Once, when I was a young boy, I boasted (吹噓) that I determined (下决心) to win first place at the coming _________ competition, yet I knew this goal was nearly impossible. Every year, the best players from all over the state took part in this competition. It was a huge deal, especially for a beginner like me.

But my mom was my number one _________. Every day after school, she would sit down right next to me while Miss Green was giving me piano lessons or I was _________ my piano piece. When I couldn't and wouldn't play any longer, she would always say, “If you determine to win, then act like it. Don’t _________.” After every practice, my whole body was in pain for numb (麻木的) fingers and stiff (僵硬的) back. However, I didn't want to _________ my mom, so I kept on practicing until I finally fell asleep on the piano keys.

Finally, the big day arrived. Right before my turn to perform, my mom said, “I know you want to win, so listen to me: Be there for the _________ not for the success, okay?” I managed to nod.

When I walked onto the stage, I was _________ that the judges would hear the beating of my heart instead of the music. Carefully, I took a seat before the piano and began to play. Slowly, I began to _________ the world around me. I just let myself fall deeper and deeper into the music.

_________, I really won first place. The experience made me realize that determination is not just saying that you will win; when you have solved difficulties and kept _________, you can truly say you're determined. As my mom always said,“It's hard to beat the person who is the best, but it is harder to beat the person who never gives up.”

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you want,

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

For it gives you the chance to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times,

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your disadvantages,

Because they give you chances for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and bored,

Because it means you've made a difference.

Be thankful for your past relationships,

Someone better suited to you is waiting out there.

Gratitude (感谢) can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

A young woman turns around and around quickly, and jumps high. In the background, a young girl reads a rejection (拒绝) letter from a ballet school. “You have the wrong body for ballet,” it says, “and at thirteen, you are too old.” This was one of the most popular advertisements of 2014 and it describes American Ballet Theater's principal (主要的) dancer Misty Copeland.

This was not a real letter. But Copeland says it is very similar to letters from her childhood. While many dancers start at the age of three, Copeland only began to study ballet in 1995 as a thirteen-year-old girl. People often told her that she was too old, or that she didn't have the perfect body type (She is only 157 cm tall). Her family moved a lot, and it was sometimes difficult for her to attend ballet classes. But Copeland loved dancing and did not want to give up. She stayed with her ballet teacher during the week and spent time with her family only at the weekend. This was a difficult life, but she worked hard and won her first national competition when she was fourteen years old. Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre in 2000 and performed in many ballets over the next few years. In 2007, she became a solo (单独的) performer, and in 2015 she became its principal dancer.

Copeland is now a dancer, author and Broadway performer. She also stars in the 2015 film A Ballerina's Tale. So what's next? According to Copeland, anything is possible: “My career (职业) really is just now beginning.”

China's national anthem, March of the Volunteers, is a song that we learn at the beginning of primary school and sing at every flag-raising ceremony. And now, there's even a law to protect it. Last September, the government passed the National Anthem Law, which became effective (生效) from Oct. 1, 2017. It states how we should sing or play the song, requiring all of us to behave towards it politely.

Primary and middle schools must teach the anthem to their students and make them understand the song's spirit and history. Moreover, the law requires us to be serious when we are singing the song. We can’t joke about it or change the song's words or music. If someone breaks the law, he or she can be detained for up to 15 days, or face further punishment in more serious situations. The national anthem is different from other songs—it is the symbol of our country.

Many foreign countries also have laws for their national anthems. For example, American school children should put their right hand over their heart while singing their country's anthem at school. In Russia, the national anthem must be played on television and radio before the start and end of broadcasting. And in the Philippines, people are required to sing the national anthem with feelings when it's played in public.

You may not realize it, but you are doing much more than just studying when you are at school. School is also the place where you learn to get on well with people. But this is not always easy. What can you do if you just don't like one of your classmates?

If you discover that you have problems getting along with your classmates or friends, the most important thing to learn is tolerance. Tolerance is the ability to realize and respect the differences in others.We can not change the way that other people do, so it is important to learn to live happily with them.

Tolerance will make everyone get on better with each other. Getting to know someone may help you understand why they do things differently. Something different does not exactly mean that it is bad. Tolerance teaches us to keep a temperate and open mind.

You need to remember an old saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” You would like to be treated kindly by your classmates, so it is important to treat them kindly too. If you tolerate something, it does not mean that you have to like it. No one is asking you to change who you are or what you believe in. Tolerance just means that you should respect the differences in others and not try to make them change.

It is important to practice tolerance, because it will make everyone's life easier. Learn to accept people for their different abilities and interests. The world is very different, and practicing tolerance in your own school and city can help make a difference.

A gentleman is a man who is polite and well-educated, and who always behaves well. Gentlemanly manners are one of the best ways to show the excellent qualities(品质) in humans. Here are some tips on how to become a gentleman.

◆Be polite to others.

You should behave politely no matter how impolite other people are. Even if you do not like the person, it is always better to avoid him or her instead of stopping for any fight. Remember that politeness will make you be a better man.

◆Speak in a proper voice.

Never speak too loudly, as it can make other people angry. Speaking loudly will show that you are using force rather than arguments to make a point. Also, speaking loudly in public is impolite.

◆Do not lose your temper(脾气).

When you learn to control your temper, you will be in control of other things. When you show anger, others will think you are neither patient nor polite. Keep calm no matter how awful the situation becomes. This will make other people get a good impression(印象) of you.

◆Be patient when talking to others.

Allow them to finish what they are saying and do not simply interrupt (打断) them for no reason. It is bad manners to express your ideas when someone is speaking. And it will show that you have no social skills.

◆Show respect towards others.

The more you respect others, the more respect you will get. Offer your help to anybody in need and you will always be popular for your gentlemanly behavior.

Last, one small suggestion — look into other people's eyes while you are speaking to him or her, but make sure that you do not stare at the person.

You're standing with your classmates. E    41     is talking except you. Perhaps you're afraid they will laugh at what you say. Or maybe, you just aren't brave enough to     42     (speak).

Shyness is like a snake that crawls (爬进) into our mouths and stops us speaking. But we shouldn't let it     43     (stay) there.

I am 29 years old. Even today, that snake still sometimes     44     (visit) me. But when I was in high school, I was so     45     that I wouldn't talk to anyone except my parents and best friends.

One summer, I got a job in a restaurant and that     46     (help) a lot. It meant I had to talk to customers. I had to tell them how     47     their meal cost.

You may not be old enough to find a part-time job. But you can look for other     48     (chance) to speak with people. You can offer to help an old woman     49     (carry) her heavy bag. Or you can go to get a newspaper for your family.

If you do these things     50     a while, the “shyness” snake will soon begin to leave you alone. It'll look for another mouth to crawl into.