1 . How similar are language and music?

Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world.     1     Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

Both language and music have a writing system.

In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes (音符) to keep a record of music. Musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music.     2     By writing pieces of text or music, we are able to share experiences through time. We can read the ideas or hear the composition (作品) of someone who lived hundreds of years ago.

    3    

You can make a good guess at where someone is from by listening to the language he uses. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

Both share emotion.

    4     Of course you may be able to see it in my face, but you will know for sure through my words. Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness.     5     I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics (歌词).

3 . As you grow older, you’ll be faced with some challenging decisions — like whether to cut class or try cigarettes. Making decisions on your own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you one way or another, it can be even harder. People who are at your age, like your classmates, are called peers. When they try to influence how you act, to get you to do something, it’s called peer pressure.

Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system. Maybe you got others excited about your new favorite book, and now everyone’s reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other.

Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to cut class with them; your soccer friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass him the ball.

It is tough to be the only one who says “no” to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do.

You’ve probably had a parent or teacher advising you to “choose your friends wisely”. Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who don’t cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably won’t do these things either, even if other kids do.

If you continue to face peer pressure and you’re finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Don’t feel guilty if you’ve made a mistake or two.

4 . As an adult, I realized that I had no skills, so I went to trade school. I entered a cabinetmaking (家具制造) program. I didn’t think I would be good at building furniture. I’m not handy. Nobody in my family is.

I had great teachers, but making furniture is hard. There are so many steps and something can go wrong at each one. I couldn’t even get organized. My toolbox always looked like a hurricane had gone through it.

I didn’t fully know what I was devoting myself to at the beginning, but I kept going to class. I tried to wrap my brain around the math. The projects forced me to solve new kinds of problems. My brain started to build new connections. Working in this new physical manner and giving it 100 percent of my effort had huge benefits for my mental health. I got over fear of embarrassment and asked for help at every opportunity.

I spent that year truly learning. True learning is a humbling (令人谦卑的) experience, especially for those of us who are learning a new set of skills. I could understand exactly what was wrong with the furniture I made, but I couldn’t fix my mistakes. And yet, I kept trying. And failing. And failing again. Until I learned to fail better.

You’re going to be bad at anything when you start out, but I was pretty bad right to the end. Even so, I finished the program — with honors, no less! My grades were helped by my good written work. Having to constantly push beyond my comfort zone has made me a more well-rounded person. Maybe most importantly, trade school gave me a more realistic idea of my strengths and limitations. I’m stronger than I thought!

5 . Born in America, I spoke English, not Chinese, the language of my ancestors. When I was three, my parents flashed cards with Chinese ________ at my face, but I pushed them ________. My mom believed I would learn when I was ready. But the time never came.

On a Chinese New Year’s Eve, my uncle spoke to me in Chinese, but all I could do was ________ at him , confused, scratching my head. “Still can’t speak Chinese” He ________ me, “You can’t even buy a fish in Chinatown.”

“Hey, this is America, not China. I’ll get some________ without Chinese.” I replied and turned to my mom for permission.

“Remember to ask for fresh fish, Xin Xian Yu,” she said ,handing over a $20 bill. I repeated the words, ________ downstairs into the streets of Chinatown immediately.

I found the fish ________ surrounded in a sea of customers. “I’d like to buy some fresh fish,” I shouted to the fisherman. But he ________ my English words and turned to serve the next customer. The laugh of the people behind increased with their impatience. With every second, the breath of the dragons on my back grew________—my blood boiling—________ me to cry out. “ Xian Sheng Yu , please.” “Very Xian Sheng,” I repeated .The crowd erupted into laughter. My face turned ________ and I ran back home________, except for the $20 bill I held tightly in my pocket.

Should I laugh or cry They’re Chinese. I feel it’s all right about not knowing Chinese at________. Instead, I was the joke outside.

Sometimes, I laugh at my fish ________, but , in the end, the joke is on ________. Every laugh is a culture lost; every laugh is my heritage (传统) fading away.

Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese festivals. It    1     (call) “Lunar New Year”,   because — as part of the lunisolar (阴阳的) Chinese calendar — the date is partially determined based on lunar phase (月亮或行星的相位). The festival traditionally     2     (begin) on the first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival    3     is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day when Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chu Xi. It literally means “Year-pass Eve”.

According to    4     (tale) and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against    5     mythical beastv(神兽)called Nian.   Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock (牲畜), crops, and even villagers,     6     (particular) children. To protect    7     (them),   the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian    8     (eat) the food they prepared, it wouldn't attack people any more. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid    9     the colour red. Therefore, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used fireworks    10     (frighten) away the Nian. From then on,   Nian never came to the village again.

8 . “Be proud of what you do,” my father always told me, “whether you are a boss or a cleaner.” When I was 15, I got a summer job in a hospital. I was told that my duties would include sweeping floors. I smiled and remembered Dad's words. Even though my job was the lowest, it made me feel excited. I saw it as a challenge because it was my first job. I learned to be on time and tried to do everything well. In return, I was treated with respect by doctors, nurses and patients. Each morning I imagined that the dirty dishes would make patients more sick if I were not there to wash them clean. After breakfast was done, I started sweeping the floors of all patient rooms and cleaning the toilets. Though I was tired, I wanted the job to be done well. Hearing people say “That young boy really does a good job”, I was filled with pride.

Working in the hospital taught me that being proud of one's job is important. It does not matter whether the job is sweeping floors or managing a large business. Through every job I have ever had, my father's words have always stayed with me. I was a good cleaner, and now I'm a good manager. I think Dad would be proud of me all the time.