C. A 19-year-old boy has crossed the Antarctic successfully.

D. It takes courage to go on an expedition to the South Pole.

B ★★☆☆☆

Dear Ms. Wells,

　　I heard that our school is seeking a speaker for this year's eighth-grade award ceremony. Now I would like you to please consider asking Ms. Ellen Jackson to give this important speech. I realize that the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) usually asks a local politician or successful business owner to give this talk, but I think Ms. Jackson would be better than any of our past speakers.

　　Ms. Jackson has many fine qualities that make her an excellent choice to speak at the ceremony. She not only meets the requirement of being a former Eastwood Middle School student, but she is also a longtime teacher at our school. Although she teaches English, she is good at social studies and math too. Ms. Jackson will help with any assignment for any subject. She has, however, one firm rule: when she helps, students must work.

　　Ms. Jackson is more than just a great teacher, though. She supports the students of Eastwood Middle School in everything they do, such as concerts and athletic events. She is also a very effective speaker. She knows how to say things in a way that is both elegant and easy to understand. When she talks to students, Ms. Jackson earns their respect, even when they do not like what she has to say. She knows how to make people think and act for themselves. The respect she shows students makes her a very popular teacher.

The eighth-grade award ceremony is an important event for Eastwood Middle School students. The ceremony symbolizes the end of our days in middle school and the promise of a bright future. The speaker at this ceremony should be someone who