Duolun county,     1     (locate) in Inner Mongolia, only 180 kilometers away from Beijing，once suffered severe erosion and desertification (沙漠化).

Ma Yunping, a retired soldier,     2     (sell) six cows to collect 7,000 yuan and decided to contract 3,700 mu of deserted sandy land. Due to Duolun’s unique geological (地质) environment, which consists mainly of shifting sand dunes (沙丘), the inexperienced Ma tried planting grass under the     3     (guide) of the forestry department. However, the sandstorms came frequently. He failed many times     4     continued trying, learning from his mistakes.

During the first three years, planting grass became his primary job. Slowly, the yellow sand was stabilized, and     5     touch of green appeared. In 2016, Ma established a     6     (profession) organization, which now has over 40 members. “I want everyone in my village to     7     (active) participate in preventing and treating desertification and to share in the green achievements,” he said.

So far, in this area, Ma has planted about 400,000 trees in total. All of them have grown into flourishing vegetation, and not a bit of yellow sand can     8     (find). Reflecting     9     the 20-year journey of fighting against desertification, Ma has long engraved the patches of green on the dunes into his heart. “I am so fond of the greenery, and I want to keep     10     (follow) it,” Ma said.

One day in 1998, I went to visit my 90­year­old grandma in a nursing home. She had lived there for 15 years. But it was becoming a little bit sad, partly because the place was full of people who     1    (be) at the last stage of their life. What’s     2    (bad), it was taking her longer and longer     3    (recognize) me.

She was really excited that day because they were having a dance party. I was not a big fan of dancing,     4     I was a big fan of Grandma, so I accepted her     5    (invite). During the party, an old lady     6    (sit) next to me chatted with me, saying how much she loved music and dancing. Not knowing     7     to say, I stood up and invited her for a dance.

I danced with all the ladies,     8    (particular) with Grandma, which was awesome. However, I felt discomfort throughout     9     party. I didn’t know the reason at that moment. But now, I realize it was my fear of watching Grandma grow older, my powerlessness to do anything about it and the thought of losing     10    (she) that made me uncomfortable.