Many students ask for advice about improving their English. There are three basic questions.
The first question is about real English. Li Hao from Hubei wrote, “I enjoy watching English films and listening to real English songs. But it takes a long time. What do you think?”
This is a great way to learn English! Talk about the film or song with your friends, and guess the meaning of the new words. Just enjoy yourself!
The second question is about speaking. Sam, from Suzhou wrote. “Our school has a foreign teacher. But I'm shy and can’t speak to her. What should I do?”
When I visit China, lots of people in the street say, “Hello! How are you? Where are you from? Do you like China?” These are good questions to start a talk. Many people are shy when they speak English, so before you begin, take a deep breath and smile! Smiling always helps.
The third question is about vocabulary. Oliver, from Anhui wrote, “I want to remember all the new words. I write them down, but I forget them quickly. What should I do?”
Try to remember eight or ten words a day. Write them on pieces of paper and place them in your bedroom. Say the words when you see them, and change them every day. And when you’re  shopping, how about counting the English words, or saying the English names for everything you see?
【小題1】How many basic questions do the students often ask?

Dear grandma,

How’s it going? I hope that grandpa is well now. I was sorry to hear that he had a    21  last week. I hope you are in    22  health.

Things are fine here. I finished my end-of-year  23  last week, and got my report card today. I always    24  nervous when I see the envelope   25  school in the mail, but luckily I did OK this time. I   26  a really hard time with science this semester , and I wasn’t surprised to find that my    27  report was from my science teacher. She said I was lazy, which isn’t true .It’s just that I find   28  really difficult. Another disappointing result was in history. My history teacher said I could do better. The good news is that  29  math teacher said I was hard-working. And my Spanish teacher said my listening was good. Well, that’s about all the news I have for now. Mom and Dad    30  their love.

Love,

Alan

1.A. cold    B. lesson   C. picnic

2.A. pity    B. good C. bad

3.A. exercise    B. homework C. exams

4.A. get B. do   C. take

5.A. on  B. from C. about

6.A. made    B. had  C. put

7.A. longest B. easiest  C. worst

8.A. Chinese B. science  C. P.E

9.A. his B. your C. my

10.A. send   B. bring    C. start

Dear grandma,
How’s it going? I hope that grandpa is well now. I was sorry to hear that he had a    21  last week. I hope you are in    22  health.
Things are fine here. I finished my end-of-year  23  last week, and got my report card today. I always    24  nervous when I see the envelope   25  school in the mail, but luckily I did OK this time. I   26  a really hard time with science this semester , and I wasn’t surprised to find that my    27  report was from my science teacher. She said I was lazy, which isn’t true .It’s just that I find   28  really difficult. Another disappointing result was in history. My history teacher said I could do better. The good news is that  29  math teacher said I was hard-working. And my Spanish teacher said my listening was good. Well, that’s about all the news I have for now. Mom and Dad    30  their love.
Love,
Alan
【小題1】A. cold    B. lesson   C. picnic
【小題2】A. pity    B. good C. bad
【小題3】A. exercise    B. homework C. exams
【小題4】A. get B. do   C. take
【小題5】A. on  B. from C. about
【小題6】A. made    B. had  C. put
【小題7】A. longest B. easiest  C. worst
【小題8】A. Chinese B. science  C. P.E
【小題9】A. his B. your C. my
【小題10】A. send   B. bring    C. start

Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle, a Greek thinker, said, “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.
The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future —for example, getting into college or getting a good job —that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives. Another secret to living a happy life is to be active, and have hobbies where you forget your problems and time. Many people experience this dancing, or playing a sport, such as swimming. You can forget about your problems, and only think about the activity. Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by washing the dishes.
【小題1】According to the writer, which isn’t a simple thing in life?