36-year-old Victoria Murden McClure is a real adventurer. She has been on many mountaineering expeditions（探险）. She was also the youngest person in a team that skied 1，200 kilometers across Antarctica to the South Pole in 1989，and became one of only two women ever to travel to the Pole by land.

The journey across the Atlantic was her third attempt. The first time she failed because of illness，and during her second attempt，in 1998，she nearly died. She had rowed nearly 5，000 kilometers when her boat was hit by Hurricane Danielle. McClure was suddenly in the middle of 80 mph wind，and surrounded by waves that were 20 meters high.

Her little boat turned over five times. McClure was sure that she was going to die —she took the video recorder that she had brought with her and recorded a goodbye message to her family and friends. The hurricane continued into night，and The Pearl turned over five more times.

McClure was determined not to send a signal asking to be rescued-she didn't want other people to risk their lives. But after the eleventh capsizing（倾袭）of her boat，she finally sent it and a large ship came and found her. However，they couldn't get her boat out of the rough sea—it was found months later near the coast of Portugal.

Victoria Murden McClure had concussion（脑震荡）and a dislocated shoulder when she got home. Many people might have given up after an experience like this，but one year later，McClure was back in her repaired boat and tried again. This time she was successful，and although she again met a hurricane on the journey，which stopped her from breaking the record for the fastest transatlantic rowing crossing，she only overturned once！

World Read Aloud Day is celebrated each year on the first Wednesday of March. It 【小题1】 (start) by the Lit World. org website in 2010 and has now reached 65 countries. 【小题2】 (it) aim is to encourage people worldwide who cannot read to enjoy the benefits of a book. The website asks everyone 【小题3】 ( celebrate) the day by taking a book, finding an audience, and reading out aloud. It is about taking action to show the world that the right to read and write belongs to all people.

The website asks visitors to join in the movement to reduce 【小题4】 number of illiterate（不识字的）people in the world. It is 【小题5】（absolute）necessary to help those who cannot read. The website says，"It's time to start by reading aloud to 【小题6】 might like it. Share a book with a child who might need it，share a story with someone who would treasure it，listen patiently 【小题7】 someone else's story as they share it with you." The United Nations says，"Literacy（有读写能力）involves a variety of learning in 【小题8】（be）able to let individuals achieve their goals，to develop their knowledge，【小题9】 participate fully in society." In that way，World Read Aloud Day does help make a 【小题10】（different）.

I am writing tell you a piece of good news. Last week our school hold a Spoken English Competition. I stood out in the competition and won a first place. In my view, it is your kind help which has helped me gain the achievement. During your spare time, you often spent such much time helping me with my speaking English that I made rapid progress. In the competition, I followed your advices on how to behave, which led to my success. I'm grateful to you for your help and decide that you will make more efforts and try to make great progress in the future.

I'm looking forward to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua

   We all know that the friendship is a good thing. But do you know that friends have a great influence on your happiness and quality of life？Good friends provide comfort and joy，and even improve your health. 【小题1】 Many of us struggle to meet new friends and develop good connections. Even when we're willing to put in time and effort，we don't always know how to go about it.

Why are friends important？

Our society often places stress on romantic relationships. We think that if we can just find that right person，we'll be happy. But research shows that friends are more important to psychological（心理的）well-being than our love and family relationships. 【小题2】 Studies show that a lack of social connections can be as damaging as smoking，or as drinking too much. The quality of our friendships is even tied to longevity（长寿）.

【小题3】

Technology has changed the meaning of friendships in recent years. With the click of a button，we can add a friend or make a new connection. 【小题4】

Technology can provide social opportunities by helping you reconnect with old friends，start new relationships with people around the world who share similar interests，and keep relationships with friends who don't live nearby. However，online friends can't hug you when you're upset，or celebrate a happy event with you after work.

【小题5】 So make it the most important thing to stay in touch in the real world，not just online. You'll get a lot more out of an in-person conversation than you will over text.

How are you？I am Li Hua.__________________________________________________________________

Best wishes!

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua