It's said that you don't know a man until you walk a mile in his shoes. And you also don't know what it's like for old people to travel until you accompany（陪伴）one on a trip.

After flying with my elderly father from Washington, D.C.to L.A.in July, I began to realize that a companion has important tasks that can make a journey easier for old people. I booked nonstop tickets on JetBlue to avoid tiring, confusing connections, and we flew directly into Long Beach Airport. Even though my father could walk, I arranged with the airline for wheelchair assistance, which meant we got on board first.

When I took him back to the airport for his return flight to Washington, I got permission from JetBlue to wait with him at the gate instead of saying goodbye at the security checkpoint. I wished he'd had a first-class seat and access to a comfortable airline club. Better yet, I wished I had flown with him on both ways. As I watched the attendant wheel him to the lift that would take him from the tarmac（停机坪）to the plane, I felt like an anxious mom sending her child to school for the first time.

Things can go awry on a plane trip. And then there is a horrifying story about Joe and Margie. When they landed at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a wheelchair attendant met them to help with a connection. But somehow Margie, who had Alzheimer's disease, disappeared.

I didn't need to worry about my father's wandering away；at 82, his mind was sharper than mine. But his hearing was poor, so I worried about what would happen if he missed an important announcement.

Fortunately, everything went just fine. A good arrangement（安排）made the trip successful.

Next time I travel with a senior, I'll know better. I hope there will be a next time.

   Driving home from work every day on a long winding country road, I passed a house where an elderly man sat on his front porch（走廊）.I had been _____ to him only when I first moved into my home.

For these past fifteen years, I have _____ my window, waved, and shouted, "Hi, Charlie." I felt _____ to greet him in this way because I couldn't _____ going through a day without hearing someone say my name. I felt he also needed to hear his name _____ by someone else.

I used to _____ at his wife, too, when she was out walking their dog. She was a（n）_____ woman in a long wool coat, whatever the _____. I didn't know her name, but I'd _____ and say "Hi, Grandma" and she'd smile and wave back.

But then came the day when she was not ______ walking their dog；instead, Charlie was doing so. I realized he was alone, and the desire to greet him grew ______. My window was rolled down before I came around the corner, and ______ he was not on the porch, I'd shout to him, hoping that in his ______ he'd hear me. As long as there was a ______ on in the house, I felt that he was all right.

But that day came when he had to sell his belongings; Charlie's pickup truck was for ______ on the front lawn. A few days later, a sign was ______, and I knew Charlie was gone. I still wave and ______, "Hi, Charlie" as I pass just as I did in the past. The house is dark now.

It is my ______ that all of us need to be greeted at least once a day and that we need to hear our names spoken aloud by another person, to know someone sees us and ______ the truth of our being. I believe it is our duty to greet each other each day, in this way to prove that ______.

Habits to Be a Highly Effective Student

Some students are able to get straight A’s and at the same time serve as the president of three clubs. However, some students struggle to keep their GPA (Grade-Point Average) above a 3.0. 【小题1】Although it’s true that everyone’s IQ is different, good study habits are very important. Here  are several habits you should adopt to get good grades.

【小题2】 If you haven’t had a planner (规划薄), get one. Many people use their computers and smartphones to make a schedule. The problem with that approach is that they are major distractions. Instead, get an old-fashioned paper and pen planner.

Create a weekly schedule. 【小题3】 Include time that will be spent eating, sleeping and doing anything not related to school work. That way you know exactly how much you can accomplish each day.

Take frequent, short breaks. Taking a break from studying for 15 minutes every hour will help keep you refreshed. 【小题4】 If you don’t take a break, you may find yourself daydreaming or even falling asleep. Take some time for some water, a snack or a quick chat with a friend.

Take care of yourself. During final exam week, it is common for students to fall behind on sleep and meals. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and have regular meals. Studying while hungry or sleepy is ineffective and will slow you down in the long run. Also try to make time for friends and family. 【小题5】