My mother has a unique way of embarrassing her children. Whenever she gets1about something, she jumps up and down, screaming. We2this as the “silly dances”. As her daughter, I find this3embarrassing. Anytime she goes into the silly dance, I will4slowly away, smile awkwardly, and5to people, “No, she's not my mother.”

    Even though my mother brought me much6when I was little, and even though she7does the silly dance when something goes her way, I now8it. Because the silly dance shows just who she is, and it shows that she is happy.9she didn't do her dance and just obeyed our wishes for “not10, Mom”, she would compromise(妥协) who she is. I owe a lot of my 11for the theater to my mother. I now sing publicly like my mother does. And my friends are always doing that 12awkward smile and usually 13under their breath, “Carolyn, public.”

    So in many ways I'm becoming my mother. I'm not going to 14 singing just because people feel embarrassed at it. I have no 15that I will embarrass my own children with my performance of the “silly dance”. So what? That's who I am.

    It's my 16that everyone should dance to the beat of her own drum, even if the guy next to you gives you a(n)17look. I believe in the things that set us 18  I believe in being myself, no matter how many awkward smiles I 19. I believe in the idea that never 20 who I am.

    How to Welcome Change in Your Life

    Do you embrace(欣然接受) the road you are now on or resist and avoid change at all costs when a recent event has shaken you greatly? Here are things you can do in the midst of uncertainty to choose differently to change the track of your life.

    Don't react.

    What do we do when we don't know what to do? First, stop, take a deep breath and don't do anything.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} It is having faith and trusting what you do know in the unknown.

    Reflect on the past.

    Another activity is to recall times in your life when you were faced with an unknown. Then, think about how you handled the situation.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} Use your past experiences to bring you strength, and to remain you what you are capable of.

    Make conscious decisions.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} However, more possibilities open up when we are at peace. Go over your list of what ifs and make a more balanced list of the best and worst situations possible. Then talk to loved ones about what you would do in each situation and the choices you do have.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    We often see fears as our greatest enemy, yet they provide us with an enormous opportunity for self-growth. What if we were to see them as friends who want to help us become a better person? Let your fears help you instead of hurting you. Then, write down what comes to you.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}.

A. Don't panic.

B. Befriend your fears.

C. You may be surprised by the answers.

D. When we are fearful, our options seem limited.

E. Then try to feel at ease with the state of “not knowing”.

F. Learning from past failures helps you make better decisions.

G. Remembering these incidents will remind you that you've gone through difficult situations.

注意：1)．文章的起始句已经给出；

2)．词数100左右（不包括起始句）；

参考词汇： 报答: repay      学费: tuition     经济独立: financially independent

Dear Editor,

    I'm writing to tell you about a recent discussion our class have had on whether or not university students should be financially independent.

Yours,

Li Hua

    A little old couple walked slowly into McDonald's one cold winter evening. They were so old that they looked out of place among the young families and young couples eating there that night.

    Some of the customers looked admiringly at them. You could tell what the admirers were thinking. “Look, there is a couple who has been through a lot together, probably for 60 years or more!”

    The little old man walked right up to the cash register (收银台), placed his order with no hesitation and then paid for their meal. The couple took a table near the back wall and started taking food off the tray (托盘). There was one hamburger, one order of French fries and one drink. The little old man unwrapped the plain hamburger and carefully cut it in half. He placed one half in front of his wife. Then he carefully counted out the French fries, divided them in two piles and neatly placed one pile in front of his wife. He took a sip of the drink, his wife took a sip and then set the cup down between them.

    As the man began to eat his few bites of hamburger the crowd began to get restless. Again you could tell what they were thinking, “That poor old couple. All they can afford is one meal for the two of them.”

    As the man began to eat his French fries one young man stood and came over to the old couple's table. He politely offered to buy another meal for the old couple to eat. The old man replied that they were just fine. They were used to sharing everything.

    Then the crowd noticed that the little old lady hadn't eaten a bite. She just sat there watching her husband eat and occasionally taking turns sipping the drink.

    Again the young man came over and begged them to let him buy them something to eat. This time the lady explained that, no, they were used to sharing everything together.

    As the little old man finished eating and was wiping his face neatly with a napkin the young man could stand it no longer. Again he came over to their table and offered to buy some food.

    After being politely refused again, he finally asked a question of the little old lady. “Ma'am, why aren't you eating? You said that you share everything. What is it that you are waiting for?”

    She answered, “The teeth”.

    As I held my father's hands one night, I couldn't help but notice their calluses (老茧) and roughness. His hands tell the story of his life as a1, including all his struggles.

    One summer, I remember, a drought (旱灾) hit Ontario, turning it into a 2desert. On one of those hot mornings I was picking sweet com with my dad to fill the last3from the grocery store. Fifty dozen was all we needed, which4took twenty minutes. That morning, however, the process didn't 5quickly. After forty minutes of aimlessly walking in the field, we6 needed twenty dozen. I was completely frustrated (挫败的) and7. Dropping the basket heavily, I declared, “If the store wants its last twenty dozen, they can pick it themselves”. Dad8. “Just think, my little girl, only ten dozen left for each of us and then we're9.” Such is Dad----whatever problem he 10 he never gives up.

    11  the bad effects of the drought were felt all over our county. It was a challenging time for everyone,12Dad remained optimistic (乐观的). He 13to be grateful for other things like good health and food on our plates. Only then did I truly begin to 14Dad and his faith that guided us through the hard times.

    Dad is also a living example of real 15  From dawn to dusk, he works countless hours to 16our family. He always puts our happiness 17his own and never fails to cheer me on at my sports games 18his tiredness after long days. His loving and selfless nature has encouraged me to become more sympathetic (有同情心的) and19, putting others first.

    Dad, the life 20I have learned from you will stay with me forever. You are my father, teacher, friend and, most importantly, my hero.