2 . There is a big difference between offering to help and helping. Almost all of us are guilty (内疚的) about the following _________: Someone talks about a problem, and we answer with _________ words, “Be sure to give me a call if I can help.” But we often do nothing to help.

Once I was in the situation where I _________ these kinds of offers of help—my son just started studying abroad. During those particular days, all I could _________ was the trouble my son would possibly face. It was a very _________ experience. However, there were very few who offered something really helpful.

_________. I had one close friend who took action rather than just saying to offer help. She called, “I know you must be going crazy. I think you need to get away from your _________.” She had already called a few of our friends and _________ a big dinner out. It was a wonderful night. I hadn’t even known how much I needed that break _________ I was there.

After that ____________, I decided I’d ____________ her example and reach out to others. I’ve been ____________ and even guessed wrong at times. But I was amazed when I cheered people up. So ____________ asking someone if they need help, and offer something ____________ then and there. It is a way to show the power of ____________ in an uncertain world.

3 . I vividly remember the day when my husband and I set off on a new journey to Tanzania. He had been ______ a position there as a Civil Engineer. Accompanying him, my aim was to find a job shortly after. As you can imagine, I was very excited, even rather ______, as I’d never been abroad before. So, my first ______ was to get settled in this small town called Dodoma in the middle of Tanzania.

As we got off the train, however, at six in the morning, a lady came rushing along the ______ towards us. Completely out of breath, she said, “We’ve heard you’re from England and our school ______ needs an English teacher — please say you’ll help us.” I felt tired and ______ a shower after the journey. Though shocked by her ______, for some reason or other, I agreed to ______ it!

I washed, changed, had a quick bite to eat and was ______ to the two local teachers and my ______ at 8 o’clock. It felt like being thrown into the deep end, as my teaching timetable began ______ at 8:30! Although I’d hardly had time to get my breath, I never ______ my sudden decision.

Though my entry into this ______ was unexpected, I found joy in teaching those youngsters and gradually became part of the local community in the following years. I’ve been fortunate to ______ lifelong friendships, which has left a lasting ______ on both my students and myself.

5 . Steven Elliot grew up in a poor town in China. He knew he wasn’t in the same _________ as the other kids of his age. For one, Steven’s parents had so little to support their children _________ and they could barely afford to survive. _________, Steven never resented (憎恨) this and was grateful for all his parents provided. Like any kid of his age, he wished one day that he could also have a _________ of his own to play with.

Steven’s uncle decided to do something to help. Finally, in the _________ job market, he managed to get a job. After working a full-time job, his monthly salary _________ merely $400 dollars. Yet, despite the horrific pay for the exhausting _________, Steven’s uncle worked hard day and night with one purpose in mind — to buy a PS2 for the nephews. He _________ it. The cutting-edge gadget (小玩意儿) became the _________ of Steven’s childhood.

For a kid like Steven, growing up in a modest environment, toys weren’t just a fun __________ — they were a creative outlet, too. When they played, their imagination grew and when their imagination grew, they could begin to __________ the seeds for the impossible.

Now, since he is on the cover of Forbes, Steven has __________ it. He gifted his uncle a big “toy” — a brand new SUV. Even better, he has his own company. It’s easy to see how Steven’s upbringing __________ the vision he has behind his company. As a(n)__________, his “affordable luxury” business model is informed by his childhood and wanting to be the change he wanted to see in the world. That is the art of hoi sum(Cantonese)Steven has __________ — living with an open heart.

7 . The bell rang. My English teacher, Mrs. Smith, stood in the front of the classroom, raising a book high. “This week, we’re going to _______ Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You are going to read a paragraph, ‘To Be or Not To Be’ and retell it to your classmates,” she said.

I looked down as her words played over and over in my mind. I could remember all the words, but I was worried about my _______: “To B-B-Be or N-N-Not To B-B-B-Be”. I couldn’t read the sentences fluently. I didn’t want to be _______.

I wanted to do something to change it. I came up with a good _______ to solve my problem. I thought about the words I was about to _______ and practised many times at home. I _______ myself into Hamlet and spoke the _______ with my mom. We laughed when I forgot words and cheered when I spoke _______. My mom told me to keep eye contact and believe in myself.

On the day when I was going to _________, I breathed deeply and stood up. I faced my teacher and classmates ________. I started to speak. The words came out shaky at first. Then, I spoke them ________ and stronger. On the stage, I ________ myself saying the words to my mom at home. I stayed ________ and stood tall. Before I knew it, my task was over. Everyone clapped for me and I bowed. I was excited and ________ because I faced my fear and won the ________ myself.

8 . I attended a college where every student left it as an all-rounded (全面的) person. The teachers in this college were _________. One of them, in particular, caught my _________ most, not because of his teaching skills but in the _________ he would always bend over and pick any piece of paper _________ on the floor and throw it into the nearest dustbin. On his way to the office, he would always _________ the dustbins to the right position if they were left by the cleaners in a wrong position.

In the beginning, when I _________ him, I used to wonder why? However, growing up with this _________ in mind, I have come to follow the same _________. Walking down the street, I often bend over to pick the paper blown away by wind from the dustbin.

As I look at the puzzled _________ around me whenever I do this, I often __________ the story of the little girl who was walking on the __________ and saw turtles (海龟) washed ashore by the waves __________ to get back in the water. She picked them up one by one and threw them back into the water. One guy walking by asked her why she did this since there were so many of them. She bent down, picked one up, looked at the guy and said, “I cannot __________ all of them, but I can surely make a __________ to this one.” She then threw it back into the ocean.

So, I may not clean the __________ town by picking litter but I can surely leave one pavement clean by doing so, one at a time.

9 . On Sept. 17, 2022, a father and son set out to begin the first of three legs of the Ironman competition in Cambridge, Maryland. Jeff Agar, 59, and his son, Johnny Agar, 28, weren’t the ______ participants. Johnny has cerebral palsy (脑瘫), resulting in his difficulty walking and muscle weakness. Jeff would act as his arms and legs, ______ carrying the weight of his son throughout the race. To ______ as completion, competitors must complete a(n) ______ 140 miles of swimming, bicycling and running in under 17 hours.

From the day Johnny was born, Jeff and his wife refused to let their son be ______ by disability. ______ to show Johnny that he could pursue his dream of being an athlete, when he was 15 years old, they ______ him up with my Team Triumph, an organization that helps kids with ______ engage in endurance (耐力) sports.

Johnny became ______ to racing, and Jeff wanted to be a part of it. Jeff began waking up at 4 am to run while ______ Johnny in a racing chair. Every morning, he ______ himself to run increasingly longer distances.

After 16 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds, the father and son ______ the finish line together. As the crowd ______ and congratulated Johnny, Jeff kept a low ______ . “He didn’t want attention to his finish line moment,” says Johnny. “He wanted it to be ______ .”