My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years, I believed what I thought was the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought __________ was very important to us, so I said, “My ears, Mommy.” She said, “No. Many people are deaf but still live a __________ life. Keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.”

Several years _________ before she asked me again. I had contemplated (仔细考虑) the correct answer. So this time I told her, “Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it __________ be our eyes.” She looked at me and told me, “You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.” Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, but you are getting __________ every year, my child.”

Then last year, my Grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My Mom looked at me when it was our __________ to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?” I was __________ when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game __________ her and me. She saw the confusion (迷惑) on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived your life.” I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.” I asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?” She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when he or she __________. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometimes in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will __________ have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.” Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is care to the pain of others.

Your English teacher has introduced a play to your class. Read the play.

Characters: Bob, reporter, 25 years old

Jenny, student, 15 years old

Laura, student, 14 years old

Time: One Saturday morning in spring

Place: On the street

(Bob met Jenny and Laura in the street and began to have an interview with them)

Bob: Excuse me, would you mind me asking you some questions?

Laura: Of course not. And may I have your name?

Bob: I’m Bob. Your uniforms look so great. Which school are you studying in now?

Jenny: We are both from Highgate Junior High School. My name is Jenny and this is my classmate Laura.

Bob: How do you feel about your school uniforms?

Jenny: I think they are very good. Uniforms help the school look smart. I wear my school uniform every day.

Bob: What’s your opinion, Laura?

Laura: I can’t agree more. My father is a firefighter. Every time he wears his uniform, he says he feels a sense of duty. He is proud of the fact that he can help many people who are in need. He looks more handsome when he wears his uniform.

Bob: So you love uniforms because of your father’s influence on you.

Laura: I think so.

Jenny: Besides, when all students wear the uniforms, nobody needs to worry about fashion. In this way, students can pay more attention to learning.

Bob: I see. Both of you think school uniforms are good for you. I believe most students will agree with you. Thank you so much.

Learning how to eat with chopsticks is not as difficult as it appears, and like all things in life, practice makes perfect! Follow the simple steps down below and practice often, soon you will also be eating smoothly.

Chinese food is often prepared and served in small size pieces, which makes it easy when eating with chopsticks.

How do you use chopsticks?

(1) Hold the first chopstick between your fourth and middle fingers. This chopstick keeps still, and it does not move. Your thumb should help keep it in place.

(2) Make the second chopstick slide (滑动) between your thumb and index fingers. You move this chopstick by moving the index finger up and down. This movement will open and close the chopsticks, which is how you will pick up food.

As you practice, you will develop your “own” skills, and find out what works better for you. There is no right or wrong way in fact. Like holding a pencil, many people do it differently but the only goal is to write. With chopsticks, the goal is to get food in your mouth.

It was Saturday morning and I asked seven-year-old Kelley to let her daddy take her to gym class. But she didn’t agree. I explained that some friends would visit our house that day and I had to clean the house. But the truth was, I had spent 20 years watching Kelley’s five elder brothers and sisters take lessons and I just wanted to get out of it. However, seeing Kelley was going to cry, I decided to do this once more.

Looking through the door, I watched as the teacher led the students to a rope (绳索) hanging in the corner of the gym. One after another, each child in line climbed up the thick rope while the teacher held it at the bottom. Then it was Kelley’s turn — the youngest in the class. With a big smile, she climbed higher and higher. Then it happened. About halfway up, the teacher loudly warned, “Don’t go up any farther than you’re able to come down.”

Kelley halted... Then slowly moved down all the way to the floor. I knew she was heading to the top of that rope and was perfectly capable (能胜任的) of reaching it. Why did she stop? I questioned her on the way home.

“Kelley, could you have climbed all the way to the top?”

“Yes,” she quietly replied.

“Then why didn’t you keep going?”

Silence.

“Was it because of what the teacher said?” I asked.

She nodded.

I knew it was time to teach.

“Kelley, don’t let anybody make you doubt yourself. Don’t ever let anyone keep you from knowing what you can do... Even though they seem bigger, or smarter or older. Will you remember that?” I said.

“Yes!” She answered quickly.

I was glad I chose to take Kelley to the class and got the chance to teach her an important lesson.

Mom and Dad — they’re two of the most important people in your life. You probably see at least one of them every day and, over your lifetime, they influence you more than anyone else you will meet.

Moms and Dads need to care for their kids from the minute they are born. It’s a parent’s job to love and help kids — and most parents will do this as possible as they can, even when the “kids” grow up and have children of their own. That means you have many years ahead to share with your mom and dad.

Here are some ways you can stay close, get along and build a strong relationship:

Spend time together. Don’t play a computer game or watch TV by yourself. Ask your mom and dad to play with you, go outside together, play a game, or read a book out loud. Try to spend more time together.

Share your feelings and ask for help. Many kids say they’d like their parents to help them when they’re unhappy. Tell them if you’re sad or have a problem. They’ll be happy to help you.

Be kind and caring. Little things might mean a lot to your mom or dad. You can brighten a parent’s day with a hug, a card, or a joke. It’s also lovely when a kid cleans up his or her room without being asked. It’s important to show that you care for each other. Kids and parents show their love by respecting (尊重) each other, and being caring, polite and thoughtful.

Do your best at whatever you do. You don’t have to be perfect, but when you do your best you make your parents proud. It makes them happy to see how you’re turning into a great kid. Why? Because it lets them know you’re doing a good job.