Thank you, Mr. Morley, for your kind introduction. It was very nice of you to speak of me like that. While I was listening, I had trouble believing that I was the man you were talking about.

     My thanks go out to all of you for being here at this dinner. I look around and say to myself, "These people are my friends." And you know how good it is to be among friends.

     Seven years ago, I became the tennis coach (教练) at this school. I can remember arriving here as if it were yesterday. When ! started coaching, we only had a small team then, just three boys and two girls, and only one tennis court. So my first job was to increase the team. At the end of the first year, we had ten boys and six girls. And it seems like the team keeps getting stronger every year.

     I've been lucky to have some really good players to coach. Coaches love good players. Some great players from our school over the past years include Herbert Bradbury, Christopher Stanton and Emma Austen, all champions (冠军) during the years they played.

     Among the players on our team now is Arthur Burney, perhaps the best of them all. I'm sure you all join with me in wishing him good luck as he leaves for Capetown next week. He's our first student to enter the Capetown Junior International Tennis Tournament, where he will play against some of the best young tennis players in the world. Good luck, Ace!

     The time has come for me, however, to make a change. Recent health problems have made it difficult for me to continue coaching.

     I must say, I'm looking forward to my retirement (退休) with mixed feelings. I'm certainly ready for a long rest, but I'm a bit worried about what I'll do with all my spare time. You might find me coming down to watch the games from time to time. If you can still remember me, you might say hello.

     Thank you everyone. I'll miss you all.

38. What did the man say in the speech?

     A. He introduced a famous person.    B. He started a meeting.

     C. He would not work any more.      D. He thanked the school for an award.

39. Who were Bradbury, Stanton, and Austen?

     A. Ace's teachers                   B o other coaches at the school

     C. players on the team now          D. students from the past

40. What happens to Ace next week'?

     A. He leaves Capetown.             B. He's away from this school.

     C. He's unhealthy for work.          D. He comes to Emma Austen

41. How does he probably feel during the speech?

     A. Very surprised  B. Quite satisfied  C. A bit frightened     D. A little sad

42. What causes the speaker's retirement?

     A. His health problems.             B. The changes in the players.

     C. He's too old.                    D. He's sick of coaching.

Top student Lin Yijian had a problem recently. The 14-year-old boy from Xiamen used to get marks of over 110 points (out of 120 possible points) on his math tests. But during last semester's final exams, his math score was only 90 points.
It was a shock. "I didn't know what happened," said Lin, who kept feeling nervous and frustrated about math during the following month.
Like Lin, many of us have setbacks (挫折) in life. What would you do to deal with these setbacks? Would you just let them be and give up?
Lin chose to face his problem. His parents and teacher also gave him help. After some hard work he now gets marks between 100 and110 points on his math tests. Although he still isn't at his original (原来的) level, Lin doesn't panic anymore.
"Don't be scared by setbacks," he said. "You will beat it."
Chen Xingzhu in Shenzhen also has a story to tell. The 15-year-old girl is not good at doing sit-ups (仰卧起坐), which is necessary for the coming high school PE entrance exam. One has to do at least 35 sit-ups in a minute to pass the test. Most of Chen's classmates can do 40. However, Chen could only do 20.
Feeling worried, Chen decided to do something. She did sit-ups for half an hour every day after school. Now, after a month, she can do 30 sit-ups a minute.
"I finally found what made me slow through continuous practice and then improved little by little," said Chen. "I believe next month I will be able to do 40!"
【小题1】 What problem did Lin Yijian have recently?