Logan was a brilliant student. He had committed to doing everything it took to win a scholarship to study at a good university. But nothing was more important to the 17-year-old boy than supporting his mother who was sick. After school hours, he would work as a bagboy at the local grocery store. Together, Logan and his mother managed to make ends meet while still fighting to achieve bigger dreams.

Now right outside the grocery store, Logan spotted a familiar face. “Mr. Peters!” Logan called out to the old man holding crutches (拐杖), whom he recognized as his new neighbor. Mr. Peters waved at Logan.   Logan happily helped the old man find what he needed and helped him bill the items, too.

“That will be $23, Mr. Peters,” Logan said.

Mr. Peters was taken aback by the bill’s amount. He asked, “And how much without the fruits?”

“$19, sir.”

“I see.” Mr. Peters looked in his wallet. He studied the bill and said, “Actually, I’ll just take the greens, thank you.”

“You know what? Here, let me pay for your order. It looks like you may have … left your card at home or something.”

Mr. Peters didn’t see this kind gesture coming, and even though it hurt his pride a little, he accepted the boy’s help.

Logan paid for the order and handed the bags to the old man. But Mr. Peters could only move a few steps forward as he tried to hold all the groceries without the crutches slipping away Logan rushed to Mr. Peters and offered to carry the groceries to his home. It was a short walk, but the two men were engaged in conversation all the way.

“What are you doing working at a grocery store? You look like you should be in college!” Mr.   Peter asked.

On listening to Logan’s story, Mr. Peters was moved and thought he should do something. “It was lovely to meet you, Logan. Maybe you could pop in after your shift at the store today?” he asked.

Logan agreed, suspecting that the man probably needed some help around the house.

After work, Logan knocked on his neighbor’s door and discovered the most astonishing thing about the old man.

“I’ve asked some former workmates to notice a scholarship application from a young man named Logan,” Mr. Peters continued.

6 . Kwane Stewart, a devoted vet (兽医) in San Diego, had reached a point of burnout in his career. The animal ______ where he worked was full of abandoned pets as people ______ to deal with the ongoing economic decline. In those days, animals would be euthanized (安乐死) if they weren’t ______ in seven days. The cruel reality deeply troubled Stewart, even leading him to consider ______ his profession.

One fateful day, outside a convenience store, he ______ a homeless man with a dog suffering from a visible skin issue. The man, ______ for a solution, shared his dog’s suffering. Stewart examined the dog and then ______ some medicine to him. In tears, the man thanked Stewart, saying “Thank you for not ______ me”. The very words served as a wakeup call to Steward and inspired his next ______ .

Stewart began working as a street vet during his free time, determined to ______ on his own. Over a nine-year period, he provided ______ medical care for over 1,000 homeless people and their pets and in 2020, he created a nonprofit organization Project Street Vet.

For Stewart, the most rewarding aspect of his work lies in the one-on-one ______ with the homeless. By ______ helping their cherished companion, Stewart helps ______ their faith in humanity. Their gratitude fuels him to continue his mission, offering ______ to those facing awful circumstances.

7 . In the early 19th century, New England farmers, tired of wrestling with their poor land, journeyed to the Midwest. In states like Illinois and Iowa, they found rich, black soil. Unfortunately, many soon felt like thirsty sailors in the middle of the ocean—water everywhere but not a drop to drink. They were surrounded by fertile soil, but had to stop every few seconds to remove the sticky dirt off their iron plows (犁) with large wooden paddles. This dilemma caught the attention of John Deere, a blacksmith who moved to Illinois in 1836.

Deere decided to look into the problem. From his previous work on plows, he knew that dirt was less likely to stick to highly polished metal. That thought was in the back of his mind when he visited a sawmill (锯木厂) in 1837 and noticed a broken saw made of steel. Deere brought it home and began making a better plow. The plow he wanted would have to cut deep into the soil at a sharp angle so that dirt would fall off, yet it could not put too much burden on the horses pulling it. After several experiments, Deere constructed a new plow that featured wood handles. It proved a success. Unlike the old iron plows, Deere’s not only had a blade from which dirt fell away cleanly, but it also turned the soil more efficiently and quickly.

Demand for Deere’s plows increased sharply, but production was limited by the shortage of polished steel. Initially, Deere could only produce a few plows each year. However, Deere’s persistence paid off as he sourced cheaper steel from Pittsburgh. Amazingly, in 1857, his company manufactured and sold 10, 000 plows!

Deere, a perfectionist, continually improved his plows, introducing multiple new versions in a single year. While this slowed down his production ability, it ensured Deere a solid reputation among his customers. Deere plows became world famous in the 1870s when they outshone the competition in a demonstration in France. That same decade, his company built its first riding plow and designed the leaping deer as its trademark.

9 . Joan Donovan was 84 years old when she finished her college degree, but the great-grandmother said she didn’t want to stop learning just yet.

“I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning to go to school. I met the most ________ people and fessors. Everyone surrounded me with ________ and support. And I learned that I had a ________ for writing,” Donovan said. “That’s when I found Southern New Hampshire University, which is a wonderful school. I just loved every minute of it.”

Four years later, on December 13, 2022, Donovan graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a master’s ________ in creative writing.

Donovan said the university heard she was graduating when her son called the school to ________ a frame for her diploma as a Christmas present. ________, the school decided to send more than just a framed diploma, including a cap and gown, cupcakes, balloons and university spirit wear (印有大学精神的服装).

When she was young, Donovan’s mother called her “Brilliant”. She started first grade at the age of 4 and graduated high school by 16. The family couldn’t ________ college, but she was able to take some post-graduate classes for free at her high school.

Donavan always wanted a ________ education, but marriage, babies and a busy life ________ things a bit. But she never gave up on her dream.

“I’m a goal-seeker,” she said. “And it was a goal, and I________ it. It’s a dream come true, really.” Now, Donovan said she is using her new degree to write a novel as well as an autobiography.

“Well, I waited 60 years to ________ my dream. So I hope others don’t have to wait that long,” said Donovan, adding that her autobiography will be about ________ the “roadblocks” of life.

Donovan, who has 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, said the most important thing she’s learned in life is to be a “________ learner”.

“Don’t ever give up. I mean,________ something doesn’t work the first time, just try it again,” she said. “And ________, you’ll find your dream come true.”

10 . Working at a hotel, I had the pleasure of welcoming a family of five one Friday. As they entered, the youngest child greeted me with a cheerful “hi”. I always _______ well-behaved children like them, as they bring a special joy to the place. _______ around young ones in my own family, I have a talent for understanding their _______, making interactions with them enjoyable. I always like hearing about their plans for the weekend, and our hotel _______ us to engage with young guests.

During the check-in process with the parents, the youngest child _______ announced, “It’s my birthday tomorrow!” I asked how old she would be. “Nine!” she _______ with a big smile. I was impressed by her excitement.

The mother _______ they were in the area for university applications for their eldest child, but didn’t talk about any plans for the little one. As they went up to their room, I felt it necessary to do something for the birthday girl. Though we couldn’t _______ anything extravagant(奢侈的), I decided to give her a children’s book and a handwritten “Happy Birthday” _______ .

I delivered the ________ to the family’s room and later, when they returned, the mother expressed how ________ the birthday girl was with the presents. She mentioned they would read the book together, which ________ my heart.

After my shift ended, I didn’t work until Monday. Upon my return, I found a(n) ________ thank you letter and drawings from the girl directed to me. The gesture nearly brought tears of ________ to my eyes, knowing that a ________ act of kindness had made a difference in their stay.