There are several differences     1     which you need to be aware when it comes to British and American English. For example, while talking to an English person, it is better     2     (use) words such as excuse me, sorry, pardon me, and please whenever possible. Believe me, not using these words is considered rude     3     (behave) in the UK.

If you’re at work and get angry at your boss, don’t say “I’m pissed” to     4     British colleague (同事). In England, pissed     5     (actual) means drunk, so he might report your state to the boss. There is still hope for you, though: if your boss     6     (be) an American, he’ll understand that you’re just annoyed (恼火的) with him,     7     — let’s face it — is completely normal.

When nature calls, you’d better not use a     8     (confuse) word to find your way to the facilities. Here’s where the English help     9     (we) — they use the word toilet (both for the public and private one). Public toilet is also called the gents or the ladies. Americans, surprisingly, tend to be much     10     (careful) about the topic and use the word bathroom, and in the public building — a restroom or men’s room or ladies’ room.

People may find it unbelievable that two hundred years ago people did not link illness to environmental problems.     1     (tragic), in London drinking polluted water led to the outbreak of cholera. It always started in the poor neighborhood, and then it spread to the richer areas as the servants     2     (infect) with the illness passed it on. Many     3     (specialist) suspected that polluted water was to blame. An     4     (influence) doctor, John Snow dedicated himself to     5     (tackle) the crisis, and found that the dirtier the water, the more severe the illness. Therefore, it was vital     6     water should be purified. They brought     7     the view that the handles should be removed from pumps if the water carried the virus. Thanks to John Snow’s devotion to     8     (combat) the virus, cholera was defeated eventually.

For many students，it is a great honour     1     (participate) in all kinds of     2     (compete). Some regard competitions     3    a good chance to improve themselves while others complain that on such     4     (occasion), they have no freedom and there     5     (exist) stress. In my opinion, when an opportunity comes, you should embrace it and make every effort     6     (make) it. If you fail, it is all right, because you lose nothing. Instead, during the process, you harvest experience and courage.

Growing up with my cousin since we were     1     (teenager), we became best friends—more like brothers throughout the years. That was until we had a huge disagreement. We didn’t speak what seemed like forever. Admittedly, it never     2     (strike) me then that I was the one to blame. When someone means a lot to you and then keeps you     3     a distance, it leaves this huge void (空白) in your life and possibly all because you couldn’t admit any mistakes.

During that time, I was eager for     4     (update) of my cousin, but I lost track     5     him. After four long years, I heard he was anxious     6     (maintain) contact with me. I felt the same and didn’t postpone     7     (meet) up in person. Sitting     8     comfort, we talked in     9     familiar atmosphere. It was like we had never quarreled.

My experience taught me a valuable lesson about how to fix friendships: Don’t be afraid to reach out first.

How time flies! We have spent three years together. Apart from laughter, every inch of the campus reminds me of the scenes where we were struggling     1     (deal) with various challenges. So many unforgettable     2     (moment) are coming to my mind one by one, the first day at senior high     3    particular.

Time is a one­way trip — we cannot buy a return ticket. But     4     (impress) memories will not fade with time, neither will your lovely faces. After     5     (graduate), we will go to different colleges. I can not figure out what     6     (press) we may face. However, I am     7     (confidence) of our excellent performance in the college entrance exam and I hope that every one of us will go all out     8     (get) what we want.

It is obvious     1     Mom-­daughter relationships are very important and special in your life. Here are approaches to     2     (settle) conflicts with your mom.

It is natural to tell your mom     3     range of things about your life, to complain and unload your stress on her.     4     the fact that she has her own worries, fears and anxieties, that doesn’t mean you can’t share a series of things with her. It just means showing respect     5     her feelings.

It’s never too late     6     (apologize). Never make the other person     7     (responsibility) for your behavior. Keep it simple and to the point. Most importantly, make sure your     8     (apologise) is genuine!

Go     9     (jog) or shopping together. These little things will not only help     10     (strength) your relationship, but show how much you love your mom.

As students, what can we do to prevent natural disasters     1     happening and reduce the loss to the minimum? First of all, we should do our part to protect the environment. At the same time, measures must be taken     2     (raise) the public’s environmental awareness. We can give lectures, hand out booklets specially     3     (design) for the public or hold photo exhibitions of natural disasters. Secondly, in view of our     4     (limit) knowledge, it’s very practical and helpful to have more knowledge about natural disasters. Having some basic first­aid knowledge and survival skills, which will be     5     (benefit) to us all, is also essential. Last but not least, we hope the government should pay more attention to forecasting technology and allocate more funds for related research. I am convinced that if everyone does his best, we can live in harmony     6     nature.

Yao Ming was born in 1980. When he was young, he ate a lot, so most of his parents’ salary (工资)     1     (spend) on food. He was already 1.47 meters tall when he attended primary school. Yao Ming was a student,     2     liked reading, but because of his height,     3     (play) basketball became his first choice. In 1989, at the age of 9, Yao Ming began his part-time basketball training at the youth sports school.

In 2002, he entered the NBA Draft and     4     (select) by the NBA Houston Rockets     5     the first pick. On July 20, 2011, Yao Ming     6     (official) announced his retirement due to injury. He is modest and persistent, loyal and hard-working, and has the spirit of     7     (cooperate). And we all know he is a     8     (remark) player. We can find almost all the characteristics used     9     (describe) the advantages of a traditional Chinese man in Yao Ming.

If Jordan is regarded as the founder of basketball in the United States and the world, then Yao Ming is undoubtedly the     10     (influential) player in the world after Jordan.

Word came that the annual school sports meet would take place next Friday through Saturday. At the exciting news, the whole class burst into cheers. Without any hesitation, we set about making     1     (arrange) for the grand gala for us students.

With the sports meet approaching, we could hardly concentrate on our daily routine. Every day, we spent much of our spare time     2     (talk) about the weather for fear that the sports meet might be postponed again. Then finally came the big day, when the sports meet was held as     3     (schedule). The sports meet was pretty impressive. One of the highlights     4     (be) the parade before the start of the race. Students were marching past the podium with slogans high up in their hands, while spectators were screaming    5    (crazy). Shortly after the parade was over, the race started. Well known for running in junior high school, I     6     (recommend) to enter for the 3000-meter running race, representing my class.

Time was ticking away. Before I knew it, it was my turn to step onto the track. But all of     7    sudden, I felt a bit panicky. As I hadn’t received any training recently, I puffed and panted halfway. I was about     8     (quit) when my classmates cheered me on all the way. Anyway, I made it to the finishing line. Unable to earn a single point for my class, I was     9    low spirits. However, my friends came over and encouraged me to cheer up. It was their encouragement    10    helped heal the pain of failure.

Now two weeks have passed, but the memory still stay fresh in my mind. Disappointed as I am, I never regret taking part in the race. After all, being part of the sports meet is what I really care about.

I had to wait for them to call number 63 before I could get my food.     1     (give) a plate by a lady, I felt ashamed, embarrassed. I wondered if she thought that I was worse than her.   However, before I knew it, I received my food: a little container with a meal and some pudding. I did not have to look at the woman any more.     2     feeling of shame slowly disappeared.

Ivon suggested that we walk to Bayside. When we arrived, Ivon told me     3     desperately had to use the bathroom. He began to take     4     from his pocket that he wanted to leave with me. I thought it was a phone,     5     it was a knife. “You never know when you have to use this,” he said.

After about twenty minutes, Ivon came back. He suggested     6     we move nearer to the Miami River where it was cooler. I walked down the street,     7     (hold) the plastic bag with my food. We settled down under some coconut trees. He pointed out some police officers     8     (stand) in an area where the     9     (home) used to sleep next to a hotel.

“I guess they didn’t want us next to the hotel. You can’t have people looking     10     of their windows and seeing us,” he said.