5 . I started training in tae kwon do (跆拳道) by accident. But in the first class, I learned something exciting—how to ________ someone grabbing your arm. I loved it, so I kept practicing and earning higher ranks.

At every rank, I found something ________, whether it was the kicks in the air or the increasingly complex patterns. But over time, “I can’t” ________ “How can I?” which then became “How will I?”

One day, I showed up to class and students were ________ wooden boards. I was convinced that they were all crazy and “I can’t” voice yelled again.

I watched, in ________ as student after student walked up to solid pieces of wood and broke them with their hands or their feet. When I was given the opportunity to ________ I chickened out. But my ________ were extremely patient. They invited me to work individually with them. I refused their first and second offer, but ________, I agreed to try.

They told me that board breaking was more a mental ________ than a physical one and taught me how to line up to break that board. And the first time I went to ________ it, I was so afraid that I missed and accidentally kicked the board holder’s fingers. I felt ________ but he encouraged me to try again. I told that doubting voice in my ________ to “shut up!”

I focused on the ________ I thought about how much I had improved and how I had surprised myself. I told myself I ________ to believe that I was able to do amazing things. And then—suddenly that board looked a lot less ________ I kicked with everything I had and it worked.

6 . Winter-swimming has become popular in Beijing. Three years ago, few people would go swimming in the icy waters. But now there is a Winter-swimming Enthusiasts’ Club and it has more than 2,000 members. The oldest is 84 years old and the youngest is only 7. The members are from all walks of life. They may be workers, peasants, soldiers, teachers, students…

Though it is now the coldest part of the season and the water temperature in the city’s lakes is around 0℃, many winter-swimmers still swim in the icy waters, even when it is snowing. They enjoy themselves in the lake, while the people by the side of the lake are wearing heavy clothes.

Why are so many people interested in winter-swimming? Because winter-swimming can be good for one’s health.

Bei Sha is a good example. He is 69, and he once suffered from heart trouble for 26 years. After ten years of winter-swimming he is now in good health. Scientists are now studying the effects of winter-swimming on health.

7 . Depression（抑郁症）in young adult males, ages 18 or 19, is linked to a 20% greater risk of having a heart attack in middle age, according to a new Swedish study.

The link can be partly explained by poorer stress resilience（抗压能力）and lower physical fitness among teens with mental disorders.

The research included 238,013 men born between 1958 and 1962 who were given examinations in adolescence（青春期）and were then followed into middle age（up to the age of 58 years）. A total of 34,503 men were diagnosed（诊断）with a mental disorder.

The study found that a mental disorder in young adulthond was linked to a higher risk of having heart attack by middle age. Compared to men without a mental illness in young adulthood，the risk of heart attack was 20%higher among men with a diagnosis.

“We already knew that men who were physically fit in adolescence seem less likely to keep fitness in later years if they have low stress resilience,” said study author Dr. Bergh, “Our research has also shown that low stress resilience is also connected with a greater tendency towards bad behavior, such as higher risks of smoking, drinking and other drug use.”

“Better fitness in adolescence is likely to help protect against later heart disease, particularly if people stay fit as they age. Physical activities may also reduce some of the bad effects of stress. Those in poor health could benefit from additional support to encourage exercise and develop plans to deal with stress,” said Bergh.

I have a good news to tell you. The World Adolescent Robotics Competition will held in Tianjin at the end of July. Hearing that you once took part in a Robotics Skills Competition and win an award, I, on behalf of the Robotics Hobby Group, intend to invite you to join your team in the coming competition. I am sure that your involvement will not only help us in win the award and also promote the friendship between our two schools.

With this email I also send you our training plan, about that I wish to get your advice because you are much experienced than us. We sincere hope that we can participate in the competition as team partner.

I'm looking forward to your reply.

Yours,

Li Jin