In my family, my mum always gives the family something special (特别的) for meals—she may make breakfast food for dinner.

I still remember one night my mum ________ some bread in front of my dad, something very burnt (焦的). I wait to see if (是否) my dad will get angry. To my surprise, my dad just takes his ________, smiles at my mum and then turns to ask me how my day at school is. I forget (忘记) ________ I tell him that night. ________ I remember (记得) watching him put some butter on that bread. He ________ happily, every bite (一口).

After dinner, my mum says ________ to my dad for burning the bread. And I never forget what he says, “I ________ burnt bread, dear. It doesn’t matter at all.”

Later that night, I go to kiss Dad good ________. I ask him if he really likes his bread burnt. He has me in arms and ________, “Your mum works very hard all day. She’s really ________. And you see—a little burnt food never hurts (伤害) anyone!”

Now I know life is not perfect (完美).________ is perfect, either. As for me, I often forget birthdays or some other special days. But I learn something ________ these years. What we really need is the understanding of each other, between a husband (丈夫) and wife, a parent and ________ or just between two friends. This is the key (关键) to a happy ________. So don’t get angry if the bread gets burnt. Remember burnt bread never hurts anyone.

Be ________ to those around you and a happier life will surely come closer to you.

Good morning! I’m May. I’m a Chinese girl and I have a round face with a small mouth, small nose and two big black eyes. I’m in a white T-shirt and black pants (裤子). I’m in Class Eight, Grade Seven. Now I have three new classmates. They’re different from us in many ways (方面). They’re Peter, Nancy and Jack.

Have you ever heard of leaf painting (叶子画)? It has a history of more than 2,000 years in China.

Ding Li is 27 years old. He comes from Xianning City, Hubei Province. He has spent many years learning leaf art and has opened his own workshop in his hometown.

Ding Li started to learn painting (绘画) at the age of five. At age 12, he began to learn carving (雕刻). When he first learned leaf painting at the age of thirteen, he fell in love with the art.

Making leaf paintings is quite complicated. First, Ding Li needs to choose (选) fine leaves from mountains in Yunnan. Then, he goes through over 60 steps (步骤) such as cutting and drying. It takes about two to three months to finish all of these steps.

Ding Li has spent one year making the ancient painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival. He painted it on ten leaves.

Before Ding Li makes each painting, he first learns its history to make his artwork more detailed (详细的). “I want to tell stories through my leaf paintings,” he says.

Ding Li’s works are very popular. On October 28, 2018, two of his works won the second prize at an art show between China and Japan.

Teachers help us become good students and people. So we should thank them for their hard work. In China we have a special day—September 10th. On that day, we say thanks to our teachers and sometimes give them small gifts, such as cards with best wishes. But how do the US students thank their teachers?

First of all, US schools have a whole week in May to appreciate their teachers! Teacher Appreciation Day is on Tuesday of that week. They have parties with gifts and snacks that week.

There are also signs (标语) everywhere to show their love for teachers.

The US students like to give small gifts to their teachers and the teachers love getting thank-you notes from their students. Teachers also like getting arts and crafts from students.

Should we say thanks to our teachers only on these special days? No. We should thank our teachers all year round. Always show your love for your teachers. They are worthy of our respect (尊重).