My dad, George, only had an eighth grade education. A quiet man, he didn’t understand my world of school activities. From age 14, he worked. And his dad, Albert, took the money my dad earned and used it to pay family expenses(费用).

I didn’t really understand his world either: He was a livestock trucker (牲畜卡车司机), and I thought that I would surpass (超过) anything he had accomplished (完成) by the time I walked across the stage at high school graduation.

Summers in the mid-70s were spent at home shooting baskets, hitting a baseball, or throwing a football, preparing for my future as a quarterback (橄榄球的四分卫) on a football team. In poor weather, I read about sports or practiced my trombone (长号).

The summer before my eighth grade I was one of a group of boys that a neighboring farmer hired to work in his field. He explained our basic task, the tractor fired up and we were off, riding down the field looking for weeds (杂草) to spray with chemicals. After a short way, the farmer stopped and pointed at a weed which we missed. Then we began again. This happened over and over, but we soon learned to identify different grasses like cockleburs, lamb’s-quarters, foxtails, and the king of weeds, the pretty purple thistle (蓟草). It was tiring work, but I looked forward to the pay, even though I wasn’t sure how much it would amount to.

At home, my dad said, “A job’s a big step to growing up. I’m glad you will be contributing to the household(一家人).” My dad’s words made me realize that my earnings might not be mine to do with as I wished.

My labors (劳动) lasted about two weeks, and the farmer said there might be more work, but I wasn’t interested. I decided it was not fair (公平的) that I had to contribute my money.

2 . I’m often asked how to study English effectively. I think this means getting the most out of your study time, and that means variety.     1    .

Study Every Day

It’s important to study English every day. However, don’t exaggerate (夸张)!     2    . This habit of studying English every day will help keep English in your brain fresh.

A Little Grammar, a Little Listening, a Little Reading, and a Little Writing.

    3    . Study a little grammar, then do a short listening exercise and then read an article on the same topic. Don’t do too much; twenty minutes on three different types of exercises is plenty!

    4    

Give yourself one grammar goal when reading a new article or watching a new video. For example, try to write down each example of a form you are studying such as the present perfect. Use colored pens to highlight (使.....突出) forms that you are studying.

Use Different Learning Methods

Don’t just use one way to study English. Use many kinds of methods which will make all the parts of your brain help you.     5    . All of these methods together help with your learning.

Find Some Friends

You can practice the exercises together, have conversations together (in English), and, as you study English together, help each other with exercises you may not understand.

There are several reasons why school uniforms(校服)are a good idea.First of all,uniforms help the school look smart.The students feel that they belong to a particular group.When every pupil in the school wears the uniform, nobody     1     (have)to worry about fashion(时尚).Everybody wears     2     same style of clothes.Uniforms can be useful in unexpected ways.A school in Ireland has introduced an interesting new uniform.On the edge of the jacket,there is a piece of cloth     3     gives off light in the dark.When the children are walking or     4     (cycle)to school on dark mornings,car drivers can     5     (easy)see them.

But can uniforms help improve school standards?The answer     6     this question is not clear.One study in America found that students’ grades improved a little after the school     7     (introduce)uniforms.But some students didn’t want     8     (wear)the uniform.Other American studies showed no     9     (connect)between uniforms and school performances.School uniforms are     10     (tradition)in Britain,but some schools are starting to get rid of them.Some very good schools don’t have a uniform policy.However,uniforms are still popular.Pupils at about 90 percent of British secondary schools wear uniforms.

Do you know about Dolly, a famous sheep? She was created by cloning more than fifteen years ago in Scotland. Cloning is famous throughout     1     world. It is a process     2    (use) to make an animal that is exactly like its parent. So far, scientists     3     (clone) rabbits, sheep, cows, mice, pigs and some other animals.

But what makes cloning possible? It’s DNA. There is DNA in most living things,     4     (include) human beings. Your DNA is the same in every part of your body. For example, your fingernails have the same DNA as your hair. You have your own DNA,     5     is similar to your parents’, but not the same. However, Dolly’s DNA is the same as     6     of the sheep she was cloned from.

There's no doubt that cloning can help save those animals in danger. It can also be     7     (benefit) to human beings.     8     its help, scientists are able to explore more ways to treat many serious diseases. However, cloning could be used in some ways to harm     9     (social), too. So I wish all governments     10    (can) make laws to make sure it can be used properly.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

Michelle was 8 years old when she heard her mom and dad talking about her little brother Jack, now only an infant (婴儿). He was sick and they were completely out of money. Only a very costly operation could save Jack now, but there was no one to whom they could turn for the money needed. She heard her daddy say to her tearful mom, “Only a miracle can save him now.”

Hearing the words, Michelle went to her bedroom and took all the coins from her little money box. After counting the coins three times, she slipped out of the back door and made her way to the drug store 6 blocks away.

She waited for a long time before the pharmacist (药剂师) turned around and asked her, “And what do you want?”

“Well, it’s about my brother,” Michelle answered, “he’s really, really sick. And I want to buy a miracle.”

“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.

“His name is Jack. And he has something very bad growing inside his body. And my daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I am sorry but I can’t help you.” The pharmacist said.

“Listen, I have the money to pay for it.” With these words, Michelle poured out all the coins from her pocket.

At this time, a well-dressed man behind Michelle stooped down and asked the little girl, “I am selling the miracle you want. Tell me how much money you have.”

“One dollar and eleven cents.” Michelle answered in a low voice, “That’s all the money I have. But I can get some more if I need to.”

“Well,” smiled the man, “A dollar and eleven cents —the exact price of a miracle for you little brother. Show me the place where your brother lives.”

9 . How to Keep Peace With Roommates

Keeping peace with your roommates will not always be a walk in the park.     1     Here are some steps you could follow to be at peace with your roommates:

    2     Whether you’re moving into a new room or you’re welcoming a roommate, it’s good practice to set rules from the start. Let your roommates know your plan so they know when quiet time should be observed, and decide on how you’ll share costs on food and so on. When everyone is on the same page in the beginning, it’s easier to get along later on.

Mind your basic manners and get to know your roommates more. Respect for each other and communication can make sure of peace of the room. Basic manners include knocking, saying “excuse me” when needed, being quiet and lowering the light level when the roommate is sleeping. Organize an open discussion about your roommate’s personality. Know his likes and dislikes. Have the necessary information in case of emergencies.     3    

Solve conflicts (矛盾) in a calm manner. Good communication is the key here. It is best to keep the conflicts only in the room when they happen.     4     These are the times when you maturity (成熟) will be tested.

Roommates may be your lifelong friends.     5     This will surely make your new room a home away from home.