【推荐2】For a long time, a boy wondered why his deskmate was always the first in the class, whereas he could only rank the 2lst. He asked his mom, “Am I more stupid than others? How come I always _______?” Mom was aware that her son’s self-respect had been damaged by the_______ system.

She was intended to say that intelligence_______ and her son’s friend really was smarter. Thank goodness she_______ the intention to say it.

After entering high school, her son tried as hard as he could, but her son’s friend still _______ him. But she was_______ of her boy for his hard. She decided to take him on a trip to the_______. On the trip, she at last_______ an answer for him.

Today her son no longer_______ rankings. He is now the top student in the top university he ________. Invited to speak to his old high school, he mentioned a valuable childhood ________:Once, on a trip to the sea, my mom said to me: ‘Do you see the seabirds________ food out there?’ When a wave comes near, the little birds rise quickly. The “clumsy” seagulls (海鸥) are far less ________ and have to struggle to get away from the________. But these “clumsy” birds prove to have the biggest, strongest wings, which allow them to travel the ________ and leave the little birds behind. Son, I felt you are one of those seagulls.”

【推荐3】I have always been an independent person, but I have come to know that being independent does not mean refusing help. I may still be___ with asking for help, but I try to accept. Furthermore, I will even ___ help and when my offers are refused, I am seldom willing to walk away. And all these changes came from a disaster on an island. 

Sometimes a person’s independence is a ___ of pride, daring, stubbornness and luck. I used to be too ___ since I was little. I was once a traveller who never asked for directions, choosing instead to struggle with maps and signs until I found my way. 

Then one day on the island of Koh Phangan, in Thailand, everything ___. I was swimming in the ocean with Sean, my fiance(未婚夫), when he was ___ by a box jellyfish(箱型水母). He ___ within three minutes, 25 years old. Yet when onlookers and travellers asked if I wanted ___, stubborn pride and force of habit ___ me accepting. But two young Israeli women stayed. ____ my protest(反对), they were with me even when the police tried to cover up the cause of Sean’s death. It was listed as drunk drowning to avoid hurting the ____ industry. The Israeli women could have walked away. ____, without even telling me, they ____ their schedule rather than leave me behind. 

While I didn’t realise it at that time, I now believe I would not have ____ the disaster without these great women. Actually, the person who needs help the most is usually the last person to ask for it. I have learned ____ is better than refusing because it not only helps you walk out of trouble, but also helps you know the real meaning of life.