🟢 🟢 🟢 Which article is correct? I bought ___ umbrella because it was raining. (🧐 Bonus points for explaining your answer in the comments!)

*You Create Your Own Luck* While many perceive luck as a matter of chance or fate, a more accurate view suggests that luck is often something we shape ourselves through preparation, persistence, and mindset. High achievers frequently attribute their “lucky breaks” not to randomness, but to the groundwork they have laid over time. Creating your own luck begins with being proactive—constantly learning, building meaningful relationships, and remaining open to new experiences. These habits increase the likelihood of being in the right place at the right time. What others call luck is often the result of quiet dedication, consistent effort, and smart decision-making. Equally important is mindset. Those who cultivate optimism, adaptability, and resilience are more likely to spot opportunities even in adversity. Rather than waiting for circumstances to improve, they take action—and in doing so, they invite fortune. Ultimately, while external factors do play a role, luck often favors those who are prepared to seize it.

This week, I went out drinking with my university friends for the first time, and it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable nights I’ve had recently. We met after class and decided to go to a small bar near the station. The place had a warm atmosphere, soft music, and friendly staff, which made everyone feel comfortable. At first, we were all a little nervous and quiet, but as we started drinking and eating, the mood became more relaxed. It felt very refreshing and different from how we usually talk at school. Everyone got a little tipsy, and because of that, we became more honest and talkative. We laughed about small things, shared stories about our part-time jobs, and even talked about love and our future dreams. I realized how fun it is to spend time together outside of class, not just studying but really getting to know each other. The night ended with lots of smiles and promises to go out again soon. It was a truly special and unforgettable experience for me.

I definitely want to say something about my last trip. It's a five-day bus trip. We travelled acorss four provinces over 2500 kilometres. So, you can imagine how many hours we staying on the bus with an average speed of 80 kilometres per hour. You might think that it's really boring, but we really enjoy the scenery along the roads. A tight schedule always made us get to the must-visit places later than we planned. Once, we reached a scenic spot at night. We found it's more fun to visit there than during daytime. The colorful lights were shinning in the dark and reflecting on everyone's smiling face. It's perfect! So, a trip is like the journey of our whole life. Maybe we can get tired at one moment. We may feel sad and lose the chance to enjoy something interesting which actually get along with us. If we have the ability of finding beauty, beauty is in everywhere!

The Great Languages Challenge can be completed during a planned lesson or also set as a language-themed homework task

Hello. Last weekend was our university festival, and it was incredibly busy. I had to wake up very early every morning and kept moving around the campus until late at night. There were so many things to do—helping at different booths, guiding visitors, and preparing for events. Although I was really tired, I still went to my part-time job right after the festival each day. By the end of the weekend, my body felt completely exhausted, and all I wanted was to sleep for a whole day. However, there is no time to rest because I still have reports to write, tests to study for, and seminars to attend. Even though I feel worn out, I want to keep doing my best and not fall behind. Looking back, the festival was fun and full of good memories with friends. Everyone worked hard together, and that made me realize how strong our teamwork has become. I hope to stay motivated and finish this semester well.

My was his birthday recently. My family and relatives held a birthday party for him. He is really cute and we all love him. I bought him a very pretty outfit, but it was a little tight. I was sad because it was expensive. I found out I have to fix it so that he can wear it. I also made a cake for him. He can eat sweet potatoes and yogurt, so I used them. The next day, my family, my dog, and I went shopping in Yokohama. It was a dog festival day, so there were many dogs there. There were big dogs and dogs I had never seen before. It was so fun, but of course, my dog was the cutest! There were many dog goods, like clothes, snacks, and hats. I bought a hat for my dog because I don’t want him to get sick. We ate human food there, and I ate “omu-soba.” It was very delicious. I want to go to the dog festival again with my dog.

Today, I have a part-time job. It will last until midnight, so it will be a hard day. I must be careful because I have a class tomorrow morning, and I cannot oversleep. I will try to finish work early and go home quickly. Recently, I am really into playing games, but today I will not play. I want to focus on my tasks. When I get home, I plan to take a bath right away to relax. After that, I need to work on my homework. I still have some assignments left, so I will do my best to complete them. It is not easy, but I know I can do it if I try hard. I want to manage my time well and stay focused. Even though I am tired, I will keep going. I hope I can finish everything before going to bed. Saying all this… I feel a little embarrassed, haha😭