Running is becoming popular these days. Many of us run for our health. Doctors say many of the health problems come from these bad habits: eating too much, drinking too much, smoking, and not taking enough exercise. Doctors tell us, “Eat and drink less, don’t smoke, and exercise more.”

Running is a good form of exercise because it helps build a strong heart. It also helps most people lose weight. One 68-year-old woman runs three times a week. She runs to lose weight. “I love to eat,” she says.

Running is good for health in other ways, too. Many runners say running keeps colds and other small health problems away. “Running is my doctor,” says one man.

Running can also help people lo relax. So today men and women of all ages enjoy running.

A man worked hard in a factory. Every day he came back home from work late, tired, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?” “Oh, my baby. I make $20 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied with his head down. He thought for a moment, looked up and said, could you lend me $10?”

The father was very angry, “If you asked for the money to buy a toy or some junk food for yourself, then go straight to your room and think it over.”

The little boy didn’t want to make his father angry, so he went to his room quietly. An hour later, the father calmed down and thought carefully.

“Sorry! I was too hard on you just now,” said the man, “Here’s $10.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” he said happily. Then the boy took out some coins. When the father found the boy already had some money, he didn’t understand why the little boy asked for another $10.

After seeing his father’s strange feeling, “Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.” The little boy replied quickly. “Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home earlier tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”

Five years ago, when Cindy first came to a new school, she felt very lonely, because she had few friends. She wanted to make some friends with the same hobbies as her, but it was too hard. She was new and shy, and she was afraid to talk with them. After a week, her teacher Mr. Green asked Cindy to sit next to Jenny. But she was unhappy because Jenny was too naughty and too outgoing and she acted like a boy. Cindy was very worried. “Jenny won’t be my friend. We are so different, ” she said to herself.

However, as time went by, Cindy became more outgoing because of Jenny. In fact, Jenny is really a lovely and kind girl. They were different but they helped each other and became best friends. Cindy has made a lot of friends because of Jenny. She’s really happy.

Now, Jenny is studying in a new school. Cindy really misses her.   “It’s not necessary to be the same between friends. Good friends share the happiness and sadness together, ” said Cindy.

In the morning, we went camping along a path in Green Natural Park. We were happy because it was a sunny day. We were expecting an enjoyable two-day holiday. On the way, we kept singing and making jokes. However, in the afternoon, when we finished our picnic at one o’clock, it was dark and windy. Soon, there was a shower. Unluckily, none of us brought an umbrella. We ran about but we could find no place to hide.

Twenty minutes passed and it was still raining. There were hours to go before we reached the campsite (野营地). It was even worse that our small compass (指南针) showed that we went to the wrong way. We had lost our way! We had to make a quick decision as it was raining heavily. Chris said we could set up a tent to hide in, so Mary and Tom helped to set up the tent. Chris and I tried to make a fire to keep us warm. But we were unable to light the fire, as everything was wet. We dried ourselves, chatted and waited inside the tent. At about five o’clock, it stopped raining. We decided to give up the camping trip because all of us had been very tired.

This camping trip may not be very successful but we know each other better. And the most important thing I’ve learned from this trip is the importance of team spirit.

Do you watch talent shows? Do you like talent shows? To tell the truth, it’s really interesting to watch other people     31     (show) their talents. Now talent shows     32     (get) more and more popular around the world.

All these shows have one thing in common: They try     33     (look) for the most talented people. All kinds of people     34     (join) these shows if they are talented in something. But who     35     (play) or dance the best? When people watch the show, they usually play a role in     36     (decide) the winner.

And the winner always     37     (get) a very good prize.

Last week, there was a talent show in our school. My good friend Chen Jie joined it. He     38     (be) the most creative performer. He played the piano and his dog     39       (dance) to the music. How amazing! He     40     (win) the first prize.

An Interesting Job

Joe Brown has a very i    41     job. He is a police artist. Some people see crimes and then talk to Joe. They tell him w    42     the criminal looks like. Then Joe draws a picture of the criminal, and the police put it in n    43     and on television to find him.

He wants to draw a good p    44     of each criminal, but this job is sometimes difficult. Many people don’t always see things the same way so they may d    45     the same person differently. Also, they don’t always remember well. “The criminal is of medium build and young. He has long s    46     black hair and big eyes,” says one woman. A    47     woman says, “He is tall and thin, and he has curly blond hair. He’s about thirty years old.”A man says, “He is of medium h    48     . He has a long nose and s    49     eyes. He wears a brown jacket.”

I    50     the end, the real criminal is a short and heavy old man, and he has short black hair.

Birthday is a special day for most people. On birthday, we may go for a trip, have a party or watch a movie with our parents and friends. We can also enjoy some special food. Do you know what people eat on their birthdays around the world?

Liu Jing is from Beijing. “The long noodles are a symbol of long life. In China, red is a symbol of good luck. We think red eggs bring us good luck.3So you can see Chinese eat long noodles and red eggs when they celebrate their birthdays,” says Liu Jing.

“I am so happy because today is my birthday. I want to have a birthday party. At the party, we can play games, sing and dance. We can also eat a big birthday cake with fifteen candles. I’m sure we can have a good time at my birthday party.” Says David from Amercia.

“In Canada, people put a coin(硬币) into the cake. 4If the birthday person eats the cake with the coin, he or she will be lucky. I am so happy because I eat the cake with a coin,” says Sandy .