It was last January. When I was in the train back home after a charity activity, I put ________ my phone and started writing thank-you letters to people who had helped. When I got off the ________, I felt amazingly good.

The next day, I wrote ________ thank-you letters and the same feelings of happiness hit me again. I suddenly had a good ________: Why not keep on doing this every day of the year?

I decided to pick out a different theme for each ________. January was charity. February would be neighbors, I decided. And I thought of a number of people who I want to ________ “thank you” to and began to write the letters. In the following months, I wrote to my friends, doctors, teachers and parents and ________ people who helped me.

I was ________ to receive letters back from them. I still remember Julie wrote, “I don’t think I’ve ever received such a touching letter before. I’m having a hard time right now, and this helps.” I really had a good feeling inside me ________ my thank-you letter could make people happy.

In the past, I ________ too much time on the phone appreciating other people’s lives. But now, writing thank-you letters helps me pay more attention to my own life. I decide to make my life more meaningful.

When you swim for a long time, you will notice there are some wrinkles (皱纹) on your fingers. Do you know why?

In fact, your skin is covered with its own special oil. It is the surface of your skin. It can protect your skin and keep the water out. When you stay in the water for a long time, the oil will be washed off. The water can then get into your skin. This makes your skin doubled (双重的) in some places but not in others. Then wrinkles appear as a result.

Anyway, there is no need to worry about the wrinkles. Once the water in the fingers has completely gone, the skin will return to normal. They may even help protect you better. The wrinkles can help you hold things and move more easily under the water.

But what can we do to avoid getting wrinkly fingers? The first is to cut down the time when your hands or feet are in the water. The second is to have less contact with soap and other similar things, which may break the outer surface of your skin. The last is to use plenty of hand cream. All of these methods will play a role in keeping your hands smooth.

Many students ask for advice about improving their English. There are three basic questions.

The first question is about real English. Li Hao from Hubei wrote, “I enjoy watching English films and listening to real English songs. But it takes a long time. What do you think about it?”

This is a great way to learn English! Talk about the film or song with your friends, and guess the meaning of the new words. Just enjoy yourself!

The second question is about speaking. Sam, from Yunnan wrote. “Our school has a foreign teacher. But I’m shy and can’t speak to her. What should I do?”

When I visit China, lots of people in the street say, “Hello! How are you? Where are you from? Do you like China?” These are good questions to start a conversation. Many people are shy when they speak English, so before you begin, take a deep breath and smile! Smiling always helps.

The third question is about vocabulary. Oliver, from Anhui wrote, “I want to remember all the new words. I write them down, but I forget them quickly. What should I do?”

Try to remember eight or ten words a day. Write them on pieces of paper and place them in your bedroom. Say the words when you see them, and change them every day. And when you’re shopping, how about counting the English words, or saying the English names for everything you see?