1 . When I first entered university, my aunt, who is an English professor, gave me a new English dictionary and advised me to use it. I was _______ to see that it was an English-English dictionary, also known as a monolingual (单语的) dictionary. Although it was a dictionary intended for non-native learners, none of my classmates had one and, to be honest, I found it extremely _______ to use at first. I would _______ words in the dictionary but still could not fully understand the meanings. I was used to the _______ English-Chinese dictionaries, in which the words are _______ both in English and Chinese. I really wondered why my aunt gave me such _______ to make things so difficult for me. Now, I understand that monolingual dictionaries are_______ in learning a foreign language.

As I _______, there is, in fact, often no perfect equivalent (对应物) between two _______ in two languages. My aunt even ________ that even a Chinese “equivalent” can never give you the ________ meaning of the word in English! Therefore, she insisted that I read the definition of a word in a monolingual dictionary when I wanted to get a better ________ of its meaning. Gradually, I have come to see what she ________.

Using a monolingual dictionary has helped me in another important way. This dictionary uses a(n) ________ number of words, around 2, 000, in its definitions. When I read these definitions, I am ________exposed to the basic words and learn how they are used to explain objects and ideas. Because of this, I can express myself more easily in English.

2 . I was late for my flight. Sweating and out of breath, I quickly made my way to the _______. After boarding, I greeted my _______: a middle­aged woman sitting at the window, and a little girl sitting on the aisle (过道) seat. I took my place _______ them. I began a conversation with the little girl who was busy _______ her book. I found it _______ that such a young girl would be traveling alone, and I decided to _______ her to make sure she was okay.

Suddenly, the plane began extreme turbulence (颠簸). The pilot told everyone to remain calm, because we met _______ weather.

Several times the plane made sharp downs and turns. Some people began _______, many sitting restlessly (烦躁地) and praying. I was sweating with each increasingly _______ shake of the plane. Meanwhile, the little girl was sitting ________ beside me in her seat. Her coloring book and crayons were put away neatly, and her hands were calmly resting on her legs.

Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the turbulence ________ soon. The pilot came on a few minutes later to announce that we would be ________ soon. As the plane began its descent (下降), I said to the little girl, “Tell me, dear, how could you remain so calm while all of us adults were so ________?” Looking me in the eye, she said, “My father is the ________, and he’s taking me home.”

Yes. If we recognise the power of ________, we will fear nothing.

3 . The arts, especially music, should be part of every school’s lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.

Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music programme, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang (团伙). Parents can enjoy listening to their children’s music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.

Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practise performing in front of the audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.

Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music lessons should be offered in every single grade in every school.

4 . It was an extremely hot summer day. A thunderstorm had passed and now the clouds were cleared and the sun returned. Steam was coming off the ____ sidewalk as I parked my car. I ____ into the local store to buy my son a shirt. The air conditioner there was welcome ____ from the heat outside. 

Having made my ____,I walked back into the heat. I got into my car but had to wait to ____ because all the cars were lining up at the red light. I looked out of my car window and saw something on the pavement. A single butterfly was ____ fluttering (拍打) its wings but couldn’t get off the ground. Besides, it was right in front of a truck’s tire. Without a second thought, I got out of my car, ____ my hand so that the truck driver wouldn’t move ____,and then bent down to look at the butterfly. One of its legs was ____ in what looked like spilt soda. I reached down and ____ the butterfly in my hands ____. I lifted its leg and it was ____. I opened my hands and up it flew towards the shining sun. My own eyes shined brighter and my own heart was ____ as I watched it. 

Lots of people might wonder why I would step out into traffic like that to ____ a single butterfly. All I can say is that my heart was ____ me at that moment. And when I had done it, I felt more like my true self than I had all day.

6 . It was a dark day, one of depression, sorrow and anger. As I climbed out of the _____, after witnessing my time in the 100 yard freestyle, I did not feel like speaking to anyone. I saw the bright smiles of swimmers who had just _____ a best time. _____ , I had failed. Or at least that is what I thought at the time.

I was lying on my cool bed when an idea _____ my head. Success is the _____ to go from failure to failure without _____ your enthusiasm. At practice the next day, I told my swimming teammates about my goal time and they all either laughed or replied with a _____ similar response like, “You can’t do it” or “Probably not”. Believe it or not, these are the responses that made my goal _____.

Finally came the day when I had to _____ to myself and others that with ______ there is no limit to your achievements.

With the starting gun ______, I dove with perfect form into the pool. I felt the cool water running ______ my back. I swam like a fish, bouncing off each ______ at the wall as if it was a spring board. On the ______ turn, I came back to the wall with every piece of strength I had. I ______ the final wall with my fingertips and knew that I had swum the ______ race.

I had done it! I had achieved my best time! Joy filled my ______ like water does a cup. I saw the ______ on all of my friends’ faces as I ______ out of the pool: their jaws dropped to the ground. I began to laugh and gave them thumbs up.

I have ______ in life that having belief in yourself opens all gates. Never forget that anything the mind can conceive and believe can achieve.

7 . Welcome to the 4-Day Wonderful Life Experience

This 4-day sightseeing tour covers the most famous elements(元素)of China: the historical sites, natural scenery, unique culture, and lovely giant pandas.

Day 1　Beijing Arrival

Your guide will meet you in the arrival hall. An experienced driver will transfer you to your hotel. Your guide will help you to check in.

You may start your first day wandering through Tian’anmen Square and arrive at the Forbidden City to have a little adventure in the previous emperors’ home. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll explore the centuries-old hutongs to get a taste of the locals’ lifestyle: making dumplings in a local family’s home, trying your hand at Chinese calligraphy, or applying Peking Opera facial makeup.

Day 2　The Summer Palace and the Great Wall

Freshen up in the morning and start your day at the Summer Palace, enjoying the over-200-year-old royal garden. Take a pleasant boat ride on the lake and take a walk in the long corridors(走廊)to view the beautiful paintings on the ceilings.

After enjoying some Beijing Roast Duck for lunch, we’ll go on our tour to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Walk through the watchtowers, enjoying a wonderful view of the wall winding across the mountains. The cable car to a good section of the Great Wall is included.

Day 3　The Terracotta Army(兵马俑)

At 7 in the morning, you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Xi’an. Your guide will be waiting for you and will transfer you to your hotel.

Everything in Xi’an is about history. The Terracotta Army, with each figure being unique, has guarded Emperor Qinshihuang’s tomb since 210 BC.

After lunch, you’ll visit the over-600-year-old ancient city wall. Walking along the Xi’an City Wall provides a good view of the city.

Day 4　One-Day Panda Keeper Program

In the morning, you’ll get onto a high-speed train to Chengdu, where you can get close to giant pandas. You will get very close to them and learn more about them during the Panda Keeper Program in the Dujiangyan Panda Park. Under the guidance of an English-speaking member of staff, you will clean the panda enclosures, feed a panda by hand and make cakes for them.

After the tour, the driver will transfer you to the airport at 9 pm, and take you all the way to the security gate for your convenience.

China visas provided PLUS a free dinner or a snack tour.

Valid:Nov. 20, 2019—Dec. 2, 2020

Please click here for more detailed information.

9 . One evening, Catherine was at home as usual. As her ____ swung between what she was going to do with her life and their dinner plans for the evening, she was unexpectedly ____ by an urgent call from her sister. “Get over here! Turn on NBC and check these guys out. They are just like you...” One Facebook message and a phone interview later, Catherine _____herself on a bus with 8 strangers in the middle of the sweltering desert heat of Utah, picking up trash and _____awareness about zero­waste and climate change.

With a deep love of the environment, Catherine, Davey, and a group of   ____“environmental pick­up artists” went on a coast­to­coast roadside trash pick­up. As they walked, sometimes only _____0.9 miles in an entire day, they _____and steadily made their way across the United States for three years, picking up a total of 201, 678 pounds of trash.

Catherine and Davey _____with us wonderful stories of hope and inspiration that fueled their ____ to continue their journey. After spending weeks silently worrying about how she would have enough ____ to fly home for their two­week spring break, Catherine found a blank, unidentified envelope ____ with $850 in cash in the desert. Just enough to get her home and back. After their bus _____outside of Denver, they unexpectedly got help and arrived in Yosemite National Park three weeks later, just in time for the “Yosemite Facelift” where ____ from all over the state came together with a purpose of cleaning up trash all over the park.

Being at the right place at the right time became almost normal, and they realized that much of what they ____ was more than just a coincidence. Together, their team learned to simply ____ themselves to their task，and surrender to the journey.

10 . This idea is unkind. Children need to have a good holiday at the end of a busy school year. The long holidays give them time to do things they wouldn’t otherwise(不然) get to do. In my family we go to Ireland and see relatives and friends during the summer vacation. And it might seem long to some people, but time flies when you’re having fun.

—Ruby Mullin

I have good memories of my own long summer holidays, and I love the chance to have days out with my son. I think many parents, especially single parents like me, have made job choices based on being able to have time off for the summer—and now we’ve done that, we don’t want to see things changed.

—Viki Bantock

Having worked at a school that had a four-week summer break instead of the usual six, I’d say longer holidays are better. Teachers are under so much stress now to get good results; most put in lots of hours in the evening and at weekends and feel very tired by the end of term. There is no progress in learning after a six-week holiday, but it only takes a few weeks for students to get back up to speed.

—Marek Kaminski

A shorter summer holiday would be much better. The six-week break seems a thing for another age, when mothers didn’t work and your mum lived round the corner to give you a hand. If I was able to take a six-week holiday, great, I’d love it—but in the real world that isn’t possible. Instead, I end up spending around ￡600 on childcare for each week when I’m working.

—Nachelle Crowther