It was a skinny old man who lived all alone. One day he got1bad cold and he called for a doctor.
While the doctor2 Alan, he asked, "Don't you have a friend who 3 come and take care of you?"
"No, I've never had4 friends," the old man said.
"You've lived here all your life and never had a friend?" the doctor said 5Surprise.
"I'm 64 years old, but I've never met anyone I 6call a friend," Alan said. "If it isn't one thing wrong with them, it's another."
"Our village head, Robin, will surely help you if he 7you are sick, the doctor said.
"It's so8 to listen to Robin," Alan added. "You'd imagine there was nothing in this world9 his crops and his wonderful, healthy pigs."
"Then what about Max, who lives down the road?"
"A selfish man,10 he's smart and interesting to talk to," Alan continue, "He visited me a lot before. But he'd come only when he felt like 11so. I don't call that neighborly."
"You can't bring up anything against Toby. Everyone loves him." the doctor laughed.
"Right," agreed Alan. "If I let Toby12on my doorstep, he would do so. But he's 13 noisy for me to stand him for more than five minutes."
"I'm afraid you see too much of your neighbors'14and you're blind to what good people they actually are," the doctor said. "You're a hard nut to crack, old man! Anyway, please call me if you need me." The doctor left and not a word of "thank you"15.
It is true that people with better education are usually able to get better paying jobs. In other words, they have 1 chances to choose a good job while people with 2or no education don't. It 3 that the purpose of education is to make people get jobs. But this isn't accepted by all people.
Some people may think that a person should spend the best years of his life to get education only for a way of living. This is probably one of the earliest reasons of education. In fact, if education is just a 4of making a living, people don't need to 5so much time in school. People can get education for a living in a6 time. Subjects like history and geography need not be taught to everyone. Even language and mathematics need not be taught in detailed (详细地). 7 it is clear that education is much more than 8a man to get a way of living.
Education is to improve a man. It can lead to a better life. It is not only to teach him to speak, read and write, but also to develop his creative thinking and other 9. Educated people are expected to be able to listen to good music,10 good books, watch plays and most of all take a great interest in the world.
Oscar Bloom was unhappy. It was his eighth birthday. All his friends were going to come over that evening. His little sister Samantha had made him the brightest, friendship-birthday bracelet. He had heard his dad whispering to his mom the day before about "picking up the little puppy," and had a feeling that one of his presents might be a little dog that he had been wishing for ever since he was five.
So what was wrong?
Oscar was sad because there was one very, very, hugely important person who was missing today — his beloved Grandma Rose. Last year she fell ill and then one day she just wasn't there.
"Grandma's gone, but she still loves you very much," mom explained.
"I miss Grandma Rose," Oscar said.
"Well, Grandma has a present for you!"
A present from Grandma? How?
Mom pressed 'play' on the CD player, and Oscar heard his grandmother's voice!"My dear Oscar, "the recording began. "I'm sorry I can't be there with you today to celebrate such an exciting day, but I'm with you in spirit. I'm with you all the time. As your birthday present, I'd like to tell you about the day you were born, which was the very first day I met you. That was exactly eight years ago. What a tiny little thing you were back then! The doctor hardly had time to pick you up before you started to make sounds! Every doctor waits for the baby to cry, to make sure the baby is healthy, but you, Oscar, you changed the rules on them. Your mother doesn't remember this because she was so tired, but I will never forget it. You opened your mouth, and you gave a little laugh! That's right, you laughed! And only then did you open your mouth wider to start crying like all ff the rest of the babies in the hospital. I hope you remember this story for the rest of your life, young man," Grandma Rose continued. "This is the beginning of your oral history! My present to you!"
Oscar couldn't believe his ears. His own Grandma Rose was telling him a story he had never heard before. A big smile grew across Oscar's face. What a special birthday this had turned out to be!
My 20-year-old daughter, Ann, living in Philadelphia, sent me a message the other day. "I need socks and shampoo." She was actually asking me to prepare those things for her, but I thought she was playing a cell phone game. I decide not to be a helicopter (直升机) mother, because experience as a mother and professor has taught me how badly that can result. Instead, I prefer a more hands-off way. From the time Ann turned 16, I don't want to know her work and life schedule any longer.
But that's not what I see at Drexel University where I teach. Most of my students talk to their parents three times a day or more. One student's mother called her son because she didn't hear from him for a few days. The son was in the library so he whispered "hello". The mother doubted that he was drinking, and insisted on asking him to take a picture of himself. Holding a newspaper with that day's date, the son had to take a photo of himself and sent it to his mother in order to prove that he wasn't telling a lie.
I always think that my students should depend on themselves. I tell them that I will not check whether they miss classes and finish homework or not, because they are independent thinkers and they should take responsibility for their own choices. But their parents don't treat them like me. I know a mother. She puts her eyes on her son too much. She hopes he will walk by the camera so that she can know what he is doing. Another mother checks her son's credit card daily. However, I never do that. My daughters only come to me with important things when they need my decision. I think that's because I give them space.
Many parents try to find if their kids are hiding from them. But we have to learn to respect boundaries(界限), even when technology is so powerful now. So I am going to do my best not to be a helicopter parent.
How do money problems influence our social life? Do we simply stop going out and enjoying ourselves? And, if we do stop going out, are there any other ways to party?
Psychologists say that having fun with close friends and family is very important to our mental health. Last Christmas, Yorkshire Bank, UK did a survey to see how people were planning to celebrate the festive season when they had not much money to spend. They found that eight out of ten Britons preferred an invitation to a house party to a night out in a bar or club.
So, the question is, how can we throw a party without spending all our money? Easy just read our "hot tips":
Hot Tip #1 Careful planning
"It's all in the planning," claim party experts. If you plan the number of guests and the menu with prices in mind, it won't be expensive. Remember, in this situation, less is more-the fewer guests you invite, the lower your costs will be. Equally, if you hold the party in your own home, it'll be even cheaper for everyone. Going to pubs or chubs will be too expensive. Also, if you buy a few candles and simple decorations, you'll be able to create a bar scene in your own front room.
Hot Tip #2 Shop intelligently
One of the biggest costs is the food and drink. If you shop efficiently, you will spend less money on them. In big supermarkets, you often have "three for the price of two" food offers. You can also pick up alcohol (酒) quite cheaply if you look for deals. If you host a party, people won't require a three-course meal-a simple spread of crisps， olives and dips (调味酱) is enough.
Hot Tip #3 Caring is sharing
Don't be scared to ask your guests to bring something. If you invite close friends, they'll be happy to contribute. For example, you could ask someone to bring some snacks and someone else to bring cups. After all, the idea is to get your nearest and dearest together in honour of friendship and good times.
So what are you waiting for? Find an excuse to celebrate and start sending out those invitations. But remember, save yourself some money, get creative and don't do everything yourself.
"Even though Shenzhen is a big city with a big population…you don't have to be alone," Joe Macpherson, an outdoor lover from Wales, the United Kingdom, said.
Joe came to Shenzhen five years ago. He knew that newcomers in a country might find it hard to get to know the local life. The newcomers want to meet local friends, and the local people also want to find a way to practice English. Therefore, Joe creates chances for them both. He introduces different clubs and events to people according to their interests when people turn to him for help.
What's more, Joe takes a lead in hiking activities or city walks to bring people together. Different kinds of people have joined in his activities. Some are the local Chinese. Some are expats (侨民) from different parts of the world. In the group, the commonest spoken language is English, but people can speak any language. They have fun in the group. His events are all free and anyone can join in them. The outing usually lasts for two to three hours. In addition to the outdoor social events, Joe also organizes other activities.
With his friends' help, Joe created a community in the WeChat group, Shenzhen Guide. At first, the group was created to invite outdoor lovers to join in the events he organized. Since Joe and his friends would share useful information about entertainment, events and news, the group quickly developed as friends would invite other friends to join. Joe then worked to build Shenzhen Guide into a noncommercial brand where those unfamiliar with the city could ask questions or find useful information.
"I hope everybody likes Shenzhen as much as I do," Joe said. The city is full of beauty, but there were no detailed English introductions to its beauty. This made Joe start writing guides for Shenzhen. He has already published 115 articles about Shenzhen's parks, mountains and other beautiful places.
Do you use a computer? I have a Mac ibook G4. I find this little one to be fantastic, and it carries out all the functions I need. Some notebook computers are only a half inch in thickness but still have as much power and capacity as some desk top computers. Still it seems technology is constantly improving.
In today's world if you are still lacking this important piece of equipment, you are missing out so much! Admittedly some name-brand computers may be a little expensive.
For many people, not having a computer would mean not being able to function. There is the convenience of being able to order your weekly groceries and have the store deliver them to your door, check your bank balance at any time even fill in your tax return!
Fortunately, computer prices have reduced greatly in recent times. Recently I paid $1000 for a new Apple notebook which has some really great features. As time moves on, it would seem you can get far more computers for less money and start a whole new adventure. You could ask a friend or a family member if you could use their computer to search the net. DELL often has some great deals!
A. Some of the best deals in computers are actually on the Internet.
B. Technology is moving so fast at moment.
C. It is possible to buy a relatively cheap computer which still comes with great
features.
D. However, there are huge numbers of far cheaper options available.
E. Having access to a computer and Internet opens up a whole new world.
My roommate Kate was very organized. Each of her objects had its place, but my things were always in a m. Over time, the different lifestyles made it more and more difficult for us to live together. Finally, our r became worse and worse.
War broke out one evening. We shouted crazily at each other. The room was f with anger. Then Kate received a phone call. From her conversation, I could tell her grandma was s ill. After she hung up, she cried. Suddenly, a warm feeling of sympathy rose up in my heart. Slowly, I began to tidy my things up. After seeing this Kate smiled at me and said, "Thanks." Kate and I stayed roommates for the rest of the year. We didn't always a with each other, but we learned to live together peacefully.
学业上：1）每天花费很多时间在作业上，导致休息、锻炼时间剧减；
2）作业难度大，经常遇到不会做的题目；
3）......
同学关系上：毕业临近，不舍分离。
家庭关系上：与父母欠缺沟通，父母不理解。
Dear Miss Lin,
Your advice is always helpful to us.
I've met some problems these days.
