Do you know what things Americans love most? A lot of people think that Americans love their cars almost ______ than anything else. When young people are ______ years old, they want to have ______ own cars. They ______ ask for a car from their parents. So many of them work in free time during their last year of high school ______ a car. Learning to drive and ______ a driver’s license may be one of the most exciting ______ in a young person’s life. Some people almost never go to see a doctor when they are ill. But they will ______ their cars to a garage as soon as they think there ______ a problem. On Saturdays or Sundays some people may spend most of their time ______ and repairing their cars.

On a fine day, when Linda finished her work, she saw a blind boy sitting on the side of the road. With a hat by his feet, he held up a sign which said, “I’m ______. Please help me.”

Only a few people put coins in the hat. Linda was walking by. She dropped some coins into the ______. She then turned the sign around, wrote some words, put the sign back and left.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people ______ to give money to the blind boy. That afternoon Linda came to see how things were. The boy recognized her footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who ______ my sign this morning? What did you write?”

Linda said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a ______ way.” What Linda had written was, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot ______ it.”

The signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply ______ people to help by throwing some ______ into the hat. The second one, however, told people that they were able to enjoy the ______ of the day, but the boy couldn’t because he was blind.

There are at least two lessons we can learn from this story. First, be thankful for what you have. Someone else has less. Help them if you can. ______, think differently.

Nowadays, more and more students choose to study abroad for further education.

Why do it?

There are several reasons for studying abroad. Studying abroad can be an exciting experience for many people. Living in another country can help you learn a language, and learn about another culture. You will see the world in a new way, and learn more about yourself. Overseas study may also look good on your future resume. Many companies today want employees who speak a second language, or have experiences living or working in another country.

Making the right choice

Once you decide to study abroad, you’ll make some choices. To choose the right country or school, ask yourself: Where do I want to go and why? How much do I want to pay? How long do I want to study abroad? Do I want to live with a host family, with roommates, or alone?

Getting ready to go

Get your passport and visa early! Before you go, learn some of the language, and read about some common customs in your host country. Learn about the money. Bring some of it and a credit card with you.

What will you do when you have something difficult to do? I used to ask my mother for help. But she always said, “Do it yourself, dear.” I was not glad at all. I thought she was the laziest mother in the world!

For example, one day, I decided to invite some friends to my home. My bedroom was not in order. Books were everywhere. And I didn’t make the bed. I asked my mother to help me clean it, but she still said, “Do it yourself, dear.”

Because of my “lazy mother”, I need to wash my clothes and clean my room. I help my parents do some housework. I even go to the dentist by myself. It is really hard for me to do everything well, but I have learned a lot.

As time goes by, I come to understand my mother. She makes me clever and active! What a great mother! A good mother is worth one hundred teachers! Don’t you think so?

Do you know how April Fool’s Day comes?

In the sixteenth century in France, the start of the New Year was on April 1st. People celebrated the New Year in the same way as it is today. They held parties and danced into the late night.

Then in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar into the Christian (基督教的) world, and the New Year fell on January 1st. Some people didn’t believe the change in the date, so they celebrated the New Year on April 1st. Others played tricks on them and called them “April fools”.

Today Americans play small tricks on friends on the first day of April. One common trick on April Fool’s Day is pointing down to a friend’s shoe and saying, “Your shoelace is untied.” School children like to tell a classmate that they have no classes. Then if someone believes the trick, he or she will be called the “April fool”! People play tricks on each other only because they want to enjoy themselves together. Most jokes are really funny and people play tricks not to hurt anyone but to find happiness.

Listening is an important part of learning English.     31     We hope they can help you.

Relax yourself

    32     This can help your listening. Don’t get nervous or excited.

Listen carefully to the first sentence

    33     So listen carefully to it.

Think what you’re listening

    34     For example: What happened? When, where and how? What was the result and what does the speaker want to tell us? In this way, you can understand the passage better.

    35    

It’s important for you to remember some important facts. For example, if the passage is a science report, you should try to remember its findings, and how the scientists get the results. This is also helpful to your listening.