I don’t think you understand my life. You think I should _________ all the time. I know you want me to find a good _________ when I grow up, but I would like to have a wonderful time, too. You never _________ fun things for me to do like music and sports. Two days ago, when I was _________ a football game on TV, you asked me to stop and do my _________. After finishing my homework, you didn’t still _________ me to read my football magazines. You said I had to go to bed early. That was _________ enough, but yesterday was the worst day. I bought some computer games, and put them in my bag so that you wouldn’t _________ them. I told you I had to do my homework first. I know it was _________ to lie to you, but you told me that Dad would talk to me later, Mum. I didn’t quite like _________ you did to me! I really love you, Mum, but I wish you could try not to be so hard on me.

Love!

Zhang Ning

2 . Do you love your parents? “Yes, of course,” you may answer, “I buy a present for my mother on _________. And I give my father a present on Father’s Day, too.” Well, what about the _________ days of a year? You should always _________ to care for your parents, not just on holidays or festivals.

I have a friend. She lives alone _________ her parents have to stay in their hometown to look after her grandparents. One day I went to see her. We had a nice talk. Then she wanted to make a telephone call. She dialed (拨) the number, but then she put the phone _________. After about ten seconds, she dialed the number again. “Hi, Mom. It’s me …”

When she finished the phone call, I asked, “Why did you dial the number _________?” She said, “My parents are old. They can’t get _________ the telephone quickly. I always do so when I call them, so that they will have _________ time to answer the call.”

My friend is such a good girl. She is always _________ her parents. I think everyone should __________ her. Then you’ll also be a good son or a good daughter.

3 . May you sometimes feel that it is hard to get on well with your parents? In fact, they are your best teachers in your _________. If you have difficulty getting on well with your parents, try to understand them _________. Your parents won’t always _________ around, so spend time with them when you are able to. It doesn’t just mean you’re _________ in front of the TV together. Instead, find activities to do together. By _________ this, you can learn more about each other.

_________ your parents. To understand your parents better, you had better spend time having a good talk with them. Use the chance to learn _________ their different hobbies and opinions. For example, you can ask them to tell you about _________ own childhood, or about their jobs. The talk may seem easy, but it is not often _________ than you think. When you are talking with your parents, __________ sure you are listening carefully. It means that you should look at their __________ when they are talking. If you are not sure what they mean, ask them to __________ it again.

Make your parents feel proud. There are many __________ that you can touch your parents, such as getting good marks in exams and __________ the housework. Try your best, and you will show them that you are becoming __________. And finally they will become proud of you.

Follow these ways, and you can get on well with your parents.

Sometimes, kids don’t think their parents are fair to them. When you want do dress in a modern way, your mum doesn’t approve of what you’re wearing. When you are ________, they ask if you’re speaking to a boy or a girl. Sometimes, it seems that you’re not at close to your parents as you used to be. How can you change such a situation?

Closing the Gap by American author Jay McGraw gives advice on how to have a better ________ with your parents.

Both parents and children have needs. They need to feel they are important and loved. You should tell your parents your needs, and find out ________ their needs are. To get your parents to know what you are doing and what you want to do, you could talk about your school life now and your dreams for the future. It helps your parents know ________ about you. Maybe you can think of a way to make all of you happy.

The book gives ways to help teens understand their parents. When you think “My parents don’t want me to have any fun”, it usually means your parents want you to be ________. The books gives you lots of ideas, such as making time to talk, keeping a diary and showing your parents you are growing up. If you follow these steps, you will be able to make your ________ a happy place and make sure that your parents and you will narrow the gap.

6 . Many parents and kids can’t get on well with each other. They always ________ with each other. Arguing is the only communication they have.

Sally, a 12-year-old girl, studied in No.23 Middle School. Her parents had a dream. But Sally didn’t have the same ________. Her parents would like her to become a doctor, ________ Sally wanted to be a painter. She liked ________. She won many prizes in the painting competitions. Her parents thought she couldn’t make much ________ as a painter. They hoped their daughter could have a rich life in the future. And they thought that the way to the painter was more difficult than the way to the doctor. They hoped their daughter could ________ painting.

“________ do they want me to be a doctor? I only want to be ________. Becoming a famous painter like Qi Baishi is my dream,” Sally said.

I think that it is ________ for parents to learn to understand their children. It is also good for kids to think about the suggestions from parents. If parents and kids have problems, why not sit down and ________ with each other well? Then the thing won’t be a big deal.

7 . My name is Tim and I’m 13 years old. My _________ are great and I love them and I know they love me. However, they never understand my feelings and needs. My parents grew up in a _______ environment, and sometimes I feel like they’re trying to raise (抚养) me in that way. They won’t allow me to go to a friend’s home or hang out with a friend _______ they don’t know the person’s parents. It’s really embarrassing (令人难堪的) when I tell my friends that I can’t _______ them. My parents want to know me better, so they read my _______. They say I shouldn’t have any secrets (秘密) in this family.

I try to _______ them, but they usually don’t want to listen. When I feel that my parents don’t _______ me, I just keep my mouth shut (闭上的). I’ve also tried to talk with my best friend, but his parents are similar to _______. He is upset, too. It’s _______   to get useful advice from him. And I don’t feel comfortable talking to a teacher at school. I really don’t know what I could do. I’d like to live my own life ________ a teenager and have fun without my parents treating (对待) me like a little baby.

Several days ago, I sat on the sofa watching TV. Just then, I got a call from my friend. I didn’t see him for long. We ________ about our school days on the phone, and then he started talking about his mother.

His mother was ________ ill in hospital. She couldn’t sleep at night and often talked to ________. My friend was angry with her and asked his mother ________ talking. From then on, his mother didn’t say anything. The doctor said she had a kind of mental disease (精神疾病), so she couldn’t ________ herself like a normal person. My friend ________ very sad. He thought it was his fault (过错). My friend cried like a baby on the telephone. He said that he could do anything ________ his mother became better.

Do you know that our parents love us and care for us all ________ time? I think we should also love our parents and take care ________ them. A good relationship with your parents can make you a ________ and happier person.

Hu Ming is a professor from Guizhou University. His 86-year-old mother has Alzheimer’s disease (阿尔茨海默病). So he has to take his mother to ________ with him. And he has done this for many years.

Maybe you will say he can have some other people take care of his ________, such as his sisters, or nurse. Indeed, he has three sisters. But they ________ take care of her because his mother only recognizes him and follows him wherever he goes. He also tried a nurse ________ he failed.

“My mother’s illness was so ________. She drank dishwater, and was unable to tell sugar, salt or washing powder apart,” explained Hu, who is 59. “She was unable to be without me and always made me ________, so I began to take her with me to class.” “With my mother in sight I was able to pay more attention to ________. Luckily, she always kept quiet in class.” Hu added.

Sometimes his mother made such a mess at home that he had to spend a whole day ________ up.

Both the students and the university had a pity on Hu and were moved by his action. Hu gave a lesson to every son and ________ to every mother.

To care for those who once ________ for us is our duty. So let’s love them, respect them, and care for them.

In many Chinese families, different generations (代) live together. This is called a big family. It is “four-two-one”— ________ grandparents, two parents, one child.

This family structure (结构) has both good and bad sides. When parents are ________ with work, grandparents can help take care of the children. According to the Atlantic magazine, 90% of children in Shanghai and 70% of children in Beijing grow up in the care of their ________.

But some people say grandparents love ________ grandchildren too much and let them eat too much. Arguments (争吵) may happen among family members of different ages.

Life can be both sweet and bitter (苦的). Everyone’s family life is different, ________ the most important thing to remember is that family is all about love. Because we are all from family.