【推荐1】Sweat poured down Marquez’s face. He was preparing for a basketball game and he would win. That was a pretty sure thing. After all, he wasn’t just good; he was excellent.

Basketball was a way of life in Marquez’s family. His older brother Reggie was now playing at a top college. Marquez was ready to follow in his brother’s footsteps and make his family proud. But he had a secret. As good as he was at basketball, Marquez’s heart wasn’t in it anymore. He had another sport on his mind.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead (额头), Marquez jumped on a bus heading home. Through the bus window, he could see cheerleaders dancing and performing amazingly on the field. Marquez became interested. He pulled out a sheet from his backpack. Across the top in big block letters was the phrase: Cheer-leading Competition (啦啦队比赛). That’s what Marquez really wanted to do. He longed for a new challenge.

▲ , Marquez knew the meaning of cheer-leading for a game. He also knew that cheer-leading wouldn’t just be a physical challenge; it would be an emotional one, too. Now, he knew it was time for him to tell his family.

As soon as he arrived home, his parents and Reggie were at the door. Marquez’s face grew bright as he hugged Reggie. “You’re home?” “Of course, little man. I planned to come to your game. You’re going to be a better player than me!”

Everyone in the family was smiling … except Marquez. His family had such high expectations for him when it came to basketball. But Marquez was tired of trying to keep up with his brother. He was ready to carve his own path, He wanted to tell his parents, but Reggie being there put much more pressure on him.

However, Marquez knew what had to be done. “I don’t think I want to play ball anymore,” he said. “I want to do something else.” The family stood confused (困惑的), “Like what, son?” his father said, breaking the silence. “Cheer-leading,” Marquez replied. Nervous, unbelievable laughter followed that word. They thought he was joking. “That’s what I really want to do,” Marquez said in a voice that came out louder than expected. When they saw he was serious, they were quiet.

Over the next few weeks, his family began to understand and support him for the big event. Over weeks of training, he could see that he was improving with practice. A week later, it was time for the competition. From the sidelines, dad, mom, Reggie cheered Marquez on. As the music played, he hit every beat the best he could. The following Monday, results for the competition came out. Marquez saw his name at the top of the list. He made it — of course he did. This time, he felt proud of himself. So did the family.

【推荐3】Wang Xinwei lives with his uncle in the village. His parents left him at home and went to work in the city when he was six. So Wang started doing chores at an early age. Every morning after Wang gets up, he cooks breakfast for his uncle and himself. Then he takes a mantou to school. It’s his lunch. After lunch, Wang usually plays football with his classmates. Wang goes home as soon as the school is over. He has to help his uncle feed the chickens and pigs. They usually have dinner at about eight, and then Wang does his homework. On weekends, Wang washes both his and his uncle’s clothes, cuts grass for the pigs and helps his uncle work on the farm.

Wang’s parents come back to visit him once a year. Wang wants to visit them during the holidays, but they are too busy to stay with him. He can only hear his parents’ voices on the phone once a week. He misses them a lot.

MR SHERLOCK HOLMES, DETECTIVE

I am Dr Watson and I am a friend of the famous detective（侦探）Mr Sherlock Holmes. We are eating breakfast in our rooms at 221 B Baker Street. Suddenly there is a knock at the door.

“Come in!” calls Holmes.

Our visitor is a country doctor called Dr Mortimer. He is a very tall, thin man with glasses.

“I came to you, Mr Holmes,” says Dr Mortimer, “because I have a serious problem.”

“Dr Mortimer, this is my friend Dr Watson. Please tell us your problem,” says Holmes.

Dr Mortimer takes an old yellow paper from his pocket. “My friend Sir Charles Baskerville, died suddenly three months ago. He gave me this paper,” he explains, “It is a legend（传说）of the Baskerville family.”

“Why do you need my help?” asks Holmes. “First,” says Dr Mortimer, “I must read this story to you.”

Dr Mortimer reads:

“The story of the Hound of the Baskervilles. Baskerville Hall, 1742…”