My parents always told me that I couldn't dance, because it was a girl's sport. But I never gave up my dream of becoming a dancing star. I practised secretly, learning from books, films and shows. However, without my parents' support. That1seemed all but impossible to reach.
One summer, my little sister Maggie was going to dance lessons. I immediately asked2parents for permission (允许) to take her to the lessons. What a3chance to learn dancing! One afternoon, I was practising a new dance in my room, when Maggie walked4.
"What's the matter, Maggie?" I stopped5.
"Denis, you are a great dancer! Can you help me?"
"What is it?" I wondered.
"There'll be a dancing performance in my school,6the boys think I'm slow, and none of them wants to be my partner. 7 you dance with me for it?" she looked at me anxiously.
"You can be a good dancer!" I encouraged her. "Let's show those people that they have been8all along."
In the following months, we9every evening, hiding from my parents. I was having a fantastic time and10Maggie improved a lot.
Finally came the big day. I became nervous when I heard my parents would come to watch the performance. As the11began, I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. We moved perfectly, shining with pride. From the cheering of the crowd, I was sure we had succeeded.
My heart was beating wildly when I saw my12coming towards me. He put his hand on my shoulder. "Well done, Son, Though it is hard for me to admit it, you really looked like you belonged to this stage. Go for it and make us proud."
I'd been waiting for this moment for so long. I knew that the road ahead wasn't going to be easy, but I wouldn't give up. I wanted nothing more in life than a dance.
In Germany, there is a special museum. It is the only one of this kind in the world and only very y few people know it. Every year, the number of people who come to visit the museum is only about one thousand. What kind of museum is it?
It is a museum about taxes (税收). In this museum, you can see the history of taxes and all kinds of taxes in different countries in the world.
After visiting the museum, people can draw a conclusion (得出结论). That is from 3000 B. C. (公元前), the kings, dictators (独裁者) and finance ministers (财政部长) could tax people freely. They taxed people heavily because of such things as wars, weddings (婚礼) or road building. They needed money and they got money by taxing their citizens (公民).
In the early times of Egypt, farmers had to pay heavy taxes if the water level (水面) of the Nile River rose. The kings said that if the water level rose, there would be much more earth in farmers' fields. So the farmers could get a good harvest and they should pay more taxes.
A strange kind of tax 一 Window Tax appeared (出现) in England. It lasted more than one hundred years. How? If there were more windows in the wall, the people must pay more taxes. So in those years, people built windows in the wall as few as possible.
Russian people once paid a tax for their beards (胡子). The people who had paid this tax would get a special piece of paper. But what about the people who didn't pay for their beards? Of course, their beards would be cut. But without a beard for a man is a way to scorn (蔑视) God. He would also be punished.
Here is some information about some of the wonders of the world. I am sure you will be interested in them.
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The Pyramids of Egypt |
There are about eighty pyramids known today. The most well 一 known was for Pharaoh (法老) Khufu. It is known as the "Great Pyramid". It's also the largest one. Workers used about 2. 3 million blocks of stones to build it. (A) 用了20年药时间才建成。 |
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The Hanging Gardens of Babylon |
The gardens sat on a hill. They were large and wonderful structures (建笑物). Many parts of the gardens were high u on large columns (支柱). There were many big and green trees with lovely flowers. Although there are many different ideas about the gardens. we are not sure whether this wonder ever existed (存在)! |
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The Lighthouse of Alexandria |
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was designed over 2,000 years ago. It was in Egypt too. (B) It was one of the ancient wonders of the world, about 135 metres high. It was once the highest building in the world. Although it doesn't exist now, many people come to see its relics (遗址) every year. |
A young man with a large bag on his back came far away for a master (大师). He said "Master, I'm so lonely and so painful that the long trip makes me tired out, my shoes worn-out, my feet cut, and my hands also injured an bleeding .... Why can't I find the sun in the heart?"
The master asked, "What do you put in you large bag?"
The young man said, "It is very important to me, inside it including the pain each time I fall, the tears each time I'm hurt, the trouble each time I feel lonely ... Depending on it, I can come to you here."
So the master took the young man to the river which they crossed in a boat. On the other side of the river, the master said, "Hurry on your journey carrying the boat!"
"What, carrying the boat?" the young man was surprised, "it is so heavy. How can I carry it?"
"Yes, my son, you can't carry it," the master just smiled and said, "when you cross the river, the boat is useful. But after crossing it, you will put down the boat and hurry on, If not, it will become a burden (负担). Pain, loneliness and tears—all these are useful to life. They can improve life, but if you don't forget them all the time, they will become the burden in life. Put it down! My son, life can't bear(承受) a heavy burden," The young man put down his bag and hurried on. He walked easily and happily, and much faster than before.
Dear friend, do you know the boy in the picture? He is Wang Yuan, a member of the Chinese boy band, TFBOYS. Do you want to know more about him? Follow me, please.
Wang Yuan was born November 8th, 2000 in Chongqing. His English name is Roy. He is good at singing, dancing and playing the piano. He can also write songs alone. He and two other boys formed the boy band TFBOYS in 2013. They are very popular with the young girls and boys in China now.
In January, 2017,Wang Yuan made a speech on good quality education (优质教育) in English at the United Nations in front of 500 people from, around the world. It's great. As for middle school students, we should learn from Wang Yuan, and put our hearts into what we are doing to make a difference in our daily lives.
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empty we tidy on business depend everything |
Imagine this; Your parents go away on business, and you have to stay at home alone. Would life be as easy as when your parents are around? Would it be a perfect holiday for you?
"I can fill an stomach with tomato and egg soup, but that's all. I think many of my classmates are the same, We wouldn't know what to do, or how to look after ," said Zheng Chenyu. "And I would forget something important. I would probably watch TV and cook the soup."
"As soon as I leave home, I'll learn to cook. But now parents do almost for us. We're very lazy," she said.
Most teenagers only have time for their homework. They don't learn any life skills until they go to college. However, Sima Yige doesn't think so,
"I think I would be all right. I wouldn't just eat sandwiches or fruit. I know how to cook some simple dishes because my mum showed me," the 13 一 year 一 old boy said. In his opinion, many teenagers too much on their parents, and there is much more to learn besides cooking, like up your room or even dressing yourself properly.
For most teenagers it wouldn't be a holiday at all.
Everyyear, thousands of students choose to study in another country for a term, asummer, or a year. Studying overseas can be an exciting experience for manypeople.
Why do itLiving in another country can help you to learn a language, and about anotherculture. You will see the world in a new way, and learn more about yourself.Overseas study may also look good on your future resume (求职简历). Many companies today want employees (雇员)who speak a second language, or have living or working experiences in anothercountry.
Making theright choice Once you decide to study overseas, you have to make some choices.To choose the right country or school, ask yourself: Where do I want to go andwhy? How much do I want to pay? How long do I want to study overseas? Do I wantto live with roommates, alone or somewhere else?
Gettingready to go Get your passport and visa (护照与签证) early! Before you go, learnsome of the language, and read about some common customs in the country thatyou are going to. Learn about the money, and bring some of it and a credit cardwith you.
Once youare there After the first few weeks overseas, many students will feel a littlehomesick. They may miss their family, friends, and familiar ways of doingthings. Remember that it takes time to get used to a new place, school andculture. When you feel sad or homesick, try to talk to others, or write aboutyour feelings in a notebook.
