1 . When I was in elementary school, I entered an Easter card design contest. The_______ was supposed to get 200 dollars as a reward and his or her design would be made into an actual Easter_______. I was so _______ that I didn't even realize I never got the dollars _______to me by the game organizer or _______ my card in stores. It was _______ but I was just happy to have won such a contest, my first one in effect. _______, I really enjoyed making the card, so_______ weren't that important. I realize that playing to win will always leave me feeling empty. Life is a lot more_______ if we play games for fun rather than victory.

Later on, I entered another contest. All I had to do was color a picture. This was what I loved to do: display my __________ in something others could enjoy. Luck __________ me, and I managed to win once more. When I saw the prize, a pair of paper glasses, I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. __________, if I were to find those same glasses now, I would think they counted for nothing.

Then, I started to enter contests with no prize, such as the lottery. I no longer minded__________ because the event itself was meaningful. The key to happiness is to put less thought into the__________ but more focus on making the journey unforgettable.

       In most of my experiences, the results didn't__________ my expectations because I idealized them. I just need to remember what my earliest contests have__________ me. Now my goal is to enter college, but I am not striving for good grades so that I can gain __________. Education is about learning, not just a necessary __________ to the next stage in my life. I'm studying hard __________ I' m eager to learn, and the__________ follow. I'll do my best to make college worth the struggle it requires.

2 . Benefits of Sports

Taking exercise is a physical, mental and social adventure. It’s a great way for children to take a break from study and release extra energy. It also helps them lead fuller and happier lives as regular sports have proven to improve general well-being.

    1     Regardless of your fitness level when you start playing sports, you’ll notice an increase in your overall fitness once you take part. Nearly every sport requires physical activity and the skills needed to be competitive. Basketball players focus on strength training.     2     The training process helps encourage physical fitness and performances in competitions.

    3     Playing sports contributes to mental health, helping to increase confidence and self-worth. A pat on the back, high-five from a teammate, or handshake after a match really raises a child’s confidence. Words of praise and encouragement from the coach, parents and other players raise the self-worth.     4     So after a game, it’s a better idea to ask “Did you enjoy the game?” rather than “Did you win?”

Children who participate in sports might also benefit from the social aspect, feeling part of a group, building up leadership and responsibility.     5     Teamwork demands both being dependable as a teammate and learning to rely on your teammates to achieve a positive outcome. Teamwork will raise your responsibility and give you an opportunity to be a leader.

There is no shortage of reasons to find a sport to take part in. Are you ready to go? Pick one and get moving!