Zhang Lei was a young girl. She used to see the negative (消极的) side of life.

Once, her father took her to the ________. He asked Zhang Lei to take a potato, an egg ________ two spoons of tea leaves. Zhang Lei was ________, and asked her father, “Do you want me to cook?” “No,” her father said.

He then took three pots and ________ some water into each pot. The pots were placed on the stove. Once the water started to ________, he dropped the potato in a pot, egg in the second one and the tea leaves in the third one.

“________ are you doing all these things?” Zhang Lei felt puzzled and asked.

“You’ll get the answer ________ fifteen minutes,” said her father.

The impatient daughter tried her best to ________ for around 15 minutes.

Now, he placed the two plates, one with the potato and ________ with the egg, and the cup of tea in front of Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei asked, “What does it mean, father? I don’t ________!”

“Each object faced similar adversities (不幸), but reacted (反应) ________. After we put the potato into boiling water, it became very weak. The soft egg became very ________ when we put it in boiling water. And the tea leaves changed the water itself, giving it a nice ________.”

“________ fantastic it is!” Zhang Lei marveled (惊叹道).

Zhang Lei realized that we could create something new ________ when we experienced adversities.

So, what are you? A potato, an egg or tea leaves?

Lin Mei’s English Study Assessment（评价）

Grade: 9 Name: Lin Mei	Self-assessment
Listening skill: ☆I can understand the teacher’s instructions and finish the listening tasks in class.
Speaking skill: ☆I can answer the questions loudly and clearly. ☆I can discuss questions and express myself in simple English.
Reading skill: ☆I can find out the main ideas of passages quickly. ☆I can read English newspapers and magazines which are fit for teenagers.
Writing skill: ☆I can write something in English correctly. ☆I can imitate (模仿) the examples to write articles.
Watching skill: ☆I can know more about foreign culture from English videos or films.
Group assessment ☆Lin Mei can help the group members a lot with English.
English teacher assessment ☆Lin Mei can take an active part in the English class and get good grades.		Total points: 35
Comments (评语): 30—40 Well done!          21—29 Keep it up!            Below 20 Try harder!

When I was in Grade 8, I had a heated argument with my classmate, Li Tao. I have forgotten what the argument was about, but I have never forgotten the lesson I learned that day.

I believed that I was right and he was wrong, and Li Tao believed that I was wrong and he was right. Our teacher, a kind and smart lady, decided to teach us a lesson. She brought us to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk and me on the other. In the middle of her desk was a large and round object. I could clearly see that it was black. The teacher asked us what color the object was. “White,” Li Tao answered. I couldn’t believe he said the object was white! “Clearly, it was black!” Another argument started between Li Tao and me, this time about the color of the object.

The teacher told me to go and stand where Li Tao was standing and told him to go and stand where I was standing. We changed places, and now she asked me what color the object was. I had to answer, “White.” It was an object with two differently colored sides-from his side it was white, while from my side it was black. “Boys, now, what do you say?” The teacher smiled at us. Li Tao has been my best friend ever since.

My teacher taught me a very important lesson that day: When you disagree with others, you’d better be in their shoes. That will help you look at the situation through their eyes, and truly understand their ideas and ways of thinking.

A Daughter’s Letter

Today is my birthday. I’m writing this letter to you because I want you to know how much I love you.

A few days ago, we learned an English poem named Mom Knows Best. I felt strong mother’s love between the lines.     31     In class, Miss Li recalled that what her mum had done for her and how her mum had encouraged her. But she mentioned that she felt really regretful because she had no chance to say “I love you” to her mum, for her mother had passed away. This made me think a lot.     32     So I can’t wait to write the letter.

I still remember the times when you held my hand and counted steps with me as we walked along. You told me stories about the brave elephant and encouraged me to be a girl with a positive attitude(积极的态度).     33     In cool autumns, we took many walks along the street, chatting and laughing together. My childhood was filled with these warm memories. Now, I see what an influence you’ve had on my life.

Time flies and so much has happened. There have been good and bad times, successes and failures, but you were always by my side. When I won the swimming prize, you smiled and said you were proud of me.     34     Your words helped me to deal with all my difficulties. Now whenever I have problems, I always think of your words and they really help me so much.

Mum, because of you, I’m brave and strong.     35     Because of you, I’m living a wonderful life. I can’t help saying, “Mum, I love you!”

Love,

Lanlan