It was getting dark. Paul looked out of the window and signed （叹气）. Dad said he could come home by 5:30, but it was almost 7:00. Even if Dad came back, it wouldn't be much fun playing baseball in the dark. Paul walked into his room and threw his baseball into the corner. He tried to do some homework, but 1.

    The phone 2at about 8:00. It was Dad: "Paul, I'm sorry, I have to finish my work at the office tonight. Maybe we can play this weekend. Oh no. How about next weekend…"

    Paul couldn't understand why Dad was so busy. He threw himself into the sofa and soon fell asleep. His book 3to the first page.

    The next day at school, Paul didn't hand in his homework. Mrs. Green 4is Paul's Chinese teacher and careful asked him to stay after school." Paul, you didn't do your homework. This isn't like you. What's wrong? "Paul just sat there quietly." Paul, if you don't want to talk, I 5. I know that something's worrying with you, you need to tell someone."

    As Paul walked home, he thought of what Mrs. Green said. Maybe he didn't do his homework 6 he wanted to get his dad's attention. He knew Mrs. Green was right. He decided to take 7 advice.

    When Paul got home, he called his dad. But there was no answer. Then it went to voicemail （语音信箱）. Paul began talking: "Dad, I can't play with you next weekend. I've got lots of problems8my homework. Also, I really don't want to spend another day 9 out of the window and waiting. Whenever you break our plans, Dad, it hurts me. It' s not too late to rebuild our relationship, but we have to start small. Maybe you can help me with my homework sometime. Dad, I love you."

    When Paul ended the call, he felt much relaxed. He didn't know whether his dad would be different, but it didn't matter. He himself changed. He expressed his feelings to the right person. He had10clear head while he was doing his homework that evening.

    When I was in high school, I wasn't good at my schoolwork at the beginning.1I really wanted to go college. I went to talk with my teacher. He told 2that there might be no chance for me to go to college. It made me very 3.

     But I still did my best. I might not be able to get into 4  , but I wouldn't stop 5. Then I found that my problem in the past was spending too much time 6 science. I was not good at my schoolwork, because I wasn't working hard on all 7.

    So in the next term I 8  my plan. I spent more time in studying English, geography and other subjects. I worked hard by listening to the teachers 9 in class and doing more exercises after class. Now I am studying at college.

    If you are not good at schoolwork at the moment, don't 10. Forget the past years and restart now! I believe all your dreams can come true.

    It is the duty of every man to work. The life of a lazy man is of no use to himself and to others. If the man is too lazy to work he will usually become a useless man. Everyone when he is young should learn some useful work. But it is not enough for a man to learn some kinds of work. He should also put his heart and soul （精力） into his work, and not waste his spare time. Work while you work and play while you play is a good rule not only for young people but also for the old.    There is no better way to help to be diligent than forming the habit of early rising. Just like all other good habits, we can form it easily in youth. There is an English saying "Lost time never returns." That means that everybody must be diligent, and make good use of time. One must study hard when one is young so that one can make great progress, succeed in life and become useful to one's country. So we can say that diligence is the mother of success.

    There is no one like you in the world. So you should learn to be happy with yourself. You should be confident, because you are unique（独一的）,       

    As we all know, nobody is perfect. So if you are not the most beautiful or the smartest person, that's OK. If you feel there is a room for improving,       If you have tried your best but still aren't content（满意的）, ask yourself two simple questions. First, are you happy with who you are?       If you are OK with yourself and you have done your best in everything,      Second, have you given yourself enough time to improve? You know improving takes time.

    Self-confidence is also very important. If you are confident, you will be OK with the way you are. If you are not confident,      First, find out your talents and try to use them. Second, don't always compare yourself with others. Third, forgive（原谅） yourself for some mistakes you have made.

A. If the answer is yes, then there is nothing to worry about.

B. here is some advice.

C. then try your best to make some changes.

D. you should be content.

E. just like there are no two same leaves in the world.

F. if you change, you will find life is beautiful.

G. Build up your confidence at first.

    China is a country with many colorful days and festivals. The Dragon Head Raising Day（Longtaitou） is one of them. This special       is on the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar （阴历）. It stands       the start of spring and farming.

    The dragon is important in Chinese culture. We Chinese people call      the "descendants （传人） of the dragon". Therefore, people       the Dragon Head Raising Day with many customs（传统） about dragons.

    On the day in ancient times（古代）, people       ashes （灰） in the kitchen. This was to "lead the dragon into the house". People believed that with the      of the dragon, they could have a good harvest （收成）       autumn.

    Also, people eat special       on that day. The foods are usually named after dragons. For example, people eat "dragon whisker （细须）" noodles and dumplings called "dragon teeth".

    Today, many customs have disappeared. But one that has       is the cutting of hair.It was said that a haircut during the first lunar month may bring bad luck to the       ﹣ mother's brothers. So many people have their hair cut on the Dragon Head Raising Day.

Dear Emma,

    Your problem is like a circle. It is because you spend less time with them. The harder you study, the less time you have to spend with friends and the less friendly you look to your classmates. So you should spend more time with them. Look at your classmates. Are there any people with whom you feel you have a lot in common or trust? You can make friends with them first. The advice is as follows:

    First, smile at your classmates. Do this as often as you can, until your classmates become used to your smiles and smile back. Next, talk to your classmates. Do this between classes or during your lunch break. You may find it easier to start by talking to people when they are alone. Perhaps you could ask a classmate about your studies. They are likely to respond （回应） in a very positive way. People like to feel important and helpful.

    There must be someone else in your class who is also quiet. It might be easier to try to talk with him or her. Your problem is mainly about confidence. Smile first, talk next and slowly you will make friends. The most important point is that: Unless you have more confidence, you can't make as many friends as you want.

Editor

"感恩"是一个永恒的教育主题，孝敬父母是中华民族的传统美德。父爱如山高，母爱比海深，父母是每个人在世上最亲的人。我们作为孩子，应该感恩父母、孝敬父母。请根据以下提示写一篇英语短文。

要点:⒈父母在你心中的位置；

⒉大致介绍父母的年龄，职业，外貌:

⒊你该怎样感恩父母、孝敬父母；

⒋…….

要求：⒈不能照抄原文；可适当发挥，不得出现学校的真实名称和学生的真实姓名。

⒉语句连贯，词数80个左右，作文的题目已给出，不计入总词数。

How to be Thankful to our parents?