C
Ken was going to play football in the park with his best friend John. When they were about to leave, Ken's mum came back with a letter.
“
Bad news,”
she said. “The apartment managers want to build a fitness centre where the park is.” Ken's heart dropped. The park wasn't just their football field—it was also home to the ancient sandalwood trees. John complained, “They didn't even ask us!”
Determined, the boys wrote a letter that evening. “We'll explain how the park helps everyone!” Ken said, typing angrily. The next morning, they marched to the management office, hearts pounding.
The managers listened politely as they read their letter. “But more people will use a new fitness centre,” Ms Brown, one of the managers said, her smile not reaching her eyes. Then she walked the boys out.
“They didn't care at all!” Ken said as they walked towards the park. Then they stopped at the entrance.
A shiny new sign read: “Future Home of Fitness Centre”. Behind it, the grand sandalwood tree stood tall, its leaves rustling sadly in the wind. A wild idea came to Ken. “Let's make the tree SPEAK!”
They raced home, grabbed cardboard and markers, and created a sign:
“I'm a Hawaiian sandalwood. I don't grow anywhere else in the world. My family almost died out forever. Please save me!”
Hanging it on the tree, they stepped back. “Do you think anyone will notice?” John whispered.
The next afternoon, to their surprise, dozens of handmade signs were found all over the park!
One hung from a palm tree: “I clean air for people daily!”
Another stood beside a bush: “My flowers make Hawaiian leis—symbols of love!”
Even the grass had a sign: “I stop floods by holding the soil!”
People in the community crowded around, discussing. Ms Brown stared at a sign about heart medicine. “My grandma's pills... could they come from plants?” she wondered aloud.
Days later, Ms Brown invited the boys to her office, her strict face softened. “The voices of the trees are heard,” she said. “We decided to upgrade the old fitness centre and keep the park for outdoor yoga and tai chi.”
That evening, Ken and John played football under the sandalwood tree, its leaves now dancing happily. “Who knew trees could shout so loud?” John laughed.
理解1. What was the key that helped change the managers' decision?
The community's (including plants' and people's) voices/opinions/ideas (expressed through the signs) /The signs made by the boys and the community/The information/facts about the plants/The power of the community's creativity (expressed through the signs). (答案核心需体现：标志牌上传递的信息/社区的呼声 )
2. Share your story of dealing with problems in a creative way.
Once, my deskmate and I had a disagreement about closing the window. I wanted it closed to keep warm, but she preferred it open for fresh air. Instead of arguing, I found a creative solution. I placed a small fan on my desk, pointing upwards. This way, I could feel warm because the fan pushed the warmer air near the ceiling down, and my deskmate could enjoy fresh air as the fan also helped circulate the air. Both of us were satisfied.
解析：
翻译:
### 文章部分
肯打算和他最好的朋友约翰去公园踢足球。当他们正要离开时，肯的妈妈带着一封信回来了。
“坏消息，”她说，“公寓管理人员想要在公园所在的地方建一个健身中心。”肯的心一沉。这个公园不只是他们的足球场——它还是古老檀香树的家园。约翰抱怨道：“他们甚至都没问过我们！”
当天晚上，两个男孩下定决心写了一封信。“我们会解释这个公园对每个人有多大帮助！”肯生气地打字说道。第二天早上，他们走向管理办公室，心怦怦直跳。
管理人员们礼貌地听着他们读信。“但是会有更多的人使用新的健身中心，”管理人员之一布朗女士说，她的笑容并未达眼底。然后她把男孩们送了出去。
“他们根本不在乎！”当他们走向公园时，肯说道。然后他们在入口处停了下来。
一个崭新的牌子上写着：“未来健身中心之家”。在它后面，那棵高大的檀香树矗立着，树叶在风中悲伤地沙沙作响。肯想到了一个疯狂的主意。“让我们让这棵树‘说话’！”
他们跑回家，拿起硬纸板和马克笔，制作了一个牌子：
“我是一棵夏威夷檀香树。世界上其他任何地方都没有我的同类。我的家族几乎永远灭绝了。请救救我！”
他们把牌子挂在树上，然后退后一步。“你觉得有人会注意到吗？”约翰小声问道。
第二天下午，令他们惊讶的是，公园里到处都出现了几十个手工制作的牌子！
一个牌子挂在一棵棕榈树上：“我每天为人们净化空气！”
另一个牌子立在一丛灌木旁：“我的花能做成夏威夷花环——爱的象征！”
甚至连草都有一个牌子：“我通过固定土壤来防止洪水！”
社区里的人们围过来，议论纷纷。布朗女士盯着一个关于心脏药物的牌子。“我奶奶的药片……它们会是来自植物吗？”她大声疑惑道。
几天后，布朗女士邀请男孩们去她的办公室，她严肃的脸柔和了下来。“树木的声音被听到了，”她说，“我们决定升级旧的健身中心，把公园保留下来用于户外瑜伽和太极。”
那天晚上，肯和约翰在檀香树下踢足球，树叶现在快乐地舞动着。“谁能想到树能喊得这么大声呢？”约翰笑着说。
### 理解部分
1. 什么是帮助改变管理人员决定的关键？
2. 分享你用创造性的方式解决问题的故事。
