Michael Jackson was on the road of performing when he was five years old. As is known to all, the road to fame and fortune is a long, hard one.
Michael remembers those early years when he was young. "My father was a machine operator," he explained, "and he worked at a steel plant. My mother worked at Sears, a big department store. But they were both musicians."
Michael's father Joe Jackson realized his sons had a lot of talent, and he knew he could train them to become fine musicians. In those days there were plenty of music groups and some of them were very good. He knew if his sons were to stand out, they would have to be the best.
Practice makes perfect. And the Jackson boys practiced! Gradually the group took shape. Then word of this group began to get around. Thus Michael got a chance to do some solo (独唱) songs. In the following years, Michael was always on the top. One million records of his were sold in New Zealand, which has only a total population of three million!
When Michael was eighteen, he entered another field of his career (生涯) —acting. "I plan to star in movies," he told his friends, "but of course, my first love is music."
Michael wrote a lot of his own songs. "Songs came about in the strangest ways," he said. "I'll just wake up from sleeping and there is a whole song coming into my head. And then I put it down on the paper."
Still, with all his success, Michael managed to keep his head calm. "I just do a different job from other people," he said, "but it doesn't make me think I'm better than other people."
To be quite honest, his fans just love to hear and watch him!
The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cooled uniform, stood at the table; his poor helpers were behind him; the gruel (稀粥) was served out; and after they spoke to God to give thanks, there was little time left to eat. The gruel disappeared immediately; the boys whispered each other, and encouraged Oliver to ask for more. Oliver was very hungry and decided to take a risk. He rose from the table; and went to the master, plate and spoon in hand, said:
"Please, sir, I want some more."
①
The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He looked at Oliver in great surprise for some seconds, and nearly fell but for the support to the table. The helpers were frozen with wonder; the boys with fear.
"What!" said the master at last, in a confused voice.
"Please, sir," replied Oliver, "I want some more."
The master hit Oliver's head with the ladle; and screamed for Mr. Bumble.
②
The board were sitting in plotting (密谋) something, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and spoke to the gentleman loudly in the high chair, said:
"Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more!"
③
"For more!" said Mr. Limbkins. "Calm yourself, Bumble, and answer me clearly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted (配给) by the dietary?"
"He did, sir, "replied Bumble.
"That boy will be hung, " said the gentleman in white. "I know that boy will be hung."
Nobody was against the gentleman's opinion. A heated discussion took place. Oliver was put in a cold, dark room and no boys were allowed to talk to him; and a bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the gate, offering a reward of five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the parish (教区).In other words, five pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to any man or woman who wanted an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling.
④
"I never was more convinced of anything in my life, "said the gentleman in white, as he knocked at the gate and read the bill next morning: "I never was more convinced of anything in my life, than I am that that boy will come to be hung."
At least 20 people died and hundreds were injured in a bridge collapse in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata Thursday. Witnesses said many people and vehicles, including two buses carrying more than 100 passengers, were under the bridge when it fell. They also said construction workers had set up camps near the bridge site where they would sleep and cook.
Before rescue teams arrived, local residents and firefighters used their bare hands to try to rescue people trapped under the debris. The collapsed bridge is in a busy commercial area of Kolkata. Its location has made it difficult for rescue operations. Access to the area is blocked on both sides by buildings, and the streets are blocked with heavy traffic.
Reuters (路透社) reports that the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, rushed to the scene of the collapse. She said that rescuing those trapped is her “top priority”. Banerjee said those responsible for the disaster will be punished. Yet she faces questions about the safety of the construction project. The Telegraph newspaper reported last November that Banerjee wanted the bridge — already five years overdue — to be completed by February. Project engineers said they were concerned over whether this would be possible, the newspaper said at the time. Construction workers had been on a strict schedule to complete the bridge. The disaster could affect the West Bengal election next month. An Indian company, IVRCL, was building the 2kilometer bridge, its website said. IVRCL's director of operations said the company was not sure of the cause of the disaster.
On the first day of my new high school, I almost had a nervous breakdown. Everything about the school seemed so difficult. When I got home, my parents said, "You're nervous and that's okay. Everyone is afraid of high school." I denied it. I wanted to be strong, so I refused to let anyone know about my fear, even my closest friends.
On the first day I was late for every class and was constantly lost. The school seemed like a puzzle that I couldn't figure out. Was this how the whole year was going to be? I didn't think I could rise to this challenge, especially carrying a huge backpack that I could hardly lift. It was so big that I could knock someone out with it!
Despite my fears, after the first week I finally had my schedule figured out. With the exception of falling up and down the stairs a couple of times and getting laughed at, high school was turning out to be not so bad. It was actually much better than middle school and much more challenging. Since then, I've been elected（选举）vice monitor of my class, which wasn't much of a victory since only three people ran for the four positions.
It is normal to be scared about a new
school. Take a deep breath and relax. High school is something that any student
can overcome. Make sure you participate in some out-of-class activities because
you'll find it easier to make friends. Try to do your best 
even if it isn't straight A's.
Most important of all, be who you are, whether you're a "fool"， an athlete, or a lower grader. Don't try to pretend to be someone you're not. Now you know the true secrets of high school.
Traveling to all corners of the world gets easier and easier. We live in a global village, but this doesn't mean that we all behave in the same way.
How should you behave when you meet someone for the first time?In Japan, you should bow, and the more respect you want to show, the deeper you should bow. In Thailand, people greet each other by pressing both hands together at the chest.
In Muslim countries, you shouldn't expose your body, especially women, who should wear long blouses and skirts. In Korea, you should take off your shoes when entering a house. Remember to place them neatly together where you come in.
In Spain, lunch is often the biggest meal of the day, and can last two or three hours. In Mexico, lunch is the time to relax, and many people prefer not to discuss business as they eat. In Britain, it's not unusual to have a business meeting over breakfast.
In most countries, an exchange of business cards is necessary for all introductions. It should include your company name and your position. If you are going to a country where your language is not widely spoken, you can get the back side of your card printed in the local language.
A. For this reason, many people eat a light breakfast and a late dinner.
B. As the saying goes, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
C. In both countries, eye contact is avoided as a sign of respect.
D. In China, you may present your card with the writing side up.
E. An American shakes your hand while looking into your eyes.
F. Many countries have rules about what you should and shouldn't wear.
G. Don't make any noise when you eat or drink soup.
It was 1952 and my father was away at war, leaving my mother and me behind to face hardship alone. I was ten. My mother was a 1and worked at the local hospital a few blocks from where we lived.
The bell rang and 2of Christmas were the only thing on my mind. I raced home. The apartment was empty and a note was 3to the refrigerator. My mother was working a double shift and 4me instructions for the day. We had planned on making Christmas biscuits 5, but my mother 6it.
I carefully 7through mother's closet, finding most of the 8for Christmas wrapped in linen cloth, all but one toy, a model airplane. I was still 9at my mother and I threw the airplane onto the floor, breaking one of its wings. I stood 10. How was I going to explain this Then I heard my mother coming through the door. I 11to my room.
After telling my mother the horrible 12, I did not hear my mother 13me. She just told me to follow her. Climbing the steps without catching our 14, we entered the clinic. There in a bed was a boy who looked very sick.
"He is going to die, Danny," my mother told me, "15today, maybe tomorrow. He loves planes. I knew his mother could not 16to buy him one. So I did. I count my blessings every night and think of this boy and how 17I am that you are not in that bed."
The 18cut hard and sharp in my heart. The tears 19down my face and I was so guilty. I ran home as fast as I could and into my room where I 20myself to sleep.
I came to England last summer. I(be) in England for eleven months. I am going to finish my studies in England soon, and will leave China next month.
At first it was very difficult for me (communicate)with other people in English, now I can speak English much (well), and even understand English television, because I have studied hard and my teachers and classmates have helped me a lot.
I have lots of English(friend) now. Some of (they) have even invited me for dinner at their houses I have learned a lot about their custom. They are (interest) to learn about China and Chinese people. Every time they ask me a lot of questions, I realize how (few) I know about my own country.
增加：在缺词处加一个漏字符号（∧），并在其下面写出该加的词。
删除：把多余的词用斜线（\）划掉。
修改：在错的词下划一横线，并在该词下面写出修改后的词。
注意：1．每处错误及其修改均仅限一词；
2．只允许修改10处，多者（从第11处起）不计分。
Dear Jack,
I'm sorry to hear that you feel lonely in the new school, because you find hard to make friends. Now, I'd like to offer you any advice.
Firstly, it's normal for you to feel lonely because you were living in a new environment. Secondly, you should greet your classmates when met them on campus. Thirdly, it will be a good idea if you take an actively part in class activities, what can help them learn more about you. I believe you will be able to make new friends soon unless you're friendly to the others.
I hope the suggestion above will be helpful to you and everything will be fine with you for the future.
Yours,
Li Hua
1）个人情况；2）为什么申请当志愿者；3）你将如何当好这个志愿者。
注意：1）词数100左右；2）可以适当增加细节，以使行文流畅。
参考词汇：全国中学生运动national high school sports meeting
Dear Mr Li,
