The clock struck(敲) eleven at night. The whole house was quiet. Everyone was in bed except me. Under the strong light, I looked sadly at a huge pile（堆） of those trouble things —books.
I was going to have my exam the next day. “When can I go to bed?” I asked myself. I didn’t answer. And I could not. The clock struck twelve. “Oh, dear! Ten more books to read before I go to bed!” We students are the most wretched ones in the world. Dad does not agree with me on this. He did not have to work so hard when he was a boy.
The clock struck one. I was quite hopeless now. I forgot all I did learn. I was too tired to go on. I did the only thing I could. I prayed（祈祷）, “My god, please let me pass the exam tomorrow. I will work hard next time, Amen.” My eyes were so heavy that I could hardly open them. A few minutes later, with my head on the books, I fell asleep.
【小题1】The word “wretched” in Line 6 means _______.

I will work in Beijing ____ ten years.

People all over the world celebrate the new year. However, not all countries celebrate in the same way, and in some countries, the new year doesn’t begin on the   1   date very year.
In many countries, the new year begins on 1st January, but people start celebrating on 31st December, New Year’s Eve. In New York many people go to celebrate in Times Square.  2    they’re waiting for the New Year, they listen to music, sing traditional songs and have fun. Just before 12 o’clock, everyone   3  down from 10: 10, 9, 8… As soon as it’s 12 o’clock, everyone shouts very  4 , “Happy New Year!”
New Year’s Day is often a family day. Some families get together for a special meal. When the weather is fine, many families go out for a   5 .
On New Year’s Day, many people make resolutions for the new year. They   6  a list of things, such as “I will help out more with housework. I will work   7  at school than others.” or “I won’t spend so much time playing video games.” When they have made   8  list, they read it to their family or friends and promise to   9  their resolutions.
So it doesn’t matter how they celebrate,   10  people in countries all over the world, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old year, and to welcome the new.