When one door closes for Li Mei, another one opens.

Born with serious hearing loss, Li has found a way to ________ with the world through painting. “Paint brushes can help me create (创造) a colourful world, showing my thoughts on paper instead of through my voice.” Li writes.

Before learning to paint in primary school, Li always felt ________ in a silent world. She knew she was different because she could not hear. But a painting class finally opened a door for her to show her ideas to the outside world.

Painting not only helped her get through her unhappy childhood, but has also become her career. ________, it led Li to meet her husband Hu Shiqun finally. Having lost his ________ when he was one year old, Hu is also a(n) ________ lover.

In 2016, Li joined her husband’s company, which specializes in (专攻) 3D wall and ground paintings. All the five ________ there are hearing-impaired (听力受损的). “I know how difficult it is for hearing—impaired people to find a job. So I want to help those who are interested in painting to ________ their dreams.” Hu says.

In many parks and scenic spots in Hunan province, the couple have created lots of murals (壁画) and paintings. These artworks are so ________ that visitors can’t stop taking a lot of photos. For Li, their creations can make art reach people and, behind each design, there is someone, who ________ to keep in touch with the world.

“My husband and I want to ________ painting to more people like us and help them find their own way to make a living.” Li writes. “I hope that more hearing—impaired people can be encouraged by our story.”

The night was stormy and the rest of the family were already in their bedrooms. Catherine crossed the hall and listened to the strong wind and heavy rain outside the ancient abbey (大寺院). She was scared when the wind shut a door. She felt even more scared as she imagined all the awful situations. Catherine was happy to be at her friends’ house. “I’m perfectly safe in this house. Eleanor’s room is near mine so I mustn’t be afraid.” she thought.

She opened her bedroom door, saw a cheerful fire and was glad to be inside her room and not in the storm. Then she noticed the curtains were moving. As she walked to the windows to make sure there wasn’t a ghost behind them, she sang a little song to give her courage. She pulled back the curtains and looked behind them. Of course it was only the wind! She noticed an old box near the window. Now, Catherine, don’t start imagining what’s in that! Silly girl!

She started to get ready for bed but she noticed a tall, black cupboard in the corner of the room. That can’t be the black cupboard Henry told me in his ghost story! Catherine picked up her candle and slowly walked towards the cupboard. It’s black and old, just like the cupboard Henry told me! Catherine saw the key was in the door and couldn’t help opening it to see what was inside. She could not sleep until she knew what was in that cupboard, but she was very afraid as she tried to open it. Very afraid but not discouraged, at last, the key turned, but she still couldn’t open the door.

She stopped, listened to the sounds outside and she felt awful. There are surely terrible things in that cupboard and she can’t sleep until she knows what they are! ___________

(Adapted from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen)

Reading is the key to school success and, like any skill, it takes practice. A child learns to walk by practicing until he no longer has to think about how to put one foot in front of the other. An excellent sportsman practices until he can play quickly, correctly and without thinking. Educators call it “automaticity (自动性)”.

A child learns to read by sounding out the letters and finding the meaning of the words. With practice, he stumbles (结结巴巴地读) less and less, reading by the phrase. With automaticity, he doesn’t have to think about the meaning of words, so he can give all his attention to the meaning of the text.

It can begin as early as the first grade. In a recent study of children in Illinois schools, Alan Rossman of Northwestern University found that automatic readers in the first grade not only read almost three times as fast as the others, but also got better results in exams.

According to Rossman, the key to automaticity is the amount (数量) of time a child spends reading, not his IQ. Any child who spends at least 3.5 to 4 hours a week reading books, magazines or newspapers will probably reach automaticity. It can happen if a child turns off TV just one night for reading at home.

You can test yourself by reading something new which is suitable for your level. If you read aloud with expression, with a sense of the meaning of the sentences, you probably are an automatic reader. If you read brokenly, one word at a time, without expression or meaning, you need more practice.

In recent years, a number of Chinese books and movies have been translated into other languages.     31     They are learning Chinese and are interested in Chinese culture. Anna is one of them. Before she translated Jin Yong’s novel Legends of the Condor Heroes (《射雕英雄传》), English readers knew little about the writer.     32    

But Anna managed to do it. The book’s themes impressed (给……深刻印象) her a lot. For example, good against bad, honest and love, and Chinese philosophy (哲学), Anna hoped to bring it to new readers. After five years of work, she finished translating the book and published it in 2018.     33     Many people think Anna did a good job.

Anna studied at the University of Oxford. She took a trip to China at the age of 21. After the trip she became interested in China and began to learn Chinese. She calls herself “a clumsy (笨拙的) student, just like Guo Jing from Legends of the Condor Heroes, but one of loyal heart”.

    34     Last year, he translated the movie Ne Zha. He said, “I see China’s stronger cultural influences (影响). As more young people learn to translate Chinese texts and films, more Chinese books and movies will come out for people to read and watch.”

It was a Saturday. Magdi didn’t go to school. He got up early and rode his father’s little boat to go fishing. That was his favorite thing. He got lots of fish that morning and it made him happy. Feeling a little tired, he lay in the boat, and soon he fell asleep in the warm sun.

Magdi woke up an hour later. Looking up, he saw black skies. Then he sat up and saw big waves pushing the little boat out to sea.

Two of Magdi’s friends, Malik and Ali, were playing on the beach. “Hey, Magdi! Magdi!” they shouted.” Come back! There’s a storm coming!”

“What did you say?” Magdi shouted. “A storm is coming!” Malik and Ali shouted. “Come back!”

Before Magdi could say thanks,a big wave (波浪) came!It crashed onto the boat and it made Magdi fall into the water.

“Oh, no! Help!Help!” Magdi shouted. But just at that time, he felt something under the water.

“A very big thing!” thought Magdi. Then, to his surprise, he was moving through the waves, heading straight for the beach. He looked down and saw a beautiful face. It was a lovely dolphin! The dolphin jumped through the water, carrying Magdi on its back. When they got near the beach, the dolphin stopped. Magdi swam to the beach.

“Thank you, my friend, my hero,”said Magdi, watching the dolphin swimming away.

At present, only a few students do some reading after class. Here are some reasons.