Make a long story short for your chance to be published in Reader’s Digest and win $25,000. Here are a few of our favorite entries so far in our “Your life: the Reader’s Digest Version” contest. After reading these, head over to Facebook and submit your own story about a special moment or lesson that shaped your life.
“There’s Always a John” By Darla Boyd
During my first year of teaching, there was a kid named John in my class. John was difficult to control and he nearly drove me crazy. While talking about him one day, an old teacher put his hand on my shoulder and said, “There will always be a John. Your job is to learn to discover what makes him different and help him succeed.” The next year, there was indeed another John. But that advice taught me that there was something to appreciate in everyone.
“An Early Key Lesson” By Elaine West
Before I began my first teaching job, my mother, a teacher of 30 years, gave me a very special gift, five simple words that have had an effect on my entire life. “Make friends with the janitor (门卫).” Her wisdom taught me the respect for all types of characters and continues to enrich my life to this day. Just five little words but what an impact they can have when you take them to heart.
“Raising Mommy” By Jan Davis
Being a mother can always present challenges and rewards. Someone tells me early that children will teach you everything you need to know. Being a mother is being raised. Our children become our advisers. Their dreams become our professors, as we are taking notes carefully. The sounds of their laughter and smiles are a great reward to us. Their tears remind us that it is okay to fail, and that we should wipe the tears away and try again.
32. What did Elaine West’s mother advise her to do?
A. Take care of janitors.
B. Don’t treat students differently.
C. Don’t judge people by appearance.
D. Respect people from different backgrounds.
33. According to the passage, we can infer that _________.
A. a mother improves herself greatly in parenting
B. there is always a boy named John in a school year
C. the janitor will favor you if you respect him
D. your story may win $2,500 if you enter the contest
34. The underlined word “submit” in Paragraph 1 is the closest in meaning to __________.
A. break in B. hand in C. refer to D. turn to
35. The text is most probably a(n) _________.
A. ad for three new books B. introduction to Reader’s Digest
C. notice inviting contributions D. poster about a lecture