My name is Tom and I'm 15 years old. My parents do not spoil (溺爱) me. They are very 1 me. For example, they don't give me any pocket money (零花钱).
"We'd like to give you pocket money," my father says, "but we 2 that you should work and get some money by helping with the 3 . You can sweep the floor, clean the rooms, do the dishes, water the plants or take out the rubbish. You can also look after the dog."
" 4 you don't want to help with the housework, you can find a job," my mother says. "You can work in a restaurant, wash cars, or help kids with their homework. You should learn that money doesn't grow on trees. All of us 5 work to get money. If money is important to you, find a job!"
My parents want to teach me the 6 of work. They want me learn 7 to stand on my own two feet (自食其力).
My friends say that my parents are too strict. "We don't 8 for our pocket money," they say. "When we finish our homework, we can 9 do what we like."
Sometimes I'm angry with my parents, but what can I do? I don't want to help with the housework, so I must find a job —a job I'll 10 doing.
