I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have porridge, eggs or toast. When others had Cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. But at least I wasn’t alone when I was sad. My sister and two brothers had the same mean(刻薄的) mother as I did.?
My mother preferred to know where we were all the time. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. We had to clean clothes and take a bath every day. The other kids got to wear the same clothes for days. We could not lie in bed “sick” in order to miss school.?
The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and get up at eight the next morning. We couldn’t sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept, my mother was brave to break the Child Labour Law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, and learn to cook and all sorts of things at home. I believe she lay awake thinking up all things for us to do. ?
My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Two of her children received higher education. None of us have ever been arrested(taken away by the police) or divorced. She forced us to grow up into educated and honest adults. I am trying to raise my three children this way. I am filled with pride when my children call me “mean”. Why? Because now I thank God every day for giving me the meanest mother in the world.?
【小题1】 How many children does the writer’s mother have??

I am a person who can get angry easily. But since I read an article    1  by my English teacher, things have changed a lot. I’m    2  at a boarding (寄宿的) school. So I  3  learn not only how to study well, but also how to   4  with others. Some of us are outgoing  5 others are quiet. It is   6   that people have problems and arguments. So how can we be tolerant（宽容的，容忍的）? Smiling   7 others is the easiest way. Another way is  8  if your ideas are reasonable (有道理的) and right   9  having an argument. If others’ ideas are really not good, keep an open mind. Try 10  them.   11  a friend is much better than having an enemy after all. Also   12  point out other’s mistakes in public. This will make people lose   13  and get angry. If you really want to help, send a letter instead. On the other hand, if    14  points out your disadvantages, don’t be angry. Just think this is a person who really __15___to help you and become friends. Remember: Tolerance makes life easier.