1 . In the dining room of my grandfather’s house stood a large clock. When I was a child, the old clock_________me very much. I was surprised at how the clock would chime (敲) three times, six times or more, with a wonderful clear_________. I often paid attention to it instead of the foods when I had_________. And always the clock stood like an old family friend,_________the family. I found the clock comforting and familiar. Year after year, the clock became a part of my memories.

It was even more_________to me when my grandfather carefully wound up (上发条) that clock with a special_________each day. The key was_________to me. It kept the clock_________. It kept the clock chiming. How did it do that? I watched as my grandfather took the key from his pocket and_________the door in the old clock and used the key to wind it up. He never let that clock wind down and__________. When I got a little older, he taught me how to open the door, __________let me wind up the clock myself. I remember the__________time I did, I felt so excited…

After my grandfather__________, every time I saw the clock, I couldn’t help crying. Never could I see him again. The__________ on the clock were frozen. It stopped. I took the key with my__________hand and opened the door. All of a __________, I was a child again, watching my grandfather. He was there, smiling at me. I stood there,__________in the memories. Then slowly and__________, I wound up the clock. Tick-tock, tick-tock…The dining room and the house seemed to be filled with__________. In the image of the clock, my grandfather also__________again.

2 . I have one of those names that are hard to pronounce, so I never liked the first day of school. When teachers read through the attendance, I always knew when they came to my name: There would be hesitation, then a slow syllabic (音节的) pronunciation of my name. Before they would even finish, I would put up my hand and say, “That’s me. Just call me Sanj.”

Sanj is short for Sanjukta. It’s an Indian name derived from Sanskrit and it means “united”. Words are powerful and so are names. I like my name. It means more than diversity; it means connection.

When strangers see my name, I can tell that they are trying to figure out where I am from. Some ask me what type of name it is and I know that what they really want to ask is “Where are you from?”

Growing up, I answered that I am Canadian. I didn’t want to stand out as the Indian kid. I used to think it was impolite to ask someone where they are from — it may make someone feel like an outsider. But over time, I understand most people are just curious and want to make a connection. Now when someone asks me where I am from, I also ask them where they are from. The conversation gets interesting when this happens.

Recently, I was at a dinner where most of the guests had never met each other. At first, people asked about where others worked and lived. Then people asked about kids and dogs. People started feeling a lot more comfortable with each other, so I asked everyone where they are from. This is when the conversation really got lively. People started guessing each other’s nationalities like the ultimate party game. A woman from Jamaica told us she was going back for a wedding soon and was having trouble finding a green dress. A couple of Indian women at the table convinced her to check out an Indian clothing store and showed her a traditional Indian outfit that would look great on her. All of a sudden, all the talk about where we came from united us.

United. That is what my name means. When I introduce myself to people, I say, “My name is Sanj. It’s short for Sanjukta.” Then I tell them that is Indian and what it means. And just like that, the meaning of my name makes people united.

6 . I got addicted to cigarettes about 11 years ago. As a smoker, I certainly realizes the _________ the cigarettes are causing to my body. I used to be good at running and other sports, but smoking made my physical activity a great _________. It was not that I never thought of quitting but just the _________ of a cigarette would make me go weak at once. Then I _________ another cigarette and started my day.

For so many years I always felt unrested after a night’s _________. The cough was making my life _________. Over and over again, I was _________ asking myself about my own condition: the nicotine in cigarettes not only made my teeth brown, but also _________ my fingers and nails as well. I _________ myself, “Is all this worth it?” I didn’t get an answer.

It was my birthday’s eve and I was back home by 10 pm. Usual birthday calls from friends made me __________ till 1 am. Throughout the day I was thinking of giving myself something as a __________, but I couldn’t think of anything. Suddenly an idea __________ me. I came up with the plan of quitting smoking. This time the __________ was much stronger. I wanted to quit smoking so I can run and __________ my son during soccer practice and have more energy. Habitually I turned to the cigarette pack and it was __________, which was probably a hint(暗示). Quitting smoking is a long and painful process, but I worked hard to fight the __________ to smoke again.

Today it’s exactly 526 days__________ I gave up smoking. I feel much more energetic and I am regaining my __________ which I lost in the past 11 years. All I want to say is that strong willpower and determination really __________ a great difference. Quitting smoking is the best birthday gift I __________ for myself and it makes me feel happy and proud.

8 . I start   my workday early, parking myself in front of my home computer and often forgetting to get up for hours. But one thing I try to do every day is take a ten-minute walk around midday.

Walking at lunchtime is a smart thing to do, a new study finds. This doesn’t seem like news. After all, we’ve known forever that doing exercise is good for us. But as The New York Times points out, those fitness studies typically looked at the effects of exercise plans in the long run.   This new study looks at changes that happen more quickly, from one day to the next or even   from this hour to the next hour.

For the study, researchers gathered a group of mostly sedentary(久坐的) office workers in the UK. All were out of shape, but otherwise emotionally and physically healthy. Researchers asked them to take 30-minute lunchtime walks, three days a week for 10 weeks. The volunteers were also asked to install apps on their phones, so that the researchers could send the volunteers questions   after   they   walked.   Then   the   researchers   used   those   answers   to judge   how   the volunteers were feeling about life and work, and to measure their feelings about everything from stress and tension to motivation.

When the researchers   compared the volunteers’ answers   on the   afternoons when   they walked to those on the afternoons they didn’t walk, there was quite a difference. On the days when they had a lunchtime walk, the volunteers said they felt less stressed, more energetic and more relaxed versus(与……相对) on the days when they didn’t walk.

Unfortunately, the researchers said many of the volunteers didn’t believe they’d be able to continue walking once the study ended, mainly because they were expected to work through

9 . Many sugar—sweetened beverages(饮料)have little to offer—no nutritional value and lots of calories, and their harmful health effects have been well—documented. Now, a study links drinking too many sugary beverages—and even 100% natural fruit juices—to an increased risk of early death. Specifically, drinking too much fruit juice could lead to an increased risk of early death ranging from 9% to 42%, according to a study.

Overall, the sugars found in orange juice, although naturally occurring, are pretty similar to the sugars added to soda and other sweetened beverages, the study suggests. “Sugary beverages, whether soft drinks or fruit juices, should be limited,” Jean Welsh, a co—author of the study said.

Seven US cities, including New York and most recently Philadelphia, have levied(征收)taxes on sweetened drinks with added sugar in an effort to reduce consumption. The new study defined “sugary beverages” as both sugar—sweetened drinks, like soda and fruit—flavored drinks, and 100% natural fruit juices that have no added sugar. So how does fruit juice compare to soda? “Previous research has shown that high consumption of sugars like those in soft drinks and fruit juices is linked to several cardiovascular(心血管的)disease risk factors,” Welsh explained.

People who consumed 10% or more of their daily calories as sugary beverages had a 44% greater risk of dying due to a heart disease and a 14% greater risk of an early death from any cause compared with people who consumed less than 5% of their daily calories as sugary beverages, the study showed. Each additional 12—ounce(盎司)serving of fruit juice per day was associated with a 24% higher risk of death from any cause, and each additional 12—ounce serving of sugary beverages per day was associated with an 11% higher risk.

This is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between sugary drinks, including 100% fruit juices, and early death, wrote Marta Guasch—Fere and Dr. Frank B. Hu in an editorial published alongside the new study. “Although fruit juices may not be as harmful as sugar—sweetened beverages, their consumption should be moderated in children and adults, especially for individuals who wish to control their body weight,” Guasch—Fere and Hu wrote.

Welsh said we need to consider both fruit juices and sugar—sweetened beverages when we think about how much sugar we consume each day. Between the two, she was in favor of fruit juices: “Given its vitamin and mineral content, fruit juice in small amounts may have a beneficial effect that isn’t seen with sodas and other sugar—sweetened beverages.”

10 . How to Apply for Scholarships

Unlike most financial aid, scholarships allow you to earn money for college without the worry of needing to pay it back. Here is some advice on how to apply for and potentially win a scholarship!

Finding Scholarships that Fit Your Needs. Scholarships are often offered to specific groups of people, and your background can open up scholarship opportunities.

★ If looking for scholarships in the US, you can start by searching the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search.

★ If you come from a military family, look on the Federal Student Aid website for information on scholarships available to you.

★ If you know what colleges you plan to apply to or are already admitted into a certain college, look for merit scholarships(优秀奖学金) offered by these specific schools. You can find this information on their website or through the financial aid office.

★ Some colleges and private organizations offer service-based scholarships. If you have been particularly engaged in serving one specific cause, see if there are scholarships which specifically offer money to students who have served that cause.

Writing Scholarship Essays. Do some research on the organization offering the scholarship and write down what they care about in one sentence. This will help you better understand your audience and consider ways to tailor your application to their expectations. For example, let’s say the organization wants to invest in future leaders. In your essay, you should include stories that demonstrate your abilities as a leader (in big or small settings). Please note: the last thing a scholarship committee wants to read is an essay lacking real personal information or flavor. Write in a voice that is true to who you are. Tell stories to illustrate your points but never lie about your experiences. Most importantly, don’t be disqualified for silly reasons like word limits, spell check and deadlines.

Finding the right recommenders. Choose a teacher, coach, or employer who knows you well. Academic references should come from teachers and school administrators, while character references can come from employers, coaches or unrelated adults who you interact with regularly. Avoid relatives and friends. Sponsors naturally assume that their opinions are not objective and may not take them seriously as a result.