A few weeks ago, John went to a new school. He likes it better than his ________ school. The classrooms are big and clean. Every classroom has a computer in it. The ________ is also really great! There are lots of books, magazines and newspapers in it. It also has comfortable ________ and students can sit on them when they read. The food in the school dining hall is delicious and not ________ . All of the students like to eat there. The beef noodles are John’s favorite. John’s favorite ________ at school is the big auditorium(礼堂) . The students often go there to listen to speeches. Last week, John went there for an interesting speech and he ________ it.

The school has all kinds of activities. ________ , there is a music festival every June. The students like their school band very much. The sports meeting is one of ________ activities at the school. It is in September every year.

John is happy that he can ________ at this school. He enjoys his every day here because he has the best teachers and ________ classmates.

A small boy tried to move a heavy box out of his room. The box was much bigger than the boy. He tried his best to move it, but the box would not move at all. After resting for a short time, the boy tried to move it again. He pushed very hard, but he couldn’t even move the box a bit. He was too tired to go on, and he lost heart.

The boy’s father came home from his school around that time. He stopped to watch what his son did. The father asked the boy, “Son, did you try your best and do everything you can?”

“Yes, I did!” the boy cried.

“No,” his father said quietly, “you didn’t. You didn’t ask me to help you.”

Asking for help isn’t a weakness. At some point, even the best of us need help. It’s important to know when to ask for help and why you need it. Never be afraid to ask others for help when you’re in trouble.

Children today stay indoors most of their time. Most of them watch TV, play computer games and some of them do their homework. Figures (数据) show that today’s youngsters (年轻人) stay outside for just over an hour each weekday, and fewer than five hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

It also shows that 58 percent of parents wish their children to play outdoors more often, and they seriously worry their children don’t spend enough time playing outdoors.

In fact, playing outdoors is so important for children — not only to help them stay active and healthy, but also to communicate with friends, and make those colorful childhood (童年) which we look back on so warmly.

And because they don’t go out, they don’t know their own communities as well as their parents did, they don’t have as many friends in the area and they don’t have the same chances for fun as their parents did.

Yesterday I went to buy a little tree for my father. When I was talking with the cashier(收银员), he asked what I would be doing with this little tree. I explained that it was for my Dad, because he no longer lived at home.

The cashier just stopped and looked at me with the kindest look. He shared with me that his grandfather couldn’t live in their home any longer either because he had Alzheimer’s disease(阿尔茨海默症). So I shared with him that my Dad was on the same journey. We talked about the difficulties because of the illness, not only for those who are ill, but also for their families.

When I was paying for the tree, he said, “Because this is for your Dad, let me see what I can do for you.” He took some coupons(优惠券) from a drawer and reduced my cost by over 60%.

I thanked him for his kindness. We wished each other Merry Christmas and the best hopes for our loved family members.

On the way home I kept thinking of the kindness he offered me. It was truly a moment of “kindness given, kindness received”. I made Dad’s tree more beautiful as soon as I got home. So thankful. So blessed.

Now there are more and more TV talent shows in China. These talent shows give everyone a chance to show off their talents. For some     78     people, these talent shows may make them famous. Many people make their dreams come true through them. For example, Li Pin from Chongqing joined Dream of China. She     79     English in a middle school in Chongqing. She is     80     in music. At the age of 12, she sang     81     of all the students in their school talent show, and she is good at     82     English songs. She is outgoing. Though she was the first time to join this show, her great show made a lot of people like her and her talent. At the same time, the show also changes her life.

Chinatown is the name of an area (地区) in the middle of London. It is a large Chinese community (社区) with a lot of Chinese restaurants, Chinese supermarkets and shops. Do you know its history?

In the 1950s, it was a poor area and everything was very cheap. At the same time, the world rice market became bad and thousands of farm workers in Hong Kong lost their jobs. They began going to London to look for work. They found jobs in the restaurants in this area.

These restaurant workers often worked 17 hours a day and had no time to learn English. As more Chinese arrived, more shops and businesses grew up. Women came to join their husbands and children came to join their fathers. The community grew, and Chinatown was born.

In the 1970s and 1980s, British-born Chinese started to have a better education (教育) and this brought economic (经济的) success to the area. Many families moved out of Chinatown, and there was more space for businesses. Chinatown soon became a popular place for tourists.

Now everyone knows about London’s Chinatown. During the Chinese New Year, the streets are seen with flags and thousands of Chinese go into the streets. For most time of the year though, Londoners and tourists go there mainly for the food in the Chinese restaurants. The best restaurants are the ones where the Chinese eat.

88. 假如你是李华，你的英国笔友Lucy来信，她想知道你现在的变化。请你用英文给她写一封回信，告诉她你现在的情况。

Long time no see! I miss you very much. Let me tell you something about me now.

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Best wishes!

Yours,

Li Hua