Reading didn't really change my life until I saw it change the life of a child. Marcus was a quiet boy who lived with his mother in a shelter (收容所) for the poor. Because he was the weakest _______ in his class, he became one of my Reading Help students. Marcus knew letters but couldn't read at all. However, he worked very hard and made progress very _______. I often gave him books to take home every night so that he could read them with his mother.

One day, Marcus didn't bring his books back. He looked so _______ that he was about to cry.

When asked why, he told me that someone had taken his book bag during the night. I put my arm around his shoulders and _______ that I would give him more books to take home. "Maybe the person who took your books," I said, "will become a good reader just like you."

A few weeks later, I learned Marcus and his mother were being moved to a different shelter across town for safety. I began to _________ what his future would be if he couldn't finish the program. Marcus' mother was worried too, so she put him on public transportation every day and sent him all the way across town to _______ with me.

Marcus finally graduated from the program as a strong reader. We had a small celebration and I gave him a book to keep. That was the last time I saw Marcus. Although I may never see him again, I'm certain that learning to read changed his life forever. The _______ certainly changed mine. Since then, I've taught many struggling readers, from ages 5 to 75. Each student has increased my love for teaching reading. Each one reminds me what a/an _______ it is to be a teacher working with struggling readers, and how happy it is to see lives changed forever by the simple joy of reading.