Once, our team faced a difficult task that seemed impossible to complete. Everyone was feeling down, but I knew we couldn’t give up.

I    1    them    2    , reminding them that if we all    3    , we could overcome any obstacle.    4    the task seemed daunting, we    5    a plan and divided the work. Everyone    6    their assigned task and worked hard to    7    . Our efforts paid off, and we finally    8    the barriers between us and the success.

After our success, our teachers and classmates    9    our teamwork. We all    10    this experience, learning that teamwork and dedication can make a big difference. I     11    tackle more challenges with my team in the future!

Before starting college, I was told to make friends because friends could offer precious help with notes and homework. They could tell you where the parties were happening, and being in their company meant     1     well adjusted. But friends in college, a time of being away from family for the first time and facing emotional challenges alone, mean a lot more to me than that.

During my freshman year of college, two of my roommates were     2     around with me about how much I hated chicken salad. To mess with (招惹) me even more, they opened two packets of chicken salad and started eating it right in front of me. I decided to take one of those packets and throw it at them! We     3     each other up and down until I found that I had lost my favourite pair of earrings.

I started to get really     4    , but my roommates assured me that we would definitely find them. About 25 minutes later, they finally found the earrings in the elevator. I was so happy that I instantly gave them a(n)     5    . Then they told me that no matter what happened they would always be there, have my     6    , and never leave my side. It was right then and there that I knew we would be close friends for the next four years.

As an introvert (内向的人), I do think that it can be     7     to talk about certain topics with other people, such as academic struggles and complications in relationships. While there are often many resources available on campus, such as professors and advisers, I have found it most comfortable and convenient to turn to friends. Especially where emotions are     8    , outside views can provide a distance that is objective and clear. When combined with knowledge obtained through     9     experiences, this added point of view is of great help.

The numerous assignments, extracurricular (课外的) activities and social events tend to add up throughout a semester. I can confidently say that college would be much more difficult to navigate without the     10     of my friends. Much as I look forward to returning home during breaks, I have come to see some of my college friends as a whole new kind of family.

Carnival: One Day in Rio

Last year I went to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, and I was excited. However,     1     I arrived, I was quite anxious because the streets were overcrowded. Six million people     2     this incredible carnival. Luckily, I had a local guide, Ronnie. He said he would     3     and show me all the highlights. Then, we     4     to the samba parade.

Well, the carnival is most definitely all about the samba which is featured by exciting rhythms and harmonic vocals. It’s the kind of music that you can’t help dancing to.     5    , I was learning that as I followed Ronnie through the crowd, my hips and shoulders were swinging almost involuntarily.

Thanks to this lively atmosphere, my anxiety completely     6    . Ronnie had got us tickets for the samba parade inside the Sambadrome (森巴大道) where twelve main teams competed for the championship. But we still had a long way to     7     the street.     8     the main samba parade, many small parties were held in the street to celebrate the festival. You must be wondering how the main parade was. Well, I’m afraid I can’t tell you. Ronnie and I never made into the Sambadrome. Fascinated by     9     snacks and drinks, we spent the day moving from one street party to another. Do I regret missing the main parade? Not at all. I experienced the carnival like the locals, and I did     10     it.