Investing in yourself

Figuring out how to invest your money can be a difficult task. This is something that you will want to learn how to do.

    17     Things that will improve your knowledge, skills or health are all great investments. However, before you start, you need to be clear about what you will gain out of doing all of these things.

You may think investing in yourself means investing in your education.     18     There are some other things you can do as well as buying a gym membership or learning a new skill.

So what are some specific things you can do?     19     Reading books can really expand your mind and allow you to learn different skills and gain knowledge. I'm talking about the books where you will actually learn a new skill, not fiction books.

You can also take courses and attend seminars. These programs are taught by people with a high level of knowledge or skill.     20     Only in this way can you avoid being fooled by some sales presentation.

Moreover, investing in yourself is a safe way to keep your money. Although a savings account is seen as the most secure investment, that isn't 100% safe. Even if you never experience your bank closing down, the return is little when inflation(通货膨胀) is taken into consideration.     21     But over time, they will show up in terms of your happiness level as well as your level of success.

A little boy almost thought of himself as the most _______ child in the world because poliomyelitis (小儿麻痹症) made his leg lame. He seldom played with his _______; and when the teacher asked him questions, he always _______ his head without a word.

One spring, the boy’s father told his children to plant a sapling (树苗) and said, “Whose sapling grows _______, I will buy him or her a favourite gift.” The boy wanted to get the gift. But anyhow, seeing his brothers and sisters _______ water to water the trees merrily, he _______ an idea: he hoped his tree would die soon. So after watering it once or twice, he never _______ to it.

A few days later, he was surprised to find his tree grew some _______ leaves, and _______ with the other trees, his appeared greener. His father ________ his promise, and bought the little boy his favourite gift.

One night, the boy went to see his tree. He found his father was splashing ________ under his tree. He understood: his father had been ________ fertilizing his small tree!

Decades later, the boy, Franklin Roosevelt, was elected President of the United States.

Love is the best nourishment of life; ________ it is just a drop of clear water, it can make the tree of life thrive (茁壮成长). Maybe that tree is thin or withered, but as long as there is nourishment of ________, it can flourish and even ________ towering trees.

The freshman challenge

Going from junior high to senior high is really a big challenge for a freshman and the first week was a little    37     (confuse).

First I had to think     38    (care)about which courses I wanted    39    (take). My head teacher helped me choose the    40    (suit)ones. I know English is a very difficult course, but I will try     41    (me) best to be fluent when I graduate. Mum advised that I should sign up for Chinese literature    42     I’m good at.

Teacher says one way to know your school well and make more new friends is to join a club or play a sport. Our school offers     43    (chance)to join different clubs. I joined a volunteer club. Every Wednesday, we work at a soup kitchen and hand out food to     44    (home) people in the community.

I know I’ll have to study harder     45     a senior high school student and get used to     46    (be) responsible for a lot more. I’m a bit worried about keeping up with the other students in my advanced course. Still, I’m happy to be here. Studying hard isn’t always fun, but I’ll be well prepared for university or whatever else comes in the future.