heart Songs (出版) in 2001 and was the No.1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His seven other books sold more than one million (份). He hoped that people all over the world could live in peace. So he wrote Just Peace: A message of Hope. To make his (梦想) come true, he kept (与……战斗) until he passed away in June 2004, just before his 14th birthday.
His love of reading and writing encouraged many people who are not physically (身体上) (健康的). In Mattie's words, "We must remember to play after every storm and to celebrate the gift of life as we have it. We must always listen to the song in our (心), and share that song with others."
Do you remember how you get your English name? Your English teacher gave it to you you looked up the dictionary to get it? Have you ever (think) whether your English name will bring you good luck or bad luck?
A study found a name that (other) felt difficult to pronounce might influence a person's future. The study shows that the (easy) your name is to pronounce, the more trustworthy (值得信赖的) people will think you are. The research also shows that people more familiar names are probably to hold higher positions in society. In other words, a weird (古怪的) name may stop someone from (go) to be a leader or a boss. You may think about your name again. If your first name sounds strange and you can't change it, you can do as the following (suggest).
Try using middle name if it's not hard to pronounce. you don't have a middle name, you can use a nickname (绰号). And when you get to the interview, you can explain that you often use a nickname because people find your (really) name difficult to pronounce.
Your name may mean more than you think.
People who buy property (房产) or move into a new apartment or house usually hold a housewarming party (乔迁派对). The party is an opportunity for friends and family to congratulate (祝贺) this person on their new home. It is a tradition (传统) to bring a gift to a housewarming party. Decorations (装饰品) for the new house, such as pieces of art or potted plants (盆栽植物), are good housewarming gifts. You can also bring food or drinks to share with the other guests. The host or hostess of the party will give all the guests a tour of their new home. Sometimes, because housewarming parties usually happen shortly after a person moves into their new home, guests may be asked to help unpack boxes. This isn't common, though.
A long time ago, people would bring firewood (木柴；柴火) to their friends' new homes as a gift. This is where the name "housewarming" comes from. This allowed their friends to keep their homes warm for the winter. These days, most homes have central heating, so firewood isn't needed.
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Housewarming Parties |
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When and why do people have housewarming parties? |
When someone moves into . The parties are an opportunity for friends and family to . |
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What do people do during the party? |
. Eat food together. The host or hostess will give to all the guests. Unpack boxes. |
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Where does the name "housewarming" come from? |
A long time ago, people would , so that the houses' owners could keep their homes warm for the winter. |
参考词汇：be friendly to others, be honest, tell a lie (谎言), be always ready to help others, learn to share
How to Get on Well with Others
It's very important to get on well with others,
